How to Make a Dora Backpack

If you know a little one who loves Nick Jr's Dora the Explorer, then you are probably familiar with her purple friend, Backpack. The easy-to-follow steps provided here can help you to create a backpack for your little one that is just like Dora's. It makes a great birthday gift, and if he or she is old enough, you might even consider letting your child help.

Things You'll Need

• Sturdy purple fabric (1 yard) Measuring tape Fabric marking pencil Straight pins Red felt White felt Black felt Scissors Sewing machine or needle and thread Fabric glue 4-inch by 10-inch piece of thin cardboard (optional) Large button (optional)

Instructions

Cutting the Fabric

1. Wash, dry and iron your fabric. Fold the fabric in half with the right sides together and lay it flat.

2. Measure and mark a 12-inch by 10-inch rectangle on the fabric. Cut out the rectangle, cutting through both layers of fabric so that you have two pieces of the same size. These will help form the main part of the backpack.

3. Measure and mark an 18-inch by 3-inch rectangle on the fabric. Cut out this rectangle, cutting though both layers of fabric so that you have two fabric strips. These will form the backpack straps.

4. Measure and mark a 12-inch by 4-inch rectangle on the fabric. Cut out this rectangle, again cutting through both fabric layers. These will form the sides of the backpack.

5. Open up the fabric and lay it flat so that it is only a single layer.

6. Measure and mark a semi-circle that is 10 inches long and 5 inches wide at the widest point. Cut out the semi-circle.

7. Measure and mark a 10-inch by 4-inch rectangle. Cut this piece out.

Sewing the Backpack

1. Take one of the 18-inch by 3-inch fabric strips and fold it in half with the right sides together.

2. Sew the long edge together to create a fabric tube.

3. Turn the tube right side out and iron it flat with the seam in the middle.

4. Stitch straight down the strap on each side of the middle seam, about midway between the seam and the edge of the strap. This will reinforce the strap and help it to lay flat.

5. Repeat Steps 1 to 4 for the other 18-inch by 3-inch fabric strip. Set the completed straps aside.

6. Pin one of the main backpack pieces (12-inch by 10-inch rectangle) and one of the 12-inch by 4-inch rectangles (with the right sides facing) together along the 12-inch edge. Sew these pieces together, removing the pins as you go along.

7. Pin the other 12-inch by 4-inch rectangle to the opposite 12-inch edge of the main backpack piece in the same manner. Sew these pieces together, again removing the pins as you sew.

8. Pin the other 12-inch by 10-inch piece to the opposite 12-inch edge of one of the 4-inch rectangles (with right sides facing), and sew them together. Repeat this process for the other 4-inch rectangle. When finished, you should have an inside-out box shape.

9. Now, pin the 10-inch by 4-inch rectangle to the bottom edge of this box on three sides, leaving one of the 10-inch sides open. Sew the three pinned edges together, removing pins as you sew. This will form the bottom of the backpack.

10. Find the backpack straps that you set aside earlier. Measure 1 inch from each corner of the bottom of the backpack along the edge you left open. Pin the short edge of one of the straps in between the bottom and back sides of the backpack at each of the corners you marked. Note that the outer edge of the strap should be at the 1-inch mark and the length of the strap should be within the fabric "box" so that when you turn the entire piece right side out, the straps will be on the outside.

11. Sew along this seam twice, removing the pins during the first pass.

12. Trim any excess thread or seam fabric. Turn the backpack right side out. If desired, insert the 10-inch by 4-inch rectangle of cardboard into the bottom of the backpack to act as a stabilizing base.

13. Sew a hem around the curved edge of the semi-circle that you cut before.

14. Measure 1 inch from the corners of the top back edge of the backpack. Pin the straight edge of the semi-circle to the top edge of the back side of the pack (with the right sides together, inserting the backpack straps into this seam the same way you did at the bottom).

15. Sew this seam twice. Trim the seam and any excess threads.

16. Flip the flap you just created closed, and if desired, determine where you want it to button closed. Attach the button to the front piece of the backpack. Cut a small slit in the flap and sew around the edges to create a buttonhole. Button the backpack closed.

Creating Backpack's Face

1. Cut a big smiley mouth out of the red felt.

2. Cut two ovals out of the while felt.

3. Cut two small circles out of the black felt.

4. Use fabric glue to attach the small black circles to the white ovals to create Backpack's eyes.

5. Now, use the fabric glue to add the eyes and mouth to the front of the completed backpack, creating Backpack's face. You're done!

Tips & Warnings

• If you want, you can add a pocket to one side for Map. This backpack will fit most kids who are 3-6, but the size can be modified for older children or adults.