My son Archie is notoriously adventurous. He goes and goes and goes and lives to explore. He always wants to see how far he can push something until it breaks (and it often does). He is fearless and is rarely deterred by silly things like bodily harm. He loves bananas and can eat a whole large one in about 15 seconds. It is a wonder to watch. He’s tender and cuddly. He’s also the namesake for my latest pattern!

If you’ve been around for a while, you’ve seen my Violet Backpack Pattern, which is a mini backpack that functions well as a travel bag or as a backpack for your littles. I have loved using my Violet backpacks over the past couple of years. And while it has its place and purpose, I had a lot of requests for a larger version of the backpack. Thus the Archie Backpack was created.

I decided about a week before Quiltcon this year (Feb 2024) that I needed the larger-sized backpack, and I needed it right away so I could take it with me to Quiltcon. I started researching sizes for full-size backpacks, came up with the dimensions, and then rummaged through my quilted scrap fabrics left over from previous projects. I found a mix-and-match group that went together and started sewing! I love the way it turned out, and I can’t wait to make another mix-and-match scrap Archie Backpack! I took it with me to Raleigh on the airplane and through the show and really loved it. I held my computer and everything else I needed while traveling with two toddlers on an airplane (Laptop, 2 iPads, headphones, snacks, toys, pens, chapstick, wipes, etc.) I was sold on the size and have now made three more samples as I was finalizing all the pattern details!

The Archie Backpack is a variation of the Violet Backpack, sized up, with a few extra features added. Most noteworthy are the additional side pockets, laptop pocket, and other pockets on the inside. This bag is ready for adventure! You can carry a lot of things in it. And since the straps are adjustable, you can make it fit anyone.

This bag would make a perfect school backpack, work bag, or personal travel bag. Because of the sturdiness of the Soft and Stable used in the bag, it will hold its shape but still flex and bend if you need it to. It uses two 30″ handbag zippers, Fusible woven interfacing, 1.5″ webbing, two strap adjusters, and two rectangle rings. You can get all of these in The Archie Backpack Finishing kit. Additionally, you can just add the pattern to your cart and then add the finishing kit bundle to your cart when prompted to do so.

If you’d like to see me do a walk-through of the pattern, check out the video below.

The backpack measures 14.5″ H x 12.5″ W x 4.5″ D. I hope you love it as much as I do!