LITTLE HITCHHIKER BACKPACK

A backpack for all occasions but especially for being out and about, handsfree.

I'm a girl and I like handbags. My handbag collection is by no means out of control. I like basic colors, the basic patterns, enough pockets for different things and plenty of room. I can never walk around with just a clutch/wallet. Even if I don't use them, I need the security of having a plethora of things within arm's reach- tissues, moisturizer, sanitizer, lip balm, lip stick, couple of hair ties, hairbrush, chewing gum, a half dozen old receipts.. (you know just in case I wanted to return that scarf I bought after 15 mins of contemplation in the first place).

So whenever my husband and I are out and about, I inevitably end up putting our current magazine issue/ paperback, bottle of water etc in my bag. This gets more complicated when we're travelling and I add a DSLR, some cereal bars and even a light jacket to my roomy Kipling shoulder bag. (See below)

I don't mind really. For the first 10 mins, that is. Then I play the familiar switching game. 5 blocks with the bag on this shoulder. then the next, back to the first. I'm sure many of you know this game.
All this while juggling the phone with the GPS app in the other hand.

After a recent trip to Japan, I decided I'd had enough and needed to rethink this. Everyday I see people with cool backpacks around San Francisco. Surely I could find one that I liked. There were many contenders. but, alas, I didn't like the shape of one, I didn't like all the zippers on the other. Another was too big and not many were in fabrics I liked anyway.

So I decided to scour the internet for a cute backpack pattern. I found very few that were in a size I liked and free (important to me). After a bit of looking around I found a pattern that was simple, didn't use too many notions (I'm a novice), was free and I could adjust too my liking easily.
The original pattern is by Christina McKinney (you can find it here).

Reasons I like this pattern:
1. Easy to scale the size.
2. I used many techniques for the first time while making this bag. I'm a novice.
a. Adding interfacing
b. Adding sew-on velcro
c. Adding elastic
d. Adding piping
e. Adding buttons and buttonholes with my sewing machine
f. Using hardware like like the D rings and snap hook clip.
3. Simple design and chic look.

So I picked up some fabric and notions from Fabric Outlet. I sat down with a coffee and did a little math on how I could make the bag a tad bit bigger and add a couple of my own ideas to the pattern.
Et voila!

Brainstorming at Stanza coffee in Mission SF

The Fabric choices

The Velcro under the flap covers the opening which is held together by elastic

 Here you can see the elastic opening better. Also visible is the spring hook I added to hold a key chain and an extra phone pocket.

Close up of the pocket

The original pattern called for 2 sets of buttons on the straps to adjust the strap length, but I opted for a single button and 2 button holes on each strap. It amounts to the same thing. This way I just needed to sew another button hole and you could add more. 

Here you can see how one strap is in the "short" position and the other is in the "long" position, just by adjusting which buttonhole is used.

I hope you liked this post and it inspires you to go and make yourself a customized backpack!

Almond Shortbread Cookies
(16 bite sized cookies)

Ingredients:
1 cup Flour
1/4 cup Almond butter
1/4 cup Unsalted butter
1/3 cup Sugar.
Water (few teaspoons to form dough)

Method: 
Preheat oven to 350F/ 160C. Mix ingredients till you get crumbling loose dough. Add water 1 tsp at a time till you get a dough that stays together but is firm. Divide into 16 parts and shape as desired. Bake 14-18 mins.

I used a kitchen utensil to make the pattern on the top. You could press the top gently with a fork.

Phyllo dough Canapés

Preheat oven to 376F/ 170C

The base: Thaw out the phyllo dough. Brush 4 sheets of phyllo dough with salted butter and layer one on top of the other. Cut into 12 squares. Each square would have 3 inch sides*. Prepare a mini cupcake tray by lightly greasing with oil or butter. Line the inside of each mold with the layered dough. Bake blind** for 15 minutes or till the edges of pastry become golden. Meanwhile prepare the filling.

Smoked Tuna and Cream Cheese filling:
1 cup smoked tuna,
1/4 cup cream cheese,
3 tbsp cilantro,
1 tbsp butter,
1 tbsp minced shallots.
salt and paprika (optional).

You can add more fresh herbs or green onion if you like.

Egg Salad filing:
4 boiled eggs (chopped),
1/4 cup mayo,
1/2 tsp mustard,
2 tbsp green onion,
salt and pepper
a dash of tabasco for heat (optional)
*Customize with your favorite topping. Here I've added slices of Avocado for a bit more creamy texture.

* I buy standard 9x12 inch sheets. cut once into 1/2 and then each half into 6 squares for even sized pieces.
**Blind baking involves filling the dough cavity with uncooked beans to prevent the center of the dough from rising into a dome shape. It presses the base down and cooks it in place. It does not change the taste/texture of the dough. You can save and reuse the same beans next time. I use red beans. 

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
 Serves 2

1 14 oz can Chickpeas/ Garbanzo beans (drained)

1 cup Tomatoes, chopped

1/2 cup Sweet peppers, chopped

2 tbsp Red onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp Lemon juice 

1 tbsp Olive oil 

2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried)

1/4 tsp Paprika 

Salt and pepper to taste 

Mix all ingredients and chill for 2 hrs before serving.