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How To Make a Plush Turtle Backpack

Woman wearing stuffed turtle backpack.
You've seen the adorable plush embroiderable animals on Embroidery.com. Maybe someone you know has already tried using their pillow bellies as a pajama bag. Take it a step further by adding straps, and you've got an instant "backpack buddy." Mr. Shigglesworth, the Cubbie Turtle is perfectly suited for this because his shell opens with a zipper right across the top.
Step 1
Embroider Mr. Shigglesworth's shell and/or belly as desired. If your hoop is larger than the sewing area on the animal, you will use over-the-hoop technique, by hooping stabilizer, and attaching the animal to the stabilizer. Using an embroidery topper will help secure the stitches above the pile of the fabric.
Step 2
When the embroiery is finished, trim threads and remove the topping and stabilizer.
Embroidered design on belly of turtle backpack.
Step 3
Find a backpack that fits your child (or self). Measure the length of the straps, as adjusted to fit. Find or make a strap material to suit your plush animal (ribbon, ribbing, cord, etc) Add 2" to the length measured in step 1. For my 3 and 6 year olds, 18" was a good fit. For adults, try 36" inches. Cut two lengths (one for each shoulder).
Tape measure next to ribbon.
Step 4
You have 1" of material at each end to work with, should you wish to hem, or fold back part of the strap for stability.
Strip of fabric with hem stitch.
Step 5
By hand or machine stitching, attach to the top of your animal's body, and the bottom of the animal's body. Note the animal's zipper area, when planning where to attach the strap ends. For Mr. Shigglesworth, the top straps are attached between the shoulder and the pouch zipper.
Step 6
The bottom straps are attached just above the front leg joint.
Step 7
Remove Mr. Shigglesworth's stuffing pillow and store it elsewhere, if you wish -- this makes the pocket of your new backpack buddy!
Turtle backpack open showing stored items.
Girl with stuffed turtle backpack.

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