Outer Space by NASA – A Toddler Backpack & Wet Bag

With my son starting daycare soon, I wanted to make something special just for him—something he could take on his new adventure. When I saw the Outer Space by NASA collection, I knew these amazing prints would be perfect for a backpack! I also made a matching wet bag because let’s face it, toddlers are messy and go through lots of wardrobe changes.

Hi, it’s Kathleen Hauschild-Brown from Brown Haus Stitchery located in Ottawa, Ontario, and I’m so excited to be guest blogging and share this project with you today!

The Outer Space by NASA collection is filled with rockets, spacesuits, constellations, and planets, and I chose a few of my favourite prints to bring these bags to life! I used nickel hardware and cobalt zippers from Along Came Quilting, located in Calgary, Alberta. The finishing touch? Fun labels designed by Sarah Hearts.

Toddler Backpack

For the backpack, I used The Violet Backpack pattern by Knot and Thread Design. It’s a great size for a toddler, just big enough to fit his essentials while still being easy for him to carry with the toddler strap modification provided.

To highlight these fun prints, I chose a variety of fabrics for the different bag pieces. The main planet print is such a showstopper with its saturated colours that I knew right away I wanted it to be used on the main body, both front and back. Since this backpack will inevitably end up on the floor, I opted for a dark print for the gusset to help hide the dirt. Here’s a breakdown of the fabrics used:

• Outer Space by NASA Main Navy – Main body and interior pocket
• Outer Space by NASA Constellations Cobalt – Zipper strips
• Outer Space by NASA Moon Boots Gray – Lining
• Outer Space by NASA Rocket Math Black – Gusset
• Outer Space by NASA Spacesuit Patent Red – Accent, straps, handle, interior pocket and binding

This bag came together really quickly, and I love how the mix of prints makes it feel so fun and playful—both on the exterior and interior! The different fabrics add so much character, making it a truly one-of-a-kind piece. Plus, the bold colours make it easy to spot at daycare, which is always a bonus! I’m so happy with how it turned out.

A Matching Wet Bag

Since daycare means lots of changes (and sometimes messes!), I also made a matching wet bag using the Constellations Cobalt & Rocket Math Black fabrics. I followed the easy and free wet bag pattern from Make It & Love It, making modifications to the size and carrying strap. This bag is lined with white waterproof PUL, making it perfect for storing extra clothes or keeping damp items separate. The strap with the snap makes it super easy to attach the wet bag to the exterior of the backpack or to hang on a door for easy access.

Ready for Takeoff!

Seeing my son proudly wear his new backpack, ready to take on this next big step, made this project so worth it. The mix of fun prints and thoughtful details makes it both special and practical, and I hope these bags serve him well for a long time!