Ella Toad hopped over to her friend Nicholas's house, where some animals were getting ready for their trek tomorrow. They were taking a picnic to the High Meadow, and hoping to find berries and cool rocks along the way. 

Some of the friends had backpacks already. But Phoebe and Josie still needed some. 

Ella said, "No problemo! I can help you make first-rate backpacks! And I need a backpack as well, so let's make me one too!"

Ella showed her friends how to cut felt into one big piece, and two smaller side pieces, like this. They used felt so they would not have to worry about the edges fraying. 

They sewed the side pieces onto the main piece. Ella used a blanket stitch because she knows how to do that, and she wanted her backpack to be fancy.

Phoebe used any old stitch because she doesn't know so much about sewing. Ella said, "That is just as sturdy, if not more so. Good work, Phoebe!"

The friends sewed straps onto their backpacks. They used pieces of leather...

...except Josie used pieces of silky ribbon. Lovely!

To close the backpacks, they used pretty buttons. Josie's backpack had a buttonhole cut into the flap. 

Ella's backpack had a button loop made of thread. 

And Phoebe's backpack had no button, but was tied with ribbons.

Now the friends are all ready for their picnic tomorrow! 

Here is a pattern for a backpack that will fit Hazel Village animals.