DIY backpack

Supplies: 1 yard of durable fabric

I used faux leather for the bottom...

1/2 a yard for the liner.

 drawstring, anything for closure

pattern: here

I always have my hands full with my little boys on each hand and one in the arms. I love backpacks and wanted to create one that would be functional and fit my style. I created this simple pattern to that works well with my life. 

DIY:

The pdf pattern is here 

You will need to piece the front/back part together by taping them. It will read place on fold if attached correctly. You can print actual size but if you scale it to fit that's fine it will just be a tad smaller. You will need to add 1/2 inch seam allowance. I just add it when cutting the pattern out. 

You will also need to draft 3 strips for the casing and straps if you chose to use fabric.

Make sure to place the pattern on the fold for the front and back pieces.

Tile and cut the pattern...



Press seams of pocket 1/4 inch over toward wrong side. 

Sew the top 1/4 inch over. 

Place the pocket in the middle of the front piece. To get the middle simple fold front piece in half long ways and press a line down the middle. Do the same for the pocket and then line up the pressed marks. 

Top stitch around leaving top flap open. 

You can make your own straps or purchase it from the fabric/craft store. 2 yards should be enough.

 For the straps I cut 2 strips 3in. by 28in. long and sewed them right sides together. I pulled it through with the loop turner above. I ironed them flat so the seam was down the middle of the back. 

Fold an end of the strap over an inch and sew a square evenly on the back panel. I lined them up 2.5 inches down from the top and 4 inches from the sides. Line the other end with the darts on the bottom and topstitch.

Sew the front and back panels right sides together.

Sew the bottom circular piece right sides together starting at any point. Make sure to get the straps in...

Create a liner by cutting another front and back piece and 1 bottom. Repeat the steps to make the liner but without the straps, you can add the pocket for more storage. 

Flip the liner inside out and sew right sides together leaving about a 4 inch hole so you can pull it through. 

At this point you can hand sew a snap for a closure and be done...

or...I wanted a draw string so I made a strip that measured all the way around the back pack plus 1/2 an inch for seam allowance and 4 inches in width. I then pressed the edges 1/4 inch over and then pressed the whole strip in half.

At the half way point sew 2 button holes on the front half of the strip about 1 inch apart. You can do grommet holes if you have the plier set.

Sew the casing together to form a loop by placing them rights sides together and sewing. It should evenly fit all the way around the top edge.

Pin to make sure it fits all the way around and adjust if necessary. Line the buttonholes up in the middle.

Topstitch all the way around...

Pull a drawstring through one buttonhole to the other. You will have to guide it through by placing a safety pin on one of the ends...


That's it...simple project with a great turn out.

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