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Fabric Suggested fabric- Medium weight to heavy weight fabric You'll need the following cut of fabric depending on the size backpack you are wanting to create (optional pocket is included). See backpack pattern below.
Draw cord Suggested draw cord- washable You'll need to take into consideration the size backpack, the size of the individual, and if they like to wear the backpack high or low on their back. The following is just a rough estimate.
Measurements chart:
Mini: 10 W X 14 L Small: 12 W X 16 L Med.: 14 W X 16 L Large: 16 W X 20 L X Large: 18" W X 22" L
Cut out your pattern piece in the appropriate above measurement for the desired size backpack.
Fold your fabric in half right sides together.
Place pattern on top of fabric. (Do not place pattern on fold of fabric; you will need to cut out two separate pieces for the backpack's front and back). Pin or use something heavy to hold the pattern in place on the fabric so it does not shift while cutting. Add 5/8" to the length of one of the fabric pieces. See photo labeled A1 below. In steps to come, this fabric piece will be used for both the front top part of the backpack, and for the lining that lays underneath the patchwork design.
Cut two; one front and one back piece.
If you do not wish to construct a pocket for your backpack, click here to skip to next step.
Optional pocket to place inside of patchwork backpack. Fold your backpack pattern in half lengthwise. This will be your pocket pattern.
Place pocket pattern on top of ONE layer of fabric. Pin, or place something heavy to keep pattern from shifting. Cut one of pocket.
Finish one of the long edges of the pocket by either serging or sewing a zig zag stitch.
Fold over the finished edge towards the wrong side of fabric 1. Press
Pin and sew on top of finished edge.
You will want to place the pocket on the inside back of backpack when making the patchwork designed backpack. Position pocket on top of the backs backpack pattern piece (longer piece) wrong sides together. Line up bottom corners and sides. Pin
Sew 3/8" - 1/2" around pocket. Reinforce top corners by backstitching several times.
Divide pocket if desired with vertical seam[s]
Patchwork pattern (backpack front) Trace your backpack pattern onto pattern paper and make a duplicate backpack pattern.
Cut out duplicate pattern piece.
Do not include the patchwork pattern in the very top of the backpack because the patchwork seams will interfere with the drawstring flowing smoothly. Measure down at least 2 1/2" and draw a horizontal line to separate the top pattern from the patchwork pattern.
Figure the patchwork design by sketching out it's placement on the duplicate pattern piece. When you are doing this, keep in mind that the outer edge will be eliminated by 5/8" during construction. Also, you do not want to place patch seams within 2" of the bottom corners because the buttonholes for the drawstring will be placed there. Once the design is established, go over it in pen or marker.
Figure where you want the contrasting fabric pieces to go and label them on each pattern piece.
Cut out your patch pattern pieces and place them back immediately after cutting. Be careful not to mix them up or else it could be difficult to remember where each piece is supposed to go while constructing.
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The patchwork fabric should be made out of 3-5 different kinds of contrasting, complimentary woven fabric. Pin wrong side of pattern pieces over right side of each corresponding fabric piece.
Cut while adding 5/8" seam allowance, EXCEPT for the outside perimeter of the sides and bottom of the backpack. Note: You do not need to add 5/8" around the sides and bottom perimeter because that seam allowance is already figured into the pattern.
Place the pattern piece with the attached fabric back in its place. Cut the top portion of the backpack out of the fabric that was cut out using the backpack pattern (photo A1 above). You'll need to add a 5/8" seam allowance to the bottom where it connects to the patch pieces as shown below.
Sewing together patchwork design Connect the patchwork pattern together starting with it's two top pieces. Remove paper patterns
Pin pieces right sides together
After pinning, flip pieces over to make sure they line up correctly. Adjust if necessary.
Sew the patches together using a 5/8 seam, stopping 5/8 before the end of the seam if the piece needs to be added to another patchwork piece.
Continue sewing patchwork design by matching up the seams and sewing them on one by one. Remember to stop 5/8 from the end if another patchwork piece is to be connected.
Lock the stitch by backstitching when starting and ending sewing. Continue sewing and connecting all the patches together until the patchwork design is complete.
When finished, carefully trim seams to a 3/8
Lay wrong side of patchwork design on top of the right side of lining fabric. Pin and baste them together using a 3/8 seam allowance.
Attach top to patchwork design/lining Pin right sides together the bottom of the top pattern piece to the top of the patchwork design/lining. Sew 5/8" seam, and then sew again (double-stitch). Pic of sewing top of backpack to the design/lining Finish this seam by serging or sewing a zig-zag stitch if desired. Press this seam towards the top of backpack
Topstitch on the right side of fabric, making sure that the pressed over seam is facing towards the top of the backpack.
Cut four 2" X 2" pieces of medium/heavy weight iron-on interfacing.
Iron on interfacing on wrong side of each bottom corner front and back.
Place the front and back pattern pieces right sides together lining up bottoms, sides and tops. Trim off any extra fabric if necessary so that both the front and back lay in an even rectangle. Measure down 2 1/2" from the top on each side and place horizontal pins as reminders not to sew there . This will be the openings needed for each of the two drawstring cases.
Pin all around the rest of the backpack.
Sew 5/8 seam where pinned, backstitching several times where the horizontal pins lay. Do not sew beyond them.
Double stitch or serge. If you double stitch, you may want to use pinking shears to help prevent unraveling.
Trim bottom corners close to stitching, being careful not to cut stitches.
Trim seam to 1/4", except where the casings are going to be.
Note: If fabric has a looser weave, you'll want to finish the edge by either using a serger, sewing a zig-zag stitch, or by folding fabric over twice and sewing a straight stitch to prevent unraveling.
Fold over on each side casing openings 5/8" onto the wrong side of fabric or just enough to hide stitches. Pin
Sew
If fabric unravels easily finish top two edges of backpack with either a serged or zig zag stitch.
Fold down top towards the wrong side of fabric 1" to make a casing. Press. Pin if necessary. Flip over and do the same for the other side. Make sure the two top casings line up with each other.
Sew casing stitching on top of the serger or zig-zag thread.
Turn right side out and poke bottom corners out as far as they will go.
Iron backpack flat on backside of backpack
Admire your work! You're almost done!
I'm showing this step on a jean backpack so you can see what I'm doing better. On outer front of backpack, measure up and out from corners 5/8". Place marking.
From where the marking is measure up 5/8", draw a vertical line.
Make two short horizontal lines at the beginning and end of vertical line to let you know where to start the buttonhole and where to end.
Do same for other side.
Note: You do not want to catch any of the seams here, but will want to sew a buttonhole on just the interfacing and two layers of fabrics. Trim seams inside backpack if necessary, being careful not to cut into stitching. Before sewing buttonhole, place two pins about 3/8" away from buttonhole.
Sew here to add security to the buttonhole and to keep fabrics in place while sewing buttonhole.
Sew buttonhole.
Open up buttonhole just big enough to fit draw cord though twice. You'll want this hole as small as possible.
Do same for other side.
Suggested drawcord- washable Cut your drawcord at the desired length according to the measurement chart. Note- You'll want to wrap the cord tight with a scotch tape or similar type tape and cut in the middle of it. This will prevent the cord from unraveling. You'll need to take into consideration the size backpack, the size of the individual, and if they like to wear the backpack high or low on their back. Tip- Always round UP until you are sure of the drawcord length you desire. The following is just a rough estimate.
After cutting your desired length, fold that length in half, place scotch tape, and cut. Note- you will need two drawcords the same length for each backpack.
Insert drawcord through backside of buttonhole and tie knot on front.
There are several ways to insert a drawcord, and definitely use whatever method you prefer. I will show the steps on how to insert using a safety pin. On opposite end of knot, latch onto drawcord using a safety pin.
Insert drawcord into the front drawcord casing and on the same side of backpack as the knot. Insert using the backside of pin; this will help prevent it from becoming unlatched.
Feed drawcord through casing until you get to the end. Come out end of casing front and insert into the adjacent casing opening for the back.
Insert drawcord through the back casing until you come out the other end.
Insert this end of drawcord through back side of buttonhole just like when starting.
Take out safety pin and untie knot.
Retie drawcords together into one very tight, secure knot.
Do same for other side, photo steps are followed:
Pull so drawcords are completely even on both side.
Remove tape from both drawcords and either wrap both ends together with one piece of tape very tightly, or leave hanging for a fringed affect (see below).
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Copyright 2007 by Renee Boley All Rights Reserved.
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