Last June, I worked on creating 30 bags (along with a dozen of my friends) to donate to an organization that provides assistance to at-risk and foster youth. We made a wide variety of bags, and this one was inspired by one I found on the clearance rack at Target. It’s simple and can be interpreted with minimal sewing skills and you can either measure & cut or create a quick pattern out of paper. We used mostly commercial upholstery fabric that was donated for us to use in this project. This is one to save in the repertoire of kid/tween crafts.
Here are the steps to make your own:
1. Determine size. Mine is about 12”x15” finished with a 6” x 12” pocket & 15” straps.
You should have a total of 4 pieces.
Body: 17”x12.75”
Straps: 3”x16” (x2)
Pocket: 7”x12.75
Cut the body of the bag in one piece. The fold will be at the bottom of the bag. Allow about 3/8 seam allowance at the sides and 1” at the top for the draw-string pocket.
2. Sew straps first. You can either press/fold/sew on the finished side or sew unfinished sides together, then turn them right side out. I’ve done both and since it’s a small piece, turning out the unfinished to finished sides took too long for my patience level (about 20 minutes). I prefer a little bit of ironing and sewing on the finished side.
3. Sew pocket to front of bag. You can position it to your preference. It seems right about 4” from the bottom. I sew the top finished seam first, then turn under and secure the bottom to the face of the bag. I like to create 3 separate pockets with seams. You can use fun stitching if your machine has the settings. You will sew the sides right into the side seam of the bag later.
4. Sew the top draw-string pocket seam next. We found that by notching the top by about ½”x2”and putting a finish stitch down the side, it worked well and created the perfect guide to sew the sides together. After the notch-stitch, turn the top down 1” and sew, leaving the hollow center for the cord.
5. Turn bag right sides together, ensuring that the pocket is straight/pinned in. Insert the straps at this time. For the ‘backpack’, place the top of straps very close to the top of the bag (right under the cord pocket) and the bottom of the strap about 2”-3” from the bottom. The straps should be pinned to the finished/inside of the bag.
6. After sewing up each side, turn the bag right side out and insert the cord. Done!
The cord we used is from Target in the ‘fishing/automotive/camping’ section. It’s about $4.99 for 100’.
Be creative, add pockets in different colors, use a variety of fabrics and put your own creative spin on it! Have fun.
Featured on Girl Inspired as: Charlene
[…] If you want to make a backpack for yourself or take the idea and pay it forward, you can find a tutorial on The Craft Shack blog […]
These are great! This totally takes me back to a home economics class that I took where we created and then had to sew our drawstring bags 🙂
If only I could sew in a straight line haha. Although, I may have to give it a shot sometime.
This is all straight lines, you could do this!
Very Creative! Such a versatile idea. I myself, am not very gifted in this area, but I love seeing all of your wonderful creations 😉
Love this! Thinking I might use this pattern with beach towel material for a colorful beach tote!
LOVE the bags! Especially the one with the little face on it. I am not much of a sew-er but this looks simple enough that I may try it!
I am visiting you from Girl Inspired. I think this is a great beginner project for those exploring their sewing skills. I love the tip on finding the cording at Target; this can be so expensive by the yard at the fabric store. You may enjoy my post on teaching your children to sew in the form of a Summer Sewing Camp:
http://www.thelostapron.com/2013/04/summer-sewing-camp.html
Thanks Ana! I just looked at your post and I love the camp idea. That is where we are headed with many of our ideas. We will be following you now too.
If only I could sew at all I would be set! I’m lucky if I can darn a sock! I love seeing these from someone who knows what they are doing!
These look fun! I’m going to share this with my stepdaughters. They love making the kind of stuff you share 🙂
I know nothing about sewing but I love how you explain it step by step! Great Article 🙂
Great tutorial Charlene!
You directions and picture are very helpful.
Thank you for the time you put into this article – T 🙂
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