Backpack tutorial and Pattern

Yeah, I finally finished the backpack pattern and tutorial. 

I'm sorry it took so long, I had to make a new one since I didn't take any pictures of the process on the first one. 

Some things to consider: 

You can use this tutorial to make any kind of kids backpack. Instead of a face you could add a flower or a child's name. 

This pattern is geared toward a toddler body. It's perfect for my 2 year old and almost too small for my 4 year old. 

I used corduroy because it's the only fabric I had on hand. You can use any type of fabric but you may want to use interfacing if you are using a light weight fabric. 

I also later discovered the d-rings on the straps didn't hold up to my busy 2 year old. I've added buttons to hold the straps together. 

Click Below for the Tutorial

What you'll need:

1/2 to 1 yard of fabric for the body. Heavy weight fabrics work best.
1/4 yard of lining fabric. 

scraps of white, black and red for face

heat n' bond

2 D-rings

2-4 buttons

Step 1: Print body and face patterns

(I couldn't get the body to print on the right scale. Add 1/2" around the edges to get the right size)

Body pattern HERE

and

Face pattern HERE

Step 2: cutting out all your pieces

-body front and back- use pattern( add 1/2 inch all the way around for seams)

1 strip - 3" x  26" 

2 strips- 2-1/2" x 6" 

2 strips- 2-1/2" x 12"

For the flap I cut two, 6" long and 7" wide rectangle and rounded the top with a bowl. 

Step 3: sew on face
For the face, I applied some heat n' bond to the back of the colored fabric, then trace and cut out the face pieces.  After I cut them out, I ironed them onto the front of the backpack and did a tight zigzag around all the edges with black thread. I also added smile lines to the ends of the mouth. 

Step 4: sew straps

fold the 2-1/2"strips in half and sew around edges leaving the bottoms open. Turn right side out and top stitch sides. Repeat with all four straps.  HERE is a good video for turning strips right side out. 

Step 5: attach long straps 

Pin and sew the two long strap to the bottom of the back body piece. I did mine centered about 3" apart. 

Step 6: attach front and back to side strip 

Line the top of the side strip (3"x 26") up with the top of the front body piece. Pin right sides together starting down one side around the bottom and up the other side. You'll have to manipulate the fabric a little around the curves. Just make sure the pieces are laying flat. Sew the around the edges. 

Repeat again with the back piece. Keep the long straps up and out the top while pinning and sewing. 

Step 7: attaching shorter straps and flap
Next I turned the bag right side out and attached the shorter straps. First I folded the straps in half around a D-ring and stitched a seam as close to the ring as possible to hold it in place. Then I secured the straps to the back of the backpack at the top. I placed them about an inch from the sides. 

Sew the flap pieces right sides together. Turn them, iron and topstitch.  I centered the flap over the straps and stitched across the top. 

Step 8: cut and sew the lining. 

For the lining I cut another front, back and side piece and sewed them together the same as the main body pieces.  Make sure to leave a 3" opening in the bottom.

Step 9: sew lining and main body together
tuck the main bag into the lining. Pin the tops right sides together and stitch around the top. 

Then pull the main body through the hole in your lining. Check your seams and sew up the hole in the bottom of the lining. 

Step 10: topstitch and side pleats
after tucking the lining back in I topstitched around the top. Then to keep the bag from flapping open,  I did little pleats in the sides of the top opening. I just turned it inside out, pinched the sides together and sewed a little seam to hold it. 

Step 11: add buttons to the straps
I added button holes to the ends of the long strips. Folding the long strap over the D-ring I measured and marked where I wanted the buttons.  The first buttons fit my 4 year old, the second fit my 2 year old. 

That's it. Let me know if you have any questions.

I would love to see any creations you make using this tutorial. Thanks.