Sew a backpack!

This project is cheap and pretty easy. It should only cost about $20-25 maximum (as long as you own a sewing machine).

Step 1: Gather Materials

Materials:

Sewing Machine and Thread

3x2 feet of fabric (I used canvas)

2x2 feet of accent color fabric

8 Large Eyelets

3 feet of Rope, Yarn, or Thick String

Velcro

Bias Taping (optional but I recommend it for a cleaner look)

Step 2: Mark, Measure, and Cut Body

1. Measure a piece 12 inches wide by 18 inches tall for the back side

2. Measure a piece 23 inches wide by 18 inches tall for the front piece

This will be the body of the backpack

Step 3: Cut and Sew on Accents (Optional)

I wanted a little of the color from the bottom of the backpack to show on the side so I cut 2 strips to sew on.

1. The first strip needs to be 23 inches long and 5 inches tall

2. The second strip needs to be 12 inches long by 5 inches tall

I sewed them together by lining the bottom of the accent strip up with the bottom of the big piece. Then I sewed the TOP of these. I then cut off the excess white fabric.

Step 4: Mark, Measure, and Cut the Bottom

The bottom needs to be a 13 inch by 8 inch oval

I traced the lid of a pan that had a diameter of about 8 inches but you can use anything that is circular and about 8 inches. Then I marked where 13 inches was and traced another circle. Then I connected the tops with a straight line.

Cut this out and then copy it on to a piece of your accent fabric.

Step 5: Sew Body and Bottom

1. Sew together one side of the two main pieces. (inside out)

Then fold down the top of these two pieces and sew along that for a cleaner edge.

3. Then sew the second side of the two pieces together

The bottom is where it gets hard.

You have to sew it while turning it, so it may take a couple of tries.

Turn it right-side out!

Step 6: Adding the Eyelets

I recommend measuring out how far apart you want each eyelet. (I didn't do this and mine were very unevenly spaced).

Then, cut holes and hammer the eyelets into place. (I used 8)

Lastly, string your yarn through the eyelets so it comes out of the two eyelets in the front of the backpack

Step 7: The Flap and Straps

The Flap

1. Cut out a piece of accent fabric and a duplicate piece of your main fabric and layer them for durability. Mine was 11 inches at the tallest point and 11 inches at the widest point with a flat bottom

2. The I used bias taping to put on the edges for a cleaner look

The Straps

1. Cut out two strips of fabric 25 x 5 inches

2 Fold the raw edges of these in and then fold the whole thing in half

3. Sew both sides together

Sewing them onto the bag

1. I lined up the bottom of the straps with the top of the accent strip and sewed it on. If this is hard to sew with a machine try to sew it on by hand.

2. Then I lined up the straps with the flap and sewed those onto the bag at the same time. Once again if this is hard I recommend sewing it by hand.

Velcro

Add velcro on the flap so it stays close