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Step 1: Materials

You will need:

Main Fabric. About a yard. I used a .750 remnant. (you probably want a thicker fabric, I used printed denim)

Lining Fabric, optional. On my second back pack, I used plain cotton for the lining.

Pleather, also optional, but if you don't use it, you will need to make adjustments to the pattern pieces. (No biggie)

Rope for drawstring

Sewing Machine

Thread

Iron

Buttons, snaps, or any kind of closure

Scissors (sewing and regular)

Ruler

Large sheets of paper for pattern pieces

Step 2: Pattern Pieces

This will all make more sense if you refer to the pictures also.

1. The main body of the bag is about 1 foot by 1 foot. Be sure to mark each piece. Write "cut two" (front and back of bag) on this piece.

2. The side panel should be 1 foot by 1/2 foot. Mark "cut two"

3. For the pleather pieces on the edges you will make it 1 foot by around three inches. Mark "cut two" on this piece.

4. The pleather edges on the side panel will be 1/2 by three inches. Mark "cut two"

5. The pleather bottom will be 1 foot by 1/2 foot.

6. The pockets can be any size you want, just be sure to add a seam allowance. Mark "cut two".

7. Make the pocket flaps however you like. Mark "cut 1 of main fabric (or lining fabric) and one of pleather" I made mine in pleather.

8. Main flap will be 1 foot by however many inches you want. You may want to round the edges. Mark "cut 1 of main fabric (or lining fabric) and one of pleather".

9. Don't forget the straps and the drawstring pocket. I didn't make pattern pieces for these, I just eyeballed it.

Step 3: Cut Out Pieces

Cut out all your pieces.

Step 4: Preparing and Sewing Pockets and Flaps

You will need to iron down all the edges of the pockets. Next, sew straight across the top of the pocket. Then, line up the pockets where you want them and sew the two sides and the bottom on. Don't sew the top or it will never open. :O Sorry there aren't more pics. :(

For the flaps- sew the two flap pieces together, right sides together, leaving a space to turn inside out. See pics.

Next, turn inside out and sew along the edge to make neat. Sew on to the front panel, right above the pocket, right sides together. see pics.

Add whatever closure you like.

Step 5: Pleather on Panels

Sew the matching pleather pieces to all 4 panels. Remember, right side together. Add a zigzag.

Step 6: Ironing

With iron temp on low setting and a piece of cotton fabric over it, iron the panels. The pleather is made of plastic, and will melt. That's why I am using the cotton fabric.

Step 7: Sewing Panels Together.

Sew panels together, (right sides together), like this. Front, side, back, other side. Leave one end open so that is is on long strip.

Step 8: Straps and Bottom

Cut out and make the straps however you want. don't sew them on or anything yet.

Bottom: pin the bottom on and sandwich the straps between the back panel of the bag and the bottom panel. See pics. Sew on the bottom, making sure to match up the corners as well as possible. This can be confusing, so see pics. Remember, good sides together. Lastly, sew up the remaining panels together and turn the bag inside out.

Step 9: Main Flap and Drawstring Tube

Sew the main flap the same way you did the pocket flaps.

You will need a three inch tall strip that will go all the way around the 4 panels. You may need to join pieces together. You want the edge to look nice, so tuck the edge and sew, see pic. Fold the long strip in half (height wise), wrong side on the inside. Pin it so that the ends of the strip meet up in the front. Sandwich the other end of the straps AND the main flap between the drawstring tube and the back panel of the bag. sew together.