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This pattern is copyrighted 2021 to Rebecca Page by rebecca-page.com
Please feel free to make garments from this pattern to sell. If you do, we would love you to include a credit to rebecca-page.com as the pattern designer, but it is up to you.
The finished product may only be sold by crafters. It may not be mass produced. You can only sell the finished product; you cannot sell the pattern or these instructions.
Best of luck and happy sewing!
8
Drawstring Backpack
Member Rating
Difficulty Level
Beginner
Equipment Needed
Description
This drawstring backpack pattern is fun and easy to make as well as being very practical. There are sizes to fit from a toddler to an adult and depending on the fabric, the backpack can be used for any activity.
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- +Preparation
- Drawstring – this can be almost any thickness, so if you have something on hand, go for it! 1 yard will be sufficient for all sizes
- OPTIONAL Grommets x2 – you can sew buttonholes for the drawstring openings, OR you can use grommets.
- Medium weight interfacing – ¼ yard
- OPTIONAL Piping – 1 yard home décor or faux leather piping or add piping around the bottom of the backpack to create different looks.
- OPTIONAL Hardware for adjustable straps (1 ⅛ inches straps)
- Thread to match
- 2x Pockets
- 2x Straps, if using quilting cotton, you might prefer to interface these pieces
- 1x Drawstring Casing
- 2x Body
- 2x Bottom, optional interfacing to add extra support
Project OverviewDrawstring Backpack
Difficulty Level = Beginner
This lovely drawstring backpack pattern is super easy and really quick to make! Perfect for keeping your sewing supplies or using as a school bag. Takes just less than a yard of fabric and you could decorate in so many ways. Have fun & enjoy!
There are 5 size options (Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large). They range in size from being suitable for a toddler/play backpack, to school size to adult size.
Our Facebook group is a great place to get help, share your tips and creations! We are a friendly bunch, and we love to help and see what you have made.
Please read the full instructions before getting started.
Wash, dry, and press your fabric before starting your project. A bit of prep now prevents shrinking and means your garment will stay the same size you made it.
Never leave a child or baby unattended or allow to sleep in a garment made from one of our patterns with ties, snaps, buttons, or anything they could remove, choke on, or get caught on. Always use caution if you are unsure. We love our patterns, but we love your bundles of joy more!
SizingSize Range
XS - XL
Finished Measurements (Inches)
Width
Height
XS
9.75
12.50
S
11.00
13.75
M
12.25
12.25
L
13.75
16.50
XL
15.00
18.00
Materials and ToolsFabric – You will need a woven fabric for this bag. Good examples are canvas or home décor fabric for the main fabric and quilting cotton for the lining. You could use faux leather for the bottom for a unique look and to add to the durability.
Fabric Requirements 45 inches/115 cm wide (in YARDS)
Main
Lining
OPTIONAL Leather
XS – XL
1.0
0.5
0.5
* If you are using a narrower fabric, a directional print, or a fabric with nap you may need more.
** Make sure to wash, dry, and press all fabrics before cutting out in case they shrink.You will also need:
Tools needed are, sewing machine, pins, scissors, tape measure or ruler. Serger/overlocker is optional but not required.
Printing Your PatternSettings
The pattern is a separate download. Choose either the US letter paper, A4 paper, or A0 paper size based on the printer you wish to use. If you are in the US or Canada then your printer will likely use US letter paper. Other regions normally use A4 paper. Some people prefer to print their patterns at a print shop: A0 is best in this case.
Print at 100%.
On the second page, you will find a 1-inch and a 3-inch square test box. Print this page first, on its own, and measure these squares.
Once you are happy that the test box is accurate, print the rest of the pattern pages.
Please follow this video for information and assistance on assembling this pattern.
Also, please note that some Rebecca Page patterns and projects also come with cut files and a printable design page which you can use to plan your project if you wish. These are provided in a separate section below to avoid any confusion!
+US Print Charts
Here are which pages to print for the US Files
Bag XS – XL 2-7 +A4 Print Charts
Here are which pages to print for the A4 Files
Bag XS – XL 2-7 Cutting InstructionsCut each of the pieces according to the directions on the pattern piece. Seam allowances are all included so just cut them as is.
Cutting Charts – All pattern pieces are included, however if you prefer to cut using a cutting chart, the dimensions for the rectangular pieces (in INCHES) are below:
Pocket
(Fabric cut 1,
Lining cut 1)Straps
(Fabric cut 2, Interfacing cut 2)Drawstring casing (Fabric cut 1)
Width
Length
Width
Length
Width
Length
XS
5.750
5.750
3.000
17.000
5.000
19.000
S
6.375
6.375
3.000
19.000
5.000
21.125
M
7.000
7.000
3.000
21.000
5.000
23.500
L
7.750
7.750
3.000
23.000
5.000
25.750
XL
8.500
8.500
3.000
25.000
5.000
28.500
Cutting checklist:
- + Instructions
- INTERFACING – Add interfacing to the bottom main fabric and any optional pieces you’ve chosen to interface.
- OPTIONAL PIPING – Add piping to the bottom main piece.
- POCKETS – Finish all four edges of both inner and outer pockets. Fold each edge under ½ inch and sew the top edge at ⅜ inch. Place outer pocket 4 inches from the top and 3 ½ inches from the sides of one of the main body pieces. Edgestitch the sides and bottom of the pocket. Repeat for the lining pocket but place the lining pocket 2 inches from the top and 3 ⅜ inches from the sides of the lining piece.
- LINING SIDE SEAMS – Lay the two lining body pieces right sides together, sew and press open.
- STRAPS – Fold the two strap pieces right sides together and sew along one short end and the raw long end. Trim bulk, turn and press. Sew the straps onto the main back body piece 1 ¾ inches from the top and 4 inches from the sides. Sew the straps on with a square and an “X” in the middle. Baste the raw ends of the straps to the bottom of the main back body piece 3 inches from the sides.
- MAIN SIDE SEAMS – Lay the two main body pieces right sides together, sew, and press open.
- ADDING THE BOTTOM AND LINING – Turn the main body wrong sides out and pin the bottom on, right sides together and sew. Repeat with the lining pieces.
- DRAWSTRING CASING – Turn the main pieces right sides out and the lining pieces wrong sides out and slide the lining inside the main body. Baste along the top. Fold the casing piece in half wrong sides together. Open and fold the two long ends under ⅜ inch. Find the middle and make two marks 1 inch from the top and ½ inch from either side of the center mark. Add grommets or buttonholes at these marks. Fold the casing right sides together matching the two short ends, sew and press. Turn the backpack inside out and pin the casing to the top raw edges, ensuring drawstring openings are centered on the front, sew. Fold the casing to the right side of the backpack, enclosing raw edges, pin, and edgestitch.
- DRAWSTRING -Feed the drawstring through the openings using a safety pin. Tie knots at the ends of the drawstring and stitch in the ditch at the back seam of the casing to hold drawstring in place.
- XS – 3 inches from side seams
- S – 3 ½ inches from side seams
- M – 4 inches from side seams
- L – 4 ½ inches from side seams
- XL – 5 inches from side seams
Quick Glance Cheat Sheet⅜ inch seam allowance included
Preparation –
Sewing Instructions –
0 . PreparationSeam Allowance
⅜ inch seam allowance included
0.1Interfacing
If you are using the main fabric for the bottom of the backpack, apply interfacing to the wrong side of the main bottom piece. Also apply interfacing to any of the optional pieces you’ve chosen to interface.
1 . OPTIONAL Piping1.0If you are not adding piping skip to step 2.
1.1Line the raw edge of the piping up with the raw edge of the Bottom piece. The piping should be hanging off the edge of the Bottom piece slightly. Pin the rest of the piping around the Bottom piece leaving several inches unpinned when you get back around to where you started the piping.
1.3When you arrive at the end of the piping overlap the end of the piping over the beginning of the piping and finish basting.
2 . Pockets2.2Fold three sides of the Main Pocket under ½ inch and press. These will be the sides and bottom of the Pocket. Fold the top edge under ½ inch and press.
2.3Sew ONLY the top at ⅜ inch.
Repeat steps 2.1 to 2.3 for the Pocket Lining.
2.4Place one of the Main Body pieces right side up. Place the Main Pocket, right side up, as 4 inches from the top edge and centered horizontally, and pin in place. Edgestitch around the sides and bottom. Do not sew across the top.
2.5Place one of the Body Lining pieces right side up. Place the Pocket Lining 2 inches from the top edge and centered horizontally, pin in place. Edgestitch around the sides and bottom. Do not stitch across the top.
3 . Lining Side Seams3.1Place the two Body Lining pieces right sides together and sew both sides. Press open seams. Set Aside.
4 . Straps4.1Fold each Strap in half right sides together and press. Sew along one short end and long side with the raw edges.
4.3Take the other Main Body and place the Straps 1 ¾ inches from the top and as indicated below for the size you’re making and pin in place. The finished short ends are what we are pinning, the raw edges will be sewn into the bottom piece.
4.4Edgestitch a square and an “X” inside the square at the top of the Straps to secure them to the back Main Body piece.
TIP – You can draw this on first, with chalk or disappearing pen to make sure they are even.
4.5Baste the raw ends of the Straps at the bottom of the Main Body back piece, 3 inches from the sides.
If you would like to add hardware to make the Straps adjustable, add these before basting. Follow manufacturer’s instructions on your hardware.
5 . Main Side Seams5.1Lay both Main Body pieces right sides together and sew both sides. Press open seams.
6 . Adding the Bottom and Lining6.1Turn the Main Body wrong sides out and pin the main bottom piece to the bottom raw edges of the Main Body with right sides together. If you added piping previously, the piping should be sandwiched between the body and bottom pieces. You will need to ease the circle bottom into the front and back pieces.
TIP – To assist in easing, you can fold the bottom piece in half first and mark the center at both ends. Line these up with the side seams of the main bag and ease between the seams.
6.2Sew the Main Body pieces and the bottom together. If you added piping, you will want to do this step with a zipper foot. Repeat with Lining pieces.
Turn main body pieces right sides out and lining pieces wrong sides out. Slide the lining inside the main backpack, aligning the side seams. Be sure your inside pocket is on the back of the backpack. Baste around the top raw edges.
7 . Drawstring Casing7.1Press the Casing piece wrong sides together, matching the long ends. Open the piece back up and fold and press each long side in ⅜ inch wrong sides together.
7.2Fold the Casing piece in half matching short ends to find the center, you can mark the center with a pin, clip or press. Open the Casing piece back up. From the center, measure down 1 inch and mark. We are going to make two marks ½ inch from either side of the center mark, 1 inch down from the top folded edge.
7.3At these marks add either grommets or buttonholes for the drawstring.
TIP – Adding a little interfacing behind the grommets or buttonholes will help stabilize the fabric against wear and tear.
7.4Match the short ends together with right sides together and sew. Be sure to unfold the ⅜ inch folds we made on the long edges while sewing. Press the seam open.
7.5Turn the backpack inside out so the lining is facing out. Match the side seams of the back and mark the front and back centers. Match the Casing seam with the back center point with the right side of the Casing facing the lining of the backpack with raw edges together.
7.6Pin the Casing all the way around. Be sure the grommets/buttonholes are lined up with the center front and that the grommet/buttonholes are closer to the bottom of the casing. Sew the Casing to the backpack on the ⅜ inch fold we created earlier.
7.7Turn the backpack right side out and fold the casing down to enclose the raw edges and pin. Edgestitch the Casing.
8 . Drawstring8.1Using a safety pin, feed your drawstring through the openings. Once the drawstring is through the openings, tie knots on the end of the drawstring.
8.2Flip the backpack to the back and stitch in the ditch of the back seam of the casing to keep the drawstring in place.
Cut your drawstring to your desired length and tie the ends.
Your Drawstring Backpack is finished!
- + Finishing Notes and Congratulations
Finishing Notes and Congratulations
Congratulations, your Drawstring Backpack is done. Enjoy!
We would love to hear how you got on and see photos of your finished project!
Join us at our Facebook Group, tag us on Instagram, or use the hashtag #rpdrawstringbackpack.
Thank you for using a Rebecca Page pattern.
© Copyright 2021
All Rights Reserved
Sales + Licencing InformationProject OverviewDrawstring Backpack
Difficulty Level = Beginner
This lovely drawstring backpack pattern is super easy and really quick to make! Perfect for keeping your sewing supplies or using as a school bag. Takes just less than a yard of fabric and you could decorate in so many ways. Have fun & enjoy!
There are 5 size options (Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large). They range in size from being suitable for a toddler/play backpack, to school size to adult size.
SizingSize Range
XS - XL
Finished Measurements (Inches)
Width
Height
XS
9.75
12.50
S
11.00
13.75
M
12.25
12.25
L
13.75
16.50
XL
15.00
18.00
Materials and ToolsFabric – You will need a woven fabric for this bag. Good examples are canvas or home décor fabric for the main fabric and quilting cotton for the lining. You could use faux leather for the bottom for a unique look and to add to the durability.
Fabric Requirements 45 inches/115 cm wide (in YARDS)
Main
Lining
OPTIONAL Leather
XS – XL
1.0
0.5
0.5
* If you are using a narrower fabric, a directional print, or a fabric with nap you may need more.
** Make sure to wash, dry, and press all fabrics before cutting out in case they shrink.You will also need:
- Drawstring – this can be almost any thickness, so if you have something on hand, go for it! 1 yard will be sufficient for all sizes
- OPTIONAL Grommets x2 – you can sew buttonholes for the drawstring openings, OR you can use grommets.
- Medium weight interfacing – ¼ yard
- OPTIONAL Piping – 1 yard home décor or faux leather piping or add piping around the bottom of the backpack to create different looks.
- OPTIONAL Hardware for adjustable straps (1 ⅛ inches straps)
- Thread to match
Tools needed are, sewing machine, pins, scissors, tape measure or ruler. Serger/overlocker is optional but not required.