How To Make A Drawstring Backpack
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Become a MemberToday we are sharing our DIY drawstring backpack pattern and tutorial that is made from fabric we printed at Spoonflower. We designed two different drawstring backpacks – an adorable bear and a super cute bunny. Make a drawstring backpack that is perfect for summer vacations or going back to school! The backpacks approximately measure 11 x 11 inches when they are finished, so they are a great size for pre-school or elementary school kids. We developed our design to be super easy for DIYers and seamstresses of any skill level to be able to achieve. Just how we like it! All you will need is the fabric, fabric scissors, thread, nylon cording, and a basic sewing machine. Using our Baby Lock sewing machine made this project a cinch!
To make a drawstring backpack, your fabric needs to be at least 54 inches wide. When you order the fabric, you should choose either the heavy cotton twill option, which is what we used for our backpacks, or the organic cotton knit, linen cotton canvas, or eco canvas, as these fabrics are all over 54 inches wide. Find the fabric to make a drawstring backpack with the bunny pattern here, or with the bear pattern here. Included in the pattern is enough fabric to make the backpack, a matching pillow, and several zipper pouches perfect for using as cases for all those back to school supplies or travel items.
Once you have your hands on the fabric, follow the step-by-step photo tutorial below to sew your backpacks together. Stay tuned for the tutorials for the pillows and cute zipper pouches! Browse the rest of our Spoonflower fabric designs and follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for a daily dose of crafty inspiration from the Lia Griffith Studio. I would love to see what you come up with, so be sure to tag me in your Instagram photos or share them with me at hello@liagriffith.com! See you there ~ Lia
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8 Comments
Thank you for this…finally using the last of my spoonflower order from 2018 and came back to find my original question with your answer still here! Still a great little project and I’m so glad I stumbled upon it three years ago!!
Love that! 🙂
Hi! I’ve finished this bag and I’m wondering how long the cording should be? I can’t find that information anywhere in the instructions.
Hi Erin! We adjusted the cording to fit our 3-year old model but would start with 5-6 feet of cording and adjust.
Great tutorial!
But… something isnt working for me..
Can you please explain again step 7?
If we leave 1 inch opening in step 5, shouldn’t it be half of it in step 7?
Also, do you mean to fold the bag inside to form the casting opening?
Thank you!
The idea in step 7 is to have the seam 1 inch from the fold to minimize bulk. The 1 inch opening in step 5 starts 1 inch from the seam so that it lines up with the fold. Does this help?
What size do the panels start out at? Is the outside fabric 1″ longer than the inside to form the casing?
The backpack panels are 28.25″ x 12 in” before sewing. This also includes an extra inch for the casing. 🙂