SUPPLIES & TOOLS:
- 1 yd Harry Potter fabric
- 1 yd Coordinating fabric for lining
- 1/2 yd Coordinating fabric for pocket
- 1 yd Batting
- 1 yd Fusible interfacing
- 2" Velcro
- 9" zipper
- 2 yds 1" wide webbing
- 2 - 1" Parachute buckles
- Basic sewing supplies
- Pattern
DIRECTIONS:
- Enlarge pattern for backpack front and back to 15" in length.
- Cut 2 ea main fabric, batting, interfacing and lining.
- Pin batting to front and back and baste.
- Iron interfacing to lining pieces front and back.
- Cut 2 flap pattern for front and backpack.
- Cut 1 batting from flap pattern.
- Pin and baste batting to one piece of flap.
- Pin flap RST and sew using 1/2" seam.
- Cut one 2 1/2"x 7" for back hanging tab.
- Fold tab in half, fold edges to center and press, refold and press.
- Top stitch on both long sides.
- Stitch in place at center of top.
- Mark on the bottom of front and back the placement lines for straps and pleats.
- Pin pleats and stitch.
- Cut four 18" from webbing.
- Stitch 2 pieces of webbing to each side of tabs at top.
- Stitch the remaining 2 pieces of webbing to bottom of bag at markings.
- Set aside.
- Cut one 2 1/2"x 9 1/2" for pocket top.
- Cut one 8 1/2"x 9 1/2" for pocket bottom.
- Cut one 9 1/2"x 9 1/2" for pocket back.
- Place the 2 1/2" piece over zipper with right sides together and stitch close to zipper teeth.
- Place the bottom piece over opposite side of zipper with right side together and stitch close to teeth.
- Press fabrics away from zipper.
- With RST, sew front of pocket to back of pocket.
- Turn inside out and press.
- Stitch pocket to back front.
- Pin flap over back straps and top hanging tab.
- Stitch flap in place using a 1/2" seam.
- Stitch lining pleats at bottom and stitch front to back using 1/2" seam leaving top open and 4" at bottom for turning.
- Stitch lining to bag with RST around top using a 1/2" seam.
- Turn bag through opening at bottom. Stitch opening closed.
- Stitch 1 side of velcro to inside of flap 1" down and in center.
- Stitch opposite side of velcro above the pocket.
Rated 2 out of
5
by
Rue B from
NOT Understandable for Beginners
I bookmarked this project to attempt at a later date. I now agree with the previous reviewer. This project is NOT beginner-friendly. I’ve since completed a few bag/purse/tote projects with zippers, linings, pockets, straps, and parachute buckles. In other words, as a true beginner I gained valuable experience watching/reading better detailed DIY bag projects elsewhere.
This backpack project as written — with minimal pattern and markings — is best for experienced bag-makers. There are no helpful pictures. The instructions leave out critical information. (Where’s the grainline, pocket placement? Why not topstitch at the zipper? Which direction to fold the pleats? Don’t forget to leave the zipper open before stitching the pocket pieces RST all around!) They are also incomplete. It leaves out the finishing steps, such as installing the parachute buckles. I could conceivably complete this project — and add features to it — with the bag techniques and knowledge I’ve learned. However, if I were to have attempted this 2 years ago, I’d’ve been completely lost. Nice idea; poor instructions.
Date published: 2022-08-04
Rated 2 out of
5
by
Lola2 from
Instructions are not that great!
My daughter was super excited to start on this project. After buying all the materials and getting everything ready, I noticed that the instructions are poorly written. A "beginner" would not be able to follow these instructions. It would have been way better and easier to follow had there been pictures or more descriptive steps. Saying "pin and sew" is not really telling the person what sides or where to start and stop. Its just a bummer to have purchased all the materials and have the instructions so blankly written. We will try to piece it together the best we can.
Date published: 2020-08-31