POP! Knit Pattern Backpack

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 1yd main exterior fabric
• 1/2yd contrast exterior fabrics
• 1 1/2yd lining fabric
• 2yds Pellon Flex Foam 2 Sided Fusible Interfacing Fabric, 20"
• 1yd SF101 Shape-Flex Interfacing
• Basic sewing supplies
• Sewing machine with walking foot and zipper foot
• Thread
• 9" plastic zipper (closed bottom)
• 20" plastic zipper (closed bottom)
• 3yds 1" wide webbing trim
• 2 strap adjusters, 1"
• Disappearing/water soluble ink pen
• Backpack front/back template + zipper guide (1/2" seam allowance included unless otherwise noted)
• Serger (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. To print the patterns, click on the "Download Project PDF" button (above).
2. Cut 2 front/backs out of solid exterior fabric
3. Cut 1 bottom (5"x 13" rectangle) and 2 bottom sides (5"x 12 1/2") out of one contrast fabric.
4. Cut 1 top (22" x 5" rectangle) and 1 pocket (9" x 13" rectangle) out of second contrast fabric and shape flex interfacing.
5. Cut 2 front/backs, 2 bottom sides and 1 bottom out of foam interfacing.
6. Cut 2 front/backs, 1 bottom, 2 bottom sides and 1 top out of lining fabric.
7. Apply interfacing to the wrong side of all corresponding pieces. For all foam-interfaced items, apply lining to other side of pieces.
8. Finish edges of all foam pieces with serger or narrow zigzag stitch.
9. Reference zipper guide on template. Starting 3" from the left edge, mark a 7" wide line 2" down from top (wide) edge of pocket piece right side. Draw lines 1/4" lines around each side, forming a box around line. Connect line to outside corners of box, to create triangles.
10. Topstitch around outer box of zipper guide. Cut interior line and triangles and press everything inside stitched box to the wrong side of pocket.
11. Place opening over zipper and baste pocket opening into place by hand (zipper will be slightly too long - this is ok). Topstitch around each edge of box to attach zipper, hand cranking stitching wheel around zipper coils/teeth to avoid breaking needle. Finish zipper bottom by creating a new bar back by hand 1/2" away from stitching and trim excess from zipper tail.
12. Repeat zipper process for backpack top, by first marking a 18" wide line at the center of the interfaced top and repeating above steps. Repeat process for top lining, except for adding zipper.
13. Sew backpack top with zipper to bottom sides, RST and press seam allowance toward bottom sides and topstitch seam allowance into place.
14. Mark a line 8 1/2" up from bottom edge of backpack front. Line top edge of pocket (edge closest to zipper) to line on backpack front, right-sides together. Stitch 1/2" from top edge of pocket and press pocket toward bottom. Baste pocket to backpack front on all unsewn edges.
15. To create front handle: cut 18" length of webbing. Fold under each edge 1" and pin each folded edge 2" down from top edge of backpack front, placing handles 2" out from center. Stitch box around folded under edge, to attach.
16. To create back handle and backpack “straps": cut 60" length of webbing and loop ends through strap adjusters, following manufacturer's instructions. Mark center of webbing with pin and mark 8" to the left and right of center. Place 8" marks 2" down from backpack back piece and 2" out from center. Stitch box around 8" marks to create handle.
17. Cut (2) 20" lengths of webbing and finish one end of each with a double fold 1/2" hem. Place unfinished short end of each 1" in from each side on the bottom edge of backpack back (matching edges). Baste raw edges into place, and thread finished edges through strap adjuster, following manufacturer's instructions.
18. Sew backpack front and back to zippered top/bottom sides piece, right-sides together. Open zipper. Sew backpack bottom to front/back/top, RST.
19. Fold under 1/2" seam allowance on backpack top lining piece. Place on wrong side of zippered top and slip-stitch into place to finish.