How to Sew a Back Pack

Most people use back packs to help carry items such as books, clothes or other personal items. They are at the top of every child's back to school list. Making a back pack is easy for even the beginning seamstress with these guidelines for sewing a back pack.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Back pack pattern
• Fabrics
• Sewing machine
• Four yards of cord
• Eyelet
• Velcro

1. Purchase a pattern at a fabric store such as JoAnns. Buy the amount of fabric and other accessories required by the pattern. Light weight fabric such as nylon, cords, thread and an eyelet are possible supplies.

2. Select an inside fabric and an outside fabric. Cut the fabric based on the back pack pattern. Pin the right sides of the front and back pieces together in preparation for sewing them together. Sew the sides and the bottom edges together using a half inch seam allowance.

3. Create 2 tubes out of rectangles one inch longer than the top of the back pack. Make a 3-inch hem on the ends of the tubes using a top stitch.

4. Attach the tubes to the inside of the top of the back pack. Match the hemmed edges of the tubes with the side seams of the back pack body. Pin the pieces in place before sewing the tube along the edges into the back pack.

5. Put holes in the back pack for the cord after turning the back pack inside out. Use an eyelet to cut a hole in all layers in the bottom about one inch away from the corners of the back pack.

6. Place half of the cord through both tubes and then through the eyelet. Knot the cord at the end on one side of the back pack. Place the other half of the cord in the back pack the same way.

7. Use tubes of fabric as back pack stays as another option instead of a cord. Attach tubes or another more durable fabric to the back pack using Velcro so the straps are adjustable for different body types and sizes.