How to Make Loops for D Rings for a Drawstring Backpack

Drawstring backpacks are a simple sewing project that nearly anyone can complete. Choose the size, colors, and fabric you like best. Discover in a couple hours, you have sewn a custom-made drawstring backpack ready to use.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Lay out your backpack fabric. Cut two pieces of fabric, 6 by 2 inches.

2. Fold each piece lengthwise, with the attractive side out. The raw edges of the long sides should meet in the middle, and overlap slightly. Sew down the center, where the edges overlap, and press with an iron.

3. Refold each piece, folding along one short width with the raw edges inside. Each piece is now about 3 by 1 inch wide. Press with an iron.

4. Position the fabric for the body of the backpack with wrong sides together. Using a pencil, mark the fabric 1 inch from the bottom.

5. Slip each of your fabric D-ring straps between the body pieces, keeping the short raw edges up against the backpack body.

6. Place each D-ring strap so that the lower outside corner rests under the pencil mark you made in Step 4. Visually check to make sure that the placement of the D-ring straps looks even on each side. Pin the D-ring straps onto the body of the backpack.

7. Sew D-ring straps to the body of the backpack. Once construction of the backpack is complete, slip on D-ring into each of the D-ring straps. Insert the cording into the top casing and then draw through the D-rings and tie.

Tips & Warnings

• If your backpack fabric is thin or lightweight, it may not be a good choice for making D-ring straps. Select a heavier fabric or buy flat woven cording instead.
• Some drawstring backpacks use grommets instead of straps and D-rings. To use grommets, finish the backpack including the casing. Turn backpack right side out and install a 1/ 2-inch or 1-inch grommet near each lower corner.
• Using D-rings for lower cord attachments preserves space in the bottom corners of the backpack.