Sewing Instructions for a Drawstring Backpack
A simple drawstring backpack can be used to carry a few items on an outing when a purse or large backpack is either inconvenient or unnecessary. This style of backpack is also a good option for children who want to bring a few books or toys with them on a trip. You can make your own drawstring backpack with a little sewing experience and some supplies that can be found in the sewing section of a craft store.
Things You'll Need
- 2 11-by-14 inch pieces of fabric
- Fusible interfacing
- Clothes iron
- Ruler
- Tailor's chalk
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- 2 yards of cord
- 2 sets of 3/8-inch grommet hardware
- 3/8-inch grommet pliers
- Large safety pin
Instructions
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1
Lay your two pieces of fabric out in front of you so that the 11-inch edges are at the top and the bottom and the 14-inch edges run up and down the sides. The fabric you choose can be the same, or coordinating. Heavy cotton twill, denim or canvas are appropriate choices.
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2
Apply fusible interfacing to the bottom two corners of each piece of your fabric. The interfacing should be applied to the wrong side of fabric, or the side that would go on the inside of the backpack. You should follow the instructions that come with the brand of interfacing that you are using as the application process varies by brand.
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3
Measure, with your ruler, and mark, with your tailor's chalk, 2 inches down from the top edge of both pieces of fabric.
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4
Place your two pieces of fabric wrong-sides together. Make sure the marks at the top edges of the fabric are still at the top on both layers of fabric.
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5
Sew along the bottom, with a 5/8-inch seam allowance. Sew along both sides, again with a 5/8-inch seam allowance, starting at the bottom and stopping at the marks that you made previously, 2 inches from the top edge of the fabric.
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6
Use your iron to press open the seams along the sides, and continue pressing the fabric all the way to the top--including the 2 inches left unsewn.
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7
Fold back the edge of the top layer of the bag 1 1/4 inches and press the fabric. Flip over and repeat the process with the other layer of fabric.
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8
Trim the bottom corners of the bag between the edges and the seam; be careful not to cut the seam.
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9
Turn the bag right side out. Sew 1 inch down from the fold at the top, starting at one edge, all the way around the top of the bag. You should now have a sort of tunnel, or channel, running all the way around the top of the bag through which you can run the cord.
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10
Iron the bag so that all the wrinkles are out and the seams lie flat.
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11
With your ruler and tailor's chalk measure and mark the spot that is 3/4 inch in from the side edges and up from the bottom edge on both sides of the bag.
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12
Use your grommet pliers to punch the holes from the grommets over the markings .
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13
Push the piece of grommet hardware that has a post through the front side of your back on each side of your bag. Flip the back over and place the other piece of grommet hardware on the back of each piece of coordinating grommet hardware.
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14
Use your grommet pliers to squeeze the grommet shut.
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15
Attach a large safety pin to one end of your cord.
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16
Thread the safety-pinned end of your cord through the grommet on the left from back to front and pull the cord through until only about 8 inches of the cord is left on the other side of the grommet.
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17
Thread the cord through the tunnel that you created on the front panel of the bag from the left side to the right. Bring the cord down and through the right grommet from front to back. Finally, thread the cord through the tunnel your created on the back panel of the back from right to left.
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18
Tie the two ends of the cord together and remove the safety pin. Work the cord through the bag until the knot is hidden inside the tunnel along the top of the back panel of the bag.
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