How to Make a Backpack of Microfiber Fabric

Microfiber cloth has a tight, soft weave.

Microfiber is a soft, synthetic cloth that is used for cleaning and other tasks where the tight weave of the fabric is beneficial. Microfiber is capable of soaking up a lot of water before it begins to feel wet. You can easily make a simple drawstring backpack from microfiber cloth. This backpack is ideal for carrying small objects or books, and will also resist dirt and bacteria.

Things You'll Need

• Microfiber fabric
• Measuring tape
• Cord
• Thread
• Straight pins

Instructions

1. Cut two rectangles of fabric equaling 24 inches on the long sides and 10.8 inches on the short sides. You can make these rectangles bigger if you want to make a backpack that is adult-sized.

2. Cut one piece of cord to equal 9 inches long. Cut two more pieces with each piece equaling 48 inches.

3. Lay the right sides of the fabric rectangles together. Sew the short sides of the fabric pieces together using a sewing machine. Use a 1/4-inch margin for the seam allowance.

4. Fold both pieces of one side of the long side of the fabric to make a 1/2-inch hem. Sew the hem into the fabric, but do not sew the two sides of the fabric together. This will make a pocket in the fabric that you will use to hold the shoulder straps. You should now have a rectangle that has the two short sides sewn together, one hemmed side and one unfinished side.

5. Fold the unfinished edges of the rectangle up 1/4 of an inch to make a hem and pin in place. Turn the bag right side out. Loop the short piece of cording in half. Tie a knot in the two ends of the cord to make a loop. Place the loop inside the bag, between the two un-sewn sides of the rectangle. Make sure two, 1/2-inch loops stick out from either side of the bag. Sew the cord to the bag, using a 1/4 inch margin. The small loops will hold the shoulder straps in place.

6. Thread one long piece of cording through the 1/2-inch pocket you made in Step 4. Thread the cord through the right side, then pull it through the other side of the pocket so that two loose ends hang out from the right side. Repeat the process with the other cord, but start from the left side. Two loose cords should hang from each side of the backpack.

7. Loop the two loose ends of cording through the 1/2-inch cord loop on the bottom of the bag that you made in Step 5. Knot the two loose ends of the long cord together around the 1/2-inch loop to make the backpack straps. Repeat for the other side of the backpack. Pull the cord at the top of the bag to draw the top closed.

References

• Craft Ideas: Simple Backpack