Simple drawstring backpack

023These types of drawstring backpacks are really easy to use and lightweight. They are perfect for little kids who may be weighed down by a regular backpack. The straps also serve as the drawstrings, so the bag really can’t accidentally be left open while wearing it. Great for storing or traveling with toys!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies

Allsport Crimson / Black
Allsport Crimson / Black
Sheeting Black
Sheeting Black
Eyelets
Eyelets (2)
Black cording
Black cording

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1/2 a yard of fabric is plenty. You’ll need two eyelets. Size depends on how thick your cording is. It should be able to hold two pieces of cording that, when knotted together, won’t pull through. I used 3 yards of cording and it was barely enough for this small pack. If your pack is bigger, I’d recommend at least four. You will cut it in half to create two pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

The pattern

You can make this in any size you’d like. I wanted this tiny for a toddler, so I cut my fabric pieces 11″Wx15″H. Cut two from the main fabric and two from the lining.

 

The process

 001

Press under 1/2″ hem on the top edge of each piece of fabric, on the main fabric and the lining.

002

Right-sides together, pin around the sides and bottom of the outer bag pieces.

005

Note how we will stitch at the top. Ignore the blue markings. The pen was too thick to make accurate marks, so I switched to a fabric pencil. Measure and mark 3/8″ and 1″ from the top. This will be where your drawstring casing is. This provides about a 5/8″ casing, so think about the size of your cording and whether that is adequate.

Using a 1/2″ seam allowance, stitch the tiny area above the first mark and then the whole side below that mark, across the bottom and up the other side to that 1″ mark. Then do the tiny part above the mark.

006

Cut the corners to reduce bulk.

007

Turn right-side out and push out corners.

008

Along the top part of the seam where you made your casing hole, press the seam allowance open.

009

This is the little hole you made.

010

Draw a little square around the hole and stitch around it. This secures the seam allowance.

011

Stitch your lining fabric around the sides and bottom using a 1/2″ seam allowance (don’t forget that you have the 1/2″ at the top pressed under). Leave it wrong-side out.

012

Insert the lining into the outer bag and line up the seam allowances. Pin around the top.

013

Stitch very close to the edge.

030

Stitch your casing by stitching along the bottom and top of the casing hole. I forgot to take a photo so I’m showing this step on the finished product once the cording is already inserted.

014

On each bottom corner, push the lining fabric corner down well so that there is no bunching. Follow the instructions for your eyelets to insert them, but mine had me trace the hole of one, so that is what you see here. Then draw a diagonal line across the corner.

015

Stitch on the line. This will keep items in the bag from setting right on the eyelet and putting pressure on it.

018

Insert the eyelet per the instructions on the package. I hammer mine outside on the concrete. You need a good hard surface that can’t be damaged.

019

Attach a safety pin to one end of one cord. I put tape on the ends because they really unravel easily. Thread the cording through the casing and go all the way around until you come out the same hole you went in. So, as you can see in the photo above, both ends are coming out the left hole.

020

Do the same with your other piece of cording, but have them both come out the other hole.

021

Take both pieces of cording and pull them through the eyelet. Knot the two pieces together. Repeat on the other side. When you pull the cording on either side, it will cinch up the top and create backpack straps.

Other views

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