Difficulty: Beginner
As part of our preparations for our upcoming trip to Disney World I decided to make some draw string backpacks. When we go to an amusement park I’m the one who carries everything in a backpack. I carry 6 water bottles, snacks for everyone, sunscreen, wipes, wallet, keys and cell phone, sometimes a few hoodies or long sleeved shirts too. That is quite a heavy load.
Sometimes my husband Mike and I take turns wearing the backpack, but if I’m by myself it’s just me. I don’t mind carrying everything, because I know that I can keep track of our essentials. The problem is that by the end of the day my shoulders and upper back are usually aching.
We don’t go to amusement parks every day, so I can always recover the next day. On a Disney vacation we will go to amusement parks every day, so there will be no recovery time. I decided that the kids were going to carry their own bags with snacks, water and hoodies. Then I only have to carry stuff for Mike and me, easy peasy.
I thought about it and decided that the kids backpacks weren’t a good choice. The boys backpacks would be too big for the items they would carry and Miss M’s would be too small since she just has a mini backpack. I could easily enough whip up some drawstring backpacks for the kids and make them with Disney or Star Wars fabric.
I went to my local Joann Fabrics store and picked out 3 Star Wars fabrics for the boys and Miss M chose Minnie Mouse fabric for her bag. That afternoon I put together all of the backpacks. They come together quickly and that’s with making the drawstrings. This project is even faster if you use cording, ribbon or bias tape. If you are looking for an easy and functional sewing project grab your supplies and follow along as I show you how to make a drawstring backpack.
Supplies
Novelty Cotton or Quilt Fabric (the amount of fabric depends on the size bag you want , the direction of the pattern and whether or not you will be creating the drawstrings from the fabric, a good starting point is half a yard)
Coordinating Thread
Ribbon, Cording or Bias Tape if not creating drawstrings from fabric
For the fabric I am using in the pictures I started with two rectangles measuring 16”x18 ¾”. I cut two rectangles instead of folding the fabric in half due to the direction of the print on the fabric. Depending on your fabric you may be able to cut one large rectangle and fold in half, saving you a step.
With right sides together stitch along the bottom edge leaving a ¼” seam allowance, back stitching at the beginning and end.
With right sides together stitch along the bottom edge leaving a ¼” seam allowance, back stitching at the beginning and end.
Cut two rectangles that are 2”x4”. Fold each rectangle in half length wise and fold edges in toward the middle and stitch down the length.
Fold each piece in half widthwise to create a loop.
Place with raw edges sticking out from between the 2 layers of bag fabric and pin in place.
Fold down the top edges of the fabric to determine how big to make the drawstring pocket. Measure this amount and use that measurement on either side of the bag and mark with a pin. Then pin all the way down the side of each bag.
Stitch from the bottom up to the pin on both sides leaving a ¼” seam allowance and backstitching at the top and bottom.
At the top of the bag turn the side edges in twice and stitch down. This will create nice finished edges on the drawstring pockets.
Turn down the top edge of the bag on one side folding under the raw edge and lining up with the top of the side stitching. Pin along the length from one side of the bag to the other.
Stitch in place backstitching at the beginning and end and repeat with the other side of the bag to create the second drawstring pocket.
Trim any threads and turn the bag right side out and set aside.
To create the drawstrings measure the width and length of the bag and multiply by 2. This is the length you need. Cut a piece of fabric 2 ½” x the length you just determined to create the drawstrings. Use the same method that you used to create the loops for the bottom of the bag. If necessary piece several strips of fabric together to create the necessary length. If using ribbon, cording or bias tape cut them the length necessary and move to the next step.
Once you have created the drawstrings you need to feed them through the pockets, Attach a safety pin to the end of one string and feed through the back tube from the right and continue through the front tube from the left. Pull the ends even and repeat with the second string starting from the left.
You should have two string ends hanging down to the left and two hanging down to the right. Grab the left strings with your left hand and the right strings with your right hand and pull, if the top of the bag tightens the strings have the proper placement.
On one side of the bag take one of the string ends and push through the loop at the bottom of the bag.
Then holding the two string ends together tie into a knot. Repeat with the other side.
Tying the ends together through the loop creates the straps to wear it as a backpack.
Open your bag and fill it with your belongings. Throw it over your shoulders and off you go.
