Cute and Easy DIY Backpack Tutorial
This is a simple DIY backpack to make from 12 oz canvas fabric.
It has a zippered outer pocket and an inner pocket and the backpack sewing pattern is easy to follow.
Come along with me and see how to sew a backpack even if you’ve never made anything like this before.
Tools and materials:
- 12 oz canvas fabric
- Cotton lining
- 18 inch (45 cm) zipper
- 11 inch (28 cm) zipper
- 2 x 1.25 inch (3 cm) wide strap adjusters
- 2 x 1.25 inch (3 cm) wide buckles
- Fabric marker
- Scissors
- Pins
- Ruler
- Measuring tape
- Iron
- Sewing machine
1. Cut out the fabric
Cut out the canvas and lining pieces as shown in the diagrams and in the video at 0:27 to 0:31
2. Zipper pocket
Place the two largest canvas pieces together, lining up the 19 inch (48 cm) sides.
Cut a 2.4 inch (6 cm) square through both layers at the corners.
Draw a rectangle on the right side of the 10.8 by 17.75 inch (27 by 45 cm) lining piece, 8.8 inches (22 cm) long by 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) deep and 1.5 inches (4 cm) from the top edge.
Start and end the rectangle 1 inch (2.5 cm) from each side edge.
Place the lining centrally on the right side of the larger backpack piece, 5 inches (12.5 cm) from the top edge.
Sew around the rectangle.
Cut through the center of the rectangle and into each corner to make a slit.
Push the lining through the slit and press the seam on the wrong side.
3. Insert the small zipper
Place the 11 inch (28 cm) zipper behind the slit with the right side against the lining.
Top stitch on the right side.
Fold the bottom of the pocket up to the top edge on the inside. Sew around the open edges.
4. Loop and straps
Press the 8 inch by 3 inch (20 cm by 8 cm) canvas piece in half lengthways with the wrong side inside.
Open it out and press the long edges to the center.
Fold the strip in half and sew the two long edges to make the loop.
Sew both sets of straps in the same way.
Thread the two shorter straps through the buckles by 2.75 inches (7 cm) and sew in place below the buckle.
5. Attach the straps
Pin the loop to the top edge of the smaller canvas piece, 1.5 inches (4 cm) either side of the center.
Pin one end of the long straps either side of it and sew in place.
Thread the other end of the long strap through the strap adjuster.
Place the folded end of the shorter strap through the center bar of the adjuster, fold it back through and sew in place.
Repeat for the second strap.
Sew the free end of the short strap to the bottom cut out as shown in the diagram.
Cut off the excess length.
6. Inside pocket
Sew the gusset to the top edge of the smaller backpack piece with the right sides together.
Press the seam flat and top stitch.
Cut out the bottom corners of the lining to match the backpack.
Fold the smallest lining piece in half widthways with the right side inside.
Sew the open edges, leaving an opening in the long edge.
Snip the corners and turn the pocket right side out.
Place the pocket centrally on one of the lining pieces, 5.5 inches (14 cm) from the top edge.
Sew the side and lower edges and up the center of the pocket.
7. Long zipper
Sandwich both ends of the zipper between the smallest pieces of canvas.
Sew half an inch (1 cm) from each end.
Fold the tabs back and top stitch.
Place the zipper between the top edges of the smaller canvas and lining pieces.
Sew a quarter inch (0.7 cm) from the edge.
Fold the canvas to the right side and top stitch.
Repeat with the other backpack and lining pieces.
Open out the backpack and top stitch the other side of the zipper.
8. Assemble
Place the backpack and lining pieces together with the right sides facing.
Sew the side and lower edges, leaving an opening in the lower edge of the lining.
Close the four corner cut-outs, matching the side and bottom seams.
Pull the canvas out through the opening in the lining.
Sew the lining closed.
Tuck the lining inside the backpack.
DIY backpack
I’m delighted with how my DIY backpack turned out.
It’s not a quick project, but none of the sewing techniques are advanced. Even the zippers go in easily!
Take it step by step, press everything well as you go, and don’t try to rush through it.
I hope you found this easy to follow and enjoyable to make. I’d love to know how you get on with it.
Please drop me a comment or any questions below
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