Make this super cute padded back pack, it looks great when co-ordinating with the T-shirt, shorts and baseball cap using the New England fabric range from my previous blogs.
Time it takes to make: 3-4 Hours
Skill level : Intermediate
You will need:
2 x Fat Quarter Packs – 2 Pieces of 2 Different Designs
20” (50cms) Fusible Fleece
2 x 10.5 mm eyelets
100” (250cms) of ¼” (6mm) Piping Cord cut into 2
2½” (6cms) Hook and Loop Fastening
1 Button
Glass for Template
Bodkin or Safety Pin
Scissors
Matching thread
Sewing machine
Step-by-step instructions:
All seams are ½” (1.3cms) unless otherwise stated.
Before you start your project, gather all your supplies and have a quick read through the instructions just to familiarise yourself with the terminology. It is always a good idea to wash your fabric before you begin work to eliminate any possibility of shrinkage at a later date. Iron your fabric with a suitable temperature to ensure it is flat and easy to work with. You would be amazed with the difference in size a few creases can make.
From the fabric, cut:
2 Pieces of outer fabric 9” (23cms) x 10½” (27cms)
2 Pieces of outer border / lining fabric 5” (13cms) x 10½” (27cms)
2 Pieces of lining fabric 13” (33cms) x 10½” (27cms)
2 Pieces of flap/lining fabric 6” (15cms) x 6” (15cms)
2 Pieces of lining fabric 9½” (24cms) x 2” (5cms)
From the Fusible Fleece Cut:
2 Pieces of fleece 13” (33cms) x 10½” (27cms)
1 Piece of fleece for the flap 6” (15cms) x 6” (15cms)
Step 1
With right sides together sew the front outer and border fabrics together, press the seam open flat. Using a longer stitch length, top stitch on the right side. Repeat for the back.
Step 2
Following the manufacturer’s instructions iron the fusible fleece to the reverse of the outer fabric, front and back and one piece of the flap fabric, again on the reverse.
Step 3
Using a glass as a template, round off the bottom corners of the two flap pieces.
Step 4
With right sides together sew around the sides and curved bottom of the flap pieces. Reduce the bulk by layers and cutting ‘V’s up to the stitching, making sure you do not cut the stitches. For speed, try using pinking shears.
Step 5
Turn the flap right side out, press then top stitch around the sides and bottom edge. On the underside (no fusible fleece) of the flap, position the hook tape 1” (2.5cms) up and centralised. Sew all the way round the tape.
Step 6
Mark the centre of the flap with a pin, repeat with the front of the bag. Lay the flap on the front of the bag, matching up the pins. Under the flap, mark the position of the loop tape, sew in place.
Step 7
On the two thin strips of the lining fabric, turn under each short end twice, press and stitch.
Step 8
On the long edges of the strips, press under ½” (1.3cms) top and bottom. Position centrally and 2” (5cms) from the top of the bag on the front and back pieces. Pin, top stitch at the top and bottom of the strip, leaving the ends open, remembering to reinforce at each end by back stitching.
Step 9
With right sides together and positioned centrally, pin the flap piece to the back outer piece. Place one of the bag lining sections on top, right sides together. Sew across the top, sandwiching the flap in the centre.
Step 10
With right sides together, pin, stitch and sew the front section to the remaining lining piece across the top edge.
Step 11
Position both the front and back pieces, now with the lining attached, right sides together. Match the seams, pin and sew all the way round leaving a 4” (10cm) approx. gap for tuning, at the bottom of the lining. Note: place a small piece of scrap fabric over the hook and loop tape just to stop them from sticking together whilst the pieces are sewn.
Step 12
Trim the corners to reduce bulk and ease turning. Turn the bag right side out through the gap and press. Machine stitch the opening closed
Step 13
Push the lining inside the bag, press again, paying particular attention to the top edge. Top stitch this edge all the way round the bag.
Step 14
Push the lining right into the bottom corners of the bag. Following the manufacturers’ instruction add the eyelets to each corner.
Step 15
Using either a bodkin or safety pin, thread one end of a piece of cord from right to left through the front channel and then repeat on the back channel in the opposite direction. Take it down to the eyelet, thread it through and knot. Repeat with the other length of cord starting at the left side of the front channel through to the right.
Step 16
For decoration purposes, sew the button on the front of the bag over the hook and loop tape. This will also help small hands to open the flap.
Congratulations! Your back pack is now finished.
Made by Bernadette Wainwright for The Craft Cotton Company 2018
Find her on Instagram @bernie_sew_whats_new