Hi lovelies,

Today is our last construction post of the Bookbag Backpack sew along! Just to recap, here are the steps we covered in the last few weeks:

• Gather supplies
• Cut and stabilise pattern pieces
• Create top handles and backpack straps
• Attach the back straps and the top handles and make the front pockets
• Create the cross-body strap, zip and gusset 

Are you still missing your pattern? Use SEWALONG16 at checkout for a 15% off on the Bookbag Backpack pattern!
So let's start!

Attach the outer body

First, separate the outer side gusset (C) from the lining side gusset and pin it to the body main front (A) with the pocket (B) to one edge of the side gusset. Try your best calm pose to ignore (and not sew over) the lining gussets while you are dealing with the outer pieces.

Match the centre of the zip gusset (D) with the centre of the backpack front main (A), then stitch in place, with the gusset piece on top. You may find it helpful to pin the top handles down, out of the way.



Next, open the zip fully and then repeat for the second bag main (A) with the back straps attached.

Construct the lining

To start, position the zipped pocket 4” (10cm) from the bottom, centred on the lining bag main (A) panel. Insert the zipped pocket into the lining following instructions from last week: Create the cross-body strap, zip and gusset .

Hello lovelies,

Today, as the title very well suggests, we are going to tackle the zip and gusset!

Attach the strap tabs

The original Bookbag Backpack pattern, has an additional, detachable cross-body strap. This can make your bag very versatile and ready for any occasion. Another really great thing about this patterns is that it is really a 3 in 1 bag: 1) a backpack, 2) a boxy tote bag, 3) a cross body bag

You're free to design and adapt the pattern to your own needs! Also, I think you know this already, but I just wanted to remind you: if you are running a small business, you can sell bags made with this pattern (and any of my patterns, for that matter!)

First, fold the two short ends in 1/4” (6mm) on a strap tab (F) and press well. Fold the strap tab in half lengthwise and press again. Next, unfold and then press each long raw edge into the centre crease and press. Top stitch along all four sides. The two raw edges will still be visible on the back of the tab.



Next, thread a triangular ring onto the strap tab (F) to the centre, fold in half and stitch
to secure. Repeat for the second strap tab (F).

Then, stitch the finished tab pieces (F) onto the side gusset ( C) centred and with the top of the tab, not the ring, 1” (2.5cm) from the top using a cross within a square. Repeat for the second tab piece (F).



You can reinforce the cross-body strap with rivets, if you wish. Especially if your fabric is particularly thick, you may wish to use two rivets to secure, instead of the stitching.

Constructing your zip & gusset

If using a single zip, you will need to prepare the zip by sewing the zip ends together at the open end. Next, take one of the outer zip gusset pieces (D) face up, and lay the zip face down along one long edge. Lay one of the lining zip gusset pieces (D) on top, right side down and stitch using your zip foot.

As always, for really neat zips I recommend an adjustable zipper/piping foot.

Once this is done, fold the fabric back and press well. Top stitch along the zip edge. Repeat for the other side of the zip gusset pieces (D).

Trim the zip gusset to be 4” (10cm) wide to match the side gusset (C ). Do not trim the zip tails.

Hello lovelies,

How are your Bookbag Backpacks coming along so far?
Today we are going to move our sewing project forward, attach the back straps and the top handles and make the front pockets. Let's get sewing!

Attach the back straps

Create handle tabs

To create these tiny handle tabs, fold under the short ends on the top handle tabs (G) 1/4” (6mm) and press into place. Fold the tabs in half, short ends together and stitch along the two edges with a 1/4” (6mm) seam allowance. Turn the tabs right side out and press well. Place to a side for the moment.

Good! Now on to the handles!

Before starting the handles, my tip is to give your pieces a generous spritz of spray starch and wait a few minutes for it to sink in. This will make life so much easier and your creases crisper!

Fold one of the top handle pieces (K) into half lengthwise and press into place. Unfold. Fold the bottom and top raw edges to meet at the centre crease line. Press into place.

Fold the handle in half again encasing the raw edges and top stitch along each long edge with a 1/8” (3mm) seam.
Are you sewing with us? let us know in the comments below, or on one of our social media accounts! (Check links in the right hand side menu, right under the photo of me and Elvis :)

Hello lovelies,


Today we are going to start cutting our fabric and stabilising the bag! Feel free to put the kettle on while you read this post and we’ll promise we won’t tell if you decide to have a tasty snack with your cuppa.

Before you start cutting

Don’t forget that a seam allowance of 3/8” (1cm) is included in the pattern, unless otherwise stated. The A and B pattern pieces are included on the pages at the end of the directions. Please cut the remaining pieces to the measurements provided.

You can make your backpack smaller or larger by printing the A and B pieces at your desired scale. When you do so, make sure you scale down or up the rest of your pattern pieces, so that everything fits together like a charm. Our recommendation is to first sew the Bookbag Backpack in its original size, which makes a backpack measuring approximately 12” x 15” x 4” (30.5 cm x 38 cm x 10 cm).

To reduce bulky seams, you may wish to cut your heavy stabiliser a 1⁄4” (6mm) smaller that the pattern. If you’re going to use non fusible stabilisers such as Soft & Stable or Headliner fabric and wish to quilt your bag, please remember to quilt it to your outer fabric before cutting the pattern pieces, as quilting can cause shrinkage.

Since you are going to cut quite a few pattern pieces (I promise it will be worth it in the end ), you may wish to label each piece or set of pieces with a bit of masking tape or post-its to remember which is which.

Cutting out pieces

This pattern has 8 pieces that you are going to cut various times, following the diagrams below. To make work a bit easier, we are going to be cutting pattern pieces in three sessions: we’ll cut the main body pattern pieces first, then the straps and finally, the inner pockets.

This pattern requires:

• Outer fabric 1 yd
• Lining fabric 1 yd
• Contrast fabric for straps 1.5 yds
• Interfacing: medium weight, 2.5 yds
• Foam stabiliser: 1 yd

Picking your fabric

For this pattern, as you will use medium weight interfacing and foam stabiliser to give the backpack a structured look, you can use a variety of fabrics, from medium weight to heavy cottons, and cotton blends, canvas, denim. You can also use suede, natural or faux leather and depending on how structured you want your final backpack, you could consider skipping the foam stabiliser.

Stabilisers

Bookbag Backpack by Margareth from Maggie Made Bags

Foam stabilisers are great because they give your handmade bags body, stability and an overall professional finish. (I use stabilisers for my Saddlebag, Nappy bag and Bookbag Backpack patterns, for example). But what's the difference and which should you choose? I’ve written a full post about it here.

What if you don’t have any stabiliser at home and you want to give the pattern a try? You could try fusible fleece. Some of you have asked whether fusible fleece can be replaced. It can, but you’ll have to quilt over your fabric to keep your backpack looking sharp!

Notions

The notions my pattern asks for are:

• 1 x 20” single or double zip
• 2 x 8” zips for pockets
• 2 x 1” Triangular D rings for attaching the cross body strap
• 2 x 1.5” Swivel clips
• 1 x 1.5” triglide buckle 
• 2 x 1.25” triglide buckles
• 2 x 1.25” rectangular rings
• Optional: 10 rivets, 26” decorative trim. 

For other buckle sizes, adjust the width to be four times the buckle width.

More inspiration

If you’re still thinking about the final fabric for your backpack check out our tester versions here and a little bit more inspiration for texture and embellishments, here:

Ready for the next step in our sew along? Meet you here next Friday! In the meantime, get in touch here or via social media with your questions, ideas or suggestions!


Happy sewing!