Sew-a-Long: Draw-String Backpack

​Time to stitch with us in our latest sew-a-long! We received a ton of requests for a tutorial on our drawstring backpack, so here it is.

Materials

• 0.5 Meters of cotton fabric (medium weight woven)
• 3.5-4 Meters of cord
• ​2 Grommets (14mm)
• ​Thread Scissors

• Sewing Machine
• Safety Pin
• ​Matching Thread
• ​Iron

Step 1

Create paper patterns for the following patterns, or mark directly onto fabric. Seam allowance included in dimensions: MAIN BODY, EXTERIOR POCKET & GROMMET EXTENSION.

Step 2

Cut out all fabric and mark notches.

Step 3

 Over-lock top raw edge of the EXTERIOR POCKET piece. Alternatively, you can zig-zag or pink your raw edges too to avoid fraying.

Step 4

Mark and fold in top of the EXTERIOR POCKET by 1”, press in place. Pin and stitch at ¾” seam allowance.

Step 5

Place the EXTERIOR POCKET on top of one MAIN piece, lining up the side seams and bottom. Pin and stay-stitch pieces together. Stay-stitching is a stitch done to hold two layer of fabric together prior to being attached onto another layer of fabric. It is typically done in a longer stitch length (4mm) and done within the seam allowance to hide it away.

Step 6

Create separate pockets on the EXTERIOR POCKET. Mark a vertical line wherever you wish, pin and top-stitch in place. We decided to create 2 pockets equal in size.

Step 7 

​With right sides of the fabric facing each other, pin and stitch the top and bottom seams of the GROMMET EXTENSION pieces. Repeat to the other piece so you have two in total. Clip away excess fabric in the corners. Flip and press.

Step 8

Create a small hole in the center of the GROMMET EXTENSION, just enough for the male piece of the grommet to fit through. Place the female grommet under and hammer in place securing the grommet.

Step 9

Stay stitch the GROMMET EXTENSION to the side seams of the MAIN piece, lining up to notches marked on the MAIN pattern piece.

Step 10

​Over-lock separately each side seam and bottom of the MAIN pieces.

Step 11

With right sides of the fabric facing each other, pin and stitch the MAIN pieces together. Starting at the top opening notch, going down a side seam, pivoting at the corner, across the bottom, pivoting again and back up the other side seam stopping at the opposite notch.

Step 12

​Press seam allowances open, continue to press the remainder of the side seam up to the top edge of the bag by the ½” seam allowance.

Step 13

​Press in top along fold line #1(½” seam allowance) and then fold line #2 (1 ½” seam allowance). Pin top of bag folded edge in place and edge stitch.

Step 14

Divide your cording in half, so you have 2 pieces that are approx 1.8 m in length each. Depending on your height, you may need a longer amount. This size is good for a 5' 4" person.

Step 15

One piece of cord will have its ends tied together and live behind one grommet. Starting with one piece of cord, feed it through the front top hem tunnel, turning in towards the back top hem tunnel. The two ends of the same cord should be coming out the same side of the backpack. Take those ends and feed them through the grommet and tie them together to create a knot. Repeat the same to the opposite side using your second cord piece. Use a safety pin to help feed cord through.

​Final Design

Ta-da! You've just made your own Draw-String Backpack. Tag us on social media to show us your creation. 

Happy Sewing!
Designed, photographed and written by Sheila Wong Studios