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Hi, there clothworks readers! We are Meagan Taylor and Kristi Jones from meags & me. Today, we will be sharing our Preschool Backpack tutorial.
Supply List:
- Outer Fabric: ½ yard
- Lining Fabric: ½ yard
- Flap Fabric: ½ yard
- Strap Fabric: ¼ yard
- ¾” Elastic: 9” in length
- Scraps for Elastic Casing and Handle
1. Cut pieces:
*Outer Fabric: Cut 2: 13” x 18”
*Lining Fabric: Cut 2: 13” x 18”
*Flap (Template found here. Place dotted line on fold): Cut 2
*Straps: Cut 2: 6” x 17”
*Handle: Cut 1: 4″ x 7″
*Elastic Casing: Cut 2: 8.5” x 1.5”
*3/4 Inch Elastic: Cut 2: 4.5” long
2. Prepare Pieces:
A. Cut out 2 flap pieces from template. Sew right sides together along curved edge. Turn right side out and press. Top stitch along curved edge.
B. Fold each strap in half, and crease. Open, and fold each long end into the now marked center-line. Gently fold in the top and bottom (short) edges 1/4″ to hide raw edges. Fold in half again. Sew 1/8” along all sides. Repeat to create 2 straps.
C. Repeat strap process (step 2B) to create handle.
3. With an outer fabric piece, on the right side, place one strap 3” from the bottom, 3″ from top, and 3.5” from the left side, and the other strap 3” from the bottom, 3″ from top, and 3.5” from the right. Tuck in the top and bottom edges 1/2″. Pin well, straps should have enough slack to take the backpack on and off comfortably. Test and adjust if necessary. Sew 1/4” on the top and bottom of both straps.
4. Center handle between both straps. Pin and baste.
5. Center flap (over handle). Pin and baste.
6. With the other outer piece (without straps and flap) center elastic casing 3″ from top on the wrong side of fabric. Sew 1/8″ on the top and bottom of casing, leaving the left and right sides open. Using a safety pin, thread one piece of elastic through the opening, and sew the left and right side of the elastic so it gathers slightly. Repeat for one side of the lining.
7. Sew outer pieces right side together, leaving the top open. The elastic gathering should be near the top.
8. Sew inner pieces right sides together, leaving the top open and about a 4″ opening at the bottom (for turning).
9. With the outer pieces sewn together, and still with right sides together, fold corners outward and match seams. Measure 2.5″ from the top corner point and draw a line straight across. Sew on this line. Trim 1/4″. Repeat for the other side. Repeat for lining. This creates a “bottom” for your bag.
10. Turn outer bag right side out. Place lining outside the outer bag so the right sides of both outer bag and lining are together. Make sure the elastic gatherings are matched/on the same side. Pin, and sew along the top. Using the 4″ opening in the bottom of the lining, turn the bag right side out. Topstitch.
11. Whipstitch the opening in the lining shut. Tada! A new backpack your little ones will love!
My little guy LOVES it. I love it, because it’s a little smaller than big kid backpacks, but still looks like a “real” one. And the Schoolies line is perfect!
With the leftover fabric, I just might make more of these. Another awesome project for this darling line.
**To win this fabric to make your preschooler his/her very own little backpack, check out meags & me today, to enter the giveaway.**
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s like you were reading my mind!!! My son is in desperate need of a backpack for preschool, and normal backpacks are just too big!
No preschool for us yet. Cute project though.