BERNINA Corporate Blog -With a warm hello, I’m back after a small sewing break, and today I’d like to show you how to sew a practical and beautiful backpack bag for shopping.
Using this backpack bag for shopping is genius because you can carry the bag with your hands or on your back. It’s perfect for cycling, scooters, skating, rollerblades, or any form of transportation, as it frees up your hands for the handlebars.
The pattern might look familiar because, in Germany, major retailers now offer backpack bags made from recycled PET bottles as shopping bags. I loved the shape and functionality of this bag so much that I recreated the style of this pattern and sewed myself a backpack bag (with an outer fabric and inner oilcloth lining).
Size
Height 48 cm, Width 42 cm, Depth 17 cm
An All-rounder
Thanks to the waterproof inner fabric, this backpack bag is also an ideal companion for the swimming pool. You can pack your wet swimwear inside, and nothing will leak.
Sewing a backpack bag – what materials?
The backpack bag you see in the first two photos was made with a woven outer fabric and an inner oilcloth lining. The oilcloth gives the bag a sturdy structure, but it can still be rolled up when empty.
Of course, you can experiment with different materials and combinations, such as pure oilskin, oilcloth only, coated cotton fabrics, denim, canvas, or patchwork fabrics.
Personally, I love the combination of fabric and washable material. If any liquid spills inside, you can easily wipe the bag clean with a cloth.
Materials
- Outer fabric: Woven fabric or canvas, 120 cm x 44 cm
- Inner fabric: Oilcloth or heavy cotton, 120 cm x 44 cm
- Webbing (25 mm wide), 2 x 140 cm
- Optional inner pocket
- Optional loop
Sewing Tools
- Marking pen
- Pins
- Fabric clips
- Fabric scissors
- Paper scissors
- Adhesive tape
- Cutting mat
- Rotary cutter
Preparation for Sewing the Backpack Bag
Please read through the instructions completely before starting to sew!
Cut out all the necessary pattern pieces for the bag.
Outer Bag
- 2 x 44 cm x 60 cm, W x H
Inner Bag
- 2 x 44 cm x 60 cm, W x H
Webbing
- 2 x webbing straps, 25 to 30 mm, each 140 cm
Inner Pocket
- Optional
- 2 x approximately 22 x 20 cm, or larger/smaller
Loop
- Optional
- 4 cm in your desired length
Download the Pattern
Download the pattern using the following link and print it out:
Please make sure to set your print settings to 100%.
Seam Allowances
The seam allowances of 0.75 cm are already included in the pattern for the backpack bag.
Sewing Instructions for the Backpack Bag
Prepare the Outer Bag
The first thing to consider is: which side will be the back and which the front? This often depends on the fabric’s design.
In the first image below, you can see the outer side of the backpack bag that I will wear facing outwards.
The fabric for the outer side is laid horizontally: the top edge is on the left, and the bottom points to the right.
Webbing
Follow the markings on the pattern.
Attach the Webbing to the Front Outer Fabric
Place the first webbing strap at the bottom edge of the fabric, 12 cm from the outer fabric edge inward, and pin it in place. The webbing will be secured up to the top edge of the fabric, but leave 5 cm free at the top.
Repeat the same with the second webbing strap. Then sew both webbing straps onto the fabric. Be sure not to sew all the way to the top edge. You can check the markings on the pattern again if needed.
Attach the Webbing to the Back Outer Fabric
Now it gets a bit tricky, as you’ll be attaching the webbing to the back outer fabric. Here’s how to do it: lay both outer pieces close together with the short bottom fabric edges near each other. Now, take the loose end of the first webbing strap that you sewed on the front and place it on the lower back outer side. Again, follow the markings: 12 cm from the outer fabric edge inward and 9 cm from the bottom upward. Do the same with the second webbing strap.
Pocket Decorations on the Front
Now would be a good time to decorate your sewn backpack bag on the front. Here, you can see a small embroidered label that I first embroidered on my BERNINA 790 PLUS Crystal Edition and then sewed on. These lovely labels are available from Made by Kasia (website is only available in German). The blank file included in the set allowed me to embroider my label. I love the creative freedom.
For Plotter Fans
There is a new film called Color Up, which you can paint, cut, and press onto fabric using a heat press. You can paint it with watercolors, markers, and more – the important thing is that the colors are water-based.
I’m very excited about this.
Sew the Outer Pieces Together
After attaching the webbing, place both outer fabric pieces right sides together and pin them. Sew the fabric pieces together, leaving the top opening unsewn.
Important: Make sure the webbing straps are not twisted when sewing the pieces together.
Bag Bottom
To give the backpack bag a sturdy bottom, it needs a depth of 8 cm. To do this, fold the side and bottom seams on both sides of the bag, aligning both seams and pinning them in place. Normally, I would press this fold, but at 35° C outside, I chose not to turn on the iron. I hope you understand if the fabric appears slightly wrinkled in places.
Mark 8 cm from the tip and sew this horizontal seam with a straight stitch.
Now you can cut off the excess triangles.
Then turn the outer bag right side out and shape it.
Prepare the Inner Pocket
Sewing a small inner pocket for the backpack bag is optional. I like to sew a loop inside the pocket where I can attach my keys with a carabiner. If you choose to add an inner pocket, I recommend not sewing it too close to the bag opening. A distance of around 10 cm is a good spot.
Sewing the Inner Pocket from Oilcloth
The inner pocket is sewn from oilcloth using the same principle as the outer bag.
Assembling the Bag
Once both parts of the backpack bag are sewn, they can be joined together. To do this, slide the outer bag with the right side into the inner bag. The fabrics are right sides together, and you can secure the top edges with fabric clips.
Then, sew the two parts together along the top edge, leaving an opening of about 15 cm for turning. It’s important to secure the beginning and end of the seam well.
Turning opening of the backpack bag
Turning and Shaping the Backpack Bag
Now comes the exciting part: turning the backpack bag through the opening. After shaping the bag with a corner turner and a bit of hand work, you’ll have a lovely bag in front of you.
Your Sewn Backpack Bag is Ready
Did you manage to tackle the tricky part of sewing on the webbing and successfully finish the bag? Wonderful! That makes me happy, and you can be proud of your sewing skills.
Why Stop at Just One Backpack Bag?
Where there’s one backpack bag, more are likely to follow. Perhaps someone in your family or friend circle would also love to have a unique backpack bag sewn by you. Handmade gifts are always a wonderful idea.
You might even get compliments on the street about your amazing bag. That happened to me recently while shopping. It’s a great feeling to carry a handmade, unique bag on your back … or in your hands.
Enjoy sewing your own backpack bag!
Best wishes,
Katharina
RaabArt
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