These are simply yet handy children's backpacks. I made them for birthday gifts for a nine year old and a six year old. They turned nine and six on their birthdays, which were one week apart. According to the nine-year old, this was the best birthday gift ever in her entire life.
I just improvised with what I had and did not take strict measurements of this. There are some things I would do differently so when I make the new version I will post more detailed instructions with measurements. But this is what I did with this initial experiment.
Supplies:
D-ring (or keychain ring will work)
2 fat quarters, one for exterior and straps and one for flap
enough fabric for lining piece
Swivel hook
thread
I started with fat quarters for the exterior and some fabric by the yard I had on hand for the lining. I cut 2 pieces 3"x 22" from the side of the fat quarter for the straps, then squared up the remaining piece of the fat quarter. (Not literally square, just straightened sides.)
Straps: Fold the strips in half lengthwise then fold edges into center fold. Sew along both sides of the straps. You could cut them 4"x22" for a wider strap but this will make the backpack smaller if relying on the fat quarter for fabric.
Bag: Cut the lining piece the same size as the exterior piece. Place ends of straps inside at bottom corners. tack in place. Sew up the sides of both exterior and lining pieces. Leave a 3-4" gap in a side of the lining piece for turning. Place the exterior inside the lining with right sides touching. Place free ends of straps 1" from center. Tack in place. Make sure straps aren't twisted. The side with the straps sewn near center will be backside of bag. Sew together along top edge on the wrong sides. Pull through opening left in lining. Topstitch top edge and sew lining gap closed.
Strips for D ring and Swivel Hook: Cut 2 strips 3 1/2"x 4" for straps for hook and D-ring. Fold into thirds and sew along both sides the long side for both straps. Fold in half lengthwise and slide D-ring and swivel hook down onto fold.
Flap: Cut 2 pieces of another fat quarter (paw print fabric for this backpack) and round both corners on one end. I used a candle holder. Place the pieces right sides together and insert strap with swivel hook inside with raw edges meeting raw edges. Sew around flap edge, backstitching a few times over strap to reinforce it. Leave top edge unsewn. Turn, press out along sides and curved bottom then topstitch.
Mark center of flap and center of back side of bag. Place flap on back side with curved side down and raw edges 1" below the topstiching at the top of the bag. Flip flap up and topstitch in place. This will cover the flaps raw edges and hold the flap in place.
The last part is the strap with the D-ring. This is why I will do it differently next time. Since the bag exterior was made from one piece of fabric this tab has to be hand sewn in place. Next time I will do two pieces for the exterior so that I have a seam to enclose the tab into. So, sew the tab in place.
Voila! A handy, simple, fun backpack for the child of any age. :)
