Drawstring Backpack

Supplies Needed:
  • 1 yard 45" cotton print
  • 1/4 yard 45" coordinating cotton solid
  • 1/2 yard 45" cotton for lining
  • Floriani Wet N Stick
  • Floriani Stitch N Shape 1-sided Fusible
  • Floriani Embroidery Threads
  • Bobbin and sewing threads
  • Embroidery motif
    (Our project uses the flower motif from Adorable Ideas' Border Pack.)

Instructions

All seam allowances are 1/4".

  1. From the cotton print, cut:
    a. 3 strips 4" wide across the fabric width for the handles
    b. 1 rectangle 21" x 14" for the back
    c. 1 rectangle 12" x 14" for the front
  2. On the 21" x 14" rectangle, mark and remove a 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangle of fabric on each side, beginning 2" from one short end.


  3. From the coordinating solid, cut a rectangle 5" wide and 16" long. This piece is cut oversize and will be trimmed after embroidering.
  4. From the lining fabric, cut a rectangle 31 1/2" x 14". Fold the lining fabric in half and mark a 1 1/2" x 1 1/4" rectangle on each side at the fold. Cut out the two rectangles; when the lining is opened up the cutouts will measure 1 1/2" x 2 1/2".


  5. From the Floriani Stitch N Shape, cut a rectangle 3" x 11".

  6. Mark the horizontal and vertical centerlines on the solid fabric rectangle. Hoop Floriani Wet N Stick, attach the solid fabric rectangle, and embroider a design or designs. Remember to keep the designs within a 3" x 13" area on the fabric so they will not be trimmed away or caught in the seam allowances.

  7. After embroidery, remove the excess stabilizer and carefully press the embroidered fabric from the wrong side.


  8. Keeping the embroidery centered, trim the fabric to measure 3 1/2" x 14".
  9. With right sides together, stitch the front rectangle to the top of the embroidered piece. Stitch the end of the back rectangle that is closest to the cutouts to the bottom of the embroidered fabric.



  10. Press the seam allowances away from the embroidered strip and edgestitch along each seamline.
  11. Fold the backpack in half, right sides together. Mark each side seam allowance 1 1/4" and 2 1/4" from the short raw edges.



  12. Stitch each side seam from the raw edges to the cutout rectangles, leaving the spaces between the marks open for the drawstring.
  13. Lay the lining fabric face up on the fusible surface of the Floriani Stitch N Shape rectangle. The rectangle will fit between the cutouts made earlier. Press to fuse the Stitch N Shape to the lining wrong side.



  14. Fold the lining in half, right sides together, and stitch one side seam from the raw edges to the cutout rectangle.
  15. Stitch the second lining side seam, but leave an opening near the middle of the seam for turning.



  16. Fold the lining, right sides together, so the edges of the cutout at the base of the side seam match the edges where the Floriani Stitch N Shape is fused. Sew the edges together to box the lining. Repeat for the other lining side seam.



  17. Place the backpack, right side out, inside the lining, wrong side out. Match the seams and raw edges and stitch all the way around.
  18. Press the lining/backpack seam toward the lining fabric. Turn the project right side out through the opening in the lining side seam. (Note: for now, do not box the backpack fabric.)
  19. Tuck the lining inside the backpack and adjust the lining so the seam is 1" below the fold.



  20. Press the fold at the top of the backpack. Edgestitch along the fold through both thicknesses. Stitch again 1" below the fold to make the drawstring casing.



  21. To construct the straps:
    a. Cut one strip in half. Stitch one half-strip to each full strip and press the seam open.
    b. Fold a joined fabric strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press.
    c. Open the fold and press each long edge to meet the center crease.
    d. Refold along the center crease to enclose the raw edges and press again.



    e. Edgestitch both long edges.



    f. Repeat to make the second strap.
  22. Insert a strap into the casing from the right side. Go all the way around the backpack and bring the strap out the same opening.



  23. Thread the second strap through the casing from the left side.


  24. Match the raw edges of one strapto the raw edges of the cutout, face up, on the side seam where the strap enters and leaves the backpack. Pin the straps to one layer of seam allowance only. Make sure the strap is not twisted. INSERT PHOTO N
  25. Reach inside the opening in the lining side seam. Manipulate the backpack to bring the edges of the cutout together as you did for the lining and stitch through all layers, catching the strap raw edges in the boxing seam. Stitch again 1/8" from the raw edges for security.



  26. Repeat to finish the other strap and box the other side of the backpack.
  27. Close the opening in the lining with hand or machine stitches and tuck the lining back into place.
  28. To use the backpack, pull on the straps to close the top of the backpack and insert your arms through the straps.

Design Source:
www.adorableideas.com


Project designed by Rebecca Kemp Brent for Floriani/RNK Distributing

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