Cut Out + Keep

Drawstring Backpack

Hack That Tote!

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/drawstring-backpack-2 • Posted by Search Press

FINISHED BACKPACK: 16 ̋ wide × 211⁄4 ̋ high Eliminating the cut-out corners of the Basic Tote Bag creates a flatter bag. A drawstring casing at the top edge and tabs with grommets work together to make this bag function like a backpack. Cutting Tip Adapt this pattern for lighter- weight fabrics by flat lining the exterior with a heavier fabric, such as canvas. EXTERIOR ††Body: Cut 2 rectangles 17 ̋ × 22 ̋. ††Drawstring casings: Cut 2 rectangles 11⁄2 ̋ × 17 ̋. ††Cord guides: Cut 2 rectangles 3 ̋×4 ̋. FUSIBLE INTERFACING ††Cord guides: Cut 2 rectangles 11⁄2 ̋ × 21⁄2 ̋. All seam allowances are 1⁄4 ̋ unless otherwise noted. French seams eliminate the need for a lining. Refer to Anatomy of the Tote Bag Pattern and the Glossary as needed.

You will need

Project Budget
Reasonably Priced

Time

4 h 00

Difficulty

So-so
Medium 2018 10 23 125948 11181 063 set Medium 2018 10 23 125625 11181 063

Description

FINISHED BACKPACK: 16 ̋ wide × 211⁄4 ̋ high Eliminating the cut-out corners of the Basic Tote Bag creates a flatter bag. A drawstring casing at the top edge and tabs with grommets work together to make this bag function like a backpack. Cutting Tip Adapt this pattern for lighter- weight fabrics by flat lining the exterior with a heavier fabric, such as canvas. EXTERIOR ††Body: Cut 2 rectangles 17 ̋ × 22 ̋. ††Drawstring casings: Cut 2 rectangles 11⁄2 ̋ × 17 ̋. ††Cord guides: Cut 2 rectangles 3 ̋×4 ̋. FUSIBLE INTERFACING ††Cord guides: Cut 2 rectangles 11⁄2 ̋ × 21⁄2 ̋. All seam allowances are 1⁄4 ̋ unless otherwise noted. French seams eliminate the need for a lining. Refer to Anatomy of the Tote Bag Pattern and the Glossary as needed.

Instructions

  1. Small 2018 10 23 130050 a

    Press the cord guides in half, right sides together, matching the short edges. Match cord guides, right sides together.

  2. Sew the short sides. Turn right side out and press.

  3. Small 2018 10 23 130119 b

    Slip the fusible rectangles into the cord guides. Press to fuse. Insert fusible into cord guides.

  4. Small 2018 10 23 130217 c

    Place 1 cord guide on the bottom left corner of an exterior piece, 5⁄8 ̋ up from the bottom, with the raw edges even on the left-hand side. Baste. Repeat on the opposite side with the remaining cord guide. Baste cord guides to exterior.

  5. Small 2018 10 23 130346 d

    Match the bag exterior pieces, wrong sides together. Pin the sides and bottom. Sew. Trim the seam allowance to 1⁄8 ̋. Match exterior bag pieces, wrong sides together.

  6. Small 2018 10 23 130442 e

    Turn the bag right sides together and press the seam flat.

  7. Small 2018 10 23 130547 e

    Sew the seams a second time, capturing the trimmed seam allowances inside the stitching, to create a French seam. Press. Leave the bag wrong side out and set it aside. Sew seams second time to create French seam.

  8. Small 2018 10 23 130704 f

    Match the short ends of the drawstring casing, right sides together, and pin. Using a 1⁄2 ̋ seam allowance, sew the first and last 1⁄2 ̋ along the short end, leaving a 1⁄2 ̋ gap in the stitching to create the opening for the drawstring. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of each line of stitches. Match short ends of drawstring casing, leaving 1⁄2 ̋ gap.

  9. Small 2018 10 23 131655 g

    Press open the seams. Press under the raw edge of the seam allowance. Press under raw edge of seam allowance.

  10. Small 2018 10 23 131711 h

    From the right side of the drawstring casing, topstitch along the seam allowances on both sides. Repeat on the other drawstring casing side seam. Topstitch along seam allowance.

  11. Press 1 raw edge of the drawstring casing 1⁄4 ̋ to the wrong side.

  12. Small 2018 10 23 131955 i

    Match the unpressed edge of the right side of the drawstring casing to the top edge of the wrong side of the backpack. Pin, starting at the side seams. Sew. Trim the seam allowance to 1⁄8 ̋. Match drawstring casing to top edge of backpack.

  13. Small 2018 10 23 132046 j

    Press the drawstring casing over the seam allowance and flat against the top of the backpack. Pin and sew close to the folded bottom edge of the drawstring casing. Press drawstring casing over front of backpack.

  14. Topstitch around the top edge of the drawstring casing.

  15. Small 2018 10 23 132114 k

    Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the grommets in the center of each cord guide. Install grommets in cord guide.

  16. Small 2018 10 23 132225 screen%2bshot%2b2018 10 23%2bat%2b14.22.10

    Cut the cord into 2 equal-length pieces. Set aside 1 piece. Use a bodkin or safety pin to feed 1 cord piece through the bottom of the cord guide, up through the bag front drawstring casing (from the left), around through the bag back drawstring casing (from the right), and then back down to the starting point. Knot. Repeat on the opposite side of the bag.