Drawstring Backpacks

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 1

Supplies:

• 2 pieces fabric, 15 by 19 inches
• scissors
• seam binding or heavy duty trim or ribbon
• 12 ft paracord
• safety pin
• pins
• thread
• sewing machine

Steps:

1. Cut out the fabric and place right sides together. Measure from top of long side of fabric and mark with a colored pencil 2 inches down and then make another mark 1 inch down from the 2 inch mark. Pin in place. Repeat for the other side. Place another mark 2 inches from bottom.

 

 

 
2. Using bias tape made from the fabric, premade bias tape, or heavy duty ribbon or trim, cut two 3 inch pieces. Fold in half. Place raw ends 2 inches from bottom of long side of fabric. Pin in place.Beginning at the top of one of the long sides of fabric, sew to the 2 inches mark, backstitching at the beginning and end of 2 inches mark. Then sew from the 1 inch mark all the way around. When you reach the bias tape portion, sew back and forth across to secure it in place and then continue sewing all the way around.

 

 
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3. Iron a 1/4 inch fold on the top of fabric and then fold down until "hole" or opening is at the top of the bag. Measure and pin all the way around the inside of the bag. Sew.

 

 
4. Measure two 72 inches pieces of paracord. With a safety pin, pin to one piece of paracord and insert into one of the holes and push cording all the way around the bag, coming out of the hole where you started. Repeat this same step and insert paracord into other hole. When completed, there will be two pieces of cord coming out of each hole.

 
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5. Feed one of the cords into the bias tape at the bottom of the bag and tie in a knot with the other cord. Repeat for the other side. You now have a drawstring backpack.

 

 

mom.will.b.mad

March 17, 20240 found this helpful

my mom and her sewing circle Made, and used these for hygiene bags for the women's shelters. the year before they made 246 quilts for the only family homeless shelter here. these bags are so simple and when made from canvas or demin they're pretty much indestructible!