Flap Top Drawstring Backpack
Introducing a chic sewing pattern for a rounded flap top backpack featuring a secure drawstring closure and a fully lined interior.
When To Wear
This versatile backpack is perfect for adding a stylish yet practical touch to various outfits and occasions:
- Everyday Chic: Ideal for daily use, complementing both casual and smart-casual ensembles.
- City & Travel Companion: Practical for exploring, commuting, or light travel with hands-free convenience.
- Modern Accessory: a contemporary and elegant alternative to a traditional handbag.
Key Design Features
Silhouette: a contemporary rounded silhouette with a soft yet structured form.
Closure: Features a stylish top flap secured over a functional drawstring closure for the main compartment.
Straps & Handle: Equipped with comfortable, adjustable shoulder straps and a practical top carry handle.
Pockets: Includes a fully lined interior with a secure internal zippered pocket.
Base: a reinforced bottom panel provides shape and stability.
Level Of Difficulty
Intermediate. Requires experience with zippered pocket installation, working with lining fabric, and assembling multi-panel constructions.
Fabric Recommendations
Choose sturdy fabrics with good body to maintain the backpack's shape:
- Dense fabrics made from natural or blended fibers
- Corduroy
- Suiting fabric
Additional Supplies
- Fusible interfacing
- Lining fabric
- Zipper
- Drawstring cord
Cutter's Must
If the patterns have a double contour, seam allowances are included. If the contour is single, the patterns do not include seam allowances. Seam allowances: all seams 1cm. Attention! First of all, print out the paper patterns and lay them out on the fabric width (fabric width can be from 90cm to 150cm) to determine how much material you will need (do not forget to account for paired and symmetrical pieces).
- From main fabric:
- Front – 1 piece
- Back – 1 piece
- Side – 4 pieces
- Upper – 1 piece
- Bottom – 1 piece
- Handle – 1 piece
- Strap – 2 pieces
- Lining of upper – 1 piece
- From lining fabric:
- Lining of front – 1 piece
- Lining of back – 1 piece
- Lining of side – 2 pieces
- Lining of bottom – 1 piece
- Large pocket lining – 1 piece
- Small pocket lining – 1 piece
- From fusible interlining:
- Front, back, side parts, straps, bottom.
Sewing Instructions
When stitching pieces, pay attention to the notches - they must match!
- Reinforce the front, back, side parts, straps, and bottom with fusible interlining.
- Fold the handle in half lengthwise, right side out. Fold the long seam allowances inwards and stitch 0.1 cm from the edge.
- Mark the pocket placement on the front. Reinforce the zipper area. Cut an opening along the pocket entrance, make slanted cuts 1 – 1.5 cm from the end of the pocket. Fold the seam allowances inwards. Place the zipper under the edges of the pocket opening so that the teeth are visible. Topstitch the pocket opening 0.2 cm from the edge. Attach the large pocket lining to the upper zipper tape, and the small pocket lining to the lower zipper tape. Stitch the lining edges.
- Place the upper and the lining of the upper right sides together. Align the edges and stitch along three sides. Turn right side out and stitch 0.5 cm from the edge.
- Fold the strap in half lengthwise, right side in, and stitch along the long side. Turn right side out, stitch 0.5 cm from the edges on both sides.
- Attach the side pieces to the front. Attach the side pieces to the back. Stitch the side pieces. Attach the bottom, aligning the marks.
- Stitch the lining pieces similarly to the main fabric pieces, leaving an opening for turning. Attach the bottom.
- Place the backpack and lining right sides together and stitch along the upper edge, inserting the upper, straps, and handle according to the markings.
- Turn the backpack right side out through the opening, stitch the opening closed. Punch eyelets and insert the cord.
