11 Backpack Sewing Pattern Ideas That Are Perfect For Back To School

It’s no secret that Back To School shopping is upon us, which means one thing. The hunt for the PERFECT backpack is on! But what if you can’t find a backpack in a store that has your kid’s favorite cartoon character on it or their favorite colors?

Prepare yourself to be your kid’s hero because I have found a beautiful selection of backpack sewing pattern ideas for you! Think about it…with a backpack pattern; you can create a custom, one-of-a-kind bag for your child that they can be proud of.

Without further ado, let’s jump into this awesome collection!

Can You Make Your Own Backpack?

I know what you may think, “Miriam, can I even make a backpack? That seems a bit too complex.” I understand how you feel, but let me tell you this, if you use a backpack sewing pattern and follow it step-by-step, you can make a DIY backpack even if you are a beginner.

There are sewing patterns that are written specifically for beginners, so if you want a simple first backpack project, I recommend looking for a beginner sewing project. 

Creating your backpack gives you the freedom to choose the colors and fabrics of the bag. You can also select a backpack pattern that fits your needs, such as multiple compartments and pockets.

What Is a Backpack Made Out Of?

Most store-bought backpacks are made from slick nylon or heavy canvas fabric, but are those the only kinds of fabrics that you can use to create a handmade backpack? The answer is a resounding no!

There are so many beautiful and fun fabrics available that you can use to create a one-of-a-kind backpack for you or your kiddos. Let’s go over the materials I would recommend for a backpack project. 

• Denim– Timeless and sturdy, denim would make a fantastic fabric choice for a backpack. How cool would it be to make a denim bag and then cover it in patches and pins? Kids would love this!
• Corduroy– The cousin of denim, corduroy is soft and has a fun ribbed texture. It is also a little vintage-inspired, so if that’s your jam, I would consider this option. How cute would it be to pair corduroy with a mini backpack purse pattern? 
• Quilting Cotton– There are thousands of quilting cotton options available, from solids to licensed fabrics and everything in between. Yes, quilting cotton isn’t as sturdy as denim or canvas, but if you use interfacing, that will strengthen the cotton and make it last for years.
• Home Decor Canvas– Probably the most overlooked fabric in a fabric store, home decor canvas is a fabulous option for a backpack since it is a solid woven fabric and comes in some beautiful designs. 
• Vinyl– This may not be the best choice for everyone, but vinyl can be a fun fabric to work with. It’s sturdy enough to carry around books and school supplies, and it could give a standard backpack pattern a more futuristic vibe. 
• Leather or Suede– If you want to give a backpack an instant boost in style and sophistication, make it out of leather or suede. These timeless materials add a classy vibe to any bag and are relatively easy to work with if you have the proper needles and accessories. I wouldn’t recommend a complete beginner to choose leather for their first project. 

What Materials Do I Need To Make a Backpack?

Now that we know what fabrics will work best for making a backpack, I want to give you an idea of the different notions and materials you will need. This is a general list; each pattern will call for slightly different supplies. 

• Fabric
• Interfacing
• Zippers
• Drawstrings
• Velcro
• Elastic
• Snaps or Clasps
• D-rings
• Straps- can be made from nylon strapping or leather, or you can make your own.

11 Backpack Sewing Pattern Ideas To Inspire You Just in Time For Back To School

This compilation of backpack sewing patterns was a lot of fun to hunt for around the interwebs, and I hope at least one inspires you to consider making one. There’s a great mix of beginner projects and something for a seasoned sewist so let’s check them out, shall we?

1. Free Sling Backpack Pattern

Isn’t this sling backpack adorable? This is a free tutorial + pattern from Life Sew Savory, and I honestly can’t believe she is offering it for free. It’s a professionally made pattern and an in-depth and well-written tutorial. The finished dimensions are 9”x17”, making it an excellent choice for running errands.

2. Atlas RuckSack

A vintage rolled backpack is also sometimes called a “rucksack.” This rucksack pattern is from Swoon Patterns and features adjustable straps, a rollable top, a large zipper pocket in the front, and a handle if you carry it instead like a bag.

You can use this pattern to make a bag for a boy or girl, and it would work with any of the fabrics we talked about earlier. The finished width of the bag is 14,” and the depth is 5”. The height is adjustable, depending on how much you roll it. 

3. Heart Backpack

This sweet little backpack would be PERFECT for your little one going to preschool or kindergarten. It is the perfect size for a small child, and wouldn’t it be so fun to let them pick out the fabric for this project? Believe it or not, this is another free backpack sewing pattern with an excellent tutorial with photos.

And hey, if you’re an adult that would like a heart-shaped backpack, I say, “go for it!” You’ll just need to make the straps more extended so they fit.

4. Abbey Convertible Backpack

Here is a fantastic choice for someone who wants a smaller backpack that can convert into a crossbody purse. This bag will work best for confident beginner sewists since it has many components, including three different types of interfacing, adjustable straps, and several different pockets and pouches for storage. 

5. Walkabout Corduroy Backpack

This free backpack pattern + tutorial is an excellent choice if you want to make a school backpack for a child or yourself. The Walkabout pattern is another awesome free tutorial that will give you step-by-step instructions on making this backpack.

Can we also take a moment and appreciate the “MAKER” belting the designer was able to find for all the straps of this bag? So cool! The finished size of this bag will be 10”x14”x4 ½”.

6. Kalani Backpack

The designer of this pattern includes examples in leather and quilting cotton to give you an idea of what it will look like in different fabric selections. I chose to highlight the cotton because it provides the backpack with a fun, playful feel, and I love how they still use leather straps. The finished bag measures 12”x13”x3”.

7. Edelweiss Backpack

Here is a classic-style backpack large enough to hold all your child’s books and school supplies. The pattern includes instructions to make those cute flap pockets, adjustable straps, and how to add a zipper pocket on the inside of the bag for additional storage.

This backpack would look cool and hip in denim with some fun iron-on patches for embellishment, don’t you think? The final size is 15 ½”x12”x5”.

8. Elina Backpack

The Elina backpack pattern offers two sizes for you to make. The small backpack measures 11 ½”x13 ½”x4”, and the large backpack measures 13”x16”x5 ¼”. You could make this backpack for your children no matter their grade. 

This could also be a great bag to use as a diaper bag or hiking bag. 

9. Savannah Backpack Purse

First off, this fabric is gorgeous! Secondly, how cute is this backpack purse? This bag would be categorized as a mini backpack since it measures 11”x10”x5”, making it a lovely size for a purse or handbag. Check out my blog post here if you want to look at more DIY handbag patterns. 

This backpack features a drawstring opening, one zipper pocket on the inside and one secret zipper pocket on the back of the bag, adjustable straps, and plenty of room in the interior for all your necessities for a day out.

10. Range Backpack

This is a fun, modern twist on a rucksack with a simple foldover top and clean lines. The inside is spacious, has plenty of room for books and a laptop, and a slip pocket for other small items like a calculator or keys. 

The outside has a zipper pocket for easy access and adjustable straps so you can carry this backpack comfortably wherever you go. The finished size is 15”x10 ½”x 4”.

11. Buckthorn Backpack + Tote Pattern

Here is a gorgeous tote bag-turned-backpack pattern by Anna Graham of Noodlehead Sewing Patterns. This pattern has two sizes to choose from and instructions for making a tote bag or a backpack. I love the simple, modern look of the backpack.

A great feature of both bags is, unlike many tote bags, these have a zippered top to keep your belongings secure. The backpack also features adjustable straps for your comfort. The backpack size measures 13”x14”x5 ½”, and the tote size measures 10 ½”x11 ½”x6 ½”.

That completes our journey across the internet to find some of the cutest, most practical backpack patterns available. I hope you enjoyed this adventure as much as I did, and maybe you’ll choose one of these bags to make for you or your loved ones. 

Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy stitching!