Sewing a backpack: Tips, tricks, tutorials, and patterns

Sewing a backpack: An exciting DIY project that, with the right pattern and good instructions, is easy to implement even for beginners.

The most important information at a glance

• In this post, you will learn which materials you can use to sew a backpack
• We provide you with tips and advice on working with different materials
• In our sewing video, we show you step-by-step how to sew a backpack
• To ensure everything goes well, we provide you with tips, tricks, and information that will allow you to design your very own personal backpack, even as a sewing beginner
• Sewing time: 1-2 afternoons
• Sewing level: easy/medium

Sewing a backpack is much easier than you think. In this blog post, you will discover the joy of DIY and receive valuable tips for creating your own individual backpack. This includes being able to choose fabrics that not only fit your wardrobe perfectly but also suit the purpose of the backpack.

After all, you should naturally use a different fabric for long hikes in the rain than you would for a summery stroll through town on the Riviera. ;)

Why should I sew a backpack myself?

Why should you sew a backpack yourself? This question might seem unusual at first. After all, there are countless backpacks on the market just waiting for you to buy them. But let me take you on a journey for a moment – a journey full of creativity, individuality, and pride.

Because sewing your own backpack is not just a DIY project, but an experience that expresses your personality and motivates you in a very special way. In this blog post, you will discover why sewing a backpack is about much more than just owning a practical accessory. Are you ready to start your creative journey? Let’s dive into the world of the self-sewn backpack together!

What do I need to sew a backpack?

Of course, the first thing you need is a suitable fabric for the outside and the lining. We will get to that in a moment. For our roll-top backpack ROLD, you need the following accessories:

• 1 m of non-stretch outer fabric (see my fabric recommendations)
• 1 m lining fabric,^* e.g., cotton poplin, canvas
• 1 m iron-on interfacing Decovil Light^*
• 3 m webbing^* 5 cm (alternatively 4 cm)
• 2 each of matching ladder locks^* and rectangular rings
• 35 cm webbing^* 3 cm
• Side-release buckle (3 cm)
• 45 cm Velcro^* (loop and hook tape)
• 2 zippers^* (35 cm and 25 cm)
• matching sewing thread^*
• Basic sewing notions

It is important that the webbing and bag hardware (i.e., rectangular rings, ladder locks, and side-release buckle) have the matching width.

Can I sew the webbing for my backpack myself?

Eve has some wonderful tips for this: If you can't find webbing in the right color, you can simply cover any webbing of the correct width with cotton fabric. Simply place the webbing inside a strip of fabric and topstitch the fabric to the webbing on both sides.

What does my sewing machine need to be able to do to sew a backpack?

Many fabrics used to sew backpacks do not need to be finished at the edges because they do not fray. Faux leather, technical foil, outdoor fabrics, or coated cotton belong to this group of fabrics. But even fabrics reinforced with fusible interfacing do not fray, or only fray slightly at the very edges because they are sealed by the plastic film provided by the interfacing.

Therefore, all you really need to sew the backpack is a straight stitch and 2 stitch lengths: one for connecting seams with a standard stitch length of 2.5 mm, and one for topstitching at 3.5 mm.

Which fabrics can I use to sew a backpack?

You can sew our roll-top backpack from an infinite number of fabrics and fabric combinations. Here are a few examples and tips on how to work with them:

Our recommendation: If you don't have much sewing experience yet, you should choose a fabric for your first backpack that you are already somewhat familiar with. That will make things significantly easier for you. Faux leather and stiffer coated cotton fabrics are undeniably beautiful, but they can be a bit of a challenge to work with if you haven't used them before. If you still want to try, I recommend our blog post on the topic "Sewing faux leather."

Listening tip: By the way, you can also find the hottest tips on this in our podcast episode on sewing faux leather.

In case you are still inexperienced with woven cotton, I recommend my detailed blog post on sewing cotton fabrics. In it, you will learn everything about handling canvas, poplin, etc.

By the way, you can also sew parts or the entire backpack using mesh fabric^*. You might know it from car seats. 🙂🏎️ This is how it looks on our roll-top backpack ROLD, for example:

What is the best way to cut the fabrics?

Many beginners start by cutting with scissors. That is absolutely fine. Especially if you transfer the pattern to the fabric with a fabric marker or tailor's chalk and then cut along the lines with scissors, that works great.

Because our backpack consists of straight pattern pieces (with the exception of the base), using a rotary cutter and ruler is also fantastic, as it allows you to work very precisely. It is best to pin the pattern to the fabric and place the ruler along the edge of the pattern for cutting. This way, the cut will be super accurate and the result will speak for itself. ;)

Reading tip: Everything about rotary cutters

Important: If you work with a rotary cutter, you need a self-healing cutting mat as a base. This is crucial so that your table or floor doesn't get cut by the rotary cutter.

Reading tip: Self-healing cutting mat and Cleaning and caring for a cutting mat

Listening tip (for example while sewing): In our podcast episode on sparkling clean cutting mats, Eve and I test various cleaning methods for cutting mats.

Where can I get the recommended materials?

In addition to the fabrics listed above, Eve also recommends other robust types of fabric. Here are her fabric tips for sewing backpacks:

• Outdoor fabrics^*: are often extremely robust and colorfast, and usually water-repellent
• Faux leather or leatherette:^* Comes in different thicknesses and is a true classic for sewing fans who like to sew vegan; weatherproof and water-repellent
• Coated cotton:^* often available in more playful designs than plain faux leather, water-repellent
• Upholstery fabrics: Robust, available in many colors and colorfast; not water-repellent
• Cotton poplin^*
• Water-repellent fabrics^*
• Panama fabrics^*
• Canvas^*
• Linen^*
• Denim fabric^* (great as an upcycling project with bright lining fabric!)
• Corduroy fabric
• Cork fabric^*
• Softshell^*
• PUL fabric^*
• Woven foil (we used recycled feed bags)
• Teflon outdoor fabric

And here are the links to the recommended interfacings:

• Decovil light^*: Lighter and more flexible than classic Decovil; it is easier to work with and sews well.
• Style vil^* (fix): Always great for creating your own quilted fabrics; available as a sew-in or iron-on version, Style Vil Fix.
• Vlieseline S320^*: Firm bag stiffener (pelmet interfacing) that is very easy to work with.

Recommendations for webbing and hardware

• Webbing and bag accessories in 40 mm width^* are available.

How can you make the seams waterproof?

Seams are often the entry point for raindrops and moisture. Therefore, depending on your intended use, it may make sense to waterproof the seams. There is special tape available for this that you can simply apply to the seams. You can order seam sealing tape online^*.

What is special about a roll-top backpack?

The huge advantage of the roll-top design is its flexibility. By simply rolling the top part and closing it with the buckle, the backpack can be adjusted to your current storage needs. The most important items fit in the large front pocket, keeping them quickly at hand. Made from faux leather or softshell, the whole thing is even waterproof!

What should I look for when choosing fabric?

The functionality of your backpack depends on selecting the right fabric. What good is the best fabric if your backpack gets soaked and loses its shape on the first hike or bike ride?

So, if you like being out in all kinds of weather, you should choose a water-repellent fabric. If you want to use the backpack for shopping, like Eve does, you should look for good reinforcement and wide webbing straps so that the backpack is nice and stable and doesn't constantly collapse when you are loading your groceries.

How do I need to reinforce the fabrics for a backpack?

Generally speaking: the softer the outer fabric, the firmer the interfacing should be with which you reinforce the bag lining. In the table above, I present possible combinations. There are, of course, countless others. But I think my suggestions give you a good idea that at least one of the fabrics should be really firm (or firmly reinforced) so that your self-sewn masterpiece keeps its shape.

Example: Eve did not reinforce the outer fabric made from an upcycled feed bag; instead, the lining was reinforced with Decovil light.

Which sewing thread is suitable for sewing a backpack?

To sew the backpack, a simple universal thread is sufficient. Make sure it is quite tear-resistant. A standard all-purpose thread^* is perfect for this sewing project. For the topstitching, you can also use a thicker, more eye-catching thread, such as jeans thread, if you like.

Do I need a sewing pattern to sew a backpack?

You don't necessarily need a sewing pattern to sew a backpack. You can easily sew our maritime backpack with faux leather without one. For our ROLD roll-top backpack, you can easily download and print the PDF pattern. It is also available as a finished paper backpack pattern. For many beginners, it is often easier to start with a ready-made pattern before daring to create their own.

Which needle should I use to sew a backpack?

In the table above, you can see which fabric combinations I would sew with which needle. A fresh 80 or 90 universal needle is actually always appropriate. If you want to sew the topstitching with jeans thread, you should use a jeans needle.

How can I vary a backpack sewing pattern?

If you are sewing a backpack for the first time, you might not yet dare to make changes or add extra pockets. You can still customize your backpack, however, by sewing on pretty labels or attaching carabiners where you can hook a mini-pouch for lip balm or change.

If you are already more confident, you can combine different types of fabric, add extra pockets or inner pockets, or work with mesh bag fabric^*. This is a lightweight, flexible netting that you can bind at the top edge and then incorporate into the seams of your backpack. This creates an additional pocket for the inside or outside.

By the way: ROLD is also available as a paper pattern. You can experiment wonderfully with it and play with colors, fabrics, and materials.

Which zipper can I use for my self-sewn backpack?

For her ROLD backpack, Eve recommends simple plastic zippers by the yard (continuous). They are inexpensive, look beautiful, and are usually available in matching colors. Plus, you can easily cut them to the required length. You can find metallized zippers in many colors^* at Simone's shop. Make sure that the metal color of the zipper matches the color of your bag accessories. ;)

Backpack sewing instructions

You can find the complete instructions for sewing our backpack in the eBook. These are the pattern pieces you need for sewing:

Conclusion: Quick and easy to your favorite backpack

Admittedly: The backpack requires several work steps. That's why here is Eve's ultimate tip for such somewhat more elaborate sewing projects: Think in stages. Work through the steps one after the other. First the outer pocket, then the complete outer side is sewn. Then move on to the inner pocket. This way, you keep an overview and don't feel overwhelmed.

Maybe you'd like to sew only the outer part one day and only the lining the next? On the third day, you put everything together into a masterpiece and can take it out for its first trip on the fourth day. And all completely stress-free. :)

In any case, I am blown away by Eve's backpack examples and am already very excited to sew a chic roll-top backpack for myself. I have always dreamed of something like this but never had the perfect sewing pattern. With ROLD, that is now going to change.

Do you feel inspired to conjure up a stylish backpack of your own? Then download the pattern and get started. Between us: Eve explains absolutely everything step-by-step in the illustrated instructions. And she shows it in the same order in the video as well. So there’s no way anything can go wrong. ;) We wish you lots of fun sewing, combining, and styling!

Happy simple sewing, Sabine & Eve

P.S.: Do you love classic, stylish backpacks? Then you can't miss our TALIS backpack: