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Children's Backpack | BAG WEEK | Kaz Marr Variation

Quick Links: What you'll need Project steps

Check out this fun variation of the child's backpack sewing project. This is a rewarding, customizable bag to make with full-size templates ready to download.

The children’s backpack is a challenging yet rewarding sewing project. What’s even better than the sense of satisfaction you get after finishing it is seeing the joy on the face of the receiver! I’ve always envisioned this as a project that can be personalized, tweaked or tailored to the interests of the child, and designer Kaz has done exactly that in her variation of the backpack. This is a colourful and whimsical Harry Potter™ inspired bag, but you could choose fabrics, prints or characters from any franchise that the child loves.

I really hope that seeing this reimagined version of my bag inspires new members, and that they may also turn to some older HYSC projects. The step-by-steps below have been taken from the original project, but if you’d like to follow the video for extra guidance, please refer to this page.

Techniques

1. Walking foot
2. Using printed pattern

It’s recommended to use a walking foot when sewing the outer bag and bag lining together. This attachment is great for sewing through layers of fabric or for stitching through different weights of fabric.

This project also includes templates to print and use. Remember to initially print the first page of the pattern and measure the test square to ensure everything is to scale. For guidance on printing, turn to the FAQs.

Expert help

• If you choose to use a walking foot, make sure to use one that is made by the same manufacturer as your sewing machine.
• If you want to use quilting cotton for your backpack, this may need firmer interfacing to ensure the bag is sturdy. You could use medium-weight interfacing plus fusible fleece.
• Using foam would make for a firm bag but will require extra trimming back to the seams to reduce bulk.
• When using a sew-in firm fleece, adhere it to the fabric with a basting spray.
• Use a separate pair of scissors for cutting out your printed patterns – paper will blunt your fabric scissors!

Adding alternative embellishments

When this bag was first released, many of you added some fabulous embellishments including hanging loops with clasps so keyrings could be attached to the front, personalized labels or tags, matching detachable pencil cases, the list goes on!

Why not embroider the receiver’s initials into the front pocket? Or feel free to add dividers into the zipped pocket for pens and other notions?

Difficulty

This is more of a challenging project, so if you’re wanting to make a slightly easier school bag, I’d recommend giving the satchel a go. Melissa Nayler has created a beautiful variation for bag week, but you could easily swap out the fabrics for some fun children’s prints.

Finished size: 10½ x 12½ x 3in (26.75 x 31.75 x 7.5cm)

Note: Use a ¼in (5mm) seam allowance unless otherwise stated.

If you'd like to chat with other members about making the backpack, remember to go to the forum or the Half Yard Sewing Club Facebook page.

For further bag inspo, you can also check out the Half Yard Sewing Club Pinterest

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You will need:

Equipment

• Sewing machine
• Fabric shears, or rotary cutter and cutting mat
• Paper scissors, for cutting the template
• Safety pin or bodkin, to thread the elastic
• Fabric clips
• Optional: walking foot, when sewing the outer bag and bag lining together

Materials

Gather:

• 24 x 14in (61 x 35.5cm) of fabric 1 for the front and back: mine is blue
• 44 x 34in (112 x 86.5cm) of fabric 2 for the sides, pockets and lining: mine is yellow
• 25 x 12in (63.5 x 30in) of fabric 3 for the straps: mine is red
• 35 x 18in (89 x 46cm) of fusible fleece
• Two 7in (18cm) square pieces of mesh fabric for the side pockets
• Two 4in (10cm) lengths of ¼in (5mm) wide elastic for the side pockets
• Two 1in (2.5cm) rectangular rings
• Two 1in (2.5cm) sliders
• 20in (51cm) zip: mine is red to match the straps
• 14in (35.5cm) zip: mine is red to match the straps

Cut:

• Use the pattern to cut two bag pieces in fabric 1 (blue) for the outer (front and back) and two in fabric 2 (yellow) for the lining 
• Two 11 x 3½in (28 x 9cm) rectangles in fabric 2 for the base (one for the outer and one for the lining)
• 13 x 11in (33 x 28cm) rectangle of fabric 2 for the back pocket
• Two 11 x 6in (28 x 15cm) rectangles in fabric 2 for the lower section of the front pocket 
• 11 x 3in (28 x 7.5cm) strip in fabric 2 for the upper section of the front pocket 
• Four 17 x 1¾in (43 x 4.5cm)  strips of fabric 2 for the zip panel (two for the outer and two for the lining)
• Four 3½ x 7½in (9 x 19cm) rectangles of fabric 2 for the side panels (two for the outer and two for the lining)
• Two 11 x 12in (28 x 30cm) rectangles of fabric 2 for the inside pockets 
• 4 x 2in (10 x 5cm) rectangle of fabric 3 (red) for the hanging loop
• Two 4in (10cm) squares of fabric 3 for the strap tabs
• Two 25 x 4in (63.5 x 10cm) rectangles of fabric 3 for the straps
• Two 4 x 3in (10 x 7.5cm) rectangles of fabric 3 for the zip tabs

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