stamped backpack

Click image to enlarge

Designer: Patti Milazzo

With it being time to get back to school, I thought this handy drawstring backpack for my daughter to be the perfect project.  It can be used for after school activities or even as a purse.  Best of all, it’s simply constructed so that even with my limited sewing experience I was able to construct the bag within a few hours!  My favorite part though was creating the floral pattered fabric and personalized tag using Cloud 9 Designs beautiful Dee’s Cottage floral stamps and the A to Z stamps by Fiskars. 

Suggestion: Due to the simplicity of its design this is an unlined bag.  It’s recommended that you use a sturdy fabric such as a lightweight denim (as I used for this bag) or other fabric like quilting material.

Note: My backpack construction and design was inspired by quilt designer Terry Chilko.  Her very helpful tutorial can be found at - http://www.terrychilko.com/Backpack.html - to download a pdf. file

Difficulty rating

Instructions (Print version)

The following instructions include my design alterations and the stamping instructions:
1. Cut 16” x 5” piece of patterned fabric; fold over ½” seam on along length of both edges; press and set aside.
2. Cut 16” x 3 ½” piece of white fabric (I used white denim) and press flat.
3. Using Fiskars Stamp Blocks or Compact Stamp Press stamp floral design across entire area using black fabric ink.  Highlight parts of the design with a fabric/textile marker and let dry.

4. Iron white stamped fabric to set ink.
5. Fold over ½” seam along length of both edges of white stamped fabric; press and set aside.
6. Cut bag fabric to 15” x 35”; pin red fabric and white stamped fabric on bag “front” – side that will show.

7. Stitch along top and bottom lengths for both red and white fabrics to secure material to bag front.  Trim any excess material with pinking shears.
8. Fold ½” seam around all sides and stitch (zig-zag) to secure and finish edges.
9. Fold bag fabric in half, with right sides facing in, and pin together along the sides.  **Leave the top 4” of the bag (where the bag will open) unpinned.  This will be where the drawstring casing will be made.  Also leave the bottom (near the fold) 1” unpinned.  This will be where the drawstring is anchored to the bottom of the bag.
Note: To add the small cord loop (upper right side of bag) to attach a tag; keys or other items: cut 2” length of cord or strap material; fold in half and pin in place.  Be sure this is below the area where the casing is constructed – approximately 5”- 5 ½” from the top.  The loop will be secured once you stitch the side seams closed in the next step.
10. Stitch ½” seams along the pinned areas only.
Note: DO NOT stitch along the upper 4” of the bag or the bottom 1” of the bag. 
11. Press seams open from top to bottom along each side.
12. Fold each of the top edges of the bag down (on each side of the bag) to where the side seams begin; pin; and stitch 1 ½” from the top fold on each side of the bag to form two casings for the drawstring.
13. Turn bag right side out.
14. Attach safety pin (from your 12-in-1 Sewing Multi-Tool!) to end of drawstring cord; thread through one side out the other, then through the other casing and finally once again through the first casing.  You’ll then have 2 loose ends on either side of the bag.
15. Tuck the loose cord ends into the openings at the bottom of the bag.
16. Turn bag inside out; fully open the drawstring opening at the top; adjust cord lengths to be even with the length of the bag; pin the cord in place; and stitch.

17. Tie a knot in each cord end close to the bag; and trim off any excess.
18. Turn bag right side out and it’s ready to use.

Tag instructions:
1. Cut 10” x 3 ½” piece of white denim; press ¼” seams along all sides;
2. Fold fabric in half lengthwise crease and unfold; at the fold cut a small (3/8”) opening for ribbon.
3. Cut 8” length of ribbon; fold in half; place loose ends through hole in fabric and fold fabric back in half.  The looped portion of the ribbon will be inside the two fabric halfs and the loose ends should be sticking out of the hole.
4. Pin the fabric and ribbon in place; stitch around the long sides and ribbon end (where the fold is); leave the bottom open.  At the ribbon end stitch the corners at an angle to form the tag shape.
5. Trim off corners and excess with pinking shears.
6. Turn the tag right side out and press flat with an iron.
7. Using the Compact Stamp Press, create your design and stamp on the tag’s front and back surface.

8. Highlight stamp design with a textile/fabric marker and press to set ink.
9. Stitch around edge of tag to finish.
10. Secure tag to loop of backpack and enjoy!
My finished backpack design measured 13” W x 15”L.

Supply List:
Fiskars Brands: 12-59777097 12-in-1 Sewing Multi-Tool
Fiskars Brands: 12-97937097 45 mm Comfort Grip Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Brands: 12-87287097  3” x 18” Acrylic Ruler with Grid
Fiskars Brands: 12-87327097  6.5” x 24.5” Easy to Read Ruler
Fiskars Brands: 12-83707097  12” x 18” Cutting Mat
Fiskars Brands: 12-83717097 18” x 24” Cutting Mat
Fiskars Brands: 9997 7097 Non-Stick #8 Bent Scissors
Fiskars Brands: 94457097 Pinking Shears
Fiskars Brands: 01-000068 Stamp Block Set
Fiskars Brands: 12-29587097 Compact Stamp Press
Fiskars Brands: 01-002355 Clear Stamps – A to Z

Cloud 9 Design: 01-002288 Clear Stamps – Dee’s Cottage

Other: ½ yard fabric for bag; scraps for appliqués or other décor on bag; 3 yards of drawstring cord or other material for straps; sewing machine; coordinating thread; iron/ironing board; fabric ink; textile marker; pins