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Drawstring Backpack

By Lisa Price, HGTV.com
PHOTO
This reversible pack works with drawstring, and can carry as many different looks as your creative side can dish up. Make one side a solid and one side a favorite print. The plain side makes a great blank canvas for displaying pins, fabric panels, patches, or a favorite silk flower.

Materials:
four fat quarters* of fabric – our bag was made using two same-color solids, two coordinating prints
fifth fat quarter in a coordinating color
two pieces of quilt batting cut to 17-1/2" x 21-1/2"
42" of 1"-wide drawstring - you can use stitched and turned blanket binding in a coordinating color or make your own by stitching and turning a long loop of fabric
two 1/2" buttons
grommets – optional
two, 12-inch lengths of 1/2-inch NuFoam - optional

*Fat quarters are pieces of fabric cut to 18" x 22". Find them in an abundance of prints and colors at quilt supply retailers for less than $2, or cut your own.

Steps:


  1. Layer fabrics in this order: one solid fabric right side up, one print fabric right side down and a piece of batting on top. Stitch around the perimeter of this fabric sandwich, leaving a four-inch opening for turning. Turn so the batting is sandwiched between the fabrics, then stitch to close. Repeat for second set of fabrics.
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The reverse side of this bag sports a fun, contemporary print.
  • For both pieces made in step 1, measure one inch from the top of the panel and use a straight pin to note the measurement. Evenly space four sections across the top of the panel at the one-inch mark. Use pins to mark each spot. Make buttonholes or set grommets if preferred at each of the eight spots.
    • PHOTO

    The drawstring ends are hemmed, knotted and secured with button.
  • Stitch the two bag halves together at the bottom. Stitch a button one inch up from the bottom of the bag—one on the solid side and one on the print side

  • Thread the drawstring through buttonholes/grommets so the ends of the string come out at either center hole of one side of the bag. Hem each end of the drawstring then knot each one, leaving a two-inch drop of string past the knot. Make a buttonhole on the two-inch drop of both drawstring ends.
    • PHOTO

    Dress up the plain side of the bag with anything you'd like. Here, we've attached a silk flower, leaf and stem using safety pins. This side is also terrific for displaying favorite pins or patches.
  • If padded straps are desired, sandwich a 12-inch length of foam between two pieces of the fifth fat quarter using the same method as described in step 1. Quilt the pad by stitching horizontal lines all across it. Repeat for the second strap pad.
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    If using this bag to carry a heavy load, it's a good idea to fortify the bottom with a piece of thick, fabric-covered foam. Just slip it in place at the bottom of the bag.
  • Make a sleeve to attach to the pad so both can travel over the drawstrings. To do this, cut a 4" x 10" piece of the fifth fat quarter fabric. Hem it all the way around, then fold it in half lengthwise and stitch the long sides together to create a sleeve. Slip the sleeve over the pad and hand tack in place without stitching the sleeve closed at any point. Repeat for a second pad. Slip the pads over the drawstrings.

    Designer's note - If desired, you can fortify your bag by covering a panel of thick foam to serve as the "bottom" of the bag. Just slip it inside the pack, situating it at the bag's bottom.

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