Backpack with Inside Pocket

This pattern is based on an awesome tutorial by Sweet Bee Buzzings! Head over there if this tutorial is confusing, hahaha! Or feel free to message me as well. :)

Cut 2 main fabric 14 3/4” x 13” - mark tops 1” down and 2 1/8” down

Cut 2 lining fabric 14 3/4” x 13” - mark 5-6” gap at bottom

Cut 4 main fabric 2 x 2” squares

Cut 1 pocket lining fabric 21” x 13” - mark pocket stitch lines

2 cords, about 65" each (or longer and cut down to fit - still need to test this!)

All seam allowances are 3/8” unless otherwise noted

See stitch lines below.

Reinforce openings with backstitching.

Mark a 5-6" opening at bottom seam of lining.

Measure 1" down from the top of the main fabric and mark. 

Make a second mark at 2 1/8" on both sides.

POCKET

Fold pocket in half lengthwise and press

Stitch 1/4” from the folded edge

Fold the same edge down 1/4” (at the stitch line) and press

Edge stitch 

Lay pocket piece along bottom of a lining piece mark lines for pockets

Stitch along pocket markings, adding interfacing at top of pockets on back side of lining, and reinforcing stitching at top of pockets

LINING

Stitch lines again, for reference

Stitch 2 lining fabric panels together (one of which has the pockets attached) at bottom, right sides together, leaving 5-6” gap in center

Press open

Stitch remaining 2 sides

Press open

GROMMET TABS

Stitch three sides of 2” squares together, right sides together

Trim corners 

Turn

Press

Topstitch around the same three edges

Set grommets

Stitch unfinished edge of each grommet to one panel of the main fabric, placing the bottom of the tabs 1” from bottom of main fabric piece

MAIN FABRIC/OUTER SHELL

Stitch lines in red

Stitch 2 main fabric panels, right sides together, at bottom

Press open

Stitch remaining 2 sides leaving space open between marks at top, backstitching edges of opening for strength, and reinforcing stitching over grommet tabs

Press open

Sew rectangle around openings at top, see illustration below

Ignore how awful this drawing looks, haha!

This stitching reinforces the opening where the drawstrings will eventually go.

ASSEMBLY

Put one inside the other, right sides together, aligning seams

If they match up well, stitch top

Turn piece through lining bottom gap

Stitch lining gap at bottom closed, as close to the edge as possible

Stuff lining inside the bag

Press top seam

Top stitch 

Now use the top of the rectangle (at the edge of the opening in side seams) as a guide and stitch all the way around.

Top stitch again at the bottom of the rectangle to create a channel for the drawstrings

Attach a large safety pin to the end of one of the cords and insert cord through one of the openings, threading it all the way around until it comes out the same opening as it started from

Thread both ends of the same cord through the grommet, from back to front, on the same side as the opening they just came out of

Tie both cords in a knot

Repeat on the other side and you're done!