Early this week I received a few pictures of Kathleen’s latest project in my in-box. It was her version on my Drawstring Backpack Bag and I was speechless! I can not say it enough- I LOVE this type of mail! Seriously, just seeing what others inside our sewing circle are working on brightens my day.
Kathleen used the drawstring backpack pattern to create this fun bag but she did not stop there. No sir! Not only did she personalize the bag with a fun appliqué but she added padded shoulder straps and lining for a clean finished look.
Drawstring Backpack
Kathleen mentioned that she wanted to add “padding” to the straps to prevent any shoulder digging when the bag was loaded up. We are in luck- I asked Kathleen to share a quick “how to” for the padded straps.
Her Basic Instructions:
- Cut 2 pieces of canvas and 2 pieces lining 18″ x 4″. *She suggests using a fun printed fleece for the lining. This way the straps can be worn either way. Black side in or the fun printed pattern side out.
- Hem along the 4″ edge by turning, pressing and stitching. Then with right sides together, straight stitch along the long sides of strap. Flip right side out, and top- stitch the sides for a clean finished looked and increased durability.
- Insert cording through strap pad and proceed with bag construction.
Kathleen used rope with a tensile strength of 125 lbs to avoid strap breakage. I’m thinking that is a ton of books to carry but agree that it is better to be safe than sorry!
Thank you Kathleen for sharing your version of the drawstring backpack pattern and the quick padded strap project. I love the update.
Remember, I love seeing your work in progress! So, if you have made one of my patterns, please share photos here or if you have made a tutorial posted on the blog, please share photos here in our flickr groups. You never know if you will be selected for the next work in progress. Or maybe we should start a series of sew and tell. I kinda like that idea. What do you think? If you do too, please leave me a note in the comment section under the post.
Comments & Reviews
A perfect combination of purple and black in a leopard print! School opening is now coming and I’m sure that many girls would love to have it because they will going to look more chic and sexy using this bag.