With great weather finally showing its face, I thought it time to begin prepping for the new hiking season. And what better way to do that, than to make a cute and functional new bag?
Items used:
Pattern pieces:
- Arm straps – cut 2 (4″x23″, tapered at the ends)
- Pack base – cut 1 (12″x18″, 1″x1.5″ cutouts)
- Small loops – cut 4 (3″x4″)
- Large loops – cut 2 (2″x8″)
- 6 metal ring buckles
- Main bag panel – cut 2 (23″x18″)
- Front flap – cut 1 of leather and 1 of canvas (16″x16″)
Step one would be sewing your large and small loops. Each gets folded in half longways, with right sides together and sewn along the length. Turn them right side out, and attach the four short loops between the bag base and main panels, like the above photo.
The loops on the left side have two rings each and are slightly closer together; this will become the front of the pack. The loops with one ring on the right will attach to the back straps.
With right sides together, fold the base in half and sew the main panels together. Sew the sides to the base next, as shown in the above right photo. From here you can hem the top of your bag. Typical hiking packs roll down from the top, so they can fit more if you have a lot to carry, so don’t worry if your bag is starting to look long and skinny.
While sewing the front flap together, also include the long loops, like in the picture below. They should be the same distance apart as the small loops on the front panel. The flap will then be attached about 11″ from the top of the back panel, along with the arm straps. Like the loops, the straps get folded in half, sewn along the length and turned right side out.
After the top of the straps are sewn on with the flap, they can be attached to the metal rings at the bag’s base.
Fill your bag with supplies, fasten the front flap to the small loops, and you’re ready to venture into the wilderness!
1 comment
Please do not load me down with lots of email. I saw this backpack and I love it. Am going to try and make it. Started using backpack purses after the birth of my second child. Easier way to carry my purse, baby, and baby bag – especially when no one opened doors for me. Seriously. NO ONE.
Love this!