The Expedition Back Pack – Free Sewing Pattern

Crafting your own expedition backpack not only allows you to tailor its features to your needs but also lets you imbibe a sense of personal attachment with your travel gear. In this guide, we’ll dive into how you can create your own expedition backpack. To construct this backpack, you will set up the front of the bag and then the back of the bag before putting it all together. 

Preparing the front:

1. Sew the bottom corners of the front pocket as well as the side pockets to give them depth.
2.  Pin the side pockets onto the side seams and bottom seam.
3. Sew the zipper onto the front pocket attaching the flap.
4. Top stitch the front pocket onto the front of the bag as well as the side pockets.
5. Fold over the sides where the side pockets are located and attach the bottom piece along the lower seam allowance.

Preparing the back:

1. Sew the inner pocket onto the inner side of the back piece.
2. Sew the shoulder straps together right sides together, then turn it outward and fill the inside with polyfill.
3. Sew a straight line down the middle of the straps to give it a secure lock.
4. Cut a strip of webbing 9” long for the handle strap.
5. Attach and sew the shoulder straps with the handle strap onto the top edge of the back.
6. Cut another 4 strips of webbing, 2 at 7” long and the other 2 at 20” long.
7. The 7” strips will go on the top of the adjusters and sewn onto the shoulder straps.
8. The 20” strips will go on the bottom of the adjusters. Sew one of the ends onto the bottom corners of the side seams, the other ends will get folded twice and top stitched. This will create a bulk to stop it from sliding off the adjuster.
9. Sew the top hem piece (I) onto the top piece (H).
10. Once these 2 pieces are sewn together, sew it onto the top edge of the back, over the handle and shoulder straps.

Putting together the front and the back: 

1. For the main opening, sew the zipper for the main opening onto the top edge of the front and the seam allowance of the top hem which is sewn onto the back.
2. Attach and sew the front onto the back starting with the bottom seams and working up the side seams.
3. Sew all seams together until you have a box shape and the only opening is the main opening with the zipper.
4. To finish this backpack, sew bias tape around all the seam allowances on the inside of the bag.