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A simple drawstring backpack with a spooky twist.
I've wanted a cute backpack for a while because sometimes carrying a purse is inconvenient when I'm out at festivals or shows. I saw a winged drawstring bag made by Chinese brand Lolita Princess and decided to make one myself. If you're not the "every day is Halloween" type like me, this would make a cute trick-or-treat bag for kids.

Drawstring bags are an easy project for beginners. The addition of wings makes it a bit more challenging but still doable! Please feel free to contact me with any questions if my instructions aren't clear.

Posted by Zombunny from Cockeysville, Maryland, United States • Published See Zombunny's 2 projects »
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  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 1
    Step 1

    Gather Your Supplies:

    *Use the wing template to cut out four pieces of outer fabric and two pieces of lightweight interfacing for the wings.

    *I like my crafts to be eco friendly so I use fused plastic grocery bags as interfacing, but store bought interfacing will also work.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 2
    Step 2

    There are many ways to create pockets. I went with the laziest way. Pin your 5x7" piece of felt to one piece of your lining fabric and sew along the sides and bottom, leaving the top open to form a pocket.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 3
    Step 3

    Pin your lining pieces with the right sides facing together and and sew the sides and bottom using a 1/2" seam allowance. Leave a 4-5" opening in the middle of the bottom seam. Set aside.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 4
    Step 4

    Pin two of your wing pieces together and sew around the edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. Leave the inner edge of the wing open. Repeat with the other two wing pieces, and turn your wings right side out.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 5
    Step 5

    Insert one interfacing piece into the wing, using your fingers to make the shapes match up and making sure everything lies flat. You may need to trim your interfacing to make it fit. Repeat with second wing.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 6
    Step 6

    Next you're going to topstitch your wings. This is decorative as well as functional, as it keeps the interfacing in place so it doesn't bunch up and make your wings lumpy. Stitch 1/4" in around the edges of your wing. Then, starting from the top point of the wing, stitch three curved lines to each of the bottom points (see photo). You can freehand this or draw your lines with chalk if you prefer.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 7
    Step 7

    Arrange your wings and two one yard pieces of cord on top of one piece of your outer fabric as shown. Top with the second piece of outer fabric with right sides facing, and pin. Sew the sides and bottom with a 1/2" seam allowance. You do not need to leave an opening in the bottom like you did with the lining.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 8
    Step 8

    Your bag should look like this when you turn it right side out.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 9
    Step 9

    Now you're going to put the outer shell of the bag inside of the liner, with right sides facing. Fold the wings flat and place the bag inside of the lining. Match up the top edges and pin, then sew all the way around the top edge with a 1/2" seam allowance.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 10
    Step 10

    Find the opening you left in the bottom of your lining fabric and pull the entire bag right side out. It should look like this.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 11
    Step 11

    Pin the opening and sew it shut.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 12
    Step 12

    Push the lining inside of the bag, then sew around the top 1" from the top edge. This will create the channel for the drawstring.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 13
    Step 13

    Make a small slit on either side of the side seam. Repeat on other side so you have four slits total.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 14
    Step 14

    Take one end of one piece of cord and feed it into the front slit on the same side. Feed it through the channel and out of the opposite side. The easiest way to do this is to attach a safety pin to the end of the cord and push it through the channel. Do the same with the other piece of cord, feeding it through the back side of the channel and out of the opposite side this time. Pin these down, pull your bag closed and try it on. Adjust the straps to your liking and trim off any excess. I shortened mine by a few inches.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 15
    Step 15

    Stitch your cord down about 1/4" from the end slits, backstitching several times for reinforcement.

  • How to make a backpack. Drawstring Batpack - Step 16
    Step 16

    You're done! Feel free to embellish your batpack with pins, patches, studs, etc.

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Comments

Jenna C.
Jenna C.
SO making this for my friend. she loves batman, and I love the sewing practice!
Reply
Spookachtige
Spookachtige · Erie, Pennsylvania, US · 10 projects
This is sooo adorable... I need to try this one day! Thanks for posting this so much. I too am the "Every day is Halloween" type!
Reply
Millie H.
Millie H. · Chicago, Illinois, US
This is super awesome BTW!
Reply
Millie H.
Millie H. · Chicago, Illinois, US
could you post instructions on how you make the plastic interfacing? Do you iron them together?
Reply
DarkAshHurts
DarkAshHurts · 119 projects
Need! >_< Brilliant!!
Reply
Batgirl
Batgirl · 10 projects
So awesome! Gonna try it soon Happy
Reply
Arawynn
Arawynn · 8 projects
This is spooktacular. I love it. Thanks for sharing. Will definitely be on my list of things to make Happy
Reply
December XX
December XX
This is adorable! I'm SO making this! :3
Reply
Raven Beauty
Raven Beauty · Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, ZA · 12 projects
I love it!! I'm a little confused at step 7, but i usually work something out as i go on sewing Happy I think this will be my next project for the weekend Happy
Reply
noche-estrellada
noche-estrellada · 4 projects
Fused plastic bags as interfacing is an excellent idea! Happy
Reply
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