Hey howdy hey! This is a project for all you sewers out there! We’ll be using the Green Pepper F865 pattern and following the Small sized backpack. You may do whichever size you wish, of course. It comes with 3 sizes. This is a one-day project if you know your way around a sewing machine, but it’s a great first project as well! You will be guided by my mom, Marianne, for the remainder of the post since she is the sewer of the family.
Follow along with the instructions in the pattern. This post is not a replacement for those instructions; it is merely a guide with some helpful tips.
| Supplies List: | Tools List: |
|---|---|
| Licensed Toy Story Cotton Fabric | Sewing Machine |
| Liner Cotton Fabric | Zipper Foot |
| Iron On Interface for Light to Medium Weights | Scissors |
| White Thread | Cutting Mat |
| 2 12 inch Zippers | Rotary Blade |
| 0.5 inch Cording | Sewing Pins and/or Seamstress Clips |
| Green Pepper F865 pattern |
Instructions
Open up your Green Pepper F865 Pattern and unfold the pattern. Cut out the pieces.
Because the main fabric had a directional design, we placed the Green Pepper pattern pieces so that when sewn, the bag had the design going the correct way on the front.
Cutting out your Toy Story Fabric Pieces
Cutting out the Liner Fabric Pieces
To keep things simple, we kept the main fabric attached to the pattern and just layed that over the lining fabric to cut. However, you can remove the main fabric, set it aside and then cut out your lining fabric. It’s sewer’s choice!
Interfacing
We used interfacing (tho not called for in the directions) because our main fabric was a little thin for the project. In adding the interfacing, we were able to create a sturdier end product. Just follow the directions on the iron-on interfacing (we used medium weight). It’s super easy to do.
Prepare the Zippers
The directions called for these little “tabs” of fabric to be added to each end of the zipper. We figured out that it was so you did not sew the zipper into the seams. Makes sense.
Attach Zippers to Pockets
OK. So zippers are not my forte nor favorite part of sewing at all. If you feel the same way, be patient with yourself. Take it slowly. You’ll get them in, just like I did. These seamstress clips were very handy over using pins.
Prep the Pockets
Because the pockets are viewed from the outside, you will prep them by ironing down a thin 1/4″ seam. Keep your fingers away from that hot iron. I know some people have a tool for this, but we don’t. If you do, use it! My fingers got a little toasty. But ironging down the seams makes sewing them so much easier!
Attach the Pockets
Again. these seamstress clips made things very easy. No pricked fingers.
The directions say that pockets are optional. You can choose to add both, only one or none at all. But, who doesn’t love a pocket on their bag!?!
Sew Up the Bags
Now it’s time to create the bag itself. The instructions call for sewing a 3/8″ and then a 1/4″ seam along with a zigzag stitch. You may think this is overkill, but when using the bag regularly, you will appreciate how sturdy those seams are and be thankful you took the time to stitch around the bag several times.
You sew around the main bag and then the liner. Basically, you have been sewing two bags up to this point.
Connect the Liner
Now’s the time to actually create the bag. You place liner inside the main bag fabric, clip and sew.
Prepare the Cord Casing
This is the point where I made a modification. As most sewers know, patterns are not always perfect. In this case, once the cord casing is sewn to the body of the bag, you are left with raw seams. UGH! Not pretty. So, I modified the design to not have that raw inside seam.
I folded 1/4″ on one of the long edges and then followed the directions for the short edges. Ironed them down and then continued on.
Attach the Casing to the Bag
You can see here that the raw edges are pinned together at the top of the bag, and the one I folded over will then eventually fold over the top of the bag, into the inside edge where we will sew it down.
Add the Cording
Adding the cording can be a little tricky. If it gives you a hard time pushing it through the casing, just attach a safety pin to it to help guide it through.
We ended up having less cord than the pattern required. If you follow the pattern correctly, you’ll have enough.
Guide each cord thru one side of the casing and loop it back thru the other so that one cord starts and ends on the same side.
Secure the Cord Ends
We chose cording to keep within our theme. You can use 1/2″ backpack strapping instead.
Sewing the cording to the bag takes some patience and you may have to manually move the needle with the hand crank (as I call it). Make a couple of passes to secure the cording in place.
After you turn the bag inside out (see photo with yellow liner showing), you will then measure an inch from each side. Mark those spots and sew across to not only secure the cording even more, but to create a way for the bag to stand up easier when filled with your school supplies or items you need for your day in Disneyland.
You Made It!
Great job, everyone! Alex here, again. ‘Sup. This backpack is so cute and simple. You can make it in one day! I love the characters on this print. It’s perfect for when Disneyland opens back up or just to make for the kiddos who are distance learning right now.
Thanks for making it all the way down here! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest for more projects like this!
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