Spoonflower's Back-to-School blog hop | Spoonflower Blog

Is anyone else scratching their head asking how it’s already time to head back to school? It feels like spring just turned into summer and our handmade swimsuits aren’t quite ready for storage. As much as we’ve enjoyed a summer of fun, we would be lying if we didn’t say we’re looking forward to big yellow buses and brand new school supplies because it can only mean one thing… fall weather! We’re kicking off August with a Back-to-School blog hop featuring some of our favorite bloggers and their go-to DIY projects. Each day we’ll update this post so you can see what they’re making.

Today, we’re starting the blog hop right here with a little help from Marketplace favorite, Robin Skarbek. Keep reading to see her adorable customized mini book bag sew-along!

BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG HOP SCHEDULE

Wednesday, August 2 | Robin Scarbek

Designs by robinskarbek

Friday, August 4 | Amy Watkins | Cozy Reverie

Reversible First Day / Last Day Pennants by Cozy Reverie | Spoonflower's Back to School Blog Hop
Design by cozyreverie

Monday, August 7 | Kimberly Coffin | Sweet Red Poppy

DIY circle skirt and drawstring bag by Sweet Red Poppy | Spoonflower Back to School Blog Hop
Designs by theartwerks

Tuesday, August 8 | Abby Glassenberg | While She Naps

Backpack Plushie Key Chain by Abby Glassenberg | Spoonflower's Back to School Blog Hop
Design by thistleandfox

Wednesday, August 9 | Heidi Kenney | My Paper Crane

DIY Snack Packs by Heidi Kenney | Spoonflower's Back to School Blog Hop
Design by heidikenney

Thursday, August 10 | Erin Williams | Printable Crush

DIY Fabric Coloring Book Binder by Printable Crush | Spoonflower's Back to School Blog Hop
Designs by printablecrush

Friday, August 11 | Becka Rahn | BeckaRahn.com

POP ART SHOE BAG TUTORIAL | Spoonflower's Back to School Blog Hop
Shop Becka’s favorite shoe designs!

Join the fun and be sure tag your back to school projects with #Spoonflower!


Robin: I originally found Andrie Designs’ Little Freehand Pack pattern when I was looking for a gift to sew for a friend’s child, but I quickly realized it’s great for adults, too! I love how versatile this pattern is. There are several different variations on the straps for the bag so you can customize it to fit your needs. Today I am going to walk you through my process of making the backpack version with adult straps, since I don’t have kids!

Mini bookbag materials | Spoonflower Blog

Materials

  • 3/8 yard outer fabric featuring Prismatic Pencils (by me!)
  • 1/2 yard lining fabric featuring Scribbles and Swirls v2 by jditrimares (Isn’t it a perfect match with my outer fabric?)
  • 1/2 yard Strap fabric featuring Chill Pill
  • Webbing: I found this brand is a lot sturdier than what you find in local craft stores. I also found a bag of the strap adjusters on Amazon.
  • Double-pull zipper and coordinating all purpose zipper. My favorite place to buy all kinds of zippers is Zipit Zippers on Etsy
  • Fusible fleece

The pattern calls for basic cotton throughout, but I used Spoonflower’s Linen Cotton Canvas for the exterior of the bag because it’s sturdier and can hold up to more wear and tear. I used Basic Cotton Ultra for the lining and straps.

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Cut the pieces following the pattern instructions and using the templates provided in the pattern. Since I am using Linen Cotton Canvas for the bag exterior which is thicker than what the pattern recommends, I chose not to use the lightweight interfacing on those pieces. I only used fusible fleece for the bag exterior.

Cut out fabric for your mini bookbag | Spoonflower Blog

Step 2: Fuse the light-medium weight interfacing to the wrong side of their corresponding fabric pieces. Do not fuse the outer zipper pocket as we’ll do that later.

Fuse interfacing | Spoonflower Blog

Step 3: Trim a 1″ seam allowance off one long side of each piece of fleece and fuse by aligning the fleece with each long outer edge of each top panel. Be sure to leave a 1″ seam allowance along each inner edge of fabric and interfacing only. The area without the fleece is where the zipper will go.

Fuse the remaining fleece to their respective pieces.

Pin top panels | Spoonflower Blog

Step 4: Take the two lining top panels and place them right sides together. Pin/clip along one long edge and make a mark 1″ in from each short edge as shown above. Stitch up to the first mark using a 1″ seam allowance and a normal stitch length. Once you get to the first mark, reinforce well and then increase the stitch length to a long basting stitch. Continue stitching along the seam until you get to the second mark.

At this second mark, reinforce well and reduce the stitch length back down to a normal length to finish stitching the seam. 

Topstitch panel | Spoonflower Blog Seam rip basting stitches | Spoonflower Blog

Step 5: Press the seam open. Topstitch 1/4″ from the center seam on either side. Use a seam ripper to remove the basting stitches from the center seam (leaving the 1″ seam allowance on either end).

Match right sides together to make a circle | Spoonflower Blog Stitch the ends together to make a circle | Spoonflower Blog

Step 6: Lay the completed lining top panel face down over the base panel, right sides together, matching one pair of short edges. Stitch to join using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Trim seam to 1/4″. Press down towards the base panel and topstitch in place using a 1/8″ seam allowance. Repeat to attach the other end of the top panel to the remaining end of the base panel. You will end up with a complete gusset as shown.

Fold the gusset in half | Spoonflower Blog Mark notches | Spoonflower Blog

Step 7: Fold the gusset in half by matching up the side seams as shown. Mark the four outer points where the gusset is folded along both raw edges with a fabric marker.

Using the main panel pattern piece, mark the side seam notches on the front and back panels. Also mark the center top and bottom on each panel.

Pin the gusset to the side panels | Spoonflower Blog

Step 8: Turn the gusset inside-out and line up the markings on the top and bottom, and the side seams, to the markings on the side panel. Pin or clip the sides, leaving the corners for last.

At each corner, cut a few slits no longer than 3/8″. Gently ease the corner of the gusset to match the corner of the panel. Pin or clip in place.

Sew all the way around using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Trim seam to 1/4″.

Sew the gusset to the other side panel | Spoonflower Blog

Step 9: Repeat step 8 to attach the gusset to the other panel. Set lining aside.

Fuse outer zipper pocket interfacing to the bottom of the fabric piece | Spoonflower Blog

Step 10: Fuse outer zipper pocket interfacing to the bottom of the fabric piece. This is important if the fabric is directional. Mark the interfacing according to pattern instructions. Line up the pocket with the exterior panel piece according to pattern instructions.

Sew along the outer rectangle line | Spoonflower Blog

Step 11: Sew along the outer rectangle line. Carefully cut along the center line and diagonal corner lines. Trim away any excess fleece to reduce bulk.

Push the pocket fabric through the hole | Spoonflower Blog Push fabric through so it's on the backside of the exterior panel | Spoonflower Blog

Step 12: Push the pocket fabric through the hole you just cut open, so the fabric is on the backside of the exterior panel. Keep working at it and ironing the seam until it lays flat. It’s okay if the lining is a little wrinkled, as this won’t be visible.

Place a strip of glue or wash away tape around the backside of the zipper hole | Spoonflower Blog Sew zipper to front of bookbag| Spoonflower Blog

Step 13: Place a strip of glue or wash away tape around the backside of the zipper hole. Align the zipper so the metal stopper is at the right side of the hole, and the zipper pull is at the left side. Sew 1/8″ around the zipper, being careful when you sew over the zipper teeth. Trim off any excess zipper.

Flip the panel over so you are looking at the pocket. Fold the fabric up so the bottom edge lines up with the top. Sew together using a 1/2″ seam allowance, making sure you aren’t catching the exterior panel as you sew.

Make a mark 1 inch in from each short edge on your panels | Spoonflower Blog

Step 14: Take the two outer top panel pieces and pin/clip them right sides together, matching the long sides that do not have the fleece right up against the edges. Make a mark 1″ in from each short edge. Stitch up to the first mark using a 1″ seam allowance and a normal stitch length. When you get to the first mark, reinforce well and then increase the stitch length to the longest length possible. Continue stitching along the seam until you get to the second mark. At this second mark, reinforce well and reduce the stitch length back down to a normal length and finish stitching the seam. Press the seam open.

On the wrong side of the panel, run a strip of glue or tape along the seam | Spoonflower Blog

Top stitch along either side of the center seam using a ⅛ inch seam allowance | Spoonflower Blog

Step 15: On the wrong side of the panel, run a strip of glue or tape along the seam you just created. Take the main double pull zipper and lay it facing up on the work surface. Lay the top panel on top of the zipper, lining up the center seam with the zipper teeth. Make sure the zipper pulls are at least 1″ from the edge of the top panel. Top stitch along either side of the center seam using a 1/8″ seam allowance.

Gently push the zipper pulls to the middle of the panel | Spoonflower Blog

On the right side of the panel, mark and stitch across the ends of the zipper 1 inch in from both short edges | Spoonflower Blog

Backpack zipper | Spoonflower Blog

Step 16: Gently push the zipper pulls to the middle of the panel. On the right side of the panel, mark and stitch across the ends of the zipper 1″ in from both short edges, reinforcing well and only stitching between the two top stitching lines you made earlier. Trim excess zipper off either side. Using a seam ripper, remove the basting stitches from the middle of the panel.

Lay the top panel on the base panel, right sides together | Spoonflower Blog

Sew panels together | Spoonflower Blog

Stitch panels together | Spoonflower Blog

Step 17: Lay the top panel on the base panel, right sides together, lining up one short edge. Sew using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Trim to 1/4″. Press seam down and topstitch 1/8″ from the seam. Repeat this process for the other short edge.

Step 18: Line up the strap pieces, right sides together, making sure there is one fleece-backed piece in each pair. Sew along each long edge of the straps using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Trim to 1/4″. Turn right side out and press well.

Sew along the edge of the bookbag straps | Spoonflower Blog

Turn straps right side out | Spoonflower Blog

Step 19: At the narrower end of each backpack strap, draw a line on both sides 1/2″ in from the raw edges. Fold the raw edge of each strap to the inside, so the lines you’ve drawn are tucked just inside the fold. Press well. Cut two 4″ lengths of webbing. Fold each length in half and feed one through the top of each of the strap adjusters and pin/clip to hold it in place. Stitch across the width of the webbing reinforcing well, approximately 1/2″ from the fold, to secure the adjusters in place. Feed each adjustor into each strap.

Attach webbing and buckle to straps | Spoonflower Blog

Step 20: Topstitch 1/8″ from the edge of the strap around the outside, and also down the center. Reinforce well over the webbing.

Reinforce the webbing | Spoonflower Blog

Step 21: Mark the back panel piece and align the straps according to pattern instructions. Baste straps in place using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Align the straps to the bookbag | Spoonflower Blog

Baste the straps to the bookbag | Spoonflower Blog

Step 22: Mark the front panel piece and gusset according to pattern instructions. Attach the gusset to the front panel piece in the same manner as the lining (see Step 8 & 9 ). Following the same steps, attach the back panel with straps to the other side of the gusset. Make sure the zipper is open!

Attach the panels and gussets | Spoonflower Blog

Step 23: Fold back the sides of your top panel on the outer bag and drop your lining down into it, ensuring the wrong side of the lining is facing the wrong side of the outer bag. Align the base and front/back panels so the lining sits nicely within the bag. Starting at one side of the bag, match up the side seams of the outer and lining. Walk your fingers up to the top corner nearest to the side seams you’re holding and match up the lining seam allowance to the outer seam allowance and pin/clip together. Repeat at the other side seams to match up the outer and lining corners, and clip across the top as well. Stitch along the top edge from corner to corner, to join the lining to the outer. Ensure your stitching stays within the ¼ inch seam allowance of both the outer and lining. Repeat on the other side.

Fold back the sides of your top panel on the outer bag and drop your lining down into it | Spoonflower Blog

Stitch along the top edge from corner to corner, to join the lining to the outer | Spoonflower Blog

Step 24: Fold back the lining fabric to match the exterior piece. Make sure the lining is 1/8″ away from the zipper teeth, and pin/clip in place all the way around. Fold the top panel back in the right direction and topstitch along the existing stitch you did previously. I recommend using a zipper foot for this step as it can get finicky.

Fold back the lining fabric to match the exterior piece | Spoonflower Blog

Step 25: Feed the webbing through the strap adjusters according to instructions. Fold the ends and topstitch. Your little backpack is now done and you’re ready for the first day of school!

Topstitch your webbing | Spoonflower Blog

Ready for more? Find 41 more genius back-to-school DIYs here!

DIY Linen Cotton Canvas bookbag | Spoonflower Blog

DIY Linen Cotton Canvas bookbag | Spoonflower Blog


Robin, a former Spoonie, is a graphic designer and crafter living in Raleigh, North Carolina. She currently works at a marketing firm in the area, but in her free time, Robin loves to work on improving her surface pattern design and sewing skills. Check out Robin’s designs on Spoonflower, and her Etsy shop of handmade geeky goods!