Two-tone Drawstring Backpack

This simple two-tone drawstring backpack was made as a gift for my sister and it was a realy easy project! It can be made under an hour and it is so practical! The great thing is that you can modify it to your liking by using different fabrics or embelishments, you can even reuse old clothing but be sure to use sturdy materials that won't strech! You can also easily change dimensions to make smaller or bigger backpacks!

I hope you will try and make one yourselves! :)

Two types of sturdy fabric, rope, pins, safety pin, tailors chalk, tape measure, scissors, steam iron, sewing machine and thread.

Measure and cut the fabrics! You will need:

2 pieces of 40 cm x 24 cm for the top part,

1 piece of 40 cm x 42 cm for the bottom part and

2 pieces from the same fabric with dimensions 36 cm x 10 cm for the tubes.

When you have all the pieces, finish all the raw edges with a zig-zag stitch.

Take the pieces for the tubes and fold 1 cm of the shorter sides and sew along the edges.

Line the upper edge of the rectangle for the bottom part of the bag (the edge that is 40 cm wide) with the edge of the first rectange for the upper part of the bag, right sides facing, and pin them together. Repeat with the lower edge of the rectangle for the bottom part of the bag and the other rectangle for the upper part of the bag. Sew the pieces together to get one big rectangle and press the edges flat with a steam iron.

Fold the rectangles for the tubes along the longer edge so that right side is facing you and pin the tube to upper edge of the big rectangle, so that all the zig-zag stiches are aligned and the right side of the rectangle is up. Repeat with the other tube and lower edge of the big rectangle. Sew the pieces together and then fold the tubes up, pres flat with a seam iron and sew along the egdes of the big rectangle on the right side of the fabric (as in photo no. 3).

Slide one end of the rope through one tube with the help of a safety pin, then slide it through the other tube in the opposite direction, then again through the first tube back. You will have raw edges of the rope on both sides, left and right.

Fold the rectangle so that tubes are aligned and the wrong side of the rectange is facing you (right sides together!). Tuck the rope in between two sides of the bag so that the edges of the rope are peeking out at about 10 cm from the bottom edge of the backpack, on both sides, left and right! Pin the edges and sew, backstiching at the part where the edges of the rope are peeking.

Turn the bag to the right side and you are finished! :)

I'm not sure if I was clear enough in explaining the steps, it was a bit difficult for me to do it in English, but I think the photos will help! Nevertheless, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask! Suggestions and corrections are always welcome too! :)