PRIMA STRIPE BACKPACK

Instructions

Cutting

From blue outer fabric and fusible fleece, cut the following:

• Two 10" wide x 13" rectangles for main backpack pieces
• One 10" wide x 4" rectangle for base
• One 9" wide x 11" rectangle for flap

Fuse fleece to wrong side of all fabric pieces.

From white outer fabric and fusible fleece, cut the following:

• Two 4" wide x 13" rectangles for side panels
• One 9" wide x 11" rectangle for flap
• One 10" wide x 3 1/2" rectangle for handle

Fuse fleece to wrong side of all fabric pieces.

From white outer fabric & interfacing, cut the following:

• One 9" wide x 8" rectangle for front pocket

Fuse interfacing to wrong side of all fabric piece.

From light blue lining fabric, cut the following for lining & straps-

• Two 10" wide x 13" high rectangles
• Two 4" wide x 13" rectangles for side panels
• One 10" wide x 4" rectangle for base
• One 3" wide x 11" rectangle for faux strap on flap
• One 3" wide x 13" rectangle for faux strap on backpack front
• Two 2 1/2" wide x 16" strips for upper straps
• Two 2 1/2" wide x 6" strips for lower straps

From fusible fleece cut the following for straps-

• One 1 1/4 " wide x 11" rectangle for faux strap on flap
• One 1 1/4" wide x 13" rectangle for faux strap on backpack front
• Two 1" wide x 16" strips for upper straps
• Two 1" wide x 6" strips for lower straps

Fuse fleece to wrong side of handle and upper straps in the centre.

Straps & Handle

• Fold handle in half lengthways and stitch. Turn right side out and press flat with seam in centre back. Topstitch down each long side.
• Fold 3" x 11" faux strap in half lengthways and stitch. Turn right side out and press flat with seam in centre back. Repeat using 3" x 13" faux strap rectangle.
• Fold lower straps in half lengthways and stitch. Turn right side out and press flat. Topstitch down each long side.
• Thread clip socket onto strap. Fold strap in half to centre clip socket. Sew strip together 3/4" from fold to hold clip socket in place. Repeat to attach other clip socket to remaining lower strap.
• Fold upper straps in half lengthways and stitch down the length and across one short end. Turn right side out and press flat. Topstitch across closed end and down each long side.
• Centre the 11" faux strap on the front outer flap and top stitch in place down each side. Centre the 13" faux strap on the outer front piece and top stitch in place down each side.

Pocket

• With wrong sides facing, fold pocket in half and press flat with raw edges aligned at the base and sides.
• Top stitch along the top fold of pocket. Baste side and base edges together.
• Place outer flap right side up with pocket on top wrong side down aligning side and bottom edges (right side of flap and pocket will face up). Pin flap lining on top right side down aligning side and bottom edges.
• Draw and mark out a curve along the base corner edges of pocket/flap.
• Sew together through all layers, along base curves, leaving top edge open.
• Trim fleece back to stitching, clip curves, turn right side out and press flat.

Backpack

• Pin outer side panels to each end of the base. Sew together starting and stopping seam 1/4" in from each end. Position lower straps on one side of base 1 1/2" in from each seam with raw edges aligned and baste in place.
• Pin bottom edge of outer back piece to edge of base with lower straps attached then pin each side to edge of side panels.
• Sew together starting at the top of one side, stopping 1/4" from end then starting and stopping 1/4" in from each end along base and starting 1/4" from bottom of last side. Repeat to sew the outer front to the side panels and base.
• Turn right side out and press. Pin and baste upper straps 2" in from side seams, raw ends aligned with top edge.
• Pin and baste handle 2 1/2" in from side seams, raw ends aligned with top edge.
  Note: Handle will sit partly over straps.
• Pin and baste flap to back of backpack with right sides facing and raw edges aligned.

Lining

• Repeat steps 8 and 9 omitting the reference to straps, with the lining pieces but leave a 3" opening along the bottom edge of the back for turning through.
• Insert backpack into lining matching side seams and pin together around the top edge. Sew together around the top edge.
• Pull backpack out through opening in bottom of lining and sew opening closed. Press well. Topstitch around top edge.

Finishing

• Thread clips onto upper straps. Push clips into clip sockets and adjust to desired length.
• To create a pleat on each side at the top, open back pack and fold the centre of one side panel inwards. Pinch together at the top and pin with top edge aligned. Starting at the fold sew together over the topstitching for 1 1/4". Repeat to create a pleat on the other side.
• Optional: Instead of sewing a pleat on the inside panels, a press stud or magnetic bag clip can be attached.