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Sunday, 17 February 2019

Lined Drawstring Backpack Pattern is here!


Do you need a drawstring backpack?
My new pattern might help you to sew one or more.

This Lined Drawstring Backpack is a charming one, perfect for everyday use.
It has a stylish look and a practical structure. Its three large pockets (one exterior zippered pocket and two interior pockets) make it the perfect bag for school, sport and outings.
I've told you about it here and here.

Lined Drawstring Backpack pdf pattern-Mihaela Alexandrescu

The pattern consists of 28 pages of easy to follow instructions and 83 color photos and diagrams, plus printable templates if you want to applique a retro truck.
I'm sure you noticed in the photo above another applique - a name. 
In order to personalize your drawstring backpack with monograms, names, words etc. you will receive together with the Lined Drawstring Backpack Pattern the set of 26 printable letters I used for the name that you see in the photo. About this set of letters you may learn more visiting my shop, from where it can be purchased as a stand alone pdf file.


RAW Alphabet Letters Template-Mihaela Alexandrescu

Purchasing the Lined Drawstring Backpack Pattern you will get
RAW Alphabet Letters Template for free.  

What you will find in Lined Drawstring Backpack Pattern?

- suggestions about what fabrics to choose
- diagrams to help you cutting the needed pieces from the exterior fabric, interfacing and lining
- guidance for cutting and sewing two variants:
      - one panel variant (if you use solids or non-directional print)
      - two panel variant (if you use directional print)
- instructions for preparing and fusing the applique pieces
- suggestions for securing the applique edges
- detailed instructions to sew a zippered pocket on the front side of the backpack
- directions for attaching Velcro tape for closing the interior pockets
- illustrated instructions for preparing and attaching the cord loops
- tips about handling the directional fabric, the fusible web, how to give to the zippered opening of the exterior pocket an original look, and  other useful information.
- truck design template

To make such a useful and modern drawstring backpack you will need:

Fabric
 - Exterior fabric
                    Variant 1 - if you use solids or non-directional print – about 20” (51 cm ) of 42"( 107 cm) wide fabric
                    Variant 2 - if you use directional print -  two pieces 15" x 20" ( 38 cm x 51cm)
  - Lining fabric - 42" (107 cm)  of 42" (107 cm)  wide fabric for lining and pockets
Lightweight interfacing
  - one piece 25" x 33" for pockets
  - if you use quilt cotton for the exterior drawstring backpack body:
                  - for variant 1- one piece 14 ½" x  41 ½" (37 cm x 105.5 cm)
                  - for variant 2 - two pieces 14 ½" x 20" (37 cm x 51 cm)     
For applique - Optional
- Assorted fabrics - a few pieces - for the truck and letters
- Fusible web - 10"(25 cm) of 18" (approx. 46 cm) wide
Zipper - 7" (18 cm)
Cording - (2) 71"(approx.180 cm) about 1/4" (0.5 - 0.6 cm) thick
Twill tape - 6" (15.0 cm) of 1 " ( approx. 2.5 cm) wide - for 2 drawstring loops
Velcro tape - 2" (5 cm) of approx. 1" (2.5 cm) wide
Sewing thread to match the fabrics
Zipper foot - I recommend it but if you don't have it, you can use your regular sewing machine foot instead.
1 Safety pin
Water soluble pen


Lined Drawstring Backpack pdf pattern-Mihaela Alexandrescu
One PanelVariant - solid fabric - with zipper sewed on top of the exterior pocket opening, with truck and letters applique

Lined Drawstring Backpack pdf pattern-Mihaela Alexandrescu
Two Panel Variant - directional print - with zipper placed behind the exterior pocket opening, no applique.

Lined Drawstring Backpack pdf pattern-Mihaela Alexandrescu

Lined Drawstring Backpack pdf pattern-Mihaela Alexandrescu

Either One Panel Variant or Two Panel Variant - stripe fabric - with zipper placed on top of the exterior pocket opening, with letters applique and hand sewn little embellishments.

Lined Drawstring Backpack pdf pattern-Mihaela Alexandrescu

Lined Drawstring Backpack Pattern is available in my shop at an introductory price until 20 February 2019 only.
Take advantage of this promotion!

Lined Drawstring Backpack pdf pattern-Mihaela Alexandrescu



Have a beautiful day, my dears!


Wednesday, 13 February 2019

Lined Drawstring Backpack Pattern Sneak Peek

I am so happy when I have to make bags or pouches but it takes me a long time to choose the fabrics and almost every time I think I don't have the right ones. 
When designing a bag, first of all I think to be useful: to be spacious enough, but not too large, to have as many pockets as possible, placed as handy as possible, to be worn as comfortable as possible. After all these I look for the aesthetic aspects of the shape.
Two years ago, a friend asked me to sew two drawstring backpacks for her nephew. The only expressed wishes were: to have on them his name( Toma), the dimension - 13" x 17" (33 cm x 43 cm), and one of the backpacks to be lined.
This time I don't know why, all came to my mind so clearly and quickly: the colors, the customization idea, the inside organisation, the cord casing...
Finally they came out like that :

My Pickup Truck - unlined drawstring backpack
LinedDrawstringBackpackPattern-abeeautifulday.blogspot.com

and

My Truck - lined drawstring backpack 
LinedDrawstringBackpackPattern-abeeautifulday.blogspot.com

Instead of just laying down the letters over the background I created the designs of two toys that are near the boys hearts from generations, carrying the name of the child. 
First of all I had in mind that their pieces to be easy to cut and assemble, but I confess that I also wanted to give a vintage touch to the backpack . The cars and letters are raw edge applique having the edges secured with zig zag stitch and blanket stitch - easy and fast to do.The big exterior pocket of the lined backpack adds loads of room for all kind of things that have to be on hand. The zipper stitched on top of the pocket opening integrates so well into the layout of the backpack and is so decorative. Not to mention that it was so easy to sew it.

LinedDrawstringBackpackPattern-abeeautifulday.blogspot.com

The two inner pockets are so large that they are almost dividers. Velcro tape closures is added for extra security.

LinedDrawstringBackpackPattern-abeeautifulday.blogspot.com

For the name of the boy I used the 2" reversed letters templates from my RAW Alphabet Capital Letters Template that can be found here.

For those of you who would like to sew a so useful and modern drawstring backpack for your loved ones, I wrote a pattern full of illustrated instructions and tips.
Just a sneak peek for now:


LinedDrawstringBackpackPatternCover-abeeautifulday.blogspot.com


More about it in the next post.
Very soon.
Keep in touch!

Have a beautiful day, my dears!