Cute Owl Drawstring Backpack

I love designing new fabric designs for Spoonflower!  With the latest contest theme of "Backpack", I came up with this cute idea of an Owl Drawstring Backpack.  Super easy to make.  All it takes is the following...

Purchase a fat quart of fabric from my Spoonflower shop.
1 fat quart coordinating fabric for lining
7/8" gromet
68" cord

Instruction adapted from http://www.skiptomylou.org/2013/09/12/drawstring-backpack/

Cut the fabric along the grey lines so it measures 10" X 17".  Do the same with your lining fabric so you have four pieces each measuring 10" X 17".

Cut a 3 inch strip off the top of each piece (3" x 10").  My owl fabric has a grey cut line at the top.  Cut one inch off each of your 3″ wide pieces (3″ x 9″). Mix the  3″ X 9″ pieces up! So you have one of each kind. So you have a lining and an the owl polka-dot fabric. Place right sides together.  Sew along one side, across the top and down the other side — leave the bottom open.

Repeat for other piece. Trim corners. Turn and press. Press each piece in half. Make sure to line edges up neatly.Center one folded piece along the top of each fabric piece. Make sure the folded edge is facing down and top edges match nicely. Machine baste (longest stitch you can make on your sewing machine) along the top to keep it in place.

Place the two pieces of fabric right sides together.


Sew down one side, across the bottom and up the other side. Leave the top completely open.

Place the other two fabric pieces right sides together. Sew down one side, across the bottom LEAVE A 3 INCH OPENING in the bottom middle,  then continue sewing along the bottom up the other side. Leave the top completely open.


Turn the pieces, with the folded piece sewn at the top in, right side out. Slipit inside the other  piece. Rights sides will be together.


Sew all the way around the top.  This is easiest if your sewing machine has a free arm. Otherwise just go slowly. Make sure edges along the top match.


Turn the whole thing right side through the 3″ opening that was left open at the bottom.

Sew the hole shut and push the lining into the bag.

At each bottom corner measure up 1 inch and over 1 inch and mark.

Cut a hole through all layers of fabric the size of the grommet. Read package directions.

Place large grommet up through the hole.

Place ring on the other side over the grommet.

Place black plastic piece under the large grommet and the tool through to top ring and firmly hammer.

Feed 68 inches of cording through the top pockets. Next, feed another 68 inches of cording through the pocket but go the opposite direction.

Now you have useful drawstring backpack that is fully lined!