After several fairly straightforward projects mostly using my Juki overlocker I decided that I should now attempt something a little more challenging and also re-visit my newest Brother 550 Special Edition sewing machine. A very good friend has a birthday coming up so the Sew Sturdy Essential Back Pack by Annie Unrein on Craftsy would seem to be an ideal project.

This stylish travel-friendly backpack has secure zipped closures and plenty of pockets to keep everything neat yet easy to access. A quick grab padded handle and adjustable straps make it easy to carry and wear. The backpack has a full zipped pocket on the back plus another inside. Two slip pockets on the side and two interior slip pockets provide easy access to water bottles, mobile phone, keys and more. The flap on the outer front pocket opens to reveal six slots for credit cards and ID.

The internal mesh pocket

The backpack measures approximately 14” high and tapers from 12” wide at bottom to 9” wide at top and 5”deep at bottom to 3” deep at top.

I decided to make the backpack in a main fabric print of Black & White ‘newsprint’ cotton with a lining of Grey floral print cotton both purchased from Fabricland. The contrasting binding was a plain Bright Red cotton came from my stash.

Using the same procedure as that for the Organiser Sewing Case I first downloaded the Craftsy lesson to my Android tablet before assembling all the ‘ingredients’ for the project. First I had to prepare and quilt two large pieces of fabric, Bosal ® and lining sandwiches with channels set 1¼ inches apart. By watching each lesson, reading the class materials and then carrying out the lesson the backpack came together over the course of three intensive sessions of sewing. Although some of the procedures are the same as those utilised for the Organiser case, I still learnt some new techniques and enjoyed the challenge of a totally new project.

Completed backpack –  Front                                   Reverse

I have delayed posting this project as it is for a good friend’s birthday and I did not want her to see the gift too soon and spoil the surprise!