Ruffled Knapsack Tutorial

** Thanks for coming to check out this tutorial!  I hope you have lots of fun with it :)  However, if you're feeling less-than-crafty, I've done all the hard work for you! You can go check out my Etsy shop and buy one ready made!**

Again I spent the day doing something other than packing like I should be. I think it was worth it…

Tada!


A drawstring knapsack with the cutest little ruffles.

Want to make your own? Here’s how:

You will need:
(1) 10 in. by 24 in. piece of canvas or other sturdy material
(3)  2 in. by 15-20 in. strips of contrasting fabric
(2) grommets (and a grommet tool)
(2) pieces of 44 in. long cotton or nylon cord (you will need to fit 2 strands of cord through the grommet, make sure they’ll fit)

* These measurements are for a toddler sized knapsack.  haha… don’t try and fit into this one yourself : )

       

Fold canvas in half (hamburger style) wrong sides together and crease the fold with your iron like so.


Cut three 2 in. by 15-20 in. strips of contrasting fabric.  Cut one of the long ends with pinking shears to prevent fraying.


Using the longest stich on your sewing machine, and light tension, sew about 1/4 in. from the straight edge on all three strips.


Pin both short ends of first strip 1.5 in. from the center fold, making sure the straight edge is closest to the fold and the fabric is right-side-down. (I learned on my THIRD ruffle that it was easiest to draw a line in pencil and pin the ruffle to line up with it.)


Pull the top thread on each side to gather the fabric. Once the tread is taught, tie the two strings at each end so the treads don’t slip when you move the fabric.


Spread out the ruffle so it is evenly disbursed across the canvas and pin in place.


Sew the ruffle down using a seam allowance a little less than 1/4 in (don’t forget to change the stich length and tension on your sewing machine back to your normal settings).


Remove pins, fold ruffle down toward the fold and pin down.


Topstitch the ruffle down to hold it in the right direction and better secure it. Remove pins and pick out the stitch used to gather the ruffle.


Repeat with the next two ruffles, only attach them 1.25 in. from the first ruffle instead of 1.5 in.


After all three ruffles are attached, your bag will look like this.


Pin the fabric together (folded at crease) with wrong sides together. Make sure to pin ruffles down so they don’t get caught when you sew the sides.  Start seam 2 in. from the top, and using a 1/4 in seam allowance, sew all the way to the bottom fold. Repeat on the other side.


Turn bag inside out, push our corners and sides and pin together. Sew both sides with a 3/8 in. seam allowance.


When turned right-side-out, your bag should resemble this picture.


While bag is inside-out, snip to the seam, 2 in. from the top where you started the side seam.


It should look like this.


Fold the flap in, so the raw edge meets the side seam, and then over once more so  the folded edge is even with the side seam. iron down and repeat with all four corners.


Top stich the edge in place.


Fold the top edges over 1/4 in. and iron down.


Then fold down about 1 in. so the folded top edge covers the snipped edge of the side seam and iron in place.


Pin down corners, and along the top, so the fabric will stay in place. See how the top is folded over the snipped side seam?


Sew all the way around the top, using a 7/8 in. seam allowance, to create a sleeve for your drawstrings.
Almost done!


Pull the bottom ruffle away from the corners and pin the corners in place.


Sew diagonally across the corners to form a triangle on each side.  Sewing complete!


Add a grommet in each corner. Follow the instructions on your grommet tool.


Thread one cord through the front sleeve, and then back through the other sleeve in the other direction. You should have a loop on one side, and two ends on the other side. Repeat with the other cord, starting on the opposite side, so the you have a loop and two ends on each side.


Thread both ends through the grommet on the corresponding side and tie a know in the end. The knot should be bigger than the hole in your grommet.


And that’s it! Easy right?

When you pull the cord on both sides of the bag, the top will cinch and the cords will form the straps.

I have to say, the ruffles were the hardest and most time consuming part, but SO worth it!


And how bright and cute is that? Not that she needs any more color added to her wardrobe today….




Good news is: she loves it!

The better news? I made two.  One for my little lady and one for a lucky winner.  To enter my very first giveaway, go to this post, and follow the directions! Good luck!

 I'm sharing this project at:
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