Easy Pillowcase Backpacks



Pillowcase backpacks!

   

Step 1



For the little ones who don't get to go to school with the big kids, we made backpacks this week.  We used a pillowcase and ribbon.  I had a white, standard size pillowcase and figured out how to make these backpacks as a back-to-school, practice your name project for my four-year-old and our "extra" three-year-old.  You need wide ribbon; we used 1 1/2 inch grosgrain beca

1.  First, I cut the pillow case in half, and then cut the end seam off (not the long side seams). 


Step 2



2.  Then we tie-dyed ours, because tie-dying is so much fun! (We use the not-too-messy squirt bottle method.)  But you could also use fabric markers, paint with stencils or stamps or fingers or brushes, fabric crayons, or just pick out a pillowcase with a color or design you like just as it is. 

3.  So, after our pillowcases were dyed and washed, I cut through one side (not both!) about 5 or 6 inches from the top, unseamed side.



Step 3



4a



4b

 4.  Then, I hemmed the edges of the rectangle.  If you are making two, or just using the end that was the opening of the pillowcase, you don't have to hem the parts that you didn't cut.  Hemming the top of the rectangle is necessary because that will be the flap of the backpack.  Hemming the bottom part that is going to be sewn up into the backpack is not necessary, but it keeps there from being a tangle of frayed strings inside.  To make it easier to make an even hem, I always sew around once with out folding the material at all.  The measurements are marked on the machine, so you know you are the same distance from the edge all the time, and the sewn line makes the material turn up more easily when you make your hem.  So sew around once (4a), then you fold up your hem and sew around again (4b), then you fold again to cover your cut edges, and sew close to the inside fold (4c).



4c







Step 5



5. So next, you lay your pillowcase out flat, right side facing up, with the front part of the pack (not the flap) at the top.  Then you cut two pieces of ribbon about 24 inches long.  This turned out to be quite long for us, but I tied them and knots and told myself that now they were adustable.  But 12 or 13 inches should work if you don't want "adjustable" straps.  Melt the ends the ribbon so they don't fray inside the backpack.  Then pin the end of one ribbon to the edge of the material, about 1 inch from the top.  Pin the other end of the same ribbon about 2 inches below the first one.  Make sure your loops of ribbon lay on top of your material, like in the picture.  Then do the same with the other ribbon on the other side of your backpack.  Pin the loops down in the middle, so they don't get accidentally sewn into your side seams. 

 6.  Then, fold the bottom of your rectangle up so that the original pillowcase seam is right at the bottom.  Pin the side seams of your backpack.  Then sew, using a 5/8 inch seam, just the sides of the backpack where the front and back come together.  Not the flap.  Backstitch at the top and bottom for sturdiness.  Then turn your backpack right side out.

7.  Pin a 2 - 3 inch strip of Velcro in the middle of the outside of the front (hooks or loops, it doesn't really matter which), and the matching piece in the middle of the inside of the flap.  I did ours lengthwise, for adjustability, on purpose this time.  Before you sew them down, make sure they match up and connect.  Then sew. 


Step 7



8.  For ours, I made a knot of the leftover ribbon and sewed it over the Velcro on the flap.  Then we used alphabet sponges to stamp the girls' names on with paint.  Of course, I made them find the letters for their names themselves, and we practiced spelling their names as they squished each letter into place!  They were so excited when their backpacks were done!

Ready to go!