DIY Panda and Minecraft Backpack

I sew these Panda and Minecraft Backpack and my kids love them!

 

 

 

 

I wanted to make panda and minecraft bags because my daughter loves pandas and my son loves minecraft. Initially I thought in the Tablet bag but when I found the backpack pattern, I decided to make backpacks.  I searched online and my inspiration for the backpacks came from these pictures.

 

 

Patterns

For the backpacks I used the Dawn to Dusk Pattern and for the Tablet Bag I used Sew So Easy Multi-purpse Tablet Bag Pattern.

 

 

 

Dawn to Dusk Backpacks

To sew the backpacks, I followed the step by step instructions from the Dawn to Dusk Pattern by Chris W Designs.  The instructions are very easy to follow and it has pictures for every step.  I couldn’t have done it without the step-by-step instructions.

For the Panda backpack I didn’t make the Front Pocket Flap or the straps.

I made all the packets: side pockets, Interior Slip Pocket, Interior Zipper Pocket, and Pen Pocket.

 

 

I like the design of the backpack and I learned a lot sewing it, but it was smaller than I thought. Below is a picture of the Panda Backpack next to my daughter school’s backpack.

 

She likes it and I’m sure she will use it a lot, but the original size of the pattern is not appropriate for a school backpack (maybe for pre-school).

 

Minecraft Backpack

For the Minecraft Backpack I enlarged the pattern pieces to make the backpack 2 inches longer, 1 inch wider, and 1 inch deeper. In Chris W Design facebook page, someone posted a Dawn to Dusk made with the pattern at 120% which is an easier way to enlarge it.  With the extra inches, the backpack is a good size for school.

 

Pattern: Down to Dusk Pattern from Chris W Designs.

Fabric: Duck Canvas

Stabilizer: Fusible Fleece

 

I added the minecraft Creeper shape on the pocket flap as an applique.  If you are interested here is a Free Creeper Applique Template.

I also followed the instructions from the Dawn to Dusk pattern, this time I made the Front Pocket Flap but I didn’t do the straps. And I moved the Interior Zipper Pocket to the exterior of the backpack.  I like how the zipper looks in the outside.

 

 

 

I made the Minecraft backpack straps wider than the Panda one and I also made all the pockets as instructed in the pattern.

 

Tablet Bag

For the tablet bag, I followed the instructions of the Sew So Easy Pattern, but I didn’t make the closing strap and I didn’t install the grommet.  I also added rectangular rings and made the strap adjustable so my daughter can wear the bag as a cross body bag.

The Multi-purpose Tablet Bag pattern also have step by step instructions with many pictures, and Deby also created a Youtube video with step by step instructions.

 

 

It took me a while to sew the rectangular rings straps to the bag.  I closed and flip the bag without sewing them and I had to fix it.

 

 

I used a magnetic snap for the bag closure.

 

Materials & Supplies

For both backpacks I used home decor cotton fabrics. I bought solid colors for the exterior of the backpacks (red for the panda backpack and green for the minecraft backpack).

I also used home decor cotton fabrics in white and black for the panda and minecraft designs.

For the lining I used quilting cotton.

 

My kids are very happy with their bags and I enjoyed sewing them.  Also, the quality of a hand made bag is much better than the quality of bags that you buy.  You can really feel the difference in quality and it is very rewarding.  They have one of a kind backpacks and they are very happy to say “My mom sew it” … priceless!

 

Happy Sewing,
Anabelle