Got an old jacket gathering dust in your closet? Perhaps it no longer fits, or maybe you're simply tired of its style. Don't let it go to waste! Repurposing an old jacket into a functional and stylish backpack is a fantastic way to embrace sustainable fashion, reduce textile waste, and create a truly unique accessory. Jackets, especially those made from denim, canvas, or sturdy cotton, often have built-in features like zippers, pockets, and collars that can be cleverly integrated into your new bag.
This detailed, step-by-step tutorial will guide you through transforming a forgotten jacket into a practical and charming backpack. It's a surprisingly straightforward DIY project, perfect for confident beginners to intermediate sewers looking to make something truly special!
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1. Why Turn a Jacket into a Backpack?
Upcycling a jacket into a backpack offers a wealth of creative and practical benefits:
Eco-Friendly & Sustainable: Give new life to an old garment, diverting it from landfills and contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Cost-Effective: Create a brand-new, unique backpack without spending money on expensive new fabric.
Unique Style: Your backpack will be one-of-a-kind, showcasing the original fabric, color, and built-in features (pockets, zippers, buttons) of the jacket. It's a great way to preserve memories or enjoy a distinctive look.
Durable Material: Many jackets are made from sturdy fabrics that are perfect for a hardworking backpack, capable of carrying your essentials.
Skill Building: This project is an excellent opportunity to practice sewing straight seams, working with existing garment features, and adding straps.
2. Planning Your Backpack: Key Decisions & Materials
Careful planning ensures a smooth sewing process and a fantastic end result.
Choose the Right Jacket:
Fabric: Look for jackets made from sturdy fabrics like denim, canvas, heavy cotton, twill, or even a softshell jacket. Avoid very thin, slippery, or overly stretchy materials, as they won't hold the backpack's shape well.
Size Matters: The larger the jacket, the larger your potential backpack. An oversized jacket will give you more fabric to work with. If you want a small everyday backpack, a medium-sized jacket might suffice.
Features: Consider the jacket's existing pockets, zippers, and buttons. How can you incorporate them into your backpack design? (e.g., using existing jacket pockets as external backpack pockets).
Condition: Ensure the jacket is clean and free of major damage, unless you plan to strategically cut around them or embrace a distressed look.
Decide on a Backpack Style: This tutorial will focus on a simple drawstring or flap-top backpack that utilizes the jacket's body.
Gather Your Supplies:
1 old, sturdy jacket (e.g., denim, canvas).
Sewing machine and heavy-duty matching thread (denim thread recommended for jeans).
Fabric scissors or a sharp rotary cutter and mat.
Pins or fabric clips.
Measuring tape or long ruler.
Fabric chalk or an erasable fabric marker.
Seam ripper (essential for deconstruction!).
Iron and ironing board.
Webbing/Strap Material: 2-3 yards (1.8-2.7 meters) of sturdy cotton or nylon webbing (1-1.5 inches / 2.5-3.8 cm wide) for the shoulder straps and a top loop.
Drawstring (if applicable): About 1.5-2 yards (1.4-1.8 meters) of cord or rope (for a drawstring closure).
Optional: Lightweight fusible interfacing (for extra structure), lining fabric (for a cleaner interior), D-rings, swivel clasps, magnetic snap or button for a flap closure.
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3. The Transformation Journey: Step-by-Step Backpack Tutorial
Let's turn that jacket into a functional backpack! All seam allowances are 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) unless otherwise stated.
Step 1: Deconstruct & Prepare the Jacket Fabric
Pre-Wash & Press: Wash and dry the jacket first. This pre-shrinks the fabric and makes it clean and easier to work with. Press it flat.
Cut Off Sleeves & Collar: Carefully cut off both sleeves close to the armhole seam. Also, cut off the collar, keeping the neckline as clean as possible.
Open Up Jacket (Optional, but recommended for more fabric): Use your seam ripper to carefully unpick one of the side seams of the jacket (and potentially the shoulder seams) so you can lay the main jacket body flat into one large rectangle. Preserve the front button placket/zipper if you want to use it as a design feature.
Prepare Panels: Press the fabric panels flat. If your jacket was not very wide, you might need to use the front panels (including the button/zipper placket) and back panel as separate pieces for the front and back of your backpack.
Step 2: Cut Your Backpack Pieces
The exact dimensions will depend on your jacket's size and desired backpack size. This assumes a simple rectangular backpack shape.
Main Body Pieces (Front & Back):
Determine your desired backpack's width and height. A common size is 14 inches wide x 16 inches tall (35.5 cm x 40.6 cm).
Cut two identical rectangles from your jacket fabric. If your jacket has a strong front/back distinction (e.g., original pockets on the front), use those as your backpack's front/back.
Self-Correction: If your jacket isn't wide enough for two large pieces, you can use the jacket's front as the backpack's front, and the jacket's back as the backpack's back.
Side/Bottom Gusset Strip:
This is the piece that forms the side and bottom depth of your backpack.
Calculate its length: (2 x desired height) + (1 x desired width) + seam allowances. For a 14" W x 16" H bag, this would be (2x16) + 14 = 32 + 14 = 46 inches. Add 1 inch for seam allowances: 47 inches (119 cm) long.
Determine your desired backpack depth. A common depth is 5-6 inches (12.5-15 cm). Add 1 inch for seam allowances: 6-7 inches (15-17.8 cm) wide.
Cut one long strip from your remaining jacket fabric. You might need to piece together scraps if one continuous piece isn't possible.
Top Flap (Optional):
If you want a flap closure, cut one rectangle that is the same width as your backpack (e.g., 14 inches / 35.5 cm) and about 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) deep.
If you're making a drawstring top, you won't need a separate flap piece.
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Step 3: Prepare Main Body Panels & Gusset
Fuse Interfacing (Optional but Recommended): If your jacket fabric isn't super stiff, fuse a lightweight or medium-weight fusible interfacing to the wrong side of your two main body panels and the long gusset strip. This adds structure and durability.
Add Pockets (Optional): If you cut off some of the jacket's original pockets, you can now stitch them onto the outside of your backpack's front or back panel. Hem any raw edges of the pocket first, then topstitch onto the main panel.
Attach Gusset:
Place one Main Body Piece (Front) right side up.
Take your long gusset strip. Starting at the top corner of one side of the front panel, pin the gusset strip all along one side, across the bottom, and up the other side. Pin securely, easing around any corners.
Stitch this seam with a 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) seam allowance.
Repeat to attach the second Main Body Piece (Back) to the other long edge of the gusset strip. This will form the main rectangular box of your backpack.
Finish Seams: Zigzag stitch or serge all raw edges for durability.
Step 4: Create and Attach Backpack Straps
Cut Webbing: Cut your webbing material: two pieces for shoulder straps (e.g., 28-32 inches / 71-81 cm long each) and one small piece for a top hanging loop (e.g., 6 inches / 15 cm long). Adjust strap length to your preference.
Prepare Shoulder Straps:
Take one shoulder strap piece. Fold one end under by 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) and stitch down. Repeat for the other end of the same strap, and then for both ends of the second strap.
Optional: If you want adjustable straps, you'll need d-rings and sliders. This tutorial focuses on simpler fixed straps.
Attach Straps to Backpack Back:
Turn your backpack body right side out.
Position the shoulder straps on the back panel of your backpack. The top ends of the straps should be about 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) from the top edge, and spaced 4-5 inches (10-12.5 cm) apart (or align with existing jacket shoulder seams if desired).
The bottom ends of the straps should be positioned near the bottom edge of the bag, about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) from the bottom seam.
Stitch Securely: Pin the straps in place. Stitch the strap ends to the backpack with strong reinforcement – a square with an "X" stitched inside is highly recommended for durability, especially at the top.
Attach Top Loop: Fold the 6-inch webbing piece in half to form a loop. Stitch this loop centered at the top back edge of the backpack (above the shoulder straps), reinforcing well.
Step 5: Finish the Backpack Opening
Choose either a Drawstring Closure or a Flap Closure:
Option A: Drawstring Closure
Create Casing: At the top raw edge of your backpack opening, fold the edge down by 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) towards the wrong side and press. Fold down again by another 1 inch (2.5 cm) and press firmly. Pin in place.
Stitch Casing: Stitch the casing in place, sewing two parallel lines: one close to the bottom fold of the casing, and one about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) from the top fold. Leave a 1-inch (2.5 cm) opening between these two stitch lines along one of the side seams of the gusset.
Insert Drawstring: Attach a safety pin to one end of your cord. Thread it through the opening in the casing, all the way around, and back out the same opening. Tie the ends securely.
Option B: Flap Closure
Prepare Flap: If you cut a flap piece, hem all four sides with a small 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) double-fold hem, or sew a lining piece to it, turn right side out, and topstitch.
Attach Flap: Position the finished flap at the top back edge of your backpack, centered. Stitch it securely to the backpack's back panel, reinforcing the seam well.
Hem Opening: At the main backpack opening, fold the raw edge down by 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) towards the wrong side and press. Fold down again by another 1 inch (2.5 cm) and press firmly. Stitch this hem in place all around the opening.
Add Closure: Add a magnetic snap or a button and buttonhole to the flap and the front of the backpack to secure the closure.
4. Final Touches & Customization
Weave in Ends: Use your tapestry needle to meticulously weave in all loose thread tails for a clean, professional finish.
Final Press: Give your new backpack a good press with an iron to make all the seams crisp and well-defined.
Customization Ideas:
Lining: For a super neat interior, cut and sew a lining identical to your outer backpack. Insert it, and hand-stitch or machine-stitch the top edge to the finished opening of your bag.
Internal Pockets: Add patch pockets to the lining pieces before assembling the lining.
External Details: Use existing jacket features like a button placket or a collar (if you saved it) to add unique embellishments to the front of your backpack.
Rivets: For heavy-duty use, add metal rivets to reinforce strap attachment points.
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You've now successfully transformed an old jacket into a unique, stylish, and functional backpack! This rewarding DIY project is a testament to creativity and sustainability, proving that fashion can be both practical and eco-conscious. Enjoy carrying your one-of-a-kind creation wherever your adventures take you!
Video Tutorial :
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