Got a stash of old clothes – faded jeans, a well-loved jacket, that oversized t-shirt with a cool graphic – that you can't bear to part with but no longer wear? Here's an amazing idea to give them a vibrant new life: transform them into a unique, custom-made backpack! Repurposing old garments into a functional accessory is not only a fantastic way to embrace sustainable fashion but also a deeply rewarding DIY project.
This detailed guide will walk you through the exciting process of stitching together a stylish and practical backpack from your forgotten wardrobe treasures. It's a surprisingly accessible project for confident beginners and a creative outlet for experienced sewers, allowing you to craft a one-of-a-kind bag that truly tells a story.
1. Why Sew a Backpack from Old Clothes?
This upcycling project offers a plethora of benefits that go beyond just saving money:
Ultimate Sustainability: Divert textiles from landfills, reduce your carbon footprint, and give materials a second, meaningful purpose.
It's truly eco-chic! Unleash Creativity & Personalization: Mix and match different fabrics from various garments to create a unique patchwork design, or let the original features of a jacket or pair of pants shine. Your backpack will be a statement piece that no one else has.
Cost-Effective: Create a durable and stylish backpack without spending money on new fabric. Your materials are already in your closet!
Skill Enhancement: Practice fundamental sewing techniques like cutting, seaming, adding pockets, and attaching straps. It's a great way to build your confidence.
Durable & Practical: By selecting sturdy sections of old clothing (like denim, canvas, or thick cotton), you can create a robust backpack capable of handling daily wear and tear.
2. Planning Your Upcycled Backpack: Key Decisions & Materials
A thoughtful approach to planning ensures your project runs smoothly and yields fantastic results.
Choosing Your "Fabric" (Old Clothes):
Sturdy Bottom & Back: For the main body and bottom of your backpack, prioritize durable fabrics. Old jeans, canvas jackets, denim shirts, or heavy cotton trousers are excellent choices. Look for areas free from excessive wear or holes.
Versatile Body & Pockets: Cotton shirts, flannel, corduroy pants, or lighter jackets can be used for the main body, outer pockets, or decorative accents.
Lining (Optional): Old cotton sheets, pillowcases, or light-colored shirts make great lining fabric.
Rule of Thumb: Gather more fabric than you think you'll need. You'll want enough to cut clean, sizable pieces.
Determine Backpack Style & Size:
Rectangular/Square Backpack: The easiest shape for beginners.
Drawstring vs. Flap Top: A drawstring top is simpler to construct; a flap top offers more protection.
Desired Size: Think about what you'll carry. For a small everyday bag, aim for around 12"W x 15"H x 4"D. For a larger school/travel bag, consider 14"W x 18"H x 6"D.
Gather Your Sewing Supplies:
Sewing Machine: And matching heavy-duty polyester thread (especially if working with denim or canvas).
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: An absolute essential for deconstructing garments!
Iron and ironing board.
Webbing/Strap Material: About 2.5-3.5 yards (2.3-3.2 meters) of sturdy cotton or nylon webbing (1-1.5 inches / 2.5-3.8 cm wide) for shoulder straps and a top hanging loop. You can also make fabric straps from sturdy old pants legs.
Zipper (Optional): For an outer or inner pocket, or a top closure.
Drawstring Cord (if applicable): About 1.5-2 yards (1.4-1.8 meters) of cord or rope.
Optional but Recommended: Lightweight to medium-weight fusible interfacing (e.g., Pellon SF101 Shape-Flex) to give shape and structure to thinner fabrics.
3. The Amazing Transformation: Step-by-Step Backpack Tutorial (Simplified Approach)
This tutorial outlines a basic rectangular backpack using jacket/pant fabric. All seam allowances are 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) unless stated otherwise.
Step 1: Deconstruct Your Old Clothes
Wash & Press: Wash and dry all old clothes you plan to use. Press them flat to remove wrinkles.
Cut into Usable Panels:
For pants/jeans: Cut off the legs. Unpick one of the leg seams (inseam is usually easiest) to open them flat into large rectangles.
For jackets: Cut off sleeves and collar. Unpick side seams and shoulder seams to get large flat front and back panels. Save any pockets, zippers, or unique features!
For shirts: Cut off sleeves and neckline. Unpick a side seam to open flat.
Fuse Interfacing (If using thin fabric): If your chosen main fabrics are not inherently stiff (like denim), fuse interfacing to their wrong sides now, following the manufacturer's instructions. This will prevent your backpack from being too floppy.
Step 2: Cut Your Backpack Pieces
These dimensions are for a medium-sized backpack (approx. 12"W x 15"H x 4"D). Adjust as needed.
Main Body Pieces (Front & Back): Cut 2 rectangles from your sturdy fabric (e.g., denim from old jeans) that are 13 inches wide x 16 inches tall (33 cm x 40.6 cm).
Side/Bottom Gusset Strip: This piece forms the side and bottom depth.
Length: (2 x desired height) + (1 x desired width) + 1 inch seam allowance. So, (2x15) + 12 + 1 = 43 inches (109 cm) long.
Width (Depth): Your desired depth + 1 inch seam allowance. So, 4 + 1 = 5 inches (12.7 cm) wide.
Cut one long strip from your sturdy fabric. You might need to piece together shorter strips (sew them right sides together, press seam open, then cut to correct length).
Outer Pockets (Optional, 2-4): From contrasting or original jacket/pant fabric:
Cut rectangles (e.g., 7 inches wide x 8 inches tall).
For each pocket, fold top raw edge down 1/2", then 1", stitch. Fold other 3 raw edges 1/2", press.
Lining Pieces (Optional): Cut identical pieces as your Main Body (2) and Gusset (1) from your lining fabric.
Step 3: Prepare Main Body Panels & Gusset
Attach Outer Pockets (If using): On the right side of your Main Body Front piece, position your prepared outer pockets. Pin them straight and evenly spaced (e.g., 2 inches from sides, 2.5 inches up from bottom). Topstitch along the two sides and bottom edge.
Join Gusset to Main Body Pieces:
Take your long gusset strip. Place it right sides together with one Main Body piece (Front).
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 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 forms the main rectangular box of your backpack.
Finish All Raw Seams: Use a zigzag stitch or serger along all raw edges for durability and to prevent fraying.
Step 4: Create and Attach Backpack Straps
Cut Webbing/Fabric Straps:
For shoulder straps: Cut two pieces of webbing (or fabric strips prepared like webbing, folded and topstitched) that are 28-32 inches (71-81 cm) long each.
For top hanging loop: Cut one piece of webbing/fabric 6 inches (15 cm) long.
Attach Shoulder Straps:
Turn your backpack body right side out.
Position the shoulder straps on the back panel of your backpack.
Top ends: Place about 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) from the top edge, and spaced 4-5 inches (10-12.5 cm) apart. Pin securely.
Bottom ends: Place near the bottom seam, about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) from the bottom. Pin.
Stitch Securely: 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 (Drawstring Option - Easiest)
Prepare 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.
Step 6: Add Lining (Optional, but highly recommended for a polished finish)
Assemble Lining: Sew the lining pieces together exactly as you did the main backpack (Step 3). Do NOT attach straps to the lining. Leave it wrong side out.
Insert Lining: Place the Lining Bag (wrong side out) inside the Exterior Bag (right side out). The right sides of the exterior and lining bags should now be facing each other.
Pin Top Edges: Align the top raw edges of both bags. Match up the side seams. Pin all around the top opening, making sure your shoulder straps and top loop are tucked down inside between the layers.
Stitch & Turn: Stitch all around the top opening with a 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) seam allowance. Leave a 4-5 inch (10-12.5 cm) opening along one side of the top seam for turning.
Turn Right Side Out: Carefully pull the entire backpack through the opening. Push out corners and shape the bag.
Close Opening: Press the raw edges of the opening inside. Stitch the opening closed by hand (ladder stitch) or by machine (topstitch very close to the edge).
Topstitch Top Edge: For a professional finish and to secure the lining, topstitch all around the entire top opening of the backpack, about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) from the edge.
4. Final Touches & Customization
Weave in All Ends: Use a tapestry needle to meticulously weave in every loose thread tail for a clean and durable finish.
Final Press: Give your new backpack a good press with an iron to make all the seams crisp and well-defined.
Ideas for Customization:
Zippered Pockets: If your old jacket had usable zippers, carefully cut them out and sew them into an exterior or interior pocket on your backpack.
Flap Closure: Instead of a drawstring, create a simple rectangular flap from leftover fabric. Hem it, attach it to the back panel, and add a magnetic snap or button for closure.
Embellishments: Stitch on patches, add embroidery, use fabric paint, or attach keychains for extra personalization.
Adjustable Straps: For more versatility, incorporate D-rings and strap adjusters to make your shoulder straps adjustable.
You've now successfully transformed old clothes into a unique, functional, and stylish backpack! This rewarding DIY project is a testament to creativity and sustainability, proving that fashion can be both practical and incredibly personal. Enjoy carrying your amazing creation!
Video Tutorial :
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