First attempt at a backpack

[Wook]

I've been teaching myself sewing. I've done a few very basic projects but this was my most ambitious to date. I made my 6 year old daughter a cotton backpack with a main and secondary pocket, both with zippers. I then waxed it to weather proof it and increase its overall toughness.

All in all I'm fairly pleased with it for a first backpack. There's a "tag" of fabric at one point where one of the seams got away from me, and some of the stitching next to one of the zips probably could have done with reinforcing - I may have to fabric glue that if it fails. Also I'm wondering if I should have doubled the top row of stitching at the top of the straps. It's box stitching set to "Stretch Stitch" on my machine, so it's pretty strong regardless. We'll see. A 6 year old is about as good a testing-to-destruction as you could hope for, so how this bag fails will be instructive for the future.

 

[crosslandkelly]

Nicely done, it looks good. What camo is that?

 

[John Fenna]

Looking good!

 

[leaky5]

Looks good. I normally double or triple stitch any stress points on a bag

 

[Wook]

In future I think I will double or triple stitch the top of the straps. However the "stretch stitch" setting on my machine is freakishly strong - it goes 2 forward one back. When I made a mistake it was very hard to undo even with a seam ripper, so I hope it will hold up to normal usage.

 

[Alan De Enfield]

Nicely done, it looks good. What camo is that?

I think its called "If you go down to the woods today" camo

 

[bobnewboy]

No picture(s) for me I’m afraid....

 

[Mike313]

Can't see photo. I'm just getting a small black box with an 'X' in it and the letters 'img'. The 'show picture' command doesn't help.

 

[scottisha5]

If you can't see the image, right click it and open in new window will open it for you.

Nice pack and the wee one will love it especially cause her Daddy made it.

 

[John Fenna]

Bears and Firemen...
Bear Grills cammo!

 

[oldtimer]

I love it. No chance of mixing up which back pack is hers hanging in the school cloakroom. You'll be getting orders!

 

[KenThis]

Love it. You should be proud.

 

[Wook]

As an experiment I waxed one of the offcuts to this bag, and then lit it on fire. Waxed cotton is really quite flammable. It burns very readily, although on the plus side it doesn't burn all that fast. It was easy to extinguish.

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's dangerous. Indeed I suspect it's a good deal less dangerous than a nylon bag, and won't turn to napalm as it burns.

I would certainly suggest staying away from sources of ignition with such a bag though.