PLEASE please help me. I have to come up with 3 high school bags that will hold a ton of books. I do have extra heavy denim. but I don't have a pattern anyone help? Please. Mema's tapped out of money helping with clothes, and supplies. Last year they went to the Army Navy store and bought 3 but at $35.00 a piece I'm gonna see what I can do Thnx

Have you got one of the old backpacks? You could take that apart and use it as a (tried and tested) pattern.

http://aggelicat.blogspot.com/201...

this is a tutorial

Can't help add a link, other than looking on Craftsy, for maybe a free pattern. Don't blame you, 3 x's $35. is a bit much at one time, especially with your other help. Hope you find something soon. We already started school.-Toogie

I agree with hart...go to allfreesewing & search for backpacks. You can spend days looking at that site! Sign up for their daily newsletter. There's lots of links daily to free patterns & instructions.

do they still have last years bags? Maybe you could add some patches or badges,hang some key fobs,there are quite a few free ones on line

3 comments

by katydid 16 Aug 2015

I don't see any thing wrong with using a bag for more then one yr. I know my daughter buys them from lands end or some where , but all this is so unnecessary. Kay

by toogie 16 Aug 2015

Kay and Bev, I have to put my two cents in. Have you seen the bags at the end of school year? All our children will be going to back specialist, their books are so heavy. Last year, toward the end of school, I had to replace Mason's zipper and I hated to put one in, the bag looked so bad. Washing can only do so much. (Of course, watching kids everyday at school, I think washing could help some of them-lol) With their daily wear and tear they may not last a whole year. I'm afraid it's not that they won't use last years bag, it's they just don't last that long. Just my observation, anyway.

by bevintex 17 Aug 2015

I was thinking if they came from the army navy surplus store they would be heavy duty made from some type of canvas, Surely would last more than 1 year

Here is a good one for a backpack made from old Jeans - nice thing is the bigger the jeans - the bigger the back pck!
Lots of great pictures to Gide you too - looks like a very good tutorial.

1 comment

by cfidl 16 Aug 2015

Great idea!

here are a lot of free patterns, hope there's one you can use :

There is a sewalong at so sew easy, You can take the pattern for 0$ to 10$, how you like. May be the pattern is right for you.
Bärbel

I have made bags from dog food sacks that were very sturdy, didn't have a pattern. If you want to know how I did it will share.

2 comments

by katydid 16 Aug 2015

Clever idea!

by toogie 16 Aug 2015

Aleene, you may start a new 'fashion' trend!

Check allfreesewing, they have lots of patterns. Hope this helps. Cheri