Sew Your Own Backpack Workshop

Join us for this fabulous course to Make the gorgeous Range Backpack by Noodlehead.

Tessa will guide you through every aspect of this bag making to produce your very own unique fantastic bag. 
A great bag with a satisfying professional finish but is relatively easy once you get going.

What You will learn:

Drafting a bag pattern

Working with more stable fabrics

Inserting a zip

Working with hardware

Bag construction 

What you will need to bring

Fabric types -

Waxed canvas (10-12 oz. weight), cork fabric, cotton canvas, cotton/linen canvas, denim for exterior and contrast bottom Quilting cotton for lining fabric.^=omit if using waxed canvas/cork

¾ yard / 70cm (½ yard if 54”-wide fabric) Exterior Fabric 

½ yard /50cm Contrast Bottom Fabric (add 30cm if using this fabric for straps & exterior closure, this is what we have used in the sample bag)

1 ½ yards/1.4m Lining Fabric (includes exterior closure, straps, and interior pocket, if using contrast base fabric for handles etc buy only 1m of lining fabric) 

3 yards mid-heavy weight iron on interfacing

If you are choosing a heavier weight fabric or a waterproof fabric then the interfacing will only be needed for the lining. 

All of the above can be purchased in the Make shop with 10% off. We have a small selection of suitable fabrics. 

Please chat to Lizzy in the shop if you need help with this.

Hardware

(2) 1 ½”-wide rectangle rings & (2) 1 ½”-wide strap sliders  (2) 1″-wide d-rings (we can supply a kit for these please advise when booking, Colour choice brushed black, brushed copper, brushed brass.)

(1) 8” zipper for front zippered pocket 

Additional supplies + tools: Polyester thread, water-soluble pen/tailor’s chalk, size 14 or 16 denim or Microtex needle, turning tool, (optional) 9” length of 1”-wide cotton webbing/leather (replaces Hang Loop cut from Lining fabric or contrast fabric)

If you need help with any of this please contact Lizzy at the shop as she can advise. 

If you would like to use webbing for your straps this will save time on your bag making and can elevate your bag.

2.5m of 1.5" webbing (straps & strap holders)

1m of 1" webbing (hanging loop, upper & lower closures)

What we supply

The pattern by noodlehead 

We are here to advise you with fabric choices so please do ask us for advise.

With the sample we used a dry waxed oilskin fabric from Merchant and mills, it works beautifully as this bag.

Level:

Advanced beginner or intermediate - you need to know how to use a sewing machine

Time:

6 hours

Course Leader

Tessa Taberner

Testimonial 

I’d been looking for a new backpack, and as a beginner sewer, the Backpack Workshop provided a superb chance to learn new skills (and to create a bag that I actually wanted!).

The process all felt rather new – deciding which fabrics to choose and then working with a different fabric (oilwax – wonderful), new needles, longer stitches, zips! However Lizzy was brilliant in helping advise with the fabric beforehand and Sarah was a fabulous teacher – exceptionally patient, reassuring and she guided us all fabulously through the construction of the backpack.

The workshop is totally accessible for a reasonably new beginner. The learning curve seemed steep and yet the sewing part is not particularly difficult (with help on hand!) and at the end of the day, I have come away with a bag that I’m incredibly pleased with and new skills under my belt. Very many thanks to Sarah and to Lizzy for a super day!