Four Mistakes I Made On My Backpack + How You Can Avoid Them

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Do you still remember that time I made a backpack? A few months have passed since then, and I started to notice some more problems with it. On my original post, I mention only two mistakes, sewing the outside pocket and lining on in a messy way. My second issue was making the pocket contrast with the rest of the backpack. Since using it, I have found four things I did wrong, and I thought of ways to fix each one of them.

Do you want to make a backpack? If so you have to read this post. When I made my backpack I made some mistakes to prevent others from doing the same I wrote this post. Want to hear how to avoid some common mistakes when sewing a backpack? Just click through.

I Sewed The Outside Pocket On Wrong

My outside pocket is sewed on wrong. In a sense it does work, and there are no raw edges, but it was hard to sew and still doesn’t look the best. Looking at the backpack from the side you can see a thin strip of red against the stripes, thats my lining peeking out. When I sewed the pocket, I closed the lining and inserted the zip at the same time not only was it hard to sew, my lining is gathered. It got me thinking what would be a better way of sewing the outside pocket?

To avoid the problems I had first, sew the little dart to make the pocket sit better on your outside fabric. The next step would be inserting the zipper between the lining and the outside pocket. Then topstitch the pocket to make sure the lining won’t get caught in the zipper when you use it. I hate to say this, but I think I might have to give up on having no raw edges. So I would finish my edges, then I would turn the edges under and topstitch the pocket to the front of the backpack.

Do you want to make a backpack? If so you have to read this post. When I made my backpack I made some mistakes to prevent others from doing the same I wrote this post. Want to hear how to avoid some common mistakes when sewing a backpack? Just click through.
My red lining is peeking out.
Do you want to make a backpack? If so you have to read this post. When I made my backpack I made some mistakes to prevent others from doing the same I wrote this post. Want to hear how to avoid some common mistakes when sewing a backpack? Just click through.
My gather lining on the inside of my outside pocket

I Sewed My Grab Handle Behind My Back Straps

This mistake is my pet peeve. It would be so simple to fix; it’s that I didn’t think it, though. You know that haul strap (the grabby handle) on the top of your backpack, it’s perfect for quickly grabbing the bag. I sewed it behind the back straps so you can’t see it 90% of the time which makes it harder to grab. And when you grab it the back straps fall over the front of the backpack.

This mistake is very easy to fix. When sewing the straps onto your backpack to make sure that the haul strap is the between the back strap and the bag when it finished, you want it to be on top when sewing it down. So you would have backpack face up then the back straps and then your handle. You’re then going to sew them right above the seam line. When you go and finish putting your backpack together; the grab handle will be on top of the back straps.

Do you want to make a backpack? If so you have to read this post. When I made my backpack I made some mistakes to prevent others from doing the same I wrote this post. Want to hear how to avoid some common mistakes when sewing a backpack? Just click through.
See how my back straps are falling over the front of my backpack

I Have A Messy Finished On The Inside

I find this to be my most embarrassing mistake because everyone else has these gorgeous finishes and here I am with my messy finish. This might not seem like a genuine mistake. Ok, Natalie, you might be lazy, but it is a point of pride with me to have good finishes. So I don’t have to worry about this. This might be true and if your good at getting a perfect finish feel free to skip the rest of this section. If you are like me though and want to learn how to do things fast and good, keep reading.

There are a few things that contribute to my messy finish; I basted too far away from the edge and used skinny bias binding. When I stitched the lining together I though as long as it in my seam allowance, it will be okay. It’s not okay it looks bad having multiple lines of stitches. So I would make sure your basting stitches are right on the edge of the fabric. Another issue was skinny bias binding it doesn’t cover much and looks cheap. I may be Dutch, but I still don’t like looking cheap. Next time I would choose a wider bias binding and make sure I basted it as close to the edge as possible.

Do you want to make a backpack? If so you have to read this post. When I made my backpack I made some mistakes to prevent others from doing the same I wrote this post. Want to hear how to avoid some common mistakes when sewing a backpack? Just click through.
The messy bias bound seam

My Backpack Has No Structure

My backpack is made from this great fabric that I love the look and feel of, but it lacks something every good backpack should have. Structure. My backpack is very floppy, and unless it is completely stuffed, it looks saggy. If you’re sewing a backpack try to pick a heavier fabric that can hold its shape. Or use a thinner fabric, but make sure to interface it.

Do you want to make a backpack? If so you have to read this post. When I made my backpack I made some mistakes to prevent others from doing the same I wrote this post. Want to hear how to avoid some common mistakes when sewing a backpack? Just click through.

Have you ever made any of these mistakes? Or did you make an entirely different mistake that you want others to avoid? I would love to hear your thoughts.