Convertible Tote - Backpack Tutorial - WeAllSew

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Convertible Tote/Backpack
Tutorial
DIANE DORAN
DECEMBER 29, 2016
It’s a tote, it’s a backpack, it’s either and both! The secret is in the placement of the straps.
Stitch up this gem in a jiffy and you’re ready for any occasion. I suggest using a
somewhat heavy fabric, such as canvas or denim. I used canvas fabric that was custom
printed from my own design on Spoonflower. If you choose a more lightweight fabric,
consider interfacing it before you begin the construction process.
Materials to sew a convertible
totebag/backpack:
Main body 14″ x 36″ of fabric
Straps (2) 6″ x 28″ of fabric
Strap Carriers (2) 3″ x 4″ pieces of fabric
Thread to match fabric and carriers, 40wt or 50 wt
Machine Needles, size 90
Sewing Machine in good working order. I used a BERNINA 770 QE
As a reference, here’s an overview of how the straps and carriers will be aligned and
sewn on the back of the bag. You can refer to this as well as the photos below.
How to make a convertible tote backpack.
Step 1: Cut out fabrics according to list above.
Step 2: Fold up ½” on the end of each strap.

Step 3: Make straps by folding each in half vertically and pressing the folded edge. Open
the strap, then fold each raw edge into the center crease. Press again, then topstitch
both long edges.
Step 4: Align and pin one end of each strap on the bag back as seen in the overview
diagram and photo below. In this photo the bag is folded in half. After pinning the
straps, unfold the bag fabric, then stitch across the ends of the straps through the single
layer of fabric.
Step 5: Prepare strap carriers. Fold in ¼” on each side to produce a 2 ½” by 4″ rectangle.
Fold in half, wrong sides together, with the 2 ½” sides matching. Unfold, then fold each
end into the center and fold in half again.
Step 6: Topstitch around each carrier. Each carrier should now measure 1″ x 2 ½”.
Step 7: Press the top edges of the bag down ½”, then ½” again to serve as a guide when
finishing the top in Step 10.
Step 8: Sew the side seams, right sides together, with a ½” seam. Finish the edges with a
serger or by zigzagging over the edges.
Step 9: While the bag is still inside out, trim both bottom corners of the bag as shown
below.
Step 10: Match the cut edges and sew with a ¼” seam. Zigzag or serge to finish.
Step 11: Turn the top down twice, using pressed fold lines as a guide. Topstitch the
finished edge.
Step 12: Turn bag right side out.
Step 13: Sew strap carriers to the top edge on the same side as the straps are sewn as
shown in the photo below and the overview diagram. Each carrier should be 2 ½” from
the side seam, with 3″ between the strap carriers. Attach each carrier with two parallel
lines of stitching, with each stitching line about 1/4″ from the short ends of the carrier.
Keep the stitching far enough apart to allow for the straps to thread through the
carriers.
Step 14: Thread the straps through the carriers.
Step 15: Sew the ends of the straps to the top inside edge of the opposite side of the
tote. Note that I used clear tape to hold the strap in place for stitching. With the bulk of
that many layers of fabric it’s difficult to get a pin to hold everything flat.
Depending on how you pull up the handles, you can use this bag as either a tote or small
backpack.
Here it is in action!
I hope you have fun with this easy and versatile tote.
Projects: fashion
Techniques: sewing
Used Products
7 comments on “Convertible
Tote/Backpack Tutorial”
CINSCHULTZ8
January 2, 2017 at 10:36 am
Great tutorial. Looks like a fun project to try. I love your custom printed canvas, way cool.
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DIANE DORAN
Thank you so much! If you make one I’d love to see it.
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ALLISON GOODYEAR
January 3, 2017 at 12:43 pm
I like this project for my church’s local outreach mission. We have a huge demand for
backpacks. Purchased backpacks can get pricey. I have plenty of fabric to spare for a few
of these. Lol.
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DIANE DORAN
What a great idea Allison. They’re very easy to make, so I’m sure you could whip
them up in no time.
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74DIGGER19
June 20, 2018 at 8:57 pm
Love this. I’ve been looking for an easy backpack convertible pattern. I tried opening it in
You Ube but couldn’t. How can I save it to make in the fall?
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74DIGGER19
June 20, 2018 at 9:07 pm
Love this. I’ve been looking for an easy tote/backpack pattern and this fits my criteria.
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KMAX32
September 15, 2019 at 11:57 am
Hello! Very excited to see this – our library has sewing machines, & for 2 yrs. myself &
other sewists have made drawstring backpacks for the kids who do the library’s summer
reading program. I love to haunt thrift stores for juvenile print top sheets, curtains, etc.,
any fun-looking kid friendly print! The purchases are made out of pocket, which, I’m
happy to do, but still look for ways to keep costs down!? I also pick up solid color sheets
for lining. My plan is to try one of these, lined, since they’re going to be made with
lighter (than canvas) fabric. Couple of questions; is there a video of this project, and, has
anyone figured out how to attach the pocket (a la the “notabag” model) that also
doubles to store the folded bag into? TIA for any wisdom you’re able to share! Excited to
give this a whirl!
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BERNINA bernette

Step 2: Fold up ½” on the end of each strap.

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