DIY Teardrop Backpack: Pattern, Zippers, and Straps
How to sew a Teardrop backpack: prepare the outer and lining pieces, add 1.5 cm for the side zippers, mark the openings, stabilize the outer pieces with polyester batting, fusible interlining, or interfacing, then assemble the pockets, plackets, front, back, straps, and final backpack.
IntermediateFree
Translated
Things you will learn
The front uses two pieces: one outer piece and one lining piece; the back needs the same two pieces plus one extra piece.
Cut the side pieces as mirror images: two outer pieces and two lining pieces, plus two lining-fabric pieces for the pockets.
For each side pocket, add 1.5 cm for the zipper, then mark the opening using a 15 mm perpendicular line, a 1 cm extension, and a center line.
Stabilize the outer pieces with quilted polyester batting, fusible interlining, or interfacing so the backpack holds its shape.
Sew the straps on with triple stitching so they do not pull away during use.
What you will make
You will make a Teardrop backpack with a rounded front, stabilized outer fabric, lining, side pockets, a main zipper, a handle, and adjustable straps.
Materials and tools
Materials
Heavy outer fabric, The source recommends a sturdy fabric; waterproof fabric can also be used.
Lining fabric, For the inner backpack pieces and lining sections.
Thin fabric for the inner pocket pieces, 2 pieces, Cut from the outer side-piece template so the inside of each pocket looks neat.
Stabilizer, Quilted polyester batting, fusible interlining, or interfacing for the outer pieces.
Main zipper, 1 pc., For the backpack top placket.
Side zippers, 2 pcs., For the side pockets.
Plastic strap hardware, 2 pcs., The source shows two separate fittings.
Webbing or strap pieces for the handle and shoulder straps, You need a handle strap, shoulder straps, and lower strap-attachment pieces.
Zipper-cover strips, One strip for each zipper; fold the strips in half and press them.
Thread and binding, Binding is useful for finishing raw edges if you do not have an overlocker.
Tools
Sewing machine, For the main seams, zippers, plackets, and straps.
Overlocker or zigzag stitch, For finishing the perimeter of pieces and raw edges.
Scissors, For cutting fabric and making zipper openings.
Pins, For holding layers together and securing them near the zippers.
Iron, For pressing strips, straps, and turned pieces.
Hand-sewing needle, For closing the zipper end and the turning opening.
Templates, ruler, and tailor’s chalk, For transferring pattern pieces, pocket lines, and allowances.
Files and resources
Olga Ozen backpack sewing videoThe source referenced in the older material; the video shows the sewing details more closely.Olga Ozen backpack sewing video
Preparation
Choose the outer and lining fabrics
The source allows solid, printed, or combined outer fabrics. For the outside, choose a sturdy fabric, waterproof if you like; for the inside, use any suitable lining fabric.
Mark the mirror-image pieces right away
The side sections need two mirrored outer pieces and two mirrored lining pieces. If the mirrored pieces are wrong, the side pockets will not assemble properly.
Open the zippers before final assembly
The source specifically says to open the zipper before finishing the final edges; otherwise it will be hard to turn the backpack right side out after assembly.
Patterns and set of pieces
Start by preparing the templates and the front, back, side, placket, pocket, handle, and strap pieces.
Sort out the front and back pattern pieces
For the front, cut two pieces: one outer piece and one lining. For the back, cut the same outer and lining pieces, plus one additional piece.
Templates for the front, back, and main pieces.
Add allowance for the side zipper
The side sections use two different templates: an outer piece and a lining piece. Because the side section will have a pocket, add 1.5 cm for the zipper.
Add room for the zipper on the side piece.
Find the pocket width
Lay the left lining piece over the right outer piece and find the widest distance for the pocket.
This is how to find the side pocket width.
Mark the zipper-opening line
From the left outer point, draw a perpendicular line 15 mm long. At a distance of 1 cm, add an extension along the whole upper section, then draw a parallel line relative to the diagonal and find the center; this is the zipper-opening line.
Mark 15 mm from the outer point and add a 1 cm extension.Draw the opening line relative to the diagonal.
Prepare the side pieces, pockets, handle, and straps
Cut two mirrored outer side pieces and two mirrored lining pieces. Also prepare two lining-fabric pieces for the pockets, a handle strap, and the shoulder straps.
Preparing the side pieces, pockets, handle, and straps.
Prepare the zippers, hardware, and plackets
You need one zipper for the main backpack opening, two zippers for the side sections, and two plastic fittings for the straps. To join the front and back, prepare the upper and lower plackets in two sets: outer fabric and lining. Also prepare four strap pieces, one strap-attachment piece, and the strips that cover the zippers.
Use one zipper for the top and two for the side sections.The fittings are used for the straps.Set of plackets, straps, and strips that cover the zippers.
Stabilizer and pockets
After cutting, stabilize the outer pieces and prepare the side pockets for the zippers.
Cut all pieces and stabilize the outer ones
Cut the outer pieces from sturdy fabric and the inner pieces from lining fabric. To help the backpack hold its shape, stabilize the outer pieces with quilted polyester batting, fusible interlining, or interfacing.
Cut all pieces from outer fabric, lining, and stabilizer.
Join the fabric to the stabilizer
Join the fabric and stabilizer around the entire perimeter with an overlocker or a zigzag stitch. The lower placket does not have to be overlocked. If you like, quilt the front and the outer side pieces.
Join the fabric and stabilizer with an overlocker or zigzag stitch.
Cut the extra pocket pieces
To keep the inside of the pockets neat, cut two more pieces from thin fabric using the outer side-piece template.
Cut two extra pieces for a neat pocket interior.
Transfer the opening line to the pockets
Fold the outer side-piece template along the zipper-opening line and place it over the two layers of cut fabric.
Transfer the opening line to the two pocket pieces.
Cut the zipper opening
Carefully cut the zipper opening along the transferred line.
Cut the zipper opening along the transferred line.
Zippers and side sections
Assemble the top placket with the main zipper and the side pieces with the shorter zippers.
Assemble the top placket with the main zipper
Fold the zipper strips in half and press them. Place the sturdy outer fabric right side up, add the pressed strip on top, then place the zipper right side down and the lining fabric right side down. Pin all the layers together.
Layer the outer fabric, strip, zipper, and lining.
Insert the short zippers into the side sections
Insert the short zippers into the side sections. Make sure the right side of the zipper faces the right side of the outer fabric.
The zipper right side should face the outer fabric right side.
Stitch, turn, and secure with zigzag
Pin the pieces and stitch them. Then sew the prepared outer placket with the main zipper. Turn the stitched pieces right side out and sew a zigzag stitch along the top.
The zipper-cover strip sits between the outer fabric and the zipper.
Front, back, straps, and pocket
Next assemble the front, the lower strap tabs, the inner pocket, the handle, and the straps on the back.
Assemble the backpack front
Assemble the side-section pieces: fold the halves, then insert the zippers and the pressed strips between the outer fabric and the zipper. Stitch the pieces, turn them right side out, and sew a zigzag stitch as you did on the top placket. Then assemble the backpack front.
The side sections are joined to the front.
Sew on the lining side pieces
Pin the lining to the center section and secure the edges with an overlocker or a regular stitch. You can also secure the curved edges of the side pieces. Pin all three pieces together and sew them; from the front side, attach the lining side pieces. If you do not have an overlocker, use a regular stitch and cover the edges with binding.
Stitch around the front piece and set it aside.
Move the zipper sliders away and stitch the perimeter
Move the zipper sliders well away from the edge. Pin all layers at the zipper base and stitch around the whole perimeter with an overlocker or a regular stitch. Set the front piece aside for now.
Prepare the lower strap tabs
For the lower straps, use the strap-attachment piece; you can strengthen it with another layer of fabric. Fold two fabric layers diagonally, pin them, cut through the center, and insert the long straps. Place the strap pieces right sides together, stitch, turn, and press.
The strap-attachment piece can be reinforced with another layer.
Install the plastic hardware
Install the plastic fittings on the straps and secure them to the strap pieces.
Secure the fittings to the strap pieces.
Pin the inner pocket to the back lining
Pin the pressed pocket to the back lining fabric. Keep the opening used for turning the pocket at the bottom.
Place the pocket on the back lining piece.
Stitch the pocket and mark the back
Sew the pieces with any decorative stitch. Pin the template to the back piece and sew a decorative seam along the template edge.
Sew a decorative seam along the template edge.
Attach the handle and straps
Pin the handle strap and all shoulder straps in place. Sew them on with triple stitching so the straps do not tear away during use.
Sew the handle and straps with triple stitching.
Final assembly
In the final stage, join the front, back, upper placket, and lower placket.
Join the upper and lower plackets
Use the zippered upper placket and the lower placket to join the front and back. On the upper placket, move the zipper slider away from the edge and hand-stitch the zipper end closed. Place the outer fabric of the lower placket with quilted batting right side up, then the upper placket right side down and the lining right side down. Stitch, turn, and finish the perimeter with an overlocker or zigzag, except at the zipper edge.
Pin the closed strip to the back
Pin the strip that has been closed into a loop to the centers of the top and bottom edges of the back, then distribute it evenly and pin it around the entire back perimeter.
Sew the back lining and close the opening
Place the lining with the inner pocket on top, right side down. Stitch around the perimeter, leaving an opening at the bottom for turning. Turn the piece right side out and hand-stitch the opening closed.
Join the front and back
Join the straps together and neatly finish the strap ends. To assemble the backpack, place the front piece right side up and the back piece right side down, pin, and stitch around the perimeter.
Open the zipper and finish the raw edges with binding
Open the zipper and finish the raw edges with binding. The backpack is now ready; add decorative details if you like.
Finish and variations
Finish
Check the zippers and straps
Before using the backpack, check the movement of the main and side zippers, the triple stitching on the straps, and the binding on the raw edges.
Add decoration if you like
The source finishes the master class by suggesting any decorative details you like. A comment also notes that sewing it yourself makes it easy to choose any color palette.
Variations
Fabric combinations
You can sew the backpack from solid, printed, or combined fabric. This is stated directly in the source and supported by the discussion about choosing a color palette.
Finishing without an overlocker
If you do not have an overlocker, use a regular stitch and cover the edges with binding.
The opening or side piece is too narrow for the zipper.
Likely cause
The 1.5 cm zipper allowance was not added, or the 15 mm and 1 cm markings were measured incorrectly.
How to fix it
When drafting the side piece, add 1.5 cm for the zipper. Mark the opening with a 15 mm perpendicular line, a 1 cm extension, and a center line relative to the diagonal.
The side pieces do not match during assembly
Problem
The right and left side pieces face the same way or do not align with the front.
Likely cause
The mirrored pieces were cut in the same direction.
How to fix it
For the sides, cut two mirrored outer pieces and two mirrored lining pieces. Before sewing, lay each pair right side and wrong side up and check the zipper direction.
The zipper is sewn in wrong side out
Problem
After turning, the right side of the zipper faces the wrong direction.
Likely cause
During side-section assembly, the zipper was not placed right sides together with the outer fabric.
How to fix it
For the short side zippers, follow the source rule: the right side of the zipper should face the right side of the outer fabric.
The zipper slider gets caught in the stitching
Problem
The slider blocks stitching at the edge or gets trapped.
Likely cause
It was not moved away from the edge before stitching the perimeter.
How to fix it
Before stitching at the zipper base and before final assembly, move the zipper sliders well away from the edge.
No overlocker
Problem
You need to finish the perimeter and raw edges, but you do not have an overlocker.
How to fix it
The source allows a regular stitch instead of overlocking. Where the edges need to be hidden, cover them with binding.
The straps may pull away
Problem
The strap attachment looks weak.
Likely cause
The straps were sewn with one regular row of stitching.
How to fix it
Sew the handle and straps on with triple stitching, as specified in the source.
?FAQ
Is there a video for this backpack?
Yes. The source lists Olga Ozen’s video `C15D2RlPkto`; it is preserved in the resources section and in the VideoObject markup.
What fabric is best for the outer pieces?
The source recommends a sturdy fabric, waterproof if desired. Any suitable lining fabric can be used for the inner pieces.
What should I use to stabilize the backpack?
To help the backpack hold its shape, stabilize the outer pieces with quilted polyester batting, fusible interlining, or interfacing.
How many zippers do I need?
You need one zipper for the main backpack opening and two zippers for the side sections.
Why add 1.5 cm to the side piece?
The extra 1.5 cm is for the side-pocket zipper. Without this addition, the side pocket may not assemble correctly from the template.
Can I sew it without an overlocker?
Yes. The source says several times that you can use a regular stitch instead of overlocking and cover the edges with binding.
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IntermediateFree
One of the best backpack shapes: roomy, but still compact. When you sew it yourself, you can choose any color palette you like.