In Complete Stitches Planetary Backpack

Every now and then I like to step away from sewing clothes and indulge in a little bag making. It's still sewing obviously, but you get to use slightly different techniques and processes, and of course there's no need to worry about fitting. My latest bag project is the Planetary Backpack from In Complete Stitches.

The Planetary backpack is a lined drawstring backpack, with a top cover flap, outer front pocket and inner slip pockets. It uses webbing for the straps.

Fellow dressmakers will probably appreciate the fact that the pattern provides pattern pieces rather than giving cutting measurements, and even has an A0 file that you can send to a printer rather than having to tape together a PDF.

The instructions are very detailed and are accompanied by helpful illustrations. I found the directions very easy to follow and didn't have any trouble making my backpack. 

There are helpful tips included along the way, such as pointing out areas where you may need to hand crank your sewing machine where there are quite a few layers of fabric - I definitely had to follow this tip a few times.

I used the idea in the instructions for hemming the ends of the drawstring casing instead of using eyelets because I didn't have any eyelets. I also used a magnetic snap fastener instead of a regular snap fastener for the outer front pocket, again just because I already had some of them in my stash. 

The rainbow motif on my top cover flap is my latest hand embroidery project. It's a pattern by Hope Steward from issue 28 of Love Embroidery magazine. I bought a thread pack from Hello Hooray to make sure that I'd have nicely complimentary bright rainbow shades (I didn't use the lighter green in the pack because the pattern only uses six colours in the rainbow). 

I enjoyed stitching the design and found it very relaxing. I'm really pleased with how it turned out - I often struggle to get satin stitch looking neat, but I think I've done a fairly good job here.

All of the fabrics that I used for my backpack came from my stash. The indigo denim that I used for most of the outer is left over from making my Yanta overalls, and the white and red striped cotton twill on the outer and floral white and red cotton for the lining were both from charity shops. 

I really like the rainbow webbing that I used for the straps - it seemed the perfect choice to use with my rainbow embroidery! I found it on Etsy - although just to note that the webbing I was sent is different from the photos of the rainbow webbing that were shown in the listing when I ordered and that are still shown in the listing as I write this.

I enjoyed sewing my Planetary backpack and I'm pleased with how it turned out. I'm looking forward to taking it out and about for some adventures! I'd happily recommend this pattern, and I've got my eye on a couple of the other patterns from In Complete Stitches for future bag making projects.