How to Make a String Backpack

A string backpack is a collapsible, fabric backpack with two double strings or lines around it. These lines serve the combined purposes of synching and strapping. In other words the lines run around and through the fabric tubes, which close the bag when tightened, and around the arms of the wearer. A string backpack is perfect as a take-along piece of gear for hikers and shoppers alike. It provides an instant, strong bag to conveniently and comfortably lug home everything found or purchased that day.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 yard of ripstop or nylon fabric
  • Tape measure
  • T-square
  • Permanent marker
  • Scissors
  • Round-end fabric pins
  • Heavy needle
  • Heavy thread
  • Two heavy brass grommets
  • Grommet pliers
  • 5 yards of heavy nylon cord
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure, mark and cut eight pieces of the nylon material: two 15-by-3-inch rectangles, two 18-by-15-inch rectangles and four 4-inch squares.

    • 2

      Make double-thickness triangles by folding the corners of the 4-inch squares. Place two of the folded triangles on top of the material at the bottom corners of the 15-inch edge of the larger pieces, with their right-triangle corners matching and pin them in place. Repeat this procedure with the other pair of double-thickness triangles and the other large piece of material.

    • 3

      Lay one of the 18-by-15-inch pieces exactly atop the other and, with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, sew the 18-inch edges together and the bottom 15-inch edges together. This forms the open-top body of the bag.

    • 4

      Put a hem in the 15-by-3-inch pieces. Double fold the 3-inch edge -- top and bottom -- and stitch them together. Fold the stitched pieces lengthwise, baste and stitch the long, cut edges to form a tube. Do this on both pieces of material.

    • 5

      Sew the hemmed tubes to the upper edge of the bag body for the drawstring. Do this by aligning the hemmed edges of the 15-by-3-inch tubes with the right/left cut edges of the top of the bag body. Place the hemmed edges of one tube against the hemmed edges of the other and baste them together. The body of the bag now has hemmed material tubes around its upper, open side.

    • 6

      With the bag inside out, stitch the corner triangles permanently in place. Place a second seam alongside the original seam on the long edges of the body of the bag.

    • 7

      With the bag right side out, punch and seal a brass grommet 1 inch in from the corner of both bottom corners.

    • 8

      Measure and cut two pieces of 2-yard heavy nylon cord. Double the pieces and tie a knot in the ends. Insert the unknotted end of the double strand through the grommet and up to the top of the bag. Wrap and tie the unknotted end of the double strand around a pencil and tie it in a knot. Use the pencil to push the cord though the seam on the ends of both top-side tubes -- through one and then the other. Untie the knot and remove the pencil.

    • 9

      Tie the cord to an aluminum climbing ring whose diameter exceeds 1 inch. Repeat this stringing process with the other piece of cord on the other side of the bag.