Backpack Project

[opus56]

It took a while to get this done...a lot of time spent putting together the pattern, figuring the layout, and what step should be done when. But I'm really happy with how it turned out. I made it for my son as a school backpack and it should last him through graduation.

[Thor]

Wow, I like this backpack. The only thing I don't understand is the little pocket in the front. Is it really just held by these 2 snaps? I'd be worried it would fall off easy in time.

What are the dimensions on this anyways?

[Rohn]

Nice back pack. I really like the looks of it. Your son will get many years of use from it.

[opus56]

Wow, I like this backpack. The only thing I don't understand is the little pocket in the front. Is it really just held by these 2 snaps? I'd be worried it would fall off easy in time.

What are the dimensions on this anyways?

Thanks!

The removable front pouch is held on w/ 4 snaps...in the picture above they are hidden by the front flap straps.

The top snaps ended up being integrated in the buckles for the front flap.

Approx. dimensions are 16" x 12" x 5.5".

Nice back pack. I really like the looks of it. Your son will get many years of use from it.

Thanks Rohn.

[kiwican]

Freakin nice man!

[Tramps Leatherworking]

Very nice, a lot of thought went into that, and it shows...

[Mlitton]

Wow, that's a sweet pack. You've got one lucky kid.

[opus56]

Thanks everyone.

[opus56]

Made a couple of updates to the backpack after my son (8th grader) had put some miles on it.

First, I made new shoulder straps, the single thickness straps weren't beefy enough for as much stuff as he carried around. I sewed two pieces together to make it double thick and made them 2" wide where they ride on the shoulders. Then I stitched two 1" wide pieces together for the bottom portion of the strap.

Second, I added some grommets and drawstrings to pull the top closed.

Third, if I were to make another, I'd double the thickness of the handle as well. He uses the handle a lot to quickly pick up / move the bag, and the single thickness handle is showing some significant wear. It's still holding up, but a double thick handle would be a lot better.

[Deryk]

Looks Great! Thanks for the update!

[Huginn]

That's great! What was the thickness of the straps after sticking the 2 pieces of leather together? Did you sew them together with one big piece of thread or did you break that up?

Edited March 3, 2016 by Huginn

[opus56]

That's great! What was the thickness of the straps after sticking the 2 pieces of leather together? Did you sew them together with one big piece of thread or did you break that up?

Thickness ended up at 5 millimeters. I did break up the stitching. The straps are the two top 2" wide sections, and the 2 lower 1" wide sections. When I stitched each sandwich together I used two lengths of thread each starting in the middle of the bottom edge of each strap. Even trying to stitch one of the 2" wide straps w/ just one length of thread would have been a pain.