Pattern Hacks
Heavy Hauler Backpack Hack
Sometimes when you are carrying a tote bag, you just wish it had backpack straps as well! Well, you are in luck! We’ve put together a quick and easy post that’s directly linked to the recently released Heavy Hauler Tote Bag pattern (though it can be adapted for many other patterns as well of course!). Enjoy!
Not familiar with the Heavy Hauler Tote Bag? You can find the pattern here!
Please read through the entire tutorial before you begin sewing!
These steps apply to both sizes of the Heavy Hauler Tote bag however, you may want to adjust the length of the long adjustable strap depennding on the size of the person it is for!
For the backpack strap connectors you will need:
- 2 pieces of fabric, 6″ x 4″ (15cm x 10cm) (Now known as Top Connectors)
- 2 pieces of lightweight interfacing, 3″ x 4″ (7.5cm x 10cm)
- 1 piece of fabric, 6″ x 5″ (15cm x 15cm) (Now known as Bottom Connector)
- 1 piece of lightweight interfacing, 3″ x 5″ (7.5cm x 12cm)
- 3 additional rectangle rings, 1 1/2″ (4cm) size
For the Adjustable Strap:
- 1 piece of fabric, 6” x 60″ (15cm x 152cm)
- 1 piece of interfacing, 3” x 60” (7.5cm x 152cm)
- 1 strap slider, 1 1/2”(4cm) size
For the front Handle and Handle Connectors:
- 1 Handle sewn as per the pattern.
- 1 Handle Connector cut and sewn as per the pattern
Sew your Handle Connector as per the pattern. Cut that in half to have 2 pieces that are 1.5” x 16” (3.8cm x 41cm).
Fold down the top 1 1/2” (3.8cm) and add a rectangle ring. Sew in place close to the edge of the ring.
Attach the strap connectors to the unassembled front of your tote following Step 11 (under Assembling Your Outer Panels) in the pattern and set the front aside.
Now let’s move to the back!
For the Top and Bottom Connector:
Take the Connector and fold it in half with the wrong sides together matching the short edges. Press. Open out and fold each side into the middle. Press. Open out and fuse a corresponding piece of interfacing down the middle of the fabric. Re-fold the fabric and press well. Top stitch using a 1/8” (0.3cm) seam allowance down both the long sides and the middle of the connector.
Fold the Bottom Connector in half and press. Slide on the rectangle ring and sew close to the edge of it, securing over the edges a couple of times.
For the Top Connectors:
Make a mark across the centre on the ‘wrong side’ of each connector.
Fold each short end in, wrong sides together, meeting them in the middle at the marks you drew. Press well.
Slot a rectangular ring into one of the folds (the top fold if your fabric is directional) and glue/tape both folds in place. Stitch the rectangle ring in place close to the edge.
Following Step 11 (under Assembling Your Outer Panels), place your Bottom Connector at the bottom righthand mark. Your Top Connectors will be placed 3” (8cm) down from the top and 2 3/4” (7cm) in from each side as per the pattern. Gluing or taping them in place makes them easier to sew.
For the Top Connectors, draw an X in the middle of the connector from the edge stitching to the corners. Topstitch around using a 1/8” (0.3cm) seam allowance following the original topstitching and along that X.
For the Bottom Connector, stitch following the previous topstitching and close to the rectangle ring.
Set aside for now.
For the long adjustable strap.
Create the strap the same way you created your handle however, you will only be folding one of the short ends in 1/4″ (0.6cm) and press. Top stitch around all four sides using a 1/8” (0.3cm) seam allowance, plus a third row of stitching down the middle.
Fold one end under 1” (2.5cm) to the ‘wrong side’ of the strap and press well.
Feed that end up through one side of the slider, over the centre bar, and back down the other side, slotting the centre bar into the fold. Pin in place and stitch 2 lines to secure along the 1/8” (0.3cm) row of topstitching you made earlier plus another 1/8” (0.3cm) away from that.
Take the shoulder strap and feed the end that doesn’t have the slider attached down through one of the rectangular rings on the gusset, ensuring the ‘wrong side’ of the strap is facing away from the gusset/bag.
Feed this same end up through the slider, over the centre bar and back down, so the end attached to the slider is sandwiched between the strap.
Slot the strap up through the right top connector and then down the left top connector making sure you don’t twist it.
Place the end of the strap 3 3/8” (8.6cm) in at the bottom.
Mark a line 2” (5cm) up from the edge. Stitch along your 1/8” (0.3cm) seam allowance and across that line you drew.
Finish your bag following Step 14 in the pattern (sewing the exterior together and adding the front pocket).
Tip: You might find that topstitching this bottom edge to be a little difficult with the thickness. If you use a hump jumper, it will be smooth sailing!
You now have a bag that can be carried like a tote:
Or loosen that strap and you now have a cool backpack!
If you want, you can tuck that front handle inside under your flap to prevent it from flopping around!
We hope you enjoyed this fun and creative pattern hack! When you make your next bag into a backpack, make sure to pop over to the Andrie Designs Patterns Facebook Group and share it with us there!
Happy Sewing!
