Learn to Sew a Backpack
Make a Bag that’s a Work of Art
In this jam-packed online course, gain confidence in essential bag-making skills while sewing a functional work of art: the Elevenses Backpack.
Looking for a project that will renew your passion for sewing, teach you transferable new skills (quilting! tackling heavy fabrics!) and take you step-by-step through making a unique statement piece?
Learn to make a one-of-a-kind roll-top backpack and build your sewing confidence along the way.
Sure, you’ll learn to use bag hardware & webbing, cut & sew thick fabrics, and make padded straps.
But here’s the secret sauce of this course: it’s a 2-for-1! You’ll also learn all about quilting.
The Elevenses Backpack features customizable quilted panels, and we’ll teach you color theory, cutting & patchwork skills, AND a plethora of quilting options.
Apologies in advance for jump-starting your quilting obsession!
We’ll walk you through every step of making your backpack, teaching you professional techniques peppered with tons of sewing tips, in a cheerful and encouraging learning environment.
Make the backpack of your dreams with the help of our warm, fun, and supportive instructors – from the comfort of your own home.
Watch (and re-watch) any time – your course access never expires.
In class, you’ll be using the Elevenses Backpack PDF pattern, which is included in your enrollment. The pattern includes options for adjustable water bottle pockets, a pieced or plain front pocket, quilted panels, cushioned straps made with canvas and batting, and a drop-in lining with an internal phone pocket.
The Elevenses Pattern provides a great opportunity to flex your creativity. With no worries about choosing a size or getting the right fit, you are free to focus on practicing new skills.
The Learn to Sew a Backpack course includes:
- the Elevenses Backpack PDF sewing pattern
- the Lembas Laptop Sleeve PDF sewing pattern
- 12+ hours of video instruction available forever. Watch and review anytime!
- membership in our supportive course community
- a warm class environment that feels like sewing with friends
Skills and techniques taught:
- Getting into a healthy mindset
- Sourcing bag making supplies
- Working with waxed canvas & other heavy fabrics
- Cutting with ruler & rotary cutter
- Fusing interfacing
- Edgestitching
- Topstitching
- Sewing zippers
- Sewing darts
- Sewing accurate box corners
- Working with a walking foot
- Sourcing and understanding quilting tools and supplies
- Quilting color theory
- Sewing patchwork
- Preparing fabric for quilting, including transferring unique designs to your fabric
- Creative quilting techniques such as:
- quilt-as-you-go
- various machine quilting options
- hand quilting
- and more!
By the end of class, you will have the confidence to tackle any bag or backpack sewing pattern as well as other patterns requiring heavier fabrics, like chore coats or jackets.
PLUS, you’ll have the quilting chops to make quilted pillows or even a full-sized quilt.
Working with heavy fabrics, webbing, and hardware can feel intimidating, but this course will provide you with all the tips and tricks you’ll need to sew professional, sturdy bags with the sewing machine you have – no industrial machine needed.
This course is part of our Learn to Sew Your Clothes learning path, a series designed to accompany you as you level up your sewing skills.
what our students are saying
I have tried to learn pattern drafting from books, and have taken pattern drafting courses at community college, but not until Sew Liberated courses have I felt confident that I'm learning the concepts. Honestly, these are absolutely the best courses anywhere! Great designers, great teachers, and great website. You all rock!
I wasn't sure what to expect from the Learn To Sew Your Clothes Course, but already after the first modules I have gotten information that is invaluable. Simple things that as a self-taught sewer no one ever told me. I look forward to going deeper into the course, and with the knowledge I have gained so far to finally being able to work WITH my sewing machine instead of AGAINST it!
I want to express how much I am enjoying the Learn to Sew courses. Shaerie is such a clear and fun instructor who answers even the most basic of questions. I learned something new in all the Learn to Sew courses. I also love Judith's super positive support in the chats in the course community.
I'm really proud of how far I've come! I'm also so proud of my classmates, whom I've been meeting via Sew Liberated's (non-social-media) groups pages, and it's been so nice to connect with other people who are also experiencing the learning process and sharing their own perspectives and questions.
I love that the instructions are so clear and detailed and that they are presented in a relaxed and engaging way. Add in the fact that you can ask questions and get feedback from the community and members of the Sew Liberated team and you have the perfect sewing course!
The method of instruction - following the trajectory of an instructor teaching an actual student - makes it very easy to follow and understand. And having the community of other people in the class is an added bonus - a place to ask questions and get support. I could not be happier with my experience so far!
Teaching people how to sew their own clothes is Shaerie Mead’s jam, and she’s been doing it for decades.
In addition to being a patternmaker and designer of her clothing line, Iona, she owned the much-loved Sew LA, a workshop space where she taught hundreds and hundreds of folks how to sew.
Shaerie’s clear, detailed, and approachable teaching style will put you at ease and deliver so many “ah-ha!” moments. She really gets how beginners learn, and she’s got your back.
There’s little Meg loves more than bringing mindfulness and a little bit of humor to the practice of sewing.
She brings her background as a progressive educator to the design and back end of the Learn to Sew Your Clothes series, and can’t wait to pop into the lessons here and there to inject her expertise in sewing and creative styling.
Click here to learn more about Meg, the founder of Sew Liberated.
Cindy trained as a commercial seamstress and has been sewing for over 50 years. She learned to quilt after having children, and it became her true passion.
She has now been quilting for over 30 years. She’s taught garment sewing, smocking, and quilting classes.
Cindy enjoys sharing her knowledge of all of these crafts though patchwork is by far her favorite thing to sew and to teach.
One of the first independent sewing pattern companies, Sew Liberated has been doing this since 2007. But we aren’t just informed by needle and thread. Meg has a Masters in Education, and brings her knowledge and passion for how people learn to everything that Sew Liberated produces: from beautifully clear instructions to designing learning journeys.
Combined, Meg and Shaerie have over 50 years of experience in both sewing and sewing education.
Course participants also have access to the boundless knowledge of Sew Liberated’s professional patternmaker and fitting whiz, Judith, in the online course community.
Which Learn to Sew course is right for me?
We have courses for sewists of all levels, from complete beginner to advanced.
Unsure about where to begin? Our Guided Placement for Sewists (GPS) will locate your perfect starting point on the Learn to Sew Your Clothes pathway.
Who is it for?
This course is perfect for intermediate sewists who are new (or new-ish) to bag making or quilting, and who want to expand their skills in these fun sub-categories of sewing.
The Learn to Sew a Backpack course will provide you with a detailed, step-by-step backpack sew-along, expert support in our community forum, and universally applicable quilting skills.
Want to practice quilting and working with a zipper before starting your backpack?
Looking to accessorize your backpack with a coordinating laptop sleeve?
Included in your course are the pattern pieces and link to our FREE Lembas Laptop Sleeve sew-along!
The Lembas is a quick and addictive sew, and the perfect swatch (IYKYK, knitting friends!) for your more ambitious backpack.
Featuring pattern pieces for two sizes as well as quilting templates, your Lembas Laptop sleeve pattern will be included in your downloads when you sign up for Learn to Sew a Backpack.
learn to sew with friends
Join over 2500 students who have experienced the warmth and connection of Sew Liberated’s online course communities.
Your course includes membership in our online support group, hosted on our own website. No Facebook necessary!
Get feedback and suggestions as you work on your backpack. And, most importantly, find new friends who totally get your passion!
FAQs
Will my course materials expire? Do I get lifetime access?
Yes, with your purchase you get lifetime access to the course videos, other materials, and membership in the private Learn to Sew support group. You also get lifetime access to the downloadable PDF Elevenses sewing pattern, as well as the PDF Lembas Laptop Sleeve pattern.
What level of sewist should take this course?
This course is designed for intermediate sewists. The videos take you through every step of making the Elevenses Backpack, and our course community provides support and feedback as you go.
I haven’t taken the previous courses in the Learn to Sew Your Clothes series. Can I take this one?
Yes! If you have previously worked with sewing patterns to make several garments, you should be just fine. Our online courses Sewing Basics 1, Sewing Basics 2, and Beyond Sewing Basics (or equivalent experience) are recommended before taking Learn to Sew a Backpack.
We have a whole page with details about our carefully-designed Learn to Sew Your Clothes course series.
When can I start, and how much does it cost?
You can start right away! The cost, which you can see below by clicking here, includes the Elevenses Backpack PDF sewing pattern, the Lembas Laptop Sleeve PDF sewing pattern, and Elevenses printed pattern pieces shipped to you (there may be an extra shipping fee for those outside the US).
This price is similar to what you might pay for a comparable in-person class.
How do I get my pattern sheets?
When you sign up for Learn to Sew a Backpack, your printed pattern sheets are included in your course purchase. We will mail your pattern sheets to your door, and you will be able to access your PDF pattern (which includes your instructions) from your My Account page on Sew Liberated’s website. Downloads do not expire.
Can I make either view of the Elevenses Backpack?
Instructions for the patchwork sawtooth star and the quilted sunburst design are included in the course – plus many more tips and ideas for customization beyond what is written in the pattern.
I am nervous about sewing thick fabrics. Do I need an industrial sewing machine?
Use the machine you have! Shaerie and Meg will give you the scoop on what you need to be able to sew thick fabrics on any machine without frustration. It’s a question of needles, proper settings, and a presser foot upgrade or two. We won’t be using an industrial machine in this course, and you don’t need one, either!
Have other questions?
AN HEIRLOOM BAG
Sew a Backpack
- Deep dive into bag-making techniques
- An introduction to creative quilting
- Complete Elevenses Backpack sew-along