I remember starting college with my high school backpack but wanting something a little smaller and lighter to carry around campus. If you want to give your backpack a new look or want a great messenger bag for school take a look at Goodwill’s bag selection and try this upcycling project. You’ll have fun customizing your bag and enjoy something fresh and new for the school year (minus the fresh price tag.)
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A backpack from Goodwill
- A d-ring buckle belt from Goodwill
- A strap from another bag/suitcase
- A small piece of canvas or other fabric for the front of your bag
- Sewing Machine Optional: reflective ribbon
2. Next create the front pocket of your bag. Measure your fabric to be an inch larger on each side than the small front pocket you removed in step 1. Press the edges of your fabric under by one inch and cut down the center.
3. Attach the zipper you removed in the first step to the middle of your fabric (it will be too long, but cut it to fit once you have sewn the zipper in place).
4. If you’d like, add reflective trim by sewing over the zipper-canvas seam.
5. Sew the bottom corners at an angle, and consider adding decorative trim over the top edge of your bag to clean up any uneven edges. I used striped fabric for this.
6. Pin and sew your front pocket down to the front of your bag.
7. Cut two pieces of ribbon, or use a portion of the belt you found at Goodwill to make attachments for both of your d-ring shoulder strap rings.
8. Next undo a two-inch section of the zipper cover on each side of your bag where you will attach the shoulder strap.
9. Attach the rings you made in step 7 on each side of the bag. Then reattach the zipper in both places.
10. Finally sew the back of the backpack onto your new bag (remove the backpack shoulder straps first!)
11.Now simply clip on your shoulder strap and you are finished.
Enjoy your new bag, the new life you’ve given to an old backpack, and the community members you support by shopping at Goodwill.