Looking for a functional, minimalist, and beginner-friendly sewing pattern for a backpack?

This step-by-step tutorial will guide you through making a stylish roll-top backpack—perfect for everyday errands, city strolls, or short adventures. This sewing project is ideal for confident beginners and intermediate sewists alike.

Whether you’re sewing with canvas, linen, or denim, this roll-top rucksack pattern offers durability and flexibility in design. Let’s get started!

The best part? The pattern is now available as a FREE PDF download, so everyone can access it, regardless of budget.

Download the Roll Top Backpack Pattern PDF here
Watch the full step-by-step video below
Follow the photo steps throughout this tutorial

Full Sewing Tutorial Video

Supplies You’ll Need

Main fabric: 100 cm (1 m / ≈ 40 in / ≈ 1 yard)
Lining fabric: 50 cm (0.5 m / ≈ 22 in / ≈ 0.55 yard)
Matching thread
Fabric scissors or rotary cutter
Sewing machine (with zigzag or serger optional)
Pins or clips
Iron and pressing surface
Fabric marker or tailor’s chalk
Cord loop (2 pieces, each 12 cm / ≈ 5 in)
Toggle button

Fabric suggestions:

Main fabric: Linen, cotton canvas, denim
Lining fabric: Cotton poplin, cotton lawn, or lightweight linen

Avoid stretchy or slippery fabrics for cleaner results.

Cutting Instructions

Cut all the pattern pieces as follows:

From Main Fabric:

4 × Roll Top Panels
4 × Strap Pieces
4 × Ring Tab Panels
2 × Front/Back Panels
1 × Top Handle Panel

From Lining Fabric:

2 × Front/Back Lining Panels
2 × Inside Pocket Panels

Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions

All seam allowances are included in the pattern: 0.6 cm (¼ in).

Step 1: Prepare the Inside Pocket

Place pocket pieces right sides together.
Sew around the edges, leaving a 5–6 cm (2 in) opening at the bottom.
Clip corners, turn right side out, press.
Topstitch the top edge (0.2 cm / ¹⁄₁₆ in from the fold).
Place the pocket centered on the lining panel.
Topstitch left, bottom (closing the opening), and right edges.
Stitch down the center vertically to create 2 compartments.

Step 2: Assemble the Lining Panels

Attach roll top panels to both front and back lining panels.
Match center points, stitch, press the seam downward, and topstitch.
Finish raw edges with zigzag or serger.

Step 3: Sew the Full Lining

Place lining panels right sides together.
Sew the side and bottom seams, leaving a 12 cm (≈ 5 in) opening.
Box the bottom corners by marking 7 cm (≈ 2¾”) across the triangle, sew and trim.
Finish raw edges.

Step 4: Make the Ring Tabs

Press one long edge of each ring tab panel 0.6 cm (¼”) toward the wrong side.
Repeat for all 4.
Sew panels in pairs, right sides together, along the unpressed edge.
Turn right side out, press, and topstitch both long sides.
Insert a ring into each, fold in half, and topstitch 1 cm (≈ ⅜ in) from the ring to secure.

Step 5: Make the Top Handle

Press both long edges of the top handle panel 0.6 cm (¼”) toward the wrong side.
Fold lengthwise and press again.
Topstitch both long edges 0.2 cm (¹⁄₁₆”) from the fold.

Step 6: Make the Straps

Press one long edge of each of the 4 strap pieces 0.6 cm (¼”) inward.
Pair two straps right sides together and stitch along one side, across the corner, and continue about 10 cm (4″) along the next side.
Trim seam allowances at the corners with pinking shears.
Turn right side out and press.
Topstitch along the joined edge, continuing across the corner, then stitch along the open edge to complete the topstitching.

Step 7: Assemble the Outer Bag

Attach your label to the front panel.
Insert one 12 cm (≈ 5 in) cord loop with toggle button between the front panel and roll top panel, centered.
Attach another 12 cm cord loop folded in half to the center top of the back panel (ends aligned in the seam).
Pin straps and top handle at placement marks.
Add the roll top panel over everything, stitch, press downward, and topstitch for strength.

Overlock or zigzag the raw edges.
Attach ring tabs onto the back panel, angled upward with rings facing up.
Place front and back panels right sides together and stitch around the sides and bottom.
Box the bottom corners like the lining.

Step 8: Join Outer Bag and Lining

Insert the outer bag into the lining (right sides together).
Match side seams and stitch all around the top edge.

Step 9: Finish the Backpack

Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining.
Press and topstitch the full top edge.
Close the lining opening by hand with ladder stitch or topstitch close to the edge.

You’re Done!

You’ve just completed your handmade roll-top backpack using a practical and stylish sewing pattern for a backpack. Whether you’re gifting it or wearing it proudly, you’ve created a functional accessory from scratch — well done!

Here’s what the finished backpack looks like:

Care Instructions

Spot clean or hand wash
Iron on low heat (especially if interfacing was used)
Air dry flat to maintain shape

Download the Pattern

This pattern is designed to be accessible to all — and is now offered as a FREE download for everyone.

Download the Roll Top Backpack PDF Pattern

Sewing Pattern for a Backpack: Easy Roll-Top Rucksack Tutorial (Step-by-Step)