How to make a plush backpack

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one outfit for a 20 cm plush)

• Main fabric (light cotton or canvas) — about 20 × 20 cm
• Lining (light cotton) — about 12 × 12 cm
• Snap fastener, 5 mm — 1
• Size 9 needle and fine thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Fandom” → “Plush backpack” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the chest, length and the rest. Presets cover 10, 15 and 20 cm plushies and a 27 cm doll.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Measure the plush
   Chest at its widest, and the length you want from the shoulder. Two plushies both sold as "20 cm" can be quite different, so measure yours.
2. Trace the pattern
   Lay the pattern on the wrong side and trace both lines. At this scale a fine chalk pencil works better than a marker.
3. Cut the pieces
   If the fabric frays, seal the edges or zigzag them straight away.
4. Transfer the notches
   The smaller the garment, the more the notches matter. Do not skip them.

4. Sewing

4-1. Make the flap

1. Place the flap's outer and lining right sides together and sew the curved edge.
2. Turn, shape and topstitch round it.

4-2. Sew the bag

1. Place the two outer pieces right sides together and sew the sides and base.
2. Pinch the bottom corners and box them.
3. Sew the lining the same way, leaving 3 cm open in the base.

4-3. Baste the straps and flap

1. Fold both straps in four and topstitch.
2. Turn the outer right side out and baste the flap and the strap ends to the back top edge.

4-4. Join and finish

1. Drop the outer inside the lining and sew round the top edge.
2. Turn through the gap and close it.
3. Fit the snap.

✏️ Stitch each strap to both the top and the bottom of the back. Attached only at the top, they slide straight off the plush's shoulders. Setting the lower ends near the base of the bag is what keeps it sitting properly.

5. Tips & variations

• A little stuffing: it holds the shape and does not sag in photographs.
• Avoid thick fabric: 11 oz canvas at most, or the boxed corners cannot be sewn.
• In your colors: it is small enough to make several from scraps.
• Seam allowance is 5 mm: at 1 cm the allowances collide and the garment will not turn out cleanly.
• Size 9 needle, fine thread: a heavy needle leaves holes in the fabric.
• Mock it up in paper: assembling it once in interfacing or copy paper shows up any problem with length or ease.