Tutorial: Turtle Drawstring Backpack (with Fabric Scraps)
This Turtle drawstring tote bag is the perfect way to use up leftover scraps of fabric. You can cut out a bunch of hexagons from your fabric scraps and follow along making a cute turtle shell bag. You can check out the free pattern below to get started.
This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. That being said, I encourage you to use your local sewing shop whenever possible, or to look for supplies second hand.
Supplies Needed:
(all of my patterns include 1/2″ seam allowance)
Step 1
Plan out your turtle shell design
cut out your pieces and plan the turtle shell design. Use the diagram included on the first page of the pattern as a guide. For each side of the shell you’ll need 7 hexagons, 4 little triangles, and 2 of the trapezoid pieces.
Step 2
sew the lines of hexagons together
leave the seam allowance unsewn on each piece (so don’t stitch 1/2″ on the sides of all the seams)
Step 3
add the triangles to the sides
This part is a bit tricky for beginners. You need to spread the seam allowance of the hexagon pieces to sew them flat on either side of the triangle. When sewing you will sew one side, pivot the needle at the seam allowance, and then sew the other side of the triangle.
Step 4
Sew the sides to the center line of hexagons
using the same technique you used in the previous step, sew all the hexagons together to create your turtle shell.
Step 5
clip off the extra fabric
I’m not a perfect pattern maker (that’s why they’re free), so the way I make the patterns will leave extra tabs of fabric sticking out of the top and around the small triangle pieces. You can just cut these off.
Step 6
repeat steps 1-5 for the second side of the shell
Step 7
hem the sides of the casings
make a narrow hem on both of the shorter sides of both casings
Step 8
Fold the casing in half
Step 9
sew the casings to the top of the bag
On both sides of the bag, sew the casing through all layers. Then press the casing up, away from the bag. This will create a loop for the drawstring to go through.
Step 10
sew the turtle head together
with right sides together, sew the turtle head.
Step 11
turtle back fins
with right sides together, sew the back fins
Step 12
sew the front fins
with right sides together sew the front fins
Step 13
turn the head and fins to the right side
Clip the curves and turn the turtle head and fins to the right side.
Step 14
baste the head and fins to the front of the bag
using the diagram as a guide, baste the turtle head and fins to the inside of the front bag.
Step 15
sew the tabs
Fold the sides of the tab pieces to the center and then fold them in half. Sew along the length of the two tab pieces.
Step 16
Baste the tabs to the back of the bag
Fold the tab pieces in half and baste them to the bottom of the back bag piece.
Step 17
Sew the front and back of the bag together
With right sides together sew the front and back of the bag along the sides and bottom.
Step 18
Turn the bag to the right side
Clip the corners and turn the bag to the right side. The tabs should be underneath the front fins of the turtle.
Step 19
add the drawstring to the casing
You need two pieces of string (about 60″ long) and they both need to go all the way around, through both casings. One string you’ll insert through the left side, thread it all the way around so it comes back out the left. The other will start on the right side and go all the way around so it comes back out the right.
Then you want to tie each string around the tabs that were sewn in earlier.
Finished!
