Radiant Home Studio

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Retro Rucksack: Pattern Testers Needed

Sewing Patterns

UPDATE: This pattern is now available, redesigned and updated here. Tester positions have been filled.

I am excited to share a little bit about my new pattern, the Retro Rucksack.

Retro Rucksack Front | Radiant Home Studio

This vintage style, fold-over backpack can also be easily switched to a shoulder bag. It is roomy enough to fit a couple of school books or laptop, and includes an interior zipper pocket, a large slip pocket, and exterior side pockets. There is also an easy-to-install recessed zipper and many options for buckle closures.

I have also included additional information about working with faux leather if you choose to use it. (It will also look great with canvas, so don’t let the leather scare you…)

Retro Rucksack Straps | Radiant Home Studio
Retro Rucksack interior | Radiant Home Studio

The pattern and instructions are complete, but I would love to have some pattern testers provide some feedback.

I’m looking for about a dozen people that:

  • are able to complete the project in 3 weeks
  • are able to demonstrate intermediate level sewing skills (a photo of another project…)
  • can provide a clear digital photo of the finished bag
  • are willing to answer a few questions about the pattern when they finish

Here’s how it works:

  • Please send me an e-mail (sara (at) radianthomestudio (dot) com) to let me know you are interested. Please include a few sentences about your experiences, and any links to finished projects that you would like me to see.
  • If you are chosen, I will e-mail you a PDF pattern (for free!) which you will need to download and print.
  • You sew the bag in the fabric of your choice, and send a photo of your finished bag to me along with any suggestions for improvement.

And I will be very grateful for all of your feedback!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jacqueline says

    I love this bag, Sara; especially the leather handles and bottom! Great job again!

  3. Stephanie says

    Hello Sara,

    This bag is great!! I’m not an intermediate sewer yet, but I would love to get to this point. Not in the making pattern but making making the bag.

    Great Job!!

    Stephanie
    silverliningsoriginals.blogspot.com

    • Sara Curtis says

      Thank you Stephanie! The most difficult part of the pattern is the zipper. If you can practice zippers on some small pouches first, you can do this with some time and patience!

    • Sara Curtis says

      I have finished testing this bag, but if you are interested in future testing you can sign up for the pattern testers newsletter in this post. I’ll send out requests to those people first…

  6. Yvaine Sole says

    I’m very impressed to see your bag. I am planning to make a bag, (a multifunction bag), which I can carry on my bag or switch to my shoulder. And your bag inspired me a lot.
    I’m a hand sewing (as part of my therapy). And I love recycling some old bag (mostly are fabric bags), because I do not have to spend any money to get the material. And also, it gave a lot of challenge to find the better design than the the previous.
    Well, I can wait to know your next project.