What You'll Make and What You Need

A rucksack is a drawstring backpack with two shoulder straps and a main compartment closed at the top. This guide walks you through sewing a straightforward version using two rectangles of fabric, webbing for straps, and basic stitching. The finished bag measures roughly 14 inches wide by 16 inches tall—large enough for a day's supplies but small enough to handle on your first project.

Gather these materials before you start: two pieces of sturdy fabric (canvas, denim, or heavy cotton work best) cut to 15 inches wide by 17 inches tall; two pieces of webbing or heavy cotton tape, each 24 inches long, for shoulder straps; thread that matches or complements your fabric; a needle or sewing machine; scissors; pins; and a ruler or measuring tape. A drawstring (paracord, cotton rope, or even thick yarn) about 36 inches long completes the bag.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two identical rectangles of fabric and sew them together on three sides, leaving the top open, with a quarter-inch seam allowance throughout.
  • Attach shoulder straps to the inside of the bag before closing the top, positioning them roughly 3 inches from each side edge.
  • Fold the top edge down twice and stitch a channel (a tube of fabric) around the opening to thread your drawstring through.
  • The entire project takes two to four hours by hand or one to two hours by machine, depending on your speed and experience.
  • Common mistakes include sewing straps too close together, making the channel too narrow for your drawstring, and not reinforcing the stress points where straps meet the bag.

Prepare Your Fabric and Cut the Pieces

Lay your first piece of fabric on a flat surface. Using a ruler and a pencil or fabric marker, measure and mark a rectangle 15 inches wide by 17 inches tall. Cut along these lines with sharp scissors, cutting through only one layer. Repeat with your second piece of fabric so you have two identical rectangles. These two pieces will form the front and back of your rucksack.

Cut your webbing or tape into two equal pieces, each 24 inches long. These will be your shoulder straps. If you are using regular cotton fabric instead of webbing, cut two strips 3 inches wide by 24 inches long, then fold each strip in half lengthwise and press or pin it flat so it looks like a finished strap. Set all pieces aside in order.

Sew the Front and Back Together

Place your two fabric rectangles with the right sides facing each other—the pretty sides should touch, and the wrong sides should face outward. Pin around three sides: the bottom and both long sides. Leave the top (the 15-inch edge) unpinned and open.

Thread your needle or prepare your sewing machine. Using a quarter-inch seam allowance (the distance between the edge of the fabric and your stitching line), sew along the bottom and both sides. Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to lock the thread. When you reach a corner, stop with the needle down, lift the presser foot (if using a machine), pivot the fabric 90 degrees, and continue sewing. Do not sew the top edge yet.

Trim the corners diagonally, cutting away a small triangle of fabric at each bottom corner. This reduces bulk when you turn the bag right-side out. Turn the entire bag inside-out through the open top, pushing the corners out gently with a blunt tool like a wooden spoon handle. Press the seams flat with your hands or an iron.

Attach the Shoulder Straps

Lay the bag flat with the open top facing you. Measure 3 inches from the left edge along the top opening and mark this spot on the inside of the bag with a pin. Measure 3 inches from the right edge and mark that spot too. These marks show where your straps will attach.

Take one shoulder strap and position one end at the left mark, with the strap lying flat against the inside of the bag and pointing downward into the bag. Pin it in place. Sew a small rectangle around this end—stitch a box about 1 inch by 1.5 inches, then stitch an X through the middle. This reinforces the attachment point and prevents the strap from tearing away under weight. Repeat with the other strap at the right mark.

Fold each strap up and over the top edge of the bag so it hangs down the outside. The straps should now form two loops. Pin them in place temporarily so they do not slip while you sew the top closed.

Create the Drawstring Channel

Fold the raw top edge of the bag down by half an inch and press it flat. Fold it down again by another half inch and press. This creates a finished edge and a channel for your drawstring. Pin this folded edge all the way around the top of the bag, keeping the straps tucked out of the way.

Sew along the bottom of this folded edge, stitching all the way around the bag. This closes the top and creates a tube (the channel) between the two layers of folded fabric. Backstitch at the start and end. The channel should be roughly half an inch wide—wide enough for your drawstring to slide through easily.

Using a safety pin or a needle threader, attach your drawstring to one end of a safety pin. Push the pin through the channel, working it around the entire circumference of the bag until the drawstring emerges from the same hole it entered. Tie the two ends of the drawstring together with a knot, and pull the knot inside the channel so it does not show.

Reinforce High-Stress Areas

The points where the straps attach to the bag will bear the most weight. Reinforce these areas by stitching over them again. Sew a second line of stitching around each reinforcement box you created earlier, or stitch an additional X through the center. This extra stitching prevents the straps from pulling loose over time.

Check the seams along the bottom and sides of the bag. If any stitching looks loose or uneven, run a second line of stitching along the inside of the seam. Pay special attention to the corners, where the most stress occurs.

Test and Adjust Your Finished Rucksack

Pull the drawstring tight to close the top of the bag. The fabric should gather evenly around the opening. If the drawstring is too short or too long, untie it, adjust the length, and retie. A drawstring that is 36 inches long usually works well for a bag this size, but you can trim it if it is excessively long.

Put the rucksack on and adjust the straps. They should sit comfortably on your shoulders without digging in. If the straps are too long, you can shorten them by folding the excess under and stitching it down on the inside of the bag. If they are too short, you will need to remove them and reattach them lower on the bag, which requires carefully unpicking the old stitches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sew this rucksack by hand instead of using a machine?

Yes. Hand sewing takes longer—usually three to four hours instead of one to two—but the process is identical. Use a running stitch or a backstitch for all seams, and take smaller stitches (about one-eighth inch) for strength. Reinforce the strap attachment points with extra stitches since hand-sewn seams are generally less dense than machine stitches.

What fabric works best for a rucksack?

Canvas, denim, and heavy cotton are ideal because they hold their shape and resist tearing. Avoid thin fabrics like cotton lawn or linen unless you back them with interfacing (a stiffening material). If your fabric is lightweight, cut two layers and sew them together as one before starting the project.

How do I make the rucksack bigger or smaller?

Scale the dimensions proportionally. For a larger bag, cut rectangles 18 inches wide by 20 inches tall instead of 15 by 17. For a smaller bag, cut 12 by 14 inches. Adjust the strap length and drawstring length by the same proportion—add or subtract 3 inches for every 3 inches you add or subtract from the height.

What if my drawstring keeps slipping out of the channel?

The channel may be too wide. When you fold the top edge, fold it down by only three-eighths inch instead of half an inch, then fold again by the same amount. This creates a narrower channel. Alternatively, use a thicker drawstring—paracord works better than thin yarn.

Can I add pockets to the inside of the rucksack?

Yes. Before sewing the front and back together, pin a pocket piece (a rectangle of fabric about 6 inches wide by 8 inches tall) to the inside of one of your main fabric pieces. Sew three sides of the pocket, leaving the top open. Then proceed with sewing the front and back together as normal. The pocket will be permanently attached inside the finished bag.