Sew a Buckthorn Backpack

Please note: All class registrations are final; please view our Cancellation Policy and Covid-19 Policy for more information. By registering for this workshop, you are agreeing to abide by these policies. Thank you for supporting our small business!    

Skill level requirement: this is NOT a learn to sew class; you must have sewn in the recent past, and be confident operating a sewing machine independently. See below for more info. If you're a total beginner, check out our  Sewing 101 Workshops.

Learn to sew a stylish Buckthorn Backpack!

You’ll love this zippered top backpack for everyday use.  It features a front pocket for easy access to smaller items, a divided interior pocket to keep everything inside organized, and a flat base. The backpack has adjustable straps and fits tablets, small laptops, and/or notebooks! 

This workshop will be a hybrid virtual/ in-person format. You will cut out your fabric at home before class - but don't worry! All the pattern pieces are rectangles. You have the option to cut with us live on zoom, or watch the recorded session at your convenience. All of the sewing will take place at our shop-- no worries if you don't have a machine at home or if you can't make it to the live virtual session!  Here's how the schedule will look:

Friday 11/15 7pm-8pm - This will be a virtual info session taking place on Zoom. Your instructor will discuss pattern details and demonstrate how to cut your fabric. Your homework will be to complete all of the fabric cutting/ prep before we meet in person. The Zoom will be recorded, so you'll be able to access the video if you can't attend live or if you need to reference it while you're cutting fabric!

Sunday 11/24 at 11am-6pm - This part will take place at our Greenpoint shop! During this time we will cover all of the bag construction. All fabric must be cut and ready to sew upon arrival. 

In this hybrid virtual/ in-person workshop, you'll learn how to:

• Follow a commercial bag pattern

• Work with heavyweight fabrics

• Install a zipper

• Create interior and exterior pockets

• Install bag hardware including triangle rings, strap sliders, and swivel hooks

• Make a lined backpack from start to finish

• **Please note: we will not be covering how to use fleece or foam with lighter fabrics for this workshop. We will be making the waxed canvas version of this bag only** 

Fabric and other supplies will be available for purchase in our retail shop & on our website at a 10% discount to students.

Required Materials:

Materials needed for class are available to be purchased at our shop in person or online as a local pick up order at a 10% student discount. Please note, within 24 hrs of registering for the workshop, you will receive the discount code for the materials needed. The pattern and materials are not included in registration fee.Please feel free to email [email protected] with any questions about materials! For the Backpack you will need: 

• Buckthorn Backpack pattern - purchase here!
  
• 1 yard waxed canvas for the exterior fabric. We will have more waxed canvas colors available at our shop in late October!  **Please note: we will not be covering how to use fleece or foam foam with lighter fabrics for this workshop.** You can use non-waxed canvas, but may need to add interfacing for extra structure!

• 1 yard lining fabric - Non-waxed canvas, denim, or other heavy fabric. If you'd prefer to use a lighter fabric like a quilting cotton or linen, you will also need an additional 1 yard of heavy fusible interfacing) 

• 16" handbag zipper

• 1 spool of all-purpose sewing thread

• Two 1.5" triangle rings

• Two 1.5" swivel hooks

• Two 1.5" strap sliders

• 4 yards 1.5" webbing

• 1/2 yard heavy fusible interfacing

• Water soluble pen, tailor's chalk, or chalk pencil

• Cutting mat/ gridded ruler/ rotary cutter (Fabric pieces will be cut from pattern pieces as well as rectangular measurements; using a rotary cutter is strongly recommended for quick cutting but sharp fabric scissors can also be used if necessary-- requires measuring and drawing rectangles onto fabric) If you don't have these tools at home, you could book an open sewing appointment here. 

• All other tools (wonder clips, denim machine needles, iron, etc) required for the sewing portion of this project will be available for use at our shop

*Note that hardware colors for the bag will be restocked soon 

Skill requirements: This is a confident beginner/ intermediate sewing workshop; you do not need to have any experience sewing bags, but you must have basic machine-sewing skills and be comfortable and confident operating a sewing machine. Our Sewing 101 class (or equivalent) is a minimum prerequisite for this class. (You can register for one of our upcoming Sewing 101 workshops here.) If you're unsure whether you have enough sewing experience for this class, please send a brief email summarizing your sewing experience to [email protected].

Workshop Details

Date & Time: Friday 11/15 7-8pm Zoom session & Sunday 11/24 at 11am-6pm in-person workshop

Location: Virtual info session via Zoom + In-person at Brooklyn Craft Company, 165 Greenpoint Avenue (here's where we're located)

Cost: $165.00 includes 7+ hours of instruction, and use of our BERNINA sewing machines. Does NOT include pattern, fabric or notions-- All required materials will be available for purchase at a 10% discount. 

All class registrations are final; please view our policy for more information.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Diana Rodgers is a fiber artist and educator who grew up on Long Island and is now based in Bronx, NY.  Since receiving a BFA from The Fashion Institute of Technology, Diana has pursued three creative career paths: fashion designer, manufacturer, and sewing educator. Sewing is the common thread among all three.

Most of her days are spent teaching people of all ages how to sew, but Diana finds time to work on soft sculptures, embroideries, and quilts.  Career highlights include teaching over 1000 people how to use a sewing machine, and selling her products to MoMA Design Store.

Find her work on Instagram @wonderthreads and dianarodgers.com

Special Thanks

Thank you to BERNINA for furnishing Brooklyn Craft Company’s sewing machines. Visit BERNINA online at WeAllSew.com.