5 Cool DIY Backpacks That Are Functional & Frugal

5 Unique DIY Backpacks That Will Make You Stand Out

How many times have you seen someone with the same backpack as you? Depending on which brand you have, it could happen extremely often. So many people are buying similar bags!

If you’d rather stand out a bit and showcase your creativity, why not make your own backpack instead? When you make your own, you can customize it however you want and you can make something completely unique. To get your creative juices flowing, here are 5 fun DIY backpacks for you to check out.

1.  DIY Drawstring Backpack

This simple DIY drawstring backpack is a bit small, but it’s great for carrying around the necessities. You can completely customize this one as well with your own materials! I think this would make for an awesome gym bag.

Supplies:

• Sewing Machine
• Matching thread
• Two 12x 14 pieces of cotton fabric
• Iron on Adhesive
• Handful of Pins
• Craft Felt
• Two 58” pieces of cording
• Safety pin
• Scissors
• Iron

MAKE THIS PROJECT!

2.  DIY Beach Backpack

This beach backpack DIY is simple and quick, and so cute! It uses a drawstring to close as well, making everything inside the bag easily accessible.

Supplies:

• 1/2 yard main fabric
• 2/3 yard lining fabric
• Sewable, fusible web such as Heat ‘n’ Bond Lite
• Disappearing ink fabric marker
• 2 yards of ribbon or drawstring

MAKE THIS PROJECT!

3.  DIY Slouchy Backpack

If you’re looking for a simple, neutral backpack that you can pair with all sorts of different outfits, this could be your go-to. It’s very plain but at the same time, it’s really eye-catching.

Supplies:

• Heavy linen fabric -1/2 yard
• Cotton fabric – 1/2 yard
• 2 yards Cotton Rope 3/8 Inch Diameter
• 8″ – 1-1/4″ Medium Heavy Weight cotton webbing (or you can cut strips with the linen fabric folded two or three times to make it sturdier)
• Dritz Extra-Large Eyelet Kit – Nickel
• Sewing machine / scissors and/or Rotary Cutting Kit / matching thread / few drops of  E6000® glue / hammer

MAKE THIS PROJECT!

4.  Tribal Print Backpack

This DIY backpack was originally made from a pillow! How cool is that! Don’t worry though, you don’t need to sacrifice one of your own pillows to do this DIY, some store-bought fabric will do the trick.

Supplies:

• Free template
• 30” x 20” Heavyweight fabric
• 12” x 15” Costume pleather
• 12” x 15” Felt
• 2.5 yard 1” Nylon webbing
• 1 yard Drawstring
• 2 Plastic adjusters
• 1 Buckle
• Black thread
• Pins
• Chalk
• Scissors
• Iron
• Sewing machine

MAKE THIS PROJECT!

5.  Denim Backpack

This is such a great way to recycle old jeans! Or, if you don’t have any old jeans lying around, you can head to the thrift store and make this backpack for cheap!

Supplies:

• An old pair of jeans
• Zipper
• Sewing machine, thread, pins, etc
• Fabric paint (optional)

MAKE THIS PROJECT!

Conclusion

Backpacks are really expensive these days! Sure, they might have some nice features like a laptop holder, but is it really worth over $100 for a backpack?

Plus, you’re carrying around your backpack almost every day. Shouldn’t it have a bit of your personality attached to it? It should showcase who you are!

These DIY backpacks let your creativity shine and you’ll appreciate something you made yourself so much more than something you just bought. Also, everyone is going to be jealous of your new extremely unique bag.

Let us know which DIY backpack project is your favorite in the comments below! I really like the denim one!

More DIY Projects:

• 5 Creative DIY Chokers
• 5 DIY Poncho Ideas That Look Great
• 5 DIY Bathrobe Ideas for the Whole Family