Introducing the SUMMIT15 – Our beginner friendly basic mountain or urban backpack sewing guide.
Sew your own commercial quality backpack with beginner friendly instructions. “I can’t believe that is homemade”.
Ultra-sleek and build as durable as you need, the SUMMIT15 backpack is perfect for your adventures. Its minimalist design excels in tight spaces and reduces snag risks. It’s compact size demands efficient packing but rewards with a low profile ideal for climbing. While not designed for heavy loads or external gear, the SUMMIT15 shines in its lightweight, robust construction and versatile use beyond the crag. Perfect for day hikes, biking, or everyday carry.
Features
15 Litre Capacity. Volume is calculated from fabric modelling software for accuracy.
Low Profile Shape to keep out of your way during activities
Simple Design. A perfect building block to add the features you need
Great First Backpack Project. Learn to sew zips and curved panels.
Front Panel Opening with long zip for easy access to the full bag contents.
Gentle S Shaped Straps.Simple, reliable shape and design. For fully featured straps with pockets see one of my thru hiking pack or trail running pack sewing guides
Printable PDF Pattern and Full Instructions
US Letter, A4 and A0 paper sizes
Every step is illustrated and described for complete clarity. No confusing wall of text or half-baked video like you can find elsewhere.
Sew your own commercial quality backpack with beginner friendly instructions.
Not for commercial use.
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Suggested Fabrics and Hardware (Notions)
This is to give a rough estimate for budgeting. The sewing guide provides a complete comprehensive shopping and cutting list and should be used over this.
Links to example fabrics at RipstopByTheRoll provided (USA). I earn a tiny amount of coffee money at no cost to yourself to support more free patterns. See my page on recommended myog suppliers for alternative suppliers
| Length/Quantity | Notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Body Fabric | <1 meter/yard | 210D nylon recommended for a balance of weight and durability. Laminates like X-Pac VX21 or ECOPAK EPX200 can add stiffness. But you could use anything from 70D to 1000D military spec cordura. |
| Liner Fabric | <1 meters/yards | No heavier than 70D nylon needed. |
| Spacer Mesh | <1 meter/yard | Used for straps and hip belts, mainly on the side that touches the body. |
| Foam (optional) | <1 meter/yard | EVA foam with a density of 50-75 kg/m³. Thin foam (<1/8 inch) recommended for ease of sewing. |
| Nylon Webbing (¾ inch, 20mm) | 5 meters/yards | For shoulder straps, haul loop, hip belt, and optional sternum strap. |
| Hardware | As per requirements | Buckles for straps and hipbelt, sternum strap. |
| Binding Tape (1 inch) | 4 meters/yards | Slight stretch binding tape recommended for binding inner seams. |
| Zipper (#5 Coil) | 1 meter/yard | Waterproof zips recommended; use quality options like Aquaguard. Ensure you have two sliders for ease of access. |
| Thread | 1 spool | Use Tex50 polyester or nylon thread for domestic machines. V69 thread recommended for industrial machines. |
