School Robot Book Bag

These bags are perfect for children to take on holiday or to school, evening or weekend clubs. Make them with your kids this summer so they’re back-to-school ready in time for September. The best thing about this project? You can go as colourful or as crazy as you like!

Essentials

Fabric: cotton, a variety of colours; printed
Felt, a variety of colours Cotton tape, matching
Thread, sewing, matching Fusible webbing

Dimensions List

27cm x 34cm

Stitch a robot bag

Cut out two 30cm x 36cm pieces of plain fabric and two more in printed fabric. Download and print the robot templates and cut out the motifs as indicated on the pattern in a variety of coloured cotton fabrics and felt. Also cut a 16.5cm x 21.5cm rectangle for the body, 12cm x 17cm for the head and 7.5cm x 19cm for the pocket.
Back each robot piece with fusible webbing. Take one plain fabric 30cm x 36cm rectangle, lay each decorative element in place using the image as a guide, then iron to secure following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Pin the pocket in place on the bag and sew along the bottom and side edges. Stitch vertical lines 2cm apart along the length of the pocket, to create slots for pens and pencils. Stitch the mouth details and around the edge of the rectangles.
Take the second plain fabric rectangle and place it right sides together, with the decorated piece, then sew down the two longest sides. Do the same with the printed lining fabrics.
Pin together the two tubes of fabric along the top edge, trapping cotton tape straps in between the two fabrics. Sew along the top with a 1cm seam allowance. Press the fabrics together, then sew a line of neat top stitch along the top, 3mm from the edge.
With the bag turned inside out, sew closed the bottom of the main fabric bag using a 1cm seam allowance. Fold in the seam allowance of the lining to hide the raw edge, then sew closed.