Butterick 6072 Pattern Review
My 14-year-old daughter’s store-bought backpack was falling apart, so I had her pick out some fabric and a pattern. She chose Butterick 6072, view D.
Pattern Description: Backpack D: Inside pockets, front and side pockets and contrast straps and loops. All views are lined.
Pattern Sizing: One Size - 13”x10”x4”
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, for the most part. I altered it, so there are a few changes.
Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, although I skimmed through them and skipped over some, then went back to them. I have made bags before, so I knew pretty much what to do.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked that it was so simple and that it was the kind of backpack that my daughter was looking for.
Fabric Used: I used Marvel Retro Smashing 100% Cotton Fabric and black Cotton Twill fabric, both from Joann’s. I’m guessing I used a about a half yard of each. The Marvel fabric I bought was a remnant on sale, so only paid about $3 a yard. Since I used about a half yard, that made it only $1.50. The black twill was about $6.24 a yard, so $3.12 for half a yard. I used a zipper I had gotten from my grandmother’s stash. The interfacing is super cheap, so I made a heavy-duty backpack for under $5.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: When I laid out the pieces, and put a notebook over the front/back piece, it looked like it would not fit. Because of the curve on top, the notebook would be sticking out at the corners. So I added 3 inches to the length and 2 inches to the width. I had to alter all the pieces. This took 3 hours to cut out the originals, draft the new ones, and cut them out.
I also added flaps to the side pockets. I used medium weight interfacing on all the pieces except the gusset and front/back, which I used fusible fleece to make it sturdier. I also used webbing for the straps and loops instead of fabric. I put the back lining on my daughter’s back to measure how long to have the straps since they are not adjustable. I cut them 27 inches.
For the inside pocket, I added a dividing stitch for another section in the pocket to hold a pencil.
Would you sew it again? Yes. It was really easy. It took me 2 hours to cut out the fabric and interfacing, and iron on the interfacing. The actual pinning/sewing took me less than 4 hours.
Would you recommend it to others? Yes.
Conclusion: My daughter said it is about three inches too tall, so next time I will leave it the same height as the original pattern, but decrease the curve at the top. I think it would be a perfect size for younger children. ***update--after my daughter wore it to school, she said it was the perfect size. So I will stick with the larger size.
