A BAG OF THE MONTH CLUB Exclusive Pattern until 1st January 2026. If you’re not signed up for this season of Bag of the Month, you can join here. From 1st October to 31st December 2025, the pattern is only available with a Bag of the Month Club subscription.
After 1st January 2026 you can purchase this sewing pattern from our website.
Scroll down to see the many amazing bags made by our pattern testers.
What’s Special About This Sewing Pattern?
The Passenger backpack is a fantastic bag for travelling. It’s a big bag and it has a tonne of pocket options, including:
- Two Front Zip Pockets (for your phone etc)
- Two Front Slip Pockets
- Two Side Exterior Bottle Pockets
- Padded Laptop Zip Pocket
- Interior Bottle Pocket Holder
- Interior Stretch Mesh Zip Pocket
- Three Interior Card Slots & Two Pen Holder Slots
- Two Interior Slip Pockets
- Main Compartment Side Zip Access
- Luggage Sleeve for Rolling Luggage Handles
The Passenger backpack is secure for travelling with it’s faffy top access, and rear zip access, making it difficult for pick pockets to get into the main compartment without you noticing.
It also has a padded laptop pocket which is accessed by a rear zip (safe against your back), and fits a device up to a maximum size of 13 ½” x 10 ½” [34cm x 26.5cm].
What’s Included With The Sewing Pattern?
- Digital PDF file with 25 pages of step-by-step photo instructions
- Handy cutting chart and pattern pieces to print at home
- Full video tutorial
- Instant download after purchase
- All measurements are in imperial (inches) and metric (centimetres)
- A0 file for use with projectors or a print shop
What Skill Level is The Passenger Backpack?
This is an advanced sewing pattern. We recommend you have a good amount of bag making experience before beginning this pattern. The pattern includes step by step photo instructions and tips. For more in-depth tips, watch the video tutorial too. Bear in mind that this is a big bag, and it will take a while to cut out all the pieces, and to assemble the bag. I strongly recommend that you follow the interfacing suggestions laid out in the cutting chart. This will make it much easier to assemble your bag as it will ensure you don’t have too much bulk in your seams!
What are the Features of this Backpack?
- Great for travelling
- Loads of pockets if you choose to make them all
- Laptop pocket for a device up to 13 1/2” x 10 1/2” [34cm x 26.5cm] in size
- Comfortable and adjustable padded straps
- Grab handle
- Secure top closure
- Easy access to the main compartment using the exterior zip opening which is against your back
- Optional zip tags to secure the zip pulls at the top of the bag
What Supplies Do You Need?
FABRICS
– Exterior fabric – 1 ½ yards [130cm] 54” [137cm] width
– Lining fabric – 1 ½ yards [130cm] 54” [137cm] width
– Mesh stretch fabric (optional for interior mesh pocket) 13” x 13” [33cm x 33cm] width
INTERFACING & STABILISER
– Medium weight woven interfacing 2 ¼ yards [200cm] – 35” [90cm] width
– Stabiliser (sew-in foam) 1 ¼ yards [125cm] 20” [50cm] width
ZIP TAPE & OTHER NOTIONS
– Zip tape and five zip pulls 54” [138cm] No.5
– Webbing (grab handle & straps) 66” [168cm] 1” [25mm] width
– Paracord (optional for zip safety cords) 36” [92cm] 1/8” [4mm] width
– Wide elastic (optional for interior bottle holder) 6” [15.25cm] 1 5/8” [4cm] width
– Thread (suitable to your machine. I use polyester Saba Tex 40 thread)
HARDWARE
– Strap sliders or buckles (front strap closure) 2 x ¾” [18mm]
– Magnetic snap (optional for top closure) 1 x ¾” [18mm]
– Ladder locks (main straps) 2 x 1” [25mm]
– Paracord end caps (optional for zip safety cords) 4 x 1/8” [4mm]
– Bag feet (optional) 4 x ½” [13mm]
– Rivets (optional) 6 x Medium [8mm post]
What is the Finished Size of the Passenger Backpack?
BAG: 17” tall x 14” wide x 4 ½” deep [43cm x 35.5cm x 11.25cm].
The padded laptop sleeve can fit a device up to a maximum size of 13 1/2” x 10 1/2” [34cm x 26.5cm].
The inside of the bag can fit a device up to 15 ½” x 13” [39.5cm x 33cm].
Get Inspired by the Pattern Tester Bags!
Made by Chera Phipody
“This is such a beautifully designed pattern — functional, stylish, and delightful to sew! I made mine with soft canvas on the exterior and waterproof canvas for the lining, perfect for adventures and travels.”
Made by Sandrine, Art’Lequine
Made by Amy, Bed Hog Shop
Amy adjusted the pattern to use side release buckles instead of strap sliders for the top strap closure. She also added a headphones grommet near the top of the main back panel.
“I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this damn thing. You are a genius!”
Made by Andrea, Addie Kakes
“Very cool backpack! I used Mora and wpc canvas for the lining and the print accent.”
Made by Sylvie, Esse R Artisanat
Made by Diane, Gwen n Oli
“I’m so excited to be finished because that was looooong! 🤣💖🧵”
Made by Jo, Country Cow Designs
Made by Sandra
Made by Harriet
Made by Michelle, Barabooboo Designs
“It’s a combo of Plaid Corduroy, 3 colours of waxed canvas, polka dot cotton, linen, and WPC. I also used those plastic luggage feet because I made this one for me and those things will be useful. I switched out the sliders for a double rectangle instead. I find them easier to use than a slider in some cases, and this bag was one of those cases. I tried both and preferred the double rectangle. (I have slight arthritis in my right hand and dealing with the sliders to get in and out of the bag would have made my hands sore faster).”
Made by M Graham Sews
“When you said it’s a big bag, I knew it was by looking at it. I thought, oh I can do this in a day, the sewing that is. Boy was I wrong. But, it was worth it. It’s a great pattern. I really liked how you did the padded straps.”
Made by Nadege
“A great model, complex, but very interesting to make, a very ingenious tutorial.”
Made by Nadege, Lolucana
“I really like this design so much. Thank you very much for allowing me to test this model”
“What an adventure! I’m glad I was able to finish it (it’s clearly very longggggg 🤣). This is really a super well thought out pattern with lots of practical pockets, I love it!!”
Made by Nancy, Lakeside Saks
“I used 1” webbing I was able to use the ladder locks for the front. I love this bag, it was definitely a bit of work but its so worth it.”
Made by Janice
Robert Kaufman Big Sur canvas for the main body
Made by Olivia, Alpine Heart & Sew
Olivia adjusted the pattern to use buckles instead of strap sliders for the top strap closure.
Made by Jo, Country Cow Designs
“My top tip: make sure you follow the interfacing guidelines in the pattern cutting chart. Otherwise, when you come to fit your base at the end, it’s going to be extremely difficult with all those layers”.
Are You Ready to Sew?
This is a BAG OF THE MONTH CLUB exclusive Pattern until 1st January 2026. If you’re not signed up for this season of Bag of the Month, you can join here. From 1st October to 31st December 2025, the pattern is only available with a Bag of the Month Club subscription.
