Introducing Leader of the Pack!
After many requests for a school backpack, we have created the perfect bag for students — or work, travel, hiking, and more!
Leader of the Pack features a spacious main compartment with a padded sleeve that can hold a binder, laptop, or other device.
A full height, zippered mesh pocket keeps things visible and within easy reach. This section also has plenty of room for books, gym clothes, and a lunch bag.
Consider making a matching Out to Lunch 2.0 and iCases 2.0 for the perfect school ensemble!
A second spacious front compartment offers plenty of pockets in a variety of styles to keep smaller items organized and easily accessible. School supplies, glasses, and personal items each have their own secure place.
On the front of that compartment, you will find a zippered pocket that is perfect for keeping a phone and keys easy to reach, but secure.
Each side of the bag features a stretchy mesh water bottle pocket that is large enough to accommodate even the thirstiest student’s big bottles!
We designed Leader of the Pack with no pockets on the back of the bag, which keeps things smooth and comfortable to carry.
Leader of the Pack has comfy, adjustable, padded straps as well as a sturdy grab handle that can be used for hanging the bag when it’s not in use.
Go big with this versatile, roomy backpack!
Finished size: 18”H x 13”W x 5”D
Inspiration from our pattern testers
Our eagle-eyed pattern testers worked really hard to make sure this pattern is awesome and error-free! Thank you so much to all of our testers for being so generous with their time and talents.
Let’s let their beautiful finished projects walk us through the features of Leader of the Pack!
Jennifer (Instagram: @taughtbymomquilts) made her lovely Leader of the Pack with Tula Pink’s Nightshade Deja Vu line, and did an amazing job fussy cutting the cameo for the front pocket!
We love how Jennifer mixed and matched all four new colors of our Zippers by the Yard to blend in perfectly with this fun, floral fabric.
Jennifer said she plans to use her beautiful bag as a travel/carry on bag, especially when she needs to bring her laptop. She added, "The straps are so comfortable — both the amount of padding and the placement on your shoulders and back when you put the backpack on."
Kathy made this stylish and classy Leader of the Pack using Stonehenge Retro Vibes by Linda Ludovico, Storyboard by Seth Apter, and Yukata by Debbie Maddy.
Fabric choices can completely change the look of this bag, so it is easily styled for anyone. Go wild with bright, fun colors and prints, or tone things down for a more conservative look. Choose fabrics that reflect the recipient’s interests, favorite sports teams, or favorite colors.
Jan made this gorgeous matching set of Leader of the Pack and Out to Lunch 2.0 using Foxwoods by Betty Olmstead, Piece & Plenty by Lori Holt, and Thatched by Robin Pickens.
Jan changed up the fabric placement a bit as she wanted black accents on the outside but not on the inside. So, she used the main and contrast more on the inside.
Expert fussy cutter, Jade of Lovely Jubbly Fabrics, made her stunning Leader of the Pack using Tula Pink’s Everglow line.
Jade designed the foundation paper pieced block that is featured on the front pocket. It's perfect for showcasing a special fabric.
That pattern will soon be available for purchase at her website.
Jade decided to bind the front compartment with her main fabric for a more cohesive look.
We loved this idea, so included pattern instructions for cutting the bias bindings from a variety of fabrics.
Kera made her bright, happy Leader of the Pack with Chalk Garden by Cherry Guidry of Cherry Blossoms Quilting Studio for Benartex.
Kera found that her extra-large iCases 2.0 easily slides into the padded sleeve in the main compartment to provide extra protection for her laptop.
— Tips from Testers —
Kera suggests the following:
- Using a basting stitch first to join the bag body helped make sure everything was in order. After checking everything, I added another row of stitching at a normal length. As Annie says, another line of stitching helps compress the layers and will make binding easier.
- Pay attention to the instructions to add safety pins to mark top and bottom. They are important.
- Don't take out the pins marking centers until you are sure everything looks good.
Kim’s Leader of the Pack looks ready for travel in these fun prints. She used Memories of Route 66 by Alexander Henry and Street Maps by Tim Holtz. We love the look of the rivets and leather zipper pulls!
Nyree made her beautiful Leader of the Pack using Our Fair Home and Love Always by Anna Maria Horner and Rainbow Spice by Sarah Thomas.
As you can see, the water bottle pockets have no trouble holding a large bottle.
Nyree loved the pattern so much that she immediately made another one (below)! This time, she used waterproof canvas and skipped the quilting. What awesome results!
Michelle opted for solid fabric for a timeless look. We love how it shows off her quilting!
For her main fabric, Michelle used Cross Weave from Moda. The coordinating fabric in black with polka dots is Country Rose by Lella Boutique, also for Moda. For the interior, she used Idylwilde by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics.
Michelle took her finished backpack on a trip to Disneyland and said it "worked wonderfully and was super comfy to wear!"
Kristen of Stitch Fabric Company used Tula Pink’s Roar for this fun and colorful Leader of the Pack.
Kristen found ByAnnie's Double-sided Basting Tape especially helpful for this project. She used it to hold the straps in place and to align zippers and pockets.
Kelly used a variety of Tula Pink’s collections for this bright and fun Leader of the Pack. She modified the pattern slightly by mixing and matching the fabrics and by adding bindings to the zippers. Along with the fancy zipper pulls, those customizations give the bag an extra personal touch.
— Tips from Testers —
Kera suggests, “Keep your stiletto handy and grab some small clamps.
They will both be very useful.”
Are you inspired to make your own Leader of the Pack?
To help you succeed, we filmed a step-by-step overview of the entire project in the Add-on Video for this pattern. And the pattern comes with a coupon code that makes the Add-on Videos free!
Be sure to enter your Leader of the Pack in our Monthly Photo Contest for a chance to win a ByAnnie shopping trip!
Introducing Leader of the Pack