*Edit* The call for pattern testers is now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted the form and expressed an interest to test the pattern.

My backpack pattern, the one I announced almost a year ago, is almost finished! I know, it took way too long to get to this point, and even though I have a few good excuses, I won’t bore you with them.

While I’ve completed some initial testing with the pattern, I want to open up testing to some of my readers who are interested in making a roll top backpack. The finished pack is approximately 16.5″ tall, 11.5″ wide, and 5″ deep. It features a front zipper pocket and flat patch-style pockets on the sides. The lining also has several pockets to keep things organized. Keep in mind that this is an unstructured pack, so it’s not necessarily ideal as a long trek through the jungle or technical mountaineering kind of pack, but it’s perfect for an every day tote, weekend get-away, or airplane carry-on.

Initially the pattern will be offered as a pdf. download. Once I have your contact information, I will e-mail each tester a pdf. with the pattern and instructions. Please note that the pdf. will need to be printed and pieced together.

roll top backpack sketch

Farbic requirements
(1) yard at 60″ wide for the exterior of the pack.
(1) yard at 45″ wide for the lining.

Hardware requirements
(2) 1″ snap hooks
(2) 1″ D-rings
(2) 1″ slides
(4)  yards 1″ wide medium-weight webbing
(1) 9″ zipper

If you are interested in testing the pattern, please fill out the form here. {closed}

The form has questions about skill level and how long you’ve been sewing. If you are a beginner, or haven’t been sewing for very long, this is perfectly fine as I’d like a variety of perspectives. If you have never sewn anything before, this pattern probably isn’t for you, but my hope is that a determined beginner (someone who is familiar with their sewing machine, has completed some basic projects, and knows some common sewing terms) could handle this backpack.

I hoping to have the testing phase finished by September 1, two weeks from today.

I have learned a lot through this process, but also realize that I have a lot more to learn, and I am open to honest and constructive feedback regarding the pattern and instructions. Taking time from your busy lives to help me test the pattern is something I greatly appreciate. Each tester will receive the final version of the pattern.