How to Sew a Cat Backpack with Machine Embroidery (Free Design Tutorial)
Cat Backpack – Machine-Embroidery Edition (Step by Step)
If you loved the original Cat Backpack pattern shared by Sew Much Ado, this updated version shows you how to recreate the same adorable design using machine embroidery with our free cat motif — while keeping every sewing step, measurement, and construction detail true to the original tutorial.
Materials & Cutting List
The supplies, seam allowances, and cut sizes below match the original pattern for consistent results. Unless noted otherwise, all seam allowances are 1/2″. Key items include main fabric, contrast/lining fabric, Pellon SF101, Flex-Foam (or 987F), a 14″ non-separating zipper, four 1 1/4″–1 1/2″ D-rings, tracing tools, and basic notions. The cutting list also includes zipper gussets, bottom gusset, straps, strap loops, handle, and the corresponding interfacing/Flex-Foam pieces as in the source tutorial :
- To create the base of this project, we’re following the original Cat Backpack Free Pattern designed by Sew Much Ado.
- 3/4 of a yard of 45” wide woven fabric such as cotton, denim, corduroy, etc for the main fabric,
- 1-yard of 45” wide light to mid-weight woven fabric for the contrast/lining fabric,
- 2 yards of fusible lightweight interfacing. 20″ wide Pellon SF101 is a good choice,
- 1 yard of Pellon Flex-Foam (sew-in). You can substitute for Pellon 987F Fusible Fleece. It will give the backpack body, but will not keep its shape as well as Flex-Foam),
- One 14” or longer non-separating zipper,
- Four 1 ¼” – 1 ½” wide D-rings,
- Wonder Tape (optional),
- Basic sewing supplies,
Before You Start (Preparation)
- Cut all fabrics, interfacing, and Flex-Foam as indicated on the pattern and the “additional pieces to cut” list. Transfer strap and ear placement marks to the right sides of the back and front pieces.
- Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of the lining pieces per the manufacturer’s directions (exclude straps/loops for now). Baste Flex-Foam to the main pieces as directed; on at least one long edge of the zipper gusset, baste 1/4″ from the edge to leave room for the zipper.
Step 1 — Machine Embroidery
In the original tutorial, the face was hand embroidered. We replace that step with clean, durable machine embroidery using the free FineryEmbroidery cat motif. All remaining construction stays the same.
Files & Setup
- Load the free “Cat Face” machine-embroidery file into your embroidery machine.
- Mark the center of the front main panel using the pattern placement. Hoop the panel with the appropriate stabilizer (tear-away or cut-away depending on fabric weight). Keep the grain straight and the panel flat.
Thread & Test
- Choose embroidery threads for the nose, whiskers, mouth, and eyes. Make a quick test on a scrap (same fabric + stabilizer) to confirm tension and density.
Stitch the Motif
- Center the design in the hoop and align it with your printed template marks.
- Embroider the cat face (closed eyes, whiskers, triangle nose, mouth). Let the machine complete all color steps.
- Unhoop, remove the stabilizer from the back, and lightly press from the wrong side to relax the stitches.
Steps 2–16 — Ears, Strap Loops, Straps & Handle
Proceed exactly as in the original construction sequence, reformulated here for clarity.
Inner Ears: With right sides together (RST), sew each pair of inner ear pieces (one interfaced, one not) using a 1/4″ seam; leave the bottom open. Trim corners, turn right side out, and press flat.
Attach Inner to Outer Ear: Center each inner ear on its outer ear (outer ear has Flex-Foam), match bottom edges, and topstitch close to the inner-ear edges.
Assemble Outer Ears: RST, sew each set of outer ears (one with Flex-Foam, one without); leave the bottom open. Trim, turn, and press.
Attach Ears to Front: Stitch ears to the front panel as marked, aligning the ear bottom corners with the raw edge of the front.
Strap Loops — Press & Build: Press each loop piece in half along the 5″ edge; open and press long edges to center. Fuse interfacing between center fold and one outer fold, add Flex-Foam, refold, then topstitch near both long edges. Thread two D-rings onto each loop and stitch loop ends together.
Straps — Press & Build: Press each strap in half lengthwise; open and press long edges toward center. Press one short end 1/2″ to the wrong side. Fuse interfacing, insert Flex-Foam, refold, then topstitch near both long edges and the short pressed end.
Handle: Build the handle with the same press/topstitch method (interfacing full length; no Flex-Foam).
Attach to Back: Place strap loops and straps on the back panel per the marks (RS of back to WS of loops/straps). Stitch perpendicular to grain. Let outer corners extend past the curve (normal). Stitch the handle loop RS up, centered between straps. Trim corners past the raw edge.
Steps 17–23 — Zipper Gusset & Exterior Assembly
Build the Zipper Gusset: Place the zipper face down on the RS of one main-fabric zipper-gusset piece. The zipper top should be 1/2″ from the end; stitch 1/4″ from the edges. Repeat for the other side. Press gusset pieces away from the zipper.
Secure & Trim: Stitch across the zipper teeth near the gusset edge to secure; trim the zipper at the gusset edge.
Make a Continuous Gusset: RST, sew the zipper-gusset unit to the bottom gusset at the short ends; press allowances toward the bottom gusset to form a continuous gusset.
Attach to Back: Fold the gusset in half and mark top/bottom centers. Mark top/bottom centers on back and front panels. RST, pin the gusset to the back first, easing to fit; clip 1/4″ along curves as needed. Stitch the pinned edge.
Attach to Front: Repeat to attach the remaining raw gusset edge to the front panel (ensure the zipper is at least partially open). Trim bulk if needed.
Steps 24–32 — Lining, Zipper Finishing & Final Details
Lining Zipper Gusset: Press one long edge of each lining zipper-gusset 1/4″ to the wrong side. With pressed edges facing inward, pin outer and end edges of each lining zipper-gusset to the short ends of the lining bottom gusset (leave a 1/2″ gap). Stitch. Repeat for the opposite side.
Join Lining to Front/Back: Attach the lining gusset to the lining front and back as for the exterior, but use a 5/8″ seam allowance; clip 1/4″ every 1″ along curves. Trim to 3/8″ and press seams open.
Marry Lining & Exterior at the Zipper: With exterior WS out and lining RS out, place exterior inside lining. Pin at zipper gussets, matching the pressed lining edge to the stitch line. From the exterior side, stitch 1/8″ from the seam where zipper meets gusset; repeat other side. Topstitch 1/8″ at both zipper ends.
Final Hardware & Clean-Up: Thread each strap through both D-rings and back through the top ring to lock. Remove chalk marks with a damp cloth—you’re done!
Notes
- All dimensions, seam allowances, and assembly logic remain faithful to the source tutorial; we only replaced the face hand embroidery with a clean machine-embroidery workflow for speed and consistency.
