Urban Change Lab

Your wishes - custom made

custom made fabric backpack with an extra compartment

Custom African Print Backpack for A4

Avatar photo

Isabell Mathenge made Michael a bright, practical backpack for his niece, with thoughtful details to suit her everyday needs. What's your wish? →

View material & custom-made details

This Custom African Print Backpack for A4 was made by Isabell Mathenge for someone who wanted a colorful fabric backpack with a separate extra compartment and enough space for everyday papers. The finished piece is a useful example for anyone considering a custom African print backpack that mixes bold fabric with durable leather details and fits A4 documents.

  • Request: The aim was a bright, patterned backpack in an A4-friendly size, without top handles, and with an extra compartment for better everyday organization.
  • Final result: Isabell completed a soft-structured backpack in a multicolor African print fabric, reinforced with black leather on the base and straps for added strength and longer wear.
  • Design details: The chosen print used smaller, lively motifs rather than large blocks of color, giving the bag a cheerful look while keeping it practical for school, documents, or daily use.
  • Fit and use: The backpack was made with the requested proportions and adjusted so A4 papers fit inside, making it suitable for carrying notebooks, folders, and other daily essentials.
  • Process: Public progress updates showed the selected fabric, work in progress, and the finished backpack, and the final feedback praised the bag as high quality and detailed.
Customer's rating: ★★★★★ “Michael The backpack looks great and very high quality, with great attention to detail - Laura will…Read more“Michael The backpack looks great and very high quality, with great attention to detail - Laura will be pleased!” — Automated Translation (1. January 2021)
custom made fabric backpack with an extra compartment

Every unique piece tells a story. What’s yours?

This design was custom-made exclusively for Michael. Let it inspire you: customize this design to fit your vision or start with a completely new idea. You chat directly with our artisans, and we handle the secure process.

Request a similar designRealize a completely new idea

A request by Michael from Frankfurt, Germany

Hello, my niece would like to have a fabric backpack with an extra compartment like the one in the picture, but without the handles on top and in colorful. Dimensions approx. 40*30*15cm. Best wishes from Frankfurt, Micha

The Journey of Creating Custom African Print Backpack for A4

Negotiation & Planning

Custom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposals

Custom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom African Print Backpack for A4 - design ideas and artisan proposals
Isabell Mathenge (13. October 2020)

Hi Michael
I am Isabel and I would be happy to make the bag for you.
Noted on the kind of bag you want and the dimensions. The fabric I would propose is canvas or Jeans and a bit of leather for the base and the straps..
Please advise the kind of colour you want do you want solid colours or what is your preference?.
Please share your ideas i see.

Regards
Isabel

Automated Translation (14. October 2020)

14 Oct 2020 10:22 am: Michael
Hi Isabel,
we are happy to hear from you!
Laura (my niece) would like a coulorous pattern/figure, I attached some examples she found just for you to know what type she thinks of.
Best wishes
Michael

Isabell Mathenge (19. October 2020)

Hi Michael
I could not get the exact print as per the patterns you have attached. However check the attached prints and let me know if you like any of the colours.

Regards
Isabel

Automated Translation (25. October 2020)

23 Oct 2020 6:03 pm: Michael
Hello, Isabel,
unfortunately I don't like the fabrics that much. I would like the fabric to have more different colours and the pattern to be smaller. It would be great if you could find something like that!
Best regards
Laura (niece of Michael)

Isabell Mathenge (27. October 2020)

Hey Laura

Wonderful to hear from you.

Thanks for your feedback. Please find the attached other options. Let me know what you think.

Many thanks
Isabel

Automated Translation (28. October 2020)

28 Oct 2020 9:16 am: Michael
Hi, Isabel,
I like the fabric IMG-20201026-WA0074.jpg very much! I am glad that you have found some more.
Best regards
Laura

Isabell Mathenge (28. October 2020)

Hi Laura
Your choice is beautiful! I will definitely proceed with this one.

Many thanks for your input already exited to start.

Regards
Isabel

Crafting Process

How to make a Custom African Print Backpack for A4 – work in progress

How to make a Custom African Print Backpack for A4 – work in progressHow to make a Custom African Print Backpack for A4 – work in progressHow to make a Custom African Print Backpack for A4 – work in progressHow to make a Custom African Print Backpack for A4 – work in progressHow to make a Custom African Print Backpack for A4 – work in progressHow to make a Custom African Print Backpack for A4 – work in progressHow to make a Custom African Print Backpack for A4 – work in progressHow to make a Custom African Print Backpack for A4 – work in progressHow to make a Custom African Print Backpack for A4 – work in progressHow to make a Custom African Print Backpack for A4 – work in progressVideo: How to make a Custom African Print Backpack for A4 – work in progressHow to make a Custom African Print Backpack for A4 – work in progress
Isabell Mathenge (31. October 2020)

Hi Laura/Michael
Thanks very much for confirming this order.
I will proceed to making the bag.

I will keep you informed.

Regards
Isabel

Isabell Mathenge (3. November 2020)

HI Laura
I got the fabric today!
Please confirm it is what you wanted before I start cutting the bag.

Many thanks

Isabel

Automated Translation (6. November 2020)

04 Nov 2020 6:36 pm: Michael
Hi, Isabel,
Yeah, that looks great!
Best wishes
Laura

Isabell Mathenge (10. November 2020)

Thanks Laura
I will update you more within the week. I will use this fabric and mix with Black leather to .are the bag stronger.

Regards

Isabel

Automated Translation (11. November 2020)

11 Nov 2020 6:22 pm: Michael
Hello, Isabel,
OK! We are curious about the result.
Best wishes!

Isabell Mathenge (16. November 2020)

Hi Laura
Hope well.
I have delayed with the project but am now ready to finish.
I want us to agree on the final design.
I have attached a backpack design let me know if this design will work for you but of course in the colourful fabric and in the measurements you have given.

If you don't like it please attach more photos of your preference.

Regards
Isabel

Automated Translation (17. November 2020)

Michael 17 Nov 2020 8:51 am
Hello Isabel,
yes, it looks very nice and is exactly what I wanted! I am looking forward to the result!
Best regards
Laura
17 Nov 2020 12:53 pm: Michael
Hi, Isabel,
One more addition: It is important for the backpack that DIN A4 fits in, 210 mm x 297 mm.
Many thanks and best regards!

Isabell Mathenge (18. November 2020)

Hi Laura
Am so glad you like it. Sure I will take the measurements into consideration.

Will update you on production.

Thanks so much for your collaboration really helping a lot.

Many thanks
Isabell

Automated Translation (18. November 2020)

18 Nov 2020 3:06 pm: Michael
Thanks, Isabelle,
we are very curious 🙂
best regards

Isabell Mathenge (20. November 2020)

Hi Laura
Please find the production photos of the bag.
The bag will be done soon.

Thanks
Isabel

Isabell Mathenge (21. November 2020)

Hi Laura
Finally the bag is done!
Please find videos and photos of production and the final bag.

Please check if happy and satisfied I am ready to dispatch the bag.

Regards
Isabell

Automated Translation (22. November 2020)

21 Nov 2020 7:38 pm: Michael
Hello, Isabel,
Laura thinks the backpack is great! Very cool, thank you very much! We are very happy to hold it in our hands soon. A great job!
Best regards
Michael

The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade

custom made fabric backpack with an extra compartmentThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade

Photo © Urban Change Lab · Photographer: Enok Kaye · Model: Natasha Wren

Reference: ON004281E-18880

Cost structure of this project

Price
Cost of material
40.17
Cost of labour
24.1
Cost of packaging
1.61
Local Transport to photoshoot and parcel drop-off
3.21
Subtotal – payout to artisan
69.09
Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.)
6.91
Handling fee Urban Change Lab
6.91
Total (excluding shipping & taxes)
82.91
  • Secure: Transparent ordering & approval
  • Personal: We support you at every step
  • Fair: Direct local value creation in Kenya

Note on shipping & taxes

The cost breakdown above shows how the value of this individual project is composed.

Shipping costs and any applicable taxes (e.g. VAT) depend on the delivery country and the specific setup and are therefore not shown as fixed amounts here.

All additional costs are communicated transparently before placing a binding order.

If you have any questions, you will find our contact details further down this page.

Request a similar designRealize a completely new idea
Category: Tag: , , , ,