Well, I didn't use a pattern. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I took an old ridgerest and cut it up for padding. I cut the padding for the hip belt that raps around the back, and the padding for the two shoulder straps. Then I sewed a sleeve to covers the padding with ripstop on one side and fleece on the other. I then took a sheet of 0.035" thick HDPE and cut it to about the size of the back panel. The HDPE is the frame and is not in a sleeve or anything. I attached the padding to the HDPE sheet with webbing and 550 cord. I then put three straps on the other side of the back frame. I haven't done it yet, but the idea is to sew a stuff sack big enough to carry their sleeping bag and maybe a few clothes and a water bottle. Then the sack is strapped to the back frame. It is kind of like a military alice pack with an external frame, but much smaller and lighter. I haven't weighed it yet, but I think I might cut holes in the HDPE sheet to drop the weight down some. But, it fits them and it can carry their sleeping bags. It is much easier for me to carry the small, heavy food and water, and them to carry the big, light sleeping bags.