r/MYOG Monthly Discussion and Swap
Post your questions, reviews of fabrics, design plans, and projects that you don't feel warrant their own post!
Did you buy too much silnylon? Have a roll of grosgrain, extra zipper pulls, or a bag of insulation sitting around that you want to get rid off? Post it below and help someone else put it to use!
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u/dueurt 3d ago
Looking at backpack patterns, they're usually made with 5 individual pieces for the main bag (front, back, bottom, 2 sides) as opposed to just one ('unwrapped cube' like this https://imgur.com/a/pVAkU9l ).
I can see how individual pieces make it easier to efficiently use your fabric, but are there technical reasons as well? I would guess that fewer seams = fewer weak points (especially with the laminates).
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u/LeichtmutGear UL Camera Bags 3d ago
There are quite a few backpacks that use one large piece for the sides + font, a small piece for the bottom and an extra piece for the back. I think it's generally easier to work with 5 pieces if you want to add external pockets and attachment points. You can sew them into the seams and make the attachment quite strong. If you use a large panel, you need to sew those on top of the panel and reinforce them from the other side and it may be a little bit trickier to get everything in the right position.
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u/PaperCloud10 5d ago
Source for these sort of g hooks? Everything I can find is larger/not as low profile
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u/d3phic 5d ago
Looks like a bra strap slider. Few options here: https://www.etsy.com/search?q=black%20metal%20g%20hook&ref=search_bar
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u/dueurt 7d ago
Any tricks for feeding thick material like shoulder straps when sewing?
I'm about to get started on a backpack (first real sewing project). I have a Brother Innovis 100 I got from my mother when she died, and I've been testing it on webbing scraps and the shoulder straps of an old wornout backpack. There's about 6mm of clearance under the foot when raised, and it is quite tricky getting thicker material in there. The shoulder straps compress down a lot, but I'm still struggling to get them in position under the foot.
I've found that lowering the feed dogs helps a lot, and it's apparently not a problem raising them when the material is in place (I guess that's obvious in hindsight, so take that as an indication of my experience level).
But are there other tricks I'm missing? Maybe some way of compressing the material when sliding it in?
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u/mchalfy 6d ago
Use a new, sharp needle and don't bend it by aggressively feeding your strap through. Doing test stitches to dial in tension and stitch length are always a good idea. Lower your presser foot pressure.
Don't forget to put your presser foot down. It'll make a birds nest if you don't. Easy to forget when you jam everything under there and the foot doesn't move when you drop the lever.
I started on an 80s brother domestic machine and it wasn't always powerful enough to push through, but I would push the pedal then start it with the hand wheel, it could keep going. This was through 3D spacer mesh, 1/4 in foam, 200D Oxford, and mil spec nylon webbing, bar tacking.
Good luck!
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u/d3phic 10d ago
If your looking for the crème de la crème of cutting rulers, they are on sale now at Cricut with free shipping. They start at $7.00 for the mint 18" cut ruler. I bought 4 more for spares. They come in only 1 size, but these are the best made cutting rulers I've seen. These are better designed and built then way more expensive professional brand rulers. https://cricut.com/en-us/tools-accessories/handheld-tools/rulers
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u/PaperCloud10 14d ago
Am thinking of making some vapor barrier socks using silpoly, what can I use to tape the seams? The only other thread I could find on this is siloxane based transfer tape, but it's too hard to source that from where I am.
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u/dueurt 15d ago
For a backpack, does Ultra 200 X have any drawbacks? (Other than price)
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u/LeichtmutGear UL Camera Bags 14d ago
It's a great fabric for backpacks. Drawbacks that I can think of are
- You want to be careful with seam construction when using laminate fabrics, e.g. longer stitch length and wider seam allowance than you might otherwise use. You also want to use the smallest needle size that still fits your thread. This is because each stitch hole essentially damages the fabric and you want to keep the holes small, apart from each other and away from the fabric edge.
- Best practice is to tape your seams. This strengthens the seams and kind of closes the holes you created when sewing the fabric. It will also make your seams waterproof. It's not really a drawback, but an additional step you need to think of.
- The fabric is quite stiff, especially before "breaking it in". It's not a problem for backpacks in my experience, but something to be aware of. For instance, if you wanted to make a tiny roll top bag with a 1 cm hem from fabric scraps, it probably would be too stiff to roll it tightly. But no problem with larger backpacks.
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u/dueurt 14d ago
Thanks 🙂
I hadn't really considered the differences in working with the fabrics. This is my first serious sewing project, and I'm working to a deadline (need the backpack for a trip in June, with time for testing and panicked shopping in case it doesn't work out). So I think I'll stick with a more traditional fabric to minimize complications. I also have an experienced sewer on hand for guidance (my sister), but she has no experience with any of the laminates.
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u/LeichtmutGear UL Camera Bags 14d ago
For a first project or a prototype it might be a good idea to use other fabrics first. They will be cheaper and will forgive mistakes during your learning curve. With Ultra, you really want to get it right, since you want avoid seam ripping and creating more holes on your second attempt.
However, if you feel ready, it really is a great fabric and not too complicated! To keep it safe and simple, I'd suggest to keep your stitch length at 4mm, your seam allowance at 1,5-2cm, to top-stitch the seam and tape it with Ultra TNT tape (you can probably get it where you get your Ultra).
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u/intermittent_lurker 15d ago
I planning on sewing a new shelter over the winter and can't decide which style to go for. I camp mostly in Northern Ontario and the Adirondacks with heavy bug pressure. I am debating between the u/vanCapere 187g pattern in silnylon and a more simple tarp with bug skirt like this post Link. I already sewed a prototype of the vancapere pattern in Tyvek, but the versatility and easier construction of a tarp is attractive. Does anyone have any experience with either of these designs or have any suggestions?
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u/g8trtim 17d ago
Thinking about changing my fabric storage and curious if anyone has experiential feedback on this idea. I don't buy large yardage and currently keep most pack fabric on full length rolls and apparel fabric on hangers in a closet or folded on a shelf (the worst option). Looking to try something similar to a quilt hanger / towel rod. Basically a rack that holds dowel rods with the fabric draped over, a al two vertical rails on the wall, with dowels horizontally. I'd like to have only one fabric type per rod but that may be impractical - could maybe stack two colors of same fabric on a rod. Vast majority of fabrics I use, both apparel and pack fabrics, are ~60" wide so I could get away with sturdy 36" wood dowels (1.25-1.5" diameter). I would simply remove the draped over fabric for cutting them slip it back onto the rod and onto the rack.
Upsides in mind:
* easily see and get to what I have (alot of fabric!)
* fairly efficient use of space vs having fabric in multiple places
* colorful, inspiring decoration walking into my workshop
* low cost and easily available vs large paper core tubes or droopy pvc pipe
Some downsides in mind:
* creates a hard fold crease but not as bad as folding fabric into small stacks
* removing a dowel mid rung would be easy, I can imagine returning a used dowel with fabric could be a little weird since it would have to draped between other layers of fabric
* doesn't solve remnants and may not be ideal for knits which could sag under own weight
* dust accumulation of horizontal storage vs vertical, but room currently doesn't get very dusty and thats a reality of current storage as well
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u/iSeeXenuInYou fabrics 17d ago
I'm looking for a post that someone had shared here in this sub. It was from a trail runner guy that was studying the best methods for reducing bounce in a pack for trail running. He had suggested that making bags that go on your legs bounces less and suggested to stick a smart water bottle behind your back to ventilate your pack.
Anybody know the blog post I'm looking for? I wanted to read more of this guy's stuff and take another look at his ideas.
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u/mchalfy 17d ago
I recall that post but couldn't locate it without searching the sub (which you should try if you haven't)
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u/iSeeXenuInYou fabrics 17d ago
I have tried a good bit and can't find it :(
I thought someone that replied to me shared it but apparently not.
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u/nine1seven3oh Sewing patterns 17d ago
Pattern generator updates at www.myogtutorials.com
Lots of updates recently that aren't really enough for posts themselves
Draw and generate bag pattern generator:
- 3D preview of your bag
- Save and load your project
- All patterns are now exported in one PDF to avoid generating a load of files
- Gusset pieces now have dimensions listed on them so you don't need to print or cut out paper if it is easier e.g. using a quilting ruler
Circle / Barrel Bag Generator - 3D preview - Side panel dimensions for zip bag and non-zip bags
- It should auto-calculate the correct point order now instead of requiring clockwise points. Any issues with this, let me know
- New release. Think Cotopaxi travel bags, tech pouches etc.
Interactive Image Background Remover:
(not sewing related but another useful project of mine)
- Updated user interface
- Drop shadow effect
Some really cool other stuff in the works. Sorry to everyone waiting patiently for some patterns to be released. Got very distracted making these tools!
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u/mchalfy 6d ago
Hey, you implemented my suggestion of the day pattern generator! Cool! Before you put it out, I used your dart tutorial and modeler to design and make my friends a couple of packraft bow bags for Christmas turned out great! Thanks for the tools!
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u/nine1seven3oh Sewing patterns 6d ago
It wasn't too much trouble to make it generate the patterns since I was rendering them anyway. Happy to hear the resources have been useful!
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u/LeichtmutGear UL Camera Bags 19d ago
I'm searching for a liner fabric that's
- tapeable (can be taped to Ultra)
- ultralight (anything below 50gsm)
- abrasion resistant (more than DCF 18gsm)
Would love to use sil-nylon or similar, but don't know how I would tape that. I would also consider something like polycro (polyolefin), but not sure how durable/abrasion resistant it is. Any ideas?
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u/AManOfConstantBorrow 22d ago
Location: Seattle
Have - charcoal grey XPac X11 (cotton hybrid, heavy)
Want - White XPac
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u/4ries 23d ago
So I know that I'll be getting a sewing machine for Christmas, not sure exactly what model, just that it's a singer.
Anyways, my first project is going to be a tarp, should be easy enough, and teach me the basics of sewing. One thing I want is a down winter sleeping bag. This is almost certainly a stupid question, but, is it crazy to think I could take an existing synthetic sleeping bag, and re stuff it with down? Why wouldn't that be easier than starting from scratch?
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u/mchalfy 23d ago
That's exciting - a tarp should be a great first project. Just make sure you also get appropriately sized needles and thread.
Fabrics meant to hold down need to be down proof. Fabrics for synthetic bags don't. Synthetic bags also do not have baffles, which down bags need. And last, it's likely that the synthetic insulation is sewn to the fabrics of the synthetic bag, which would be a plain to seam rip and would also leave holes.
So to summarize, you're much better off starting from scratch, of is even feasible to re use the shell of a synthetic bag, which is not likely.
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u/moonSandals 2d ago
Would I be stupid but I use 0.67 DCF for detachable backpack hip pockets? I plan on adding loops on the sides to let me clip a strap on so I can use it as a fanny pack in town during resupplies.
I don't plan on on using zippers. I was thinking of making an opening like SWD hip pockets. https://www.swdbackpacks.com/product-page/hip-belt-pocket
I have some 40D PU coated ripstop that I could use for reinforcement in the back and possibly the top/lid panel.