To all you sewing lot...

I 3d printed my own version of @MrE 's bar bag end device.

Finished. Lined with bunny rabbits.

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Looks good!
It's hard to imagine a CAD / CAM / Textile Technology project that isn't improved by the addition of bunny rabbits.

Wow! Thanks for this. Looks amazing! My attempts have some way to go!

Had a quick read through most of this thread.
Is anyone on here producing good quality courier backpacks?

I lug a lot of stuff by bike (and then use the bag to move equipment for my gigs) and as yet another cheap rolltop disintegrates I'm getting close to investing in something of considerably better quality and would like to support a UK based maker.

If @Black_Rainbow_Project was taking orders I'd be in line, but want to know who else is making.

Cheers

I like Messaker, THLP, and Cargowerks not necessarily in that order. None of them UK based though, so not a particularly useful reply.

I've been following Messaker on Instagram for a while and I really like their large rolltop.

I didn't know THLP and cargowerks so will check them out, thank you.

In London we have Vpaintz, but I think she's taking a break from bag making at the moment.

I really like the ethos of the company, but would prefer something a little more visually understated.

Some good fabric to repair/prevent holes in trouser crotch from cycling saddle rub? Something that isn't going to wear as easily as the cotton on some dickies for general cutting about in the city

Kevlar patch?

Hey, I make backpacks. Message me if you're up for something.

Pretty fucked off about the dealings with the cylinder arm but it runs now. Just waiting for the synchronised binder bits. Also got another exciting delivery today, 75 kilograms of Japanese engineering…

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Unpack it! Show us :)

It goes clunk click wwrrrrrrrrrrr clack click.

Only took a moody shot for the ‘gram it seems.

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I feel your pain. Tramped all over looking for suitable fabric nothing doing. Solution was to hit charity shops and repurpose an old piece of technical outerwear. Got a seamstress to do big patches then handstitched recovered pockets from donor garment on after.

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I have the same machine...it's been a pain in the arse to keep running! 😂
Hopefully yours keeps working correctly.

🤞

Also, still very happy with this one. Must be nearing 15 years now?

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those were the days!😜

Made a new basket bag - copy of a Swift Sugarloaf but with a few tweaks.

I used double sided tape (3M 9482) to reduce the amount of stitching around the zip and improve the water resistance, hopefully it holds up to the elements long term.

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Nice job and excellent fit!

Thanks, I definitely hit the limit of my skills and sewing machine when stitching the corners - wobbly seams and a few folds in the fabric. Overall I’m pretty pleased though, I didn’t have the patience to make a mock up to test the pattern so glad there are no glaring errors.

zooms in

Trying my hand at sewing (bar a very poor attempt at a mini frame bag 2 years ago).

My first project is a phone + cash pouch. I'm trying to sew some fairly elastic ribbon (I believe it's this) on a curve. The prototype is in denim, but the final attempt will be done in VX21.

Below are attempts 1 to 4, as well as a more detailed picture of my fourth attempt. Sorry for choosing the worst colors possible, hopefully you'll still manage to see something.

The relative success of the fourth attempt was made possible by hand stitching the ribbon with a simple running stitch before using the sewing machine (a Brother CS-10).
However, I'm still a bit unhappy with the result : there is still a bit of "waviness" in the ribbon, and most importantly the stitching is all over the place, not uniformly following the curve of the ribbon (esp. on one side).

I think one possible improvement would be to lower the stitch length (I was using a 4 mm stitch length, when my machine can go down to a 2.5 mm I think) so that it's easier to follow the curve, but apart from that I'm a bit lost.
What is the proper technique to obtain a nice curve?

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A binding attachment will make this job easier (although it’s still possible to mess up if you aren’t careful on curves/corners).

Cheap option from AliExpress
https://m.aliexpress.com/item/4001131382362.html?

Nicer option with a hinge so it can pivot out the way when you aren’t using it
https://www.college-sewing.co.uk/folders-attachments/suisei-folders-attachments/suisei-binders/suisei-single-fold-bias-binders.html

Some of the early how to YouTube videos made by Mack Workshop show how to use the attachment.

Thanks! I will see if I can find one locally (I live in France). Is the attachment system pretty generic or do I have to check compatibility with my machine?
And does it help maintain a consistent distance between the stitch and the border of the bias tape?

Didn't know Mack Workshop did videos, I will check them out! Most of the videos I can find on youtube don't deal with technical fabrics and so some techniques aren't super useful (no need to fold the ribbon I'm using onto itself for instance, unlike what seems to be common in "classical" sewing).

The mounting is generic but looking at photos of the Brother CS10 I don’t think it will work. It’s possible you can get a specific binding attachment or foot for it though - you’ll need one that does a single fold of the tape and not a double.

If you can’t find one that works well with your machine just keep practicing and you’ll improve. Your last attempt looks pretty good to me though, sewing technical fabrics on a domestic machine is never going to be easy. As long as your finished items function as you want a few wobbly stitch lines don’t matter too much.

On domestic machines this is your only option and in my experience you're better off doing it by hand, if you want to try it send me a DM and I'll send you mine.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000299512051.html

But the last attempt looks pretty good to my eyes!