Messenger / Courier Bags List

It's not always the same stuff.
That's like saying a colnago is made from the same stuff as a raleigh mustang.
The base fabric can be different...either polyester or nylon...it can be a different strength weave too.
The PVC coating also varies in thickness and quality and also comes in different finishes which can affect the suppleness of the finished fabric.
That's why different companies state different weights for their liners.
Truck tarp sidings are usually far heavier weight than a lot of bag companies use...for example, chrome liners are thinner than reload liners.
That's why the sign fabrics are usually easier to sew.

If u looking for some diy easy to do, easy to sew, truck tarp is just mental, no home sewing machine would take that kind of beating. I know, I broke a brand new SINGER! (luckily from argos... so they changed).. all to do with the amount of pressure on the stitching. I think you scott are ahead of 99% of the rest of us when it comes to this business... I´m trying to have people NOT doing my mistakes. Think modest, achieve big.

I fully agree...if you want to make proper, strong, long lasting bags you need the proper kind of machine.
I'm just giving people info on where to get the proper materials to make a long lasting bag...but as you say, if you don't have a machine that's up to the job, then you're gonna have to sacrifice the longevity of the bag a little by using thinner fabrics.
One thing worth noting though is that a regular sewing machine can still get through fairly thick layers so long as you use the thickest needles you can fit in the foot, and 'walk' the needles through really thick parts by hand.

so what kind of machine do use scott? i've been sewing everything i do by hand as i'm scared of these machines, might invest though, would want something strong for the long term..

most modern home machines are plasticy crap - better off getting an old basic machine with a decent motor or if you have room an industrial machine.....

plenty of decent old machines around for cheap - I picked up my Husqvarna off freecycle...

I use a seiko twin needlebar knockout walking foot industrial machine.
I'm actually selling my seiko single needle industrial machine at the moment....go check it out in the classifieds.

Perfect for all you budding bag makers. :)

SINGER 4220

I used this (broke one as well!), it´s my gf´s, she´s doing fashion design. It works fine with the sort of materials I was using, but getting to the straps u start feeling it´s all too dodgy. EVE with heavy duty Brothers it can go wrong.... i must be the biggest murderer when it comes to sewing machines.

I use a seiko twin needlebar knockout walking foot industrial machine.
I'm actually selling my seiko single needle industrial machine at the moment....go check it out in the classifieds.

Perfect for all you budding bag makers. :)

If I wasn't about to move to Australia I'd be buying this off you. Will have to get something similar when I get there (and remember to allow space for it in my new, not yet designed, workshop). :^)

for what it's worth to anyone, I just got hold of a bagaboo workhorse pro from someone on here for a good price. My previous bag was pretty poor quality in comparison and after carrying a shit-load of groceries round the town yesterday I can say that even for non-messengers, if you ever carry large/heavy loads the difference that good padding and the extra over-shoulder strap makes is quite amazing. Normally that weight would have been really uncomfortable and destabilising but in a well designed bag it really didn't feel that heavy and was stuck to my back rather than flapping round. I can't claim the bagaboo is the best in the word because I haven't tried many "pro" bags, but I'd certainly recommend it.

bagaboo are meant to be very good, i would still op for a archies grobag though all the way :)
scott - what do you use for the erm like the lining bit of the outside of stuff, sorry cant explain well, the sort of black stuff you sew all around the edges

bagaboo are meant to be very good

Unless you read moving target...

what?

managed to find some bright orange tarpaulin at the local market for £3 a meter (only 1m wide tho)
1.5x1m seems to weigh about 1kg so seems reasonably tough...

I think anyone who hasnt made a bag completely underestimates the amount of work involved in making one. What is in theory a simple pattern becomes vastly more complex when you start having to add pockets/ webbing/ padding/ straps etc etc along with having to seal seams, hem and bind the edges...

Reckon that I have already spent 24hrs on this bag and its only half done....

obv I aint a pro and am therefore slow - but if you are custom making bags then you cant assembly line alot of the work anyway so its still gotta be pretty slow going

what?

Quite a few couriers have had massive problems with bagaboo bags.The straps,especially the main cross-strap,fray easily and the big clip that holds it together at the front is not very strong.I've seen one that's held intact with fucking zip-ties!
They are not a heavy duty work bag IMHO but may suit a commuter.

I think anyone who hasnt made a bag completely underestimates the amount of work involved in making one. What is in theory a simple pattern becomes vastly more complex when you start having to add pockets/ webbing/ padding/ straps etc etc along with having to seal seams, hem and bind the edges...

Reckon that I have already spent 24hrs on this bag and its only half done....

obv I aint a pro and am therefore slow - but if you are custom making bags then you cant assembly line alot of the work anyway so its still gotta be pretty slow going

Afuckingmen to that!

danb, which market?

For those of you without the resources/money/access to tarp and water-proof materials for bag making, what about buying a couple of IKEA bags, £1 each and big enough to cut up and get enough material for the lining/outer of a large messenger bag. It could work maybe? Even if the material was doubled up for extra piece of mind. I've been using IKEA bags for heavy items and laundry and in two years I've not had any of the bags degrade or break. Even the handles could be recycled as they are surprisingly strong.

IKEA's started doing smaller versions of the big blue bags now, so possible pannier bag liners?

I don't make bags, so if the suggestion is cack, sorry!

Afuckingmen to that!
i have started to make a small saddle bag for pump tyre levers etc, christ does it take a while im just making a prototype at the mo to see what sort of shapes i want, i mean im half done but its taken about and hour and a half so far! but ive never sewn before so. . .

keep up the good work DIYers!

keep up the good work DIYers!
Keep up with the good bags scott, maybe one of us will be able to get on this list in a few years :O i can now only just try and understand the work that goes into your bags! i can see why it takes so long, do you mind me asking how many hours it roughly takes you to make one? (say, a marlon?)

danb, which market?

St Nics's Market in Bristol

would just like throw in my two pence and say that Timbuk2 have possibly the nicest and most helpful customer service I've EVER experienced.

Bought an xl courier bag a year ago and recently two of the velcro tabs came off - I sent a photo to timbuk2 and they immediately gave me store credit for a new bag - no receipts, no warranty nonsense and no headache.

I have mixed feelings about the bags, but they are comfortable enough, super waterproof and pretty tough.

I just wish that Apple, Barlcays and Vodafone customer service could be that good!

just drawn out, cut out and sewn up my first pattern on a scrap sign (not tarp, bit stiff).

it fucking works, so happy.

just waiting for cordura, straps and clips to arrive today or tomorrow.

everyone do this, it's fun and challenging, and you get a custom bag a the end of it.

This thread is useless without pictures... :^)

i know, i'm without digicam atm. i like how this thread has transformed from a selection of courier bags to buy, to DIY.