Most recent activity
-
Yeah the presser foot on mine doesn't raise too high, but the motor is powerful and the machine easily feeds the fabric through.
Made another one last night and figured out an easier way of sewing the grosgrain around the flap/opening. Before the bag would catch and jam on the extension table. I just took off the extension table and moved the machine to the edge of the table. The bag dangles of the edge and does needs a firm & steady to support it.
-
I use a Husqvarna, its very sturdy and well made. I bought it new for about £300. Its a good little machine and is able to sew through multiple thick layers. Only downside it the horizontal arm is a bit on the short side making it difficult to squeeze the through larger bags.
Bernina are the best domestic machines available. I'd get a used Husqvarna or Bernin, both are Swedish. Newer machines are made in China but the older ones are made in Sweden.
-
The magnetic seam guide kinda helped. once I got more confident I ditched it.
I wondered if the 650gsm tarp would crack. If it will crack anywhere it'd be around the seams.
-
Bagaboo use 350 for smaller bags 650 for the bigger bags.
www.kayospruce.com does a 400gsm pvc at £8 which I'm on the cusp of ordering. I may even use a 500 dernier cordura next time too.
The adjustable blind hem presser foot that came with my machine seemed to sew on the grosgrain reasonably well. I also used one of those magnetic seam guides. I found a suitable guide for an industrial machine but not for a domestic.
I've just about drawn up the pattern in Illustrator and will post a pdf of the specs up soon.
-
I used PVC tarp for the inner and got it from www.profabrics.co.uk. They do heavy weight tarp and its cost about £8 per metre.
www.kayospruce.com do PVC in various weights, but seem to be more expensive.
The heavy weight tarp I used made the bag quite stiff and it was difficult to move around the machine when I came to sew the edging tape around the flap/opening. So I may get some lighter weight tarp for my next bag.
I'm also on the hunt for a presser foot that will make it easier to sew on the grosgrain edging. I can't seem to find one for my husqvarna machine. I did a near perfect job with the regular foot... but it involved too much concentration.
-
Finally managed to find the time to finish my messenger bag project. I didn't find it it too fiddly to make... However the grosgrain edging around the opening & flap was a complete bitch! The bag was too stiff and moving it around the machine was tricky, though I managed to sew it on in stages. Overall I pleased with it, except the cost... its not the cheap to make just the one.
Bag features inner divider and a zipped section with various pockets. Outer pocket has waterproof zip.
Any feedback appreciated!
You could pick up a 2nd hand Bernina off ebay. They seem to fetch anywhere between £100-200.
If you need advice on presser feet your best off talking to someone at a sewing machine shop. Different feet are compatible with different models. Newer machines take low shank presser feet and older models take high shank presser feet.