Made a minimalistic backpack from 100% recycled material. Basis for material harvest was an old windsurfing sailbag from North Sails.

Pattern made by my own inspired from an old FJÄLLRAVEN backpack, with the help of Adobe Illustrator and a laser printer.

Sewing machine is a Pfaff 7530.

Feedback and questions welcome.

Hi, I'm planning to make a frame bag as a first timer (also no sewing experience but has a basic sewing machine). I would like to ask
1- Should I go with a simple triangle or work with tiny bottom part. I can't tell how hard it would be or worth it.
2- I also taught removing the bottle holder and making a bigger frame bag but i like reaching my bottle while riding and I really think the one I'm planning has enough space.
3- I'm afraid of bags velcro or straps messing with bare shifter cables .
4- Idk how much fabric that needed.
I really appreciate any other advice thank you!

In the States, everything is available. Here, some things are more available. Tank bags, nope.

I finally made one and feel pretty good about the results. It is not perfect, but it is a wing it design based on one I had many moons ago in the States.

I will enjoy opinions and/or suggestions.

R/JG

I have a pair of down booties (purchased) that I wear when camping, but when I'm in my hammock, the insulation just crushes under my heel and is ineffective. I've had aspirations of making my own booties, and have been thinking a lot about materials. Even if it's somewhat heavier, is there a better insulation option that won't crush so much?

Sadly my 10 year old Arcteryx jacket suddenly fell apart from a few seams.
I sent an inquiry to Arcteryx repair service but they didn’t want anything to do with it: “Unlike 3-layer GORE-TEX products, repairing components to used PacLite fabric will simply not bond effectively. Given the superlight fabric and associated design priorities of this material, we do not have any available repair options that we can guarantee.
Stitching can fix some areas but the result will not be waterproof so restoring the product to its original state and function is not possible.”

Other than the lower seam forming the cord channel only the chest pocket seam needs fixing.
I was thinking about just stitching the lower seam and taping it to get some more waterproof.
The pocket seam probably is best to be glued/taped I guess.

What kind of tape/glue should I look for?
Probably a finer (polyester)thread and needle would be better option for sewing.

Hi, as mentioned in the title, I have this issue with the suspended edge roller I received today. I bought it thinking it would be useful for sewing watch straps, but I’m a bit disappointed. The guide touches the feed dog on the right side. Is there any way to fix this?

Thanks.

My original plan was to make a "side car" for one of the vestibules, but my dog likes to sprawl out when sleeps, so I made a larger inner instead. The layout is similar to an X-Dome 1+ with the inner expanding to fill one of the vestibules. There is a velcro opening in one of the end panels for the pole to pass through and a reinforcement patch where the handle of the pole sits on the floor. I used 1.6 oz HyperD PU4000 for the floor to provide extra protection from my dog's nails and 0.67 oz noseeum for the walls. Total weight is ~475g after seam taping.

We used it for the first time on a 6 day trip a few weeks ago and it provided ample room for the two of us. For reference my dog is 65lbs and quite long. In hindsight, I could have saved some weight and gone with a lighter fabric for the floor because the Thinlight pad my dog sleeps on doubles as floor protection.

On a side note, I have one of the original Drop branded tents and it uses YKK LB-RC 15mm side release buckles to clip the inner tent to the fly at the peaks. If anyone has suggestions for where I could source them (I'm in Canada) or for a buckle that might be compatible I would appreciate it.

(Dog tax included at the end.)

Discovery Fabrics (Canada)

EDIT: Apparently the US government just delayed this to January 2027. We are in the process of confirming, so sorry for the false alarm. They have not yet updated the Customs and Border Patrol site

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Temporary Suspension of Shipments to the USA

We are once again pausing shipments to the United States.

Friday, October 16, 2026, will be the LAST DAY to place orders for U.S. delivery.

Currently we ship daily to USA, and many of the fabrics are not subject to any duty. Pretty much all Polartec fabrics, Primaloft etc) if there is any tariff, it is calculated in the shipping cart and paid upfront, and we submit it to the US government. No surprises.

However …

Beginning October 22, 2026, the U.S. government will require more detailed documentation for parcels entering the country. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with its partner government agencies, will require electronic certificates for many products shipped through the postal system.

Unfortunately, the necessary documentation requirements and procedures for submitting this information are not yet available.

Until further notice, we must temporarily suspend shipments to the United States. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work towards meeting the necessary requirements to resume shipping to the USA.

Thank you for your continued support. We apologize to our loyal customers.

I am in the market for an industrial flatbed walking foot machine. I’ve been looking at the Sailrite Fabricator, a Juki 1541s, or Juki 8700 series. Does anyone have any specific recommendations? I’m primarily making bags and other gear.

I have hit the limitations of my consumer machine in terms of materials and thickness.

I recently purchased a bit of Ultra TenX and X-Pac UX10 to play around with.

I really like the color of the TenX. It's very saturated and rich. The TenX is also easier to sew and bind compared to the UX10 because it's a bit stiffer and doesn't crumple quite as easily.

I will say that the UX10 is harder to cut. I found that I could cut the TenX with a razor in one pass. The UX10 took multiple passes... Sometimes 3 or more. The primary fabric of the UX10 cuts easily, but the x-grid just didn't want to cut sometimes.

Both crease easily and permanently.

Anyway... They're both pretty cool fabrics. I whipped up a couple of different wallets, and I'm planning to make a day pack one of these days. I like the red and white and will probably use some combination in the pack.

What other items would make sense to make with this stuff?

I decided my Janome HD9 QCP is a great machines but after 5 months I'm trading it in for this beauty.

Who here uses the Juki 1541S and what are some tips/advice that would help make my experience exceptional?

Any YouTubers I should watch for this Juki?

Accessory recommendations?

Thanks!

I decided my Janome HD9 QCP is a great machines but after 5 months I'm trading it in for this beauty. I'm making heavy leather/canvas totes, selvedge denim jeans, etc.

Who here uses the Juki 1541S and what are some tips/advice that would help make my experience exceptional?

Any YouTubers I should watch for this Juki?

Accessory recommendations?

Thanks!

I love my Topo bag, but I’d like to swap in a wider strap (2”). Any places sell hardware similar to this?

So, I took it further. I used an old canvas duffel to make "duster flaps." I'm currently hemming them in with grommets, but they're set up as a removable system with snaps. So I can snap them on or go back to the regular m65 profile any time I want. Yes, the tops of each flap are at different heights. The custom pockets on the one side required a work around. That flap fits around the pocket and matches up with the other flap in the back.

Repost of request to collaborate with bag makers.

pic 1 and 2 are current patches, third is former version, perhaps it is indeed too much.

My son and my boyfriend both love hunting. I decided I’d like to make them versatile chest pouches. This is my blueprint for them so far after researching various pouches. This is my first time drafting my own pattern as well. Currently in the process of mocking everything up with paper

The “x” piece is for the back and over the shoulders. Webbing and plastic buckles will attach the back portion to the front pouches. I think there will be removable pouches for both sides I just didn’t draw them both on the blueprint

Wondering if anyone else has made one? I plan to use water resistant/proof cordura. Would regular zippers be alright or would water resistant/proof zippers be a must? Lined is best I imagine?? First gear project.

I working on sewing a set of bikepacking bags. For deciding in material I wanted to try a stem bag out of cordura 1000D with a nylon liner.

My kenmore 158 was struggling with some jamming issues and starting when going through multiple layers. Am I pushing the limits of machine or am I missing something?

Outer fabric cordura 1000D

Thread Guttermann topstick thread spool

Guttermann universal thread in bobbin

Organ Jean needle 110/18

Update: thanks for the feedback. I ended up swapping out the hook assembly and retimed the machine. I also made sure the needle position was very close as recommended by some. At the moment.. it’s working!

——

Hey all. I’m hoping someone has an idea I can’t think of to troubleshoot this.

A few weeks ago I busted a needle sewing through some foam + Ecopak + spacer mesh. The needle ended up breaking my fixed counter knife (Juki 9010-SS) and messed up the timing. I was able to replace the part and got the timing dialed again and it’s been sewing fine except …

When I try to sew through foam + strap layers now, it immediately breaks the needle (keep in mind this was working before the first break). In addition to that, if I manually turn the wheel on this foam + strap layup, the needle thread starts but then the bobbin just doesn’t pick anything and no threading occurs. If I do the manual wheel on just a couple of pieces of scrap material, it works fine.

Could this be the presser foot tension needing to be increased? I’ve messed with tension settings through but I’m sort of spinning at this point.

Other troubleshooting ideas for potential mechanical issues?

Thanks jn advance 🤘

Just finished a new wallet I had done before about half a year ago, but since I used an aliexpress x-pac knockoff for that one, it’s already worn quite a bit.

Also, I recently received some Ecopak 600 in Multicam black, and thought it might look good with this fabric. Which I think it does, I’m very happy with the result.

Edit: I didn’t have any matching cord for the zipper pulls any more, so I had to use this green one in order to avoid using pink cord lol

Im planning on making a waxed canvas messenger bag. Is buying a waxed camvas tarp from amazon, or local hardwars store ne a decent way to get fabric? Local stores dont stock any.

A tarp with bug bivy is one of my favourite solo setups, but I'm thinking that I'd love to make a 2-person mesh inner for camping with one of my kids.

Something really similar to this one from Sea to Summit: https://seatosummit.com.au/products/escapist-mesh-bug-shelter?srsltid=AU7gw4UQCPIsAYzwOAjL-TIXJat9ToPz-Gr5WO6nXOchDWBLpW-2N6hz

I have a 3Mx2.8M Sil-poly Tarp I'd use with it.

Has anyone made one of these before and happen to have a decent pattern setup? Or could direct me to one. I'll jump on Sketchup if not.

Thanks heaps.

First real project using cool fabrics from RTBTR. Took inspiration from the Sockdolager throw bag for the shape and then made it a little more beginner-friendly to make. Has 70ft of polypro rope in it. Gave the two white ones to my packrafting buddies and kept the yellow.
2nd project was the learnmyog tech pouch. Want to get into making backpacks but a little hesitant with my Singer HD.
Thanks for all the great inspo posts in this sub - I’m loving the MYOG community 🤘

This might be my favorite pattern that I've come up with. It comes together relatively easily and the pack is a really nice functional size.

Once I get my new shop up and running, this is going to be the pack that I am going to have students make in the shop for their first project.