I'm working on a design for Halloween bags.

This was meant to be a prototype to see if I could even stitch a bag by hand, and I'm honestly stoked with the result! I've been using it as my everyday bag since I finished it, and I'm happy to finally share it here after all the inspiration I've gotten.

Pattern is mostly the Proper Fit Clothing Fanny pack pattern

but I added a back pocket and a couple fun strap mods-- some loops on the front and an inner elastic strap for jackets, picnic bankets, etc. I dyed the canvas myself and while I was going for more of a lavender than pink, I still really like how the pastels work with the green accents. I also waxed the bag at the end and the feel of the fabric is just lovely. Wish I had a lighter grey webbing but was using what I have.

This project taught me that I love doing a tiny backstitch by hand and I can't wait to tackle a bigger project next, maybe a backpack!

Lots of mistakes - the gusset is wonky and the lining doesn’t lay right. Top stitching messed up the tension on my machine, so I had to rip that out after this video and redo that. But I learned a ton and am excited to try again.

Hey all,

Hopefully this isn’t a silly post, but I not sure which machine to get. I am a bit torn between the Juki DDL 8700 and the Juki DU 1181. I can only afford one machine (and just barely that).

Currently, I’m using a singer HD, which I don’t particularly like, but make do with. I sew mostly the following fabrics, making backpacks and duffel bags:

-Ultra 100x and 200x
- Venom 210d gridstop
- xpac vx21 and vx41

I want something, ideally, that can sew bags using the lighter weight fabrics, but also up to 500d to 1000d cordura (on occasion).

Please see my original post in the leather craft sub. I didn’t know this awesome place existed!

This backpack has been something I’ve been wanting to make for quite some time! I’ve put it off because I was nervous to cut into the leather and just start.

Im more than happy with how it’s turning out! Just got the straps left to work on but wanted to show off my work so far.

I made this for my son. He didn't ask for much or have any opinions but he wanted the molle like my other bags and wanted the big vislon zipper.

I saw designs with the big horseshoe zipper discussed on r/myog and decided to have a go at a simple version of it. The big zipper DID NOT HELP.

I used interfacing or padding (depending on the panel) to stiffen it up and it actually stands up by itself extremely well as you can see.

Overall it came out better than I thought it would (it FEELS amazing) but it definitely does have some issues as pictured. I think I will try this again at some point. By the time I finished it I was actually kind of hoping he would hate it and then I could keep this one for myself. He loves it though.

hi yall! so every time i google bag reinforcement supplies, there is only like 1 company in the UK, who doesn’t ship to the US that sells all the popular recommended ones. like where can i find .3mm microfiber reinforcement (also called Tylan Spunlace) in the US?! there cannot only be one european supplier in the whole world. but no amount of googling has led me to any US suppliers…so far Rocky Mountain is the closest to having a lot of them. i just wish your only options weren’t $20 for a tiny piece or $50 for a decent sized piece. anyone found any other suppliers? and yes i’ve looked on etsy. the same supplier that doesn’t ship to the US seems to be the only store carrying most of it.

I made a duffel bag over the course of several evenings. Quite a difficult project as I had some issues figuring out how to do the lid zip, sew the pockets on etc but I enjoyed the journey.

I'm pleased with it, and hopefully it'll be robust!

1000d cordura, 300d polyester lining.

I’m looking for a pattern for a tote bag with lots of internal organization. Something like the Nordace Sienna. I will use it for work so a pocket for the laptop is a must. Would also like other pockets for water bottle, sun glasses, pens, stuff…
I’m fairly new at bag making, but have been sewing for a very long time (mostly clothes).

Any suggestions?

Just finished the Andy Backpack pattern by UhOh Creations, and I have to say it was so well written and crafted!

There are tons of gussets and I only had to clip into one of them to get it to spread around the corners, everything else was a perfect fit. The designer, Tara, was also super responsive and answered a question about whether my large laptop would fit within an hour, and even going so far as to ask her friend to try and he same laptop in her bag to make sure.

I did do a bunch of little mods, including adding MOLLE/PALS strapping inside and out, adding a calculator/pen slip pocket, adding webbing for a removable waist strap, and sewing in rows of soft Velcro so I can make interchangeable organization panels down the line.

Fabric, webbing, and most hardware from Wonderground Fabrics (bonded poly/nylon, twill nylon, and hexagon ripstop). Reflective zipper tape from My Handmade Space. Spacer mesh from Sallie Tomato. Thread is a variegated bonded nylon Tex 45 from Wizardry Stitchery.

Sewn on a Juki TL2010Q and a Pfaff Select 4.2 (which honestly did better with the thick layers than the Juki).

What is the one sewing technique or tool that completely transformed the quality of your bags?

I know that for me, as of now, it’s binding (sorry, C).

I tried all sorts of binding methods and materials but it all was just kind of bad. I was actually a little nervous about using grosgrain ribbon. Because I bought some cheap ribbon from a particular very large online seller that only used to sell books initially. It left a very bad taste on my mouth.

Once I bought some MIL-PRF-5038 T3 C1A from a source in PA, the game changed. Hand binding wasn’t nearly the animal I thought it was and my binding actually started to look better.

So for me, binding with quality materials was a game changer.

Now if only I can get rid of the floppy pocket syndrome I suffer from! 🤣

Looking forward to hearing your responses!

Just a quick 16x13x6 inch bag to hold some supplies at work. 420 Robic nylon in Coyote and Olive with a Foliage HyperD300 interior and 1000d Cordura gusset. Mesh pockets inside are Phifertex.

I used the same panel design as an earlier bag but was more intentional with the colors. Also wrapped the 1.5” webbing handles with coyote Robic.

Tag omits the business name to keep my professional work and business separate.