[Straza]

Anyone a master tailor and makes your own gear? I am novice threadhead and have done a few altercations to packs in the past but I am looking to chat with a few people who know the in's and out's of making a pack/bag/pouch from scratch.

Feel free to discuss fabrics, thread types, and machines!

 

[dmac27]

Not exactly what you are looking for but this guy has some good ideas about the Alice Pack.

http://davesworkbench.com/alice.html

 

[Jaba1017]

Anyone a master tailor and makes your own gear? I am novice threadhead and have done a few altercations to packs in the past but I am looking to chat with a few people who know the in's and out's of making a pack/bag/pouch from scratch.

Feel free to discuss fabrics, thread types, and machines!

I would be interested in this as well. I've made a number of bandoleers, ammo pouches, and bags but they are pretty primitive. I don't sew so I use water proof fabric glue and bolts. Usually the fabric store will have left over canvas material for sale for a few dollars for a yard x 60 in remnant.

Here is an example of a shotgun bag I made.

Here are some ammo pouches

 

[Straza]

Sewing is pretty easy i got my first machine in July and have been going crazy ever since. I never thought I could hem jeans but it really wasn't that hard. Now to packs and such I know it is a tad more difficult so I am hoping we can get a few people who know what they are doing to guide us peons through the process..

Here was my first project, adding a MOLLE system to a civi pack so I could add a TAD OP1 pouch

Also did the same on the inside for more attachment possibilities

Final product of it mounted, I love the way it looks!

 

[Thedishdoc]

Check out this site. It has all the info you need.

http://diytactical.com/blog/


http://www.diytactical.com/forums/

 

[rickb223]

Anyone a master tailor and makes your own gear? I am novice threadhead and have done a few altercations to packs in the past but I am looking to chat with a few people who know the in's and out's of making a pack/bag/pouch from scratch.

Feel free to discuss fabrics, thread types, and machines!

Blue Jeans Possibles Bag

http://www.castbullet.com/makeit/pbag.htm

 

[Straza]

Thanks for all the links guys, but I was hoping to have more of a community here. While the links are useful I do not like the diytactical forums, I like these forums

So if we could stay closer to the topic and post personal experience about making bags and such

 

[cleatis]

Most of the stuff I have done has not been so elabrate as what I think you are looking for but one thing I used in a few projects that I think help is stuff called TRYCO. pronounced tree-ko. Look inside a ballcap at that white stuff in the front that makes it kinda stiff. Thats it. Had a local hat factory close by and got it from them. It works great for helping keep side panels ridged in packs and things like that. I bet you can find it at any GOOD fabric store.

 

[rickb223]

So if we could stay closer to the topic and post personal experience about making bags and such

Well, since the balloon hasn't went up yet, I buy commercial when at all possible.

They have access to better.thicker material, and a machine sews tighter than I ever could.

Sorry. No experience.

 

[Straza]

Well, since the balloon hasn't went up yet, I buy commercial when at all possible.

They have access to better.thicker material, and a machine sews tighter than I ever could.

Sorry. No experience.

Even more the reason to learn how to do it now

 

[Straza]

http://www.geraldschwartzinc.com/

Here is where I plan on buying supplies, they have all military grade fabric, thread, webbing, and buckles...I just need some cash for the first big order!

 

[Straza]

No resident master tailors? I find that hard to believe!

 

[rickb223]

Even more the reason to learn how to do it now

Trust me. I'm trying. Still can't get every stitch as tight as a machine.
The Tippmann Boss.
http://www.tippmannindustrial.com/p...id=29&osCsid=8c8437e984fe5e481225dcf195a45e9d

Sew through Leather, up to 3/4" Thick.
This machine will also sew nylon, canvas,
urethane, plastic, sheepskin, etc.
No need to worry about cords, outlets or
mechanical hook-ups because this machine
is designed to be completely self sufficient. (Boo-Yah! Post-apocalypse!)
A Simple pull of the handle is all it takes
to start stitching.
The Tippmann Boss Leather Sewing Machine
completes a precise lock stitch with every
pull of the handle.
The Tippmann Boss is fully adjustable on
stitch lengths, thread sizes, needles, tension, etc.
You can count on the Boss to deliver accuracy
and consistency on every stitch.

 

[Straza]

That thing is massive! I do not sew much leather but I could see that being quite handy on a farm or ranch.

 

[Patriotmine]

Trust me. I'm trying. Still can't get every stitch as tight as a machine.
The Tippmann Boss.
http://www.tippmannindustrial.com/p...id=29&osCsid=8c8437e984fe5e481225dcf195a45e9d

Sew through Leather, up to 3/4" Thick.
This machine will also sew nylon, canvas,
urethane, plastic, sheepskin, etc.
No need to worry about cords, outlets or
mechanical hook-ups because this machine
is designed to be completely self sufficient. (Boo-Yah! Post-apocalypse!)
A Simple pull of the handle is all it takes
to start stitching.
The Tippmann Boss Leather Sewing Machine
completes a precise lock stitch with every
pull of the handle.
The Tippmann Boss is fully adjustable on
stitch lengths, thread sizes, needles, tension, etc.
You can count on the Boss to deliver accuracy
and consistency on every stitch.

I know what I want under the tree next year. Too late for this year unfortunately.

 

[survive]

I haven't made any bags from scratch, but I have customized my hiking bag by adding extra straps etc. I bought myself and old treddle Singer Boot Patcher

Beautiful machine. Unfortunately, as I am in a temporary place right now, the machine is in storage. I am reminded that I still need to purchase a few replacement parts for it. The bobbins wear after a while and it makes the unit skip stitches.

Totally non electric - beautiful.

My mom has an really old treadle sewing machine that she brought from Germany 35 years ago. Still works great.

Not sure exactly what you are looking for, gear wise, but here is a site with some plans for gear.
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html
The links are at the left side of the page. The page set-up is a bit different, but there's some good stuff here.
Here's an example bag for which they have plans.

 

[m47dragon]

I've been experimenting, making my own mag pouches for concealed carry applications. I'm using automotive seat belts that the local towing company lets me cut out of the wrecks in their yard. Kind of designed off of a folding pocket knife case that fits on a belt only parallel with the belt rather than perpendicular.

 

[FarmGirl]

Old Treadle sewing machines are real strong can sew several thicknesses of material. They are a real favorite with quilt makers because they stop sewing right in the corners of a patch. Don't have the over run like a electric machine does. Treadle sewing machines can be hand cranked as well for real slow operation. Many of these old machines can handle the real big thick needles and can sew leather too. But they are not like a boot maker sewing machine, most have flat tables verses free arm so they can't make shirt cuffs very well. F.G.

 

[FarmGirl]

I should have mentioned you can get a used complete operational Treadle sewing machine for as little as $75. Sewing machine heads can be had for as little $10.00, but unless you plan to crank it by hand you will need a base.

Don't try to do any heavy material sewing with any new plastic sewing machine. Find an older metal sewing machine at a thrift shop. You can not go wrong with old Singers or Singer knock offs they are all metal, mechanical, and you can get parts for them. . . the singers anyway.

If you want more than just a straight stitch look at some metal sewing machines that were made in the 60's Phaff, JC Penneys, Wards, Kenmore, and more. They are all electric, but could be cranked by hand in a pinch.

You want a machine that is old school mechanical with no micro chips and plastic like all the new stuff. Sewing with a machine is not hard and they sell books on how to sew too. Oh as a note the owners manual for your sewing machine also show you how to sew sort of too. F.G.

 

[Straza]

I haven't made any bags from scratch, but I have customized my hiking bag by adding extra straps etc. I bought myself and old treddle Singer Boot Patcher


Beautiful machine. Unfortunately, as I am in a temporary place right now, the machine is in storage. I am reminded that I still need to purchase a few replacement parts for it. The bobbins wear after a while and it makes the unit skip stitches.

Totally non electric - beautiful.

My mom has an really old treadle sewing machine that she brought from Germany 35 years ago. Still works great.

Not sure exactly what you are looking for, gear wise, but here is a site with some plans for gear.
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html
The links are at the left side of the page. The page set-up is a bit different, but there's some good stuff here.
Here's an example bag for which they have plans.

Awesome link! I think I may have to try one of those for an upcoming trip!