I have been having a bit of fun making a "Retro" pack...
Following the instructions in the book "|Mid Moor and Mountain" by Melville Balsillie and Jim Westwood - first published in 1955 (two years before I was born) by "The Boy Scouts Association" (I have a copy of the 1961 reprint hard back) in Section C "How Shall we Do It?" sub section 2 Kit and Gear, I have made an authentic "Retro" pack...
I followed the materials list as closely as I could... from stuff I had kicking around... and the only real substitution is I cut one piece leather shoulder straps as I had no 2" khaki webbing in store...
Now I am not knocking Mr Westwood (who wrote Section "C") but his cutting list and measurements do not exactly match up (if you cut a piece of fabric 12 1/2" wide and fold in 2 1/2" corners you do not get a 91/2" length between the corners...) and there is no mention of seam allowances anywhere ... and just compare the sketch of the bag with the photos - very vague schematic drawings to say the least... but I managed to work around all the minor issues and have a pretty useful and roomy pack - with loads of Real Retro Style!
I used some 8oz cotton fabric (as specified) a mix of buckles - brass and steel - but of matching styles, 2.5mm Veg tan leather, dyed with Eco-Flo mid brown, copper rivets, artificial sinew thread and brass coloured eyelets.
The fabric was sewn with polyester thread and proofed with Fabsil (I had no Mesowax as specified...) I cut a leather lace and cordlock for the drawcord closure.
I am quite happy with the results
Following the instructions in the book "|Mid Moor and Mountain" by Melville Balsillie and Jim Westwood - first published in 1955 (two years before I was born) by "The Boy Scouts Association" (I have a copy of the 1961 reprint hard back) in Section C "How Shall we Do It?" sub section 2 Kit and Gear, I have made an authentic "Retro" pack...
I followed the materials list as closely as I could... from stuff I had kicking around... and the only real substitution is I cut one piece leather shoulder straps as I had no 2" khaki webbing in store...
Now I am not knocking Mr Westwood (who wrote Section "C") but his cutting list and measurements do not exactly match up (if you cut a piece of fabric 12 1/2" wide and fold in 2 1/2" corners you do not get a 91/2" length between the corners...) and there is no mention of seam allowances anywhere ... and just compare the sketch of the bag with the photos - very vague schematic drawings to say the least... but I managed to work around all the minor issues and have a pretty useful and roomy pack - with loads of Real Retro Style!
I used some 8oz cotton fabric (as specified) a mix of buckles - brass and steel - but of matching styles, 2.5mm Veg tan leather, dyed with Eco-Flo mid brown, copper rivets, artificial sinew thread and brass coloured eyelets.
The fabric was sewn with polyester thread and proofed with Fabsil (I had no Mesowax as specified...) I cut a leather lace and cordlock for the drawcord closure.
I am quite happy with the results
You do realise I am now sobbing my broken little heart out now.! I'm just gonna have to try and make one myself . I'll be lucky if it lasts a week with my sewing. Now if you have a pattern for a knitted one......? (Only joking)
