Making Stuff sacks

[salan]

All,
I want to try and make some stuff sacks.
Some for stoves/cook sets, and some for things like clothes and sleeping/tarp setups etc.
I am not sure what material to use for these.
Any ideas? It would be great to make some out of leather, but lets start simple lol.
Alan

 

[spandit]

For clothes etc. I'd use ripstop nylon but for cooksets that are likely to be hot/dirty then I'd use natural fibres - like cotton or thin canvas

 

[cowboy]

leathers great for the more traditional look mate. you can easily pick up a couple leather jackets from a charity shop or car boot.

 

[bilmo-p5]

There's any number of tutorials for this on the web; some are better than others. Here is one I like.

To begin with I find it's easier to use an octagon as the base, it makes the measuring and marking much easier and you're sewing straight lines rather than easing the fabric round a curve. Snip the edge of the side fabric to the sewing line where the direction changes.

Proofed ripstop nylon makes good, durable, light bags but can be a bit slippery and awkward to sew. Start off with cotton or polycotton fabric.

 

[Big Si]

There's any number of tutorials for this on the web; some are better than others. Here is one I like.

To begin with I find it's easier to use an octagon as the base, it makes the measuring and marking much easier and you're sewing straight lines rather than easing the fabric round a curve. Snip the edge of the side fabric to the sewing line where the direction changes.

Proofed ripstop nylon makes good, durable, light bags but can be a bit slippery and awkward to sew. Start off with cotton or polycotton fabric.

Follow Ian's advice mate, you won't go far wrong.

Si

 

[Monikieman]

Hi Alan.

Have a visit to your local dump/civic amenity skips. There's usually an old leather settee kicking about. Cut out the back as it's nice and clean and unworn.
Or if you see one outside a house ready to go to the dump just ask!! (wife cringes at that bit)

I've started sewing small pouches by making a tube for the sides. I use evo-stick for the joints.

Then use this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlCd6rvdNnI

for working out the base. I mark the starting point on the base and just hold it in place to the side starting at the seem. Work round to check the size is right. If the mark ends up on the seem where you started then its the right size. If not just trim a bit off all the way round. Then glue and stitch.

I managed to break my wife's cheapo singer from Aldi so I bought a 1953 Singer 201k for £50. Using a leather needle makes a huge difference. If the motor doesn't turn it I turn by hand.

Hope that makes sense and helps.

 

[Samon]

The charity shops down my way have a very poor attitude and like to chagre £20-£40 for leather jackets, regardless of quality/style. So if it were me and I wanted leather I buy a ladies handbag that they sell for about £3, they usually have thin leather but it'll be good enough to make pouches and maybe a stuff sack.

Failing that you could use the leg off of a pair of jeans. Just cut one off, stitch seal the bottom and lace the top end!

 

[Macaroon]

I agree with Samon - trouser legs make for great little sacks for stoves, cooksets etc............I'm still using some I made 20 or more years ago, and when they get wet/sooty/foody dirty, just wash 'em........atb mac

 

[salan]

All great ideas! Many thanks.
Having the 'day from hell' at just now so will 're-read' this lot tonight
Alan

 

[JedKent]

That's a good idea for end of life jeans