It's not like we need another bag thread (although there could ALWAYS be more pictures, imo. Everything that can be said has been said though), but I finished another DIY bag last night which I'm really happy with and feel like showing off. It's got removable, reversible straps for left or right shoulder, bellows pockets, and a flat pocket along the back for a back pad, or carrying long thin flat things without needing to have the main flap wide open. Still got to finish a new strap pad, but that's it.

Here are all the pictures of this bag on flickr, where you can see them at higher resolution if you're interested.

nice one! they look more and more pro every time.

Are you looking to sell?
I have a friend who is on the lookout for a new bag and that fits almost every criteria he wants.

that's really nice dude.

wow!

He has the link in his signature I believe.

I am also thinking about buying one when I get my new job.

Yeah, whatever man. You're not better than me


Any idea how much a full size bag sells for?

For the full-sized bags, eventually -- I've been having so much fun (well, alongside the frustration) making them that I need some way to fund the habit . I'm selling hip-packs now, but I'm not quite ready to start making full-size messenger bags for other folks yet. Still gotta work out a couple of construction issues and finalize a pattern.

dolface & onetwentyeight -- thanks! I'm pretty pleased with it. It carries a ton of stuff.

Nice work, man. I dig it. I see influences from at least four of the big boys, and they're all the good ideas.

that etsy site is rad. I have a ton of old art I think I'll try selling on there this weekend.

NICE work! You really ought to start a bag business...undercut the cost of some of the other manufacturers, like Chrome, and the days of $100+ for a decent messenger bag will be over!

hey - i'm gonna be in san fran next week and would love to get a hip pouch. think that's possible?

Can't we just call it a fanny pack?
Please.

Good Work, I'd say if you enjoy it that much it's time for you to get a machine. Even if you can't go walking foot right away a used industrial zigzag or straight stitch (you can set the zigzag for a straight stich and zig zag is a fun option to have) will have the power to punch through lotsa layers while keeping tension and other factors stable. Reduces frustration radically and allows the heaviest of materials with reduced risk.

Great looking bag!

pretty.

Yeah, undercutting is lotsa fun til you realize your stuff is worth it and your time even moreso The bag presented is already worth more than a hundred bucks without taking construction time into account.

Yeah, it's funny how much more your time becomes worth when you're making/doing stuff for people besides yourself.

I'd like to see some pictures of your tool bags. I don't want to go the fanny pack route, but a messenger bag is can be too much for longer distances, especially during the summer.

Agreed. I doubt messenger bags would be so expensive if they hadn't become so hip over the past few years. People (like, um, myself) have driven up the demand to where BaileyWorks, Reload, etc. would be foolish to sell their bags for $100 or less. The backordering would be obscene.

Really, the prices from the independents are gold. Example, a standard mag we make = $155Canuckian

47 peices that have to be cut & added to hardware = 63 peices to be assembled into the bag. Materials aside, it's a lot of time even streamlined.

That's with no options or art and already it's a ***** to make. Give flipping his credit, and the indies, even PAC the most expensive base price are charging what they're worth and no more, the prices don't reflect a lot of the design and the 15 years experience PAC builders have.

Word.

I have a much better appreciation of what a good deal hand-made messenger bags are after making my own!

Especially for a fully custom bag which isn't going to benefit very much from pre-assembly (has anyone ever noticed how every Timbuk2 bag made now has a BLACK panel on each side, no matter what the color? Assembly line production -- they make one single complete strap assembly (in China) which goes into every bag).

That looks really good. As someone who sews occasionally (usually just simple things) I really am impressed with the work that must go into designing and making your own quality bags.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/aalpern/tags/toolpouch/

This picture shows what I typically have in one (I also keep my arm warmers and toe covers in there too). They're basically the same design as the hip pouch, but wider to accomodate socket wrenches and mini-pumps. No straps or attachments -- you could strap one to a rack, but not carry it on you. Mine just gets chucked into the main compartment of whatever bag I'm wearing, or occasionally strapped to my front rack.