If anyone is still interested in debating about bags, bag makers, binding, wobbling stitching and all that, here is the place to do it!

So, if I wanted to learn to make bags, where would you suggest I begin? I'm not very good at sewing, but I'm sure some experience could change that. I just don't know where to start.

By the way, as soon as I have the money, I'm ordering one of your black bags.

Hmmmm...thats a ****ing tough question. Give me a couple hours.

Word on the street is RELoad uses slave labor to make their bags...

Little Asian slaves who hate fixed gear bikes.

My PAC bag will eat anyone else's for breakfast and still have room for brunch, lunch and lupper.

So there.

if you wanna make one your self just go at it... trial and error mixed with looking at the deminsons on your favorite makers website...

ha ha ha ha. They work so fast because they are fueled by hate for track bikes

I spit my coffee all over my keyboard. DAMN YOU!!!!

lol

-ray


I would also like the veteran bagmakers suggestions for noobs. I made my first and it won't be my last. But there is definitely room for improvement.

There have been a few DIY bag-making threads on BF over the last 2 years -- when I made my first DIY bag I started collecting links for bag-making resources (incl. blogs, etc...) here: https://bike.zugster.net/compendium/bag-making-resources. The one that really inspired me was recycled banner golden mean messenger bags (which will find you a bunch more threads if you search for that title).

The "Golden mean" blog entry has a pattern, but as you can see - the basic messenger bag pattern is pretty simple, so it's fairly easy to get into. The very first little bags I ever made I prototyped with newspaper and tape:

Two things I'd specifically suggest doing are: 1) practice practice practice -- get some scrap fabric and make little bags to get a feel for things. 2) Look at any bag you can get your hands on -- turn it inside out, follow the seams, see if you can figure out how it was put together. Nothing beats hands-on research. If you've got some beat up old bag or cheap thrift store thing you can sacrifice, get a seam ripper and take it apart!

Right on! He is completely right. Practice is the most important, also, you should make it your hobby to know everything about every bag company. I am sure that Adam could tell you exactly how my bags are made, and its the other way around. Also, call up some bag makers and just ask them some questions. I (and i am sure others) would be happy to talk bags with you

I started by disecting military baggage its cheap and built to carry weight and be comfortable and when you done you have a pile of 14oz duck or cordura and strapping to turn into a messenger bag backpack pannier what ever you feel like doing

I will also suggest getting an older home machine with a strong motor if you don't already have one older singers with .8~1 amp motors have neought gusto to go throught triple folded seams on thick material newer machins have weaker motors and plactic drive peices if you must buy a new machine singer just came out with a consumer commercial series with strong motors and all metal drive peices
also I would say get some thick needles as well 16 and 18 size work great for most things I hope this gets you going in the right direction

Isaac and I have been talking about a "conference" where we get together and just geek on all things bag making ya know machines supplies and whatnot.
man I need to buy my red star this month eh?

I was just thinking that! This should happen. I have a great facility to do it in! (www.chopchopgallery.com)

And be warned, they look just like adult aged philadelphites making livable wages right out in the open inside the Reload store. I even TALKED to the little girl that made my bag, and even I didn't realize she was only 4 years old until a few days later when I remembered seeing a pacifier laying on the ground.

sounds cool now to get the money together and the time train rides are great I hate flying you guys are all professional with studios and stuff I work out of my cramped 2 room apartment

since this is the bag thread how many of you guys are using 90 or bigger

I'd be interested in some recommended machinery that you all use for sewing the bags. I've can figure out patterns, so it's just the hardware I'm wondering about.

look up a couple posts and you will see I will give a list of models I like
singer featherweight / 201, 15, 99, 300 - these are old models you can find used at a decent price they will push the thicker threads and they are old school home machines that don't take up alot of room
alot of us use juki ddl series industrial machines or walking foot version of such, I use a singer 591 d300ad (aka juki ddl 5550) it is about 20yrs old nad has fallen out of a truck and still works perfect. if you are only making a bag here and there just get and od singer

Needle size or thread size? I'll answer both I use thread from size 69 up to 138, and needle sizes 18 (for 69 and 92) up to 22 (for 138 thread).

Yeah I have found 90/thread to work great for just about everything I do and 16~18/needles I use a little singer quilter machine for aplique and whatnot it just works bette for detail stuff

Yep,

damn now I want to run bigger thread I have to take my machine to a shop and get it a tune up first and change out my blate the hole barely fits my needle and thread now hmm oh well

No, seriously, this is an amazing idea. But it should be in Florida because you folks love the sun and I can't afford to travel.

story of my life I keep saying we should all do it in san francisco or sacto then I wouldn't have to go no wheres
plus we could get all the big guys to show up right

your website says no zipper on the black bag but there is one in the flickr photos?

this hole too big for you cordura jean patching?