2 Panel Footbag?

TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 22 Dec 2010 10:26

Well, basically I want to make a 1980's style 2 panel footbag, similar to this one, http://worldfootbag.com/catalog2/showgr ... ors-corner (First one on page), I was wondering if anybody could give me a pattern, or directions on how to make a pattern to make it just a little smaller than a golf ball. I also wanted to know if anybody could recommend a material, and where to get it, im specifically looking at cowhide, I have no idea what needle or thread to get, or how to stitch it together, so can someone please recommend a needle and thread, and a way to stitch for extreme levels of durability, im looking for a very strong footbag that is packed super tight. I would also like recommendation on a filler, where I can get plastic pellets online, what pellets are best, and if I should mix metal filler in to a bag like this, if so will normal metal bb's be fine, a tutorial would be great, and thank you so much

Edit:
To be specific I need the following,
1. Two panel pattern w/ directions to make it smaller than a golf ball
2. Good Filler
3. How to sew it and with what to make it most durable
4. Filling and tying off instructions, only because working with leather must be kind of different.

TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 22 Dec 2010 13:25

Bump?? I kinda need to make it before christmas! lol sorry for rushing

Jiffy · Post by **Jiffy** » 22 Dec 2010 15:08

I'm pretty sure Cod makes two panels, send him a pm. Hope this helps

lotus · Post by **lotus** » 22 Dec 2010 15:16

firstly, it'd be impossible to get anything sent from online before christmas now ... so here's what i'd recommend ...

pattern ... same as a tennis ball [they're easy to find] ... you've simply got to cut the shapes exactly as they look and do it ... with all this asking questions, you are quickly running out of time

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size ... cut two panels and stitch the first one quick and careless ... just get it to a point where you know what size it will end up with the panels you have used ... then make a second one, making whatever changes to panel shape/size that you feel you need to.

material ... get down to your local craft shop asap ... they should have leather [crafties use super soft leather for teddy bear paws, etc : ]. i personally love leather for footbags ... don't get it too thick though, or it will be a nightmare to stitch.

filler ... if you are gonna try and replicate these old bags [which is what it sounds like you are trying to do], plastic would be they way ... but if you want to make it smaller than golf ball sized [smaller than they were back then], then it'd definately pay to use maybe 25% metal bb's to avoid it being too light. regarding sourcing the filler ... craft shops will also stock suitable filler of some kind ... the other option is trashing an old footbag/s for the appropriate fill.

needle ... you want a glovers needle for leather [has a sharpened tip for slicing through the thicker material] ... craft shop again should stock these.

thread ... heavy duty 100% polyester thread ... again, craft/fabric shop. some people use dental floss, but i'd go with standard thread if you are not used to using dental floss.

notes: you're a brave man, attempting to replicate one of these old rocks .
the hardest part of this should be finishing off the bag with such a tight fill and managing your final knot ... good luck with it.
this is my input and my opinion ... please don't ask me any extra questions as i'm pretty busy getting ready for christmas myself ... you've got next to no time, so just do it now!

TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 22 Dec 2010 15:25

Ive got plenty of time lol, im on x-mas break, I get paid tomorrow, im going out, buying the supplies, and taking my time on it, but I need a pattern lol

Jiffy · Post by **Jiffy** » 22 Dec 2010 15:31

Well this certainly works lotus, I just figured cod could give him a electronic template, but he may not even read his pms until after Christmas so... Listen to lotus

TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 22 Dec 2010 15:57

I could make my own pattern, but I dont have autocad on this computer... its really pretty simple to do but i cant without a copy of it. Anyways, a tennis ball is far to big, I think im just to try and make a pattern, the way I figure it, my wider sewing spindles are both circles, so If I just trace one circle, measure the distance I want, then trace the second on the circumcenter, then draw lines with a ruler, and cut it out, I would have a pattern for a perfect oval. If it dont work, oh well, ill have all the supplies lol

WyrmFyre · Post by **WyrmFyre** » 23 Dec 2010 08:14

http://pjb.com.au/jug/leatherballs.html

TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 23 Dec 2010 23:09

Thank you so, so much

TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 23 Dec 2010 23:09

Thank you so, so much

Allright, obviously theirs no hope of me doing it before x-mas, but I want to make a few for myself. Basically im gathering I need a glovers needle, but what size? Please post a link to purchase! I have the pattern I want now, and I need thread, so gutterman thread was recommended, the 100% polyester stuff, can someone post a link, is it waxed? Do i need to wax it? I have metal bb's on the incase, and I have a few old crochet bags full of plastic, but it would be great if someone could point me out to a link for really good fillers, i.e. the plastic pellets, etc. Also, I have no idea where to get the cowhide at, so, can someone point me to a link where I can purchase colored cowhide for this project? Im looking for like white and brown or something like that.

TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 26 Dec 2010 17:31

Allright, I found everything except where to purchase suitable cowhide,
Pattern: http://pjb.com.au/jug/pdf/two_piece_50mm.pdf 5 cm diameter unmodified
Thread: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/prod ... D=prd34127
Cowhide Leather: http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/scrap/scraps.htm the lighter weight cowhide scraps in white Will this work?? http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/prod ... 8110023907
Needle: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/prod ... D=prd50015
Filler: I already have zinc plated bb's and plastic filler from old crocheted bags, will this work?

TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 26 Dec 2010 17:48

Found it all on one site, let me know if you approve:
Pattern: http://pjb.com.au/jug/pdf/two_piece_50mm.pdf 5 cm diameter
Leather: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/prod ... D=prd59404 http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/prod ... D=prd59404
Thread: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/prod ... D=prd34127
Filler: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/prod ... prd1131917 2 bags of this
Needle: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/prod ... D=prd50015

Would that be everything nessasary to make 4 Footbags, I can get two footbags out of the two peices of leather, but I dont know if the thread/needles/filler Ive selected in the amounts specified will make 4 footbags. I figure if I take my time and go super slow on the first 3 and then go even slower and better on the fourth, the last one will be good enough to last me more than a few years.

TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 28 Dec 2010 17:13

Well, im going to find a stitcher to make it, once I feel up to trying it, ill post my results here or in my blog

TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 30 Dec 2010 03:06

I successfully made 3 out of old jeans, some thread, and a crap needle with filler from old crochted bags tonight. Ive got the hang of sewing them, finished size of the pattern is approximately the size of one golfball, like its identical. Im going to make some out of crushed panne, Cowhide leather, and vinyl when I get to a fabric store, ill post pics later.

TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 30 Dec 2010 16:59

I did it, I found a glovers needle in my grandmas sewing stuff, I used dental floss because through the practice stitches with denim I realized I liked it better, I used plastic pellets from crocheted bags for filler, and I used metal bb's for a bb gun for metal filler, its decently heavy, exact size as a golfball, packed tight, and its great

Heres the pics.

Also the leather is from an old glove.

The denim ones I made (3 of them just rapidly stitched.)

Then the practice before the real thing (I used normal thread for it)

There not great, but I had fun, and im improving, im going to be making more 2 panels tomorrow when I get out to the store, im following cods example and making a few out of usl and crushed panne with normal fill, and im making a few more like this but better

lotus · Post by **lotus** » 31 Dec 2010 14:01

right on! nice start man

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the next few bags will help you to get your stitching line consistently deep, and your gather just high enough to not expose your thread.

you see what i mean ... you've just got to begin with a little basic knowledge, and be prepared to make a few semi-successes and rejects.

i personally love making, and kicking, leather bags.
here are a few i made some years back [they range from 5 to 24-panels, tiny to golf ball size, and the one on the far right with the cheesecloth tail was the first ever bag i stitched : ] ...

TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 04 Jan 2011 13:29

TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 04 Jan 2011 13:31

lotus · Post by **lotus** » 06 Jan 2011 01:37

that's it ... an awesome early 80's 2-panel replica

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both of them

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TylerTarris · Post by **TylerTarris** » 06 Jan 2011 13:03

Well im sure you all can see how tight packed it was, it was about golf ball size. I have stepped on it, rolled it hard, done everything possible to stretch it out and break it in. Its perfect size (Diddnt grow much) The bb's are broken up to perfect size, and its just mushy enough to get conistant round kicks and stalls