Making bags: instructions/tutorials

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Toasty
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Post by Toasty » 09 Sep 2009 19:15

I started stitching bags with floss. Once I tried thread I hated it. It's really just a hassle.

Facile is the same as ultrasuede light, just a different name. Field's Fabric is the best place you can order USL from. As for amaretta, it's extremely hard to find. I've never had any success. The only website I know that has information about amaretta is http://www.clarino-am.com/. There's probably someone else on here that could help you with that.
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WyrmFyre
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Post by WyrmFyre » 09 Sep 2009 23:14

Swizzle wrote:
I used the templates off of footbag.orgs site and downsized them anywhere from 60% of normal to 100% in increments of 5 for the 32 panel, so im going to experiment with some bed sheets that i don't need. and then hopefully buy some fabric
Bedsheets and tshirts are ok for practice but I wouldnt make a 32 out of them. Reason being is that the woven fabirc is likely to have unravelled itself with the general handling involved in stitching. Itll be ok for a 4 or maybe even 12 panel.

Look out also for Microfibre dusters / cleaning cloths or Chamois (Shammy) Leather. Both of these materials are similar to Ultrasuede in the way they are fairly resiliant to fraying, and can (if you hunt around here in the UK at least) be bought cheap enough that you can get plenty of material to practice with for minimal outlay.

Edit : And Yes, use floss. I was skeptical too, but ive found that even on my net bags it still holds up better than thread.
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Swizzle
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Post by Swizzle » 10 Sep 2009 16:10

I started stitching bags with floss. Once I tried thread I hated it. It's really just a hassle.
wait toasty, once you tried thread you hated floss? because thread was better? or did you hate thread and floss was a lot easier..
im guessing you hated thread... but yeah

and how do you throw in sombodys name in a quote.. =/ i suck
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Toasty
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Post by Toasty » 10 Sep 2009 16:50

Yeah, I hate thread. I stitched my first bag with floss. And have just loved using that.
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Stefan
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Post by Stefan » 17 Feb 2010 09:57

Should I double up the floss/thread when stitching?
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Toasty
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Post by Toasty » 17 Feb 2010 10:16

Doubling floss will make the bag too stiff. You can (should) double with thread, though.
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Post by mc » 17 Feb 2010 10:44

Stefan,

what I do instead of doubling the thread and melting the tips together, is put the needle at the 1/3rd mark on the total piece of thread, and then twist the long end and the short end together, and melt a little ball on the end of the long end.

That way, if you break a needle mid-pent, you can just take off the old needle and put a new one on.
BRICK!

rfa::never give up::
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Wasabi
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Post by Wasabi » 23 Feb 2010 13:50

I just noose the thread around the needle, pull, and develop a makeshift knot right next to the needle's head.
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"Footbag can be pretty frustrating when it's supposed to be fun. I was partly driven by this forum - practice, practice, practice... As that is true, I think someone can be too focused on progressing and training that they miss the fun aspect of it." - Bander87

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garygargan
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New stitching video

Post by garygargan » 19 Apr 2010 04:25

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elZXAJcJDFw[/youtube]

Here is a video I have just made that covers the bsics - I hope it can help people out with some of the basic ideas. I hope to make some videos soon about some of the finer points. Though that will probably have to be a series of videos - I wanted to stick everything in one to start with. Let me know if this helps. Thanks Modified - you got me started.
GG Footbags - Bags available #41, #43, http://www.modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=21206

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Blue
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Post by Blue » 19 Jun 2010 18:38

What is the best size for a beginner to make? me and my bro are new to footbag and want to make something to practice with. a little bigger than a golfball maybe? how would bb's like from a sporting goods store work as a filler to begin with? do you recommend that?

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garygargan
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Size and filler

Post by garygargan » 20 Jun 2010 01:55

Bigger is easier to sew.. and BB's are fine, a number of people use them for their first few bags. It will work fine. Make your first bags with what you have on hand, and try to spend as little money as possible, then put your hard earned greenbacks on quality materials when you know this is what you want to do.
GG Footbags - Bags available #41, #43, http://www.modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=21206

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Post by Hairytoes » 25 Jun 2010 10:40

I read through all 18 pages and couldn't find an answer to a question I had in mind, would it be easier to use like a sharp dart or something to kind of pre-punch the holes around the hexes, or whatever, and then stitching through said holes? Seems to me that it would make it easier to make it more consistant, and would help in making the thread go through at an angle (I think Wasabi said that that was a bad thing).

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Post by will_T » 25 Jun 2010 12:10

toes- punching holes in your panels in advance is not recommended. to achieve the consistency you want, you can try another method that is a bit labor intensive, but will give you the same end result. some stitchers mark the spots their stitches will go with a pen before cutting out their panels. i don't think many do this, simply because it requires extra time and effort for each bag, but you could make a couple that way and then try to freehand it.

think of a shower curtain hanging on a curtain rod. the curtain moves freely left and right because the rings fit loosely on the rod. if you made a bag with stitch holes larger than the thread, you would see a similar effect. the bag would deform with every kick and be really inconsistent, not to mention you would probably be able to see the thread. a steady hand and some tiny needles are what you need, i recommend some size 10 John James brand glovers needles, they are available on ebay.

good luck!

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Post by Hairytoes » 25 Jun 2010 13:36

Right on, thanks :D

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Post by Honza » 27 Jun 2010 06:41

Hey i want to try make my own bag, where can i buy materials? (filler and ultrasuede) I need to buy it online because here in czech republic there arent any sellers of this if i know:-/

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Post by WyrmFyre » 30 Jun 2010 22:30

The first place to get Ultrasuede would be http://www.fieldsfabrics.com/, however, ive been using http://www.sambrookbears.co.uk/ to buy small amounts at a time. UK based and very good service, both my orders were recieved next day (in the UK).

http://www.sambrookbears.co.uk/acatalog/ultrasuede.html
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Post by Ramen God » 02 Jul 2010 04:30

Filler- you can start with this little list

Plastic- Most craft stores have it. Look for "Poly Pellets." Like in bean bag babies.
Sand- anywhere you can buy or find sand. Buying is better- it's cleaner. But when you stitch with sand, many people double the ammount of stitches to prevent leaking.
Metal- when you start, you can use BBs, but then you should invest for higher quality steel shot.

@Blue- if you're just starting out, you shouldn't start by making your own bags, buy a Mr. Sandbag at http://www.freedomfootbags.com.

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Post by Honza » 02 Jul 2010 05:28

Ramen God wrote:Filler- you can start with this little list

Plastic- Most craft stores have it. Look for "Poly Pellets." Like in bean bag babies.
Sand- anywhere you can buy or find sand. Buying is better- it's cleaner. But when you stitch with sand, many people double the ammount of stitches to prevent leaking.
Metal- when you start, you can use BBs, but then you should invest for higher quality steel shot.

@Blue- if you're just starting out, you shouldn't start by making your own bags, buy a Mr. Sandbag at http://www.freedomfootbags.com.
Yey, where i can buy these steel shots? I already stitched alots of newby bags, think im ready for nice bag ^^


The first place to get Ultrasuede would be http://www.fieldsfabrics.com/, however, ive been using http://www.sambrookbears.co.uk/ to buy small amounts at a time. UK based and very good service, both my orders were recieved next day (in the UK).

http://www.sambrookbears.co.uk/acatalog/ultrasuede.html
Thanks! This helps alot!:)

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Donovon
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Post by Donovon » 02 Jul 2010 06:45

Honza wrote:Yey, where i can buy these steel shots?
I would email/PM Brad Benson about his steel filler. Im totally in love with it. I know you can get some steel shot here:
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/depart ... p?dept=371.
This is where I get my tungsten. I actually have a couple pounds of the size seven steel shot from there Id be willing to part with.
And I know planetfootbag sells a good rustless stainless steel, but people havnt had much luck with them lately.
Id also check this thread out:
32-Panel Bag Beginner Stitching FAQ
Hope this helps,
~Donovon

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Post by Ramen God » 02 Jul 2010 08:53

If you have a hunting store, or some kind of gun store nearby, they would probably have some shot.

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