I need some help with a pattern!

Vpicone · Post by **Vpicone** » 23 Apr 2006 11:01

In triodec pattern seen here

http://www.footbag.org/footbags/pattern ... idodec.gif

Why are there two different sets of shapes is one truncated? should i use that? is there any reaaal benefit? thanks alot, i know its a lot of questions

ALSO when i print it out it doesnt seem to be at the right scale can someone give me the real legths??? THANKS SO MUCH

Drew360 · Post by **Drew360** » 23 Apr 2006 11:24

it explains why there are two different type of shapes on the website you got that pattern off of. i know if you get it sized right so the "L" measurement guide equals 1 inch on each side the bag will come out big.

Drew360 · Post by **Drew360** » 23 Apr 2006 11:26

here is a quote directly from the site about why there are 2 different shapes:

This is rather difficult to explain -- and even more difficult to justify. I am very particular about sewing.

As you will notice, each shape in the pattern is drawn twice, once with notches and once without. The templates without notches are actually oversized --- the corners of the _notches_ are actually the corners of the finished panels. Reason for the notches is to allow me to draw sewing guides on the material, and my seams are sewn from notch-corner to notch-corner.

First, cut out the patterns roughly and glue-stick them to a stiff piece of paper -- I use a file folder. Then cut the pieces more precisely along the printed lines. This gives you a fairly durable, accurate template for drawing on the Facile or whatever you are using to sew.

I use the following procedure for drawing the pattern on the material.

First, using the un-notched template, I draw as many copies as I will need.
Then, I carefully line up the notched template, and I draw in the notches on the previously drawn shapes.
Then, I cut out the pieces, but not the notches --- they are just used as guides for sewing.
To sew them together, I use medium-weight polyester thread. Some people say this may tend to tear facile, but I have never had a problem and it's much easier to deal with than the rope most bags are sewn with.

My sewing proceedure is to line up the the edges of two pieces and clamp them together with a tiny binder clip (those little black triangular clips with the flip-down handles). If you cut out your pieces carefully, the edges will line up correctly. If you are sewing a bag with different shaped pieces, the edges of the pieces won't be the same length and you have to center the smaller piece on the larger.

Using the binder clip makes it easier for me to sew straight from one dot to the other.

Note that the patterns are drawn such that there is a .2 inch flange of material outside the seam. Once I am done with all but the last one or two seams, I use a good pair of sewing sissors to cut off of the leftover 'flange' material about 2mm from the seam.

Well, that's about it.

Vpicone · Post by **Vpicone** » 23 Apr 2006 11:26

how long should i make each side then?? can you tell me the measurements i should plug into here?

http://patterns.phasing.org/

Vpicone · Post by **Vpicone** » 23 Apr 2006 11:33

can someone simplify that?

Drew360 · Post by **Drew360** » 23 Apr 2006 11:38

i haven't made that exact style of bag before.. but i can tell you when i used one of those patterns off of that site i printed out the templates so that the measuring "L" was about 3/4 of an inch on both sides... only use the normal templates not the ones with notches on them, throw those away don't even worry about them... i would do about 6-8 stitches on each side with a good amount of gather not to tight though... also sew your seam about 2mm from the edge, pretty close but with the gather you won't have to worry about the seam popping out... the ones i make come out the exact size of a golfball... i will post a picture of the size of it right now for you.... give me a minute...

Vpicone · Post by **Vpicone** » 23 Apr 2006 11:41

ok awesome thanks for ur help

Drew360 · Post by **Drew360** » 23 Apr 2006 11:56

the 14p on the right is made from templates off of that site...

i think on the pattern you are doing 6 stitches per side should be plenty... you could probably even do less... just gotta experiment and see what works best..

Drew360 · Post by **Drew360** » 23 Apr 2006 12:12

hey... you better post some pics when you are done

Vpicone · Post by **Vpicone** » 23 Apr 2006 15:54

ehhhh it didnt work out... Would it be a good idea do dobule the size of the shapes then just use a machine? (and end up w/ more fringe on the iside)

Thx

andr00 · Post by **andr00** » 23 Apr 2006 17:40

no man dont try a machine, just keep tryin

Drew360 · Post by **Drew360** » 23 Apr 2006 18:47

Vpicone wrote:ehhhh it didnt work out... Would it be a good idea do dobule the size of the shapes then just use a machine? (and end up w/ more fringe on the iside)

Thx

why didn't it work out? what material are you using?

Vpicone · Post by **Vpicone** » 24 Apr 2006 02:53

I'm using a faux sued. It wasnt the material. I think the pattern was way too difficult for a first bag. One of the problems I was having is how do u decide how deep to make the stitch?? Do you mark it on all the pieces?
Anyway, do you have a pattern for a four panel small bag? I wanna make one about the size of a golf ball (or like in your picture) and I want it to be kinda like the Mr. Sand man. If there were a pattern I could cut out that would be fantastic.

P.S i found a pattern is 2.25 inches small enough? What are the diameter on yours?

Thanks,

Drew360 · Post by **Drew360** » 24 Apr 2006 08:26

here is my favorite 4 panel template.. with instructions on how to sew it:
http://www.valinet.com/~dbotkin/sew.html

here is another site about making 4 panels:
http://members.accesswave.ca/~derekn/footbagmain.htm

here is a Mr Sandbag template... if you just print it out as is, the bag i made with it came out alot smaller than a golfball... an easy way to resize it, is to just use this size template... then when tracing around the template onto the material, just use a marker or something that makes a thicker line... then cut the material from the outside of the thick line you drew.... it will make a bigger bag

http://ben.unhq.com/hack/patern/mr-sand ... s2.JPG.jpg

Drew360 · Post by **Drew360** » 24 Apr 2006 08:51

also when making 4 panel bags... make sure you don't give it full gather because it will distort the bag... just give it a medium gather... so the seam has the wiggly look... also on the other hand if you don't give it enough gather it wont turn out round.

Drew360 · Post by **Drew360** » 24 Apr 2006 08:53

Vpicone wrote: P.S i found a pattern is 2.25 inches small enough? What are the diameter on yours?

Thanks,

if you are talking about the Dogsack pattern... just print it out out as is... it should come out under 2.25" but will work fine and come out around the size of a golfball if you do your gather right.

Vpicone · Post by **Vpicone** » 24 Apr 2006 12:56

can you explain what you mean by gather? Is that basicaly keeping a really strong tesnion?

Drew360 · Post by **Drew360** » 24 Apr 2006 13:19

say you get your 6 stiches or whatever in on a side... then you pull on the thread so that a wrinkly pattern appears at the edge of the material.... that is what i mean by gather...

Vpicone · Post by **Vpicone** » 25 Apr 2006 16:14

ok i tried that pattern for the four that u like... But it came out more like a 3D rectangle.. eh.. Im gonna try a pattern i found for a 2.25 that looks kinda like an orange slice flattened out. Then maybe move onto yours. Thanks for the help w/ that gather stuff. Ill post a picture when Im done.

Drew360 · Post by **Drew360** » 25 Apr 2006 16:24

thats what happens if you don't give enough gather...