Bags You've Made

Mitcher · Post by **Mitcher** » 04 Dec 2006 04:38

Posted this on the boards due to it being my first one, you guys dont really know me on here, i was on footbag.org for a while but saw that there was more action here so switched over. Name is Mitch, been hacking for years 5 or 6, started freestyle 3 months ago, sewn a few Mr. Sandbags and i just can't like crushed panne, it is crappy. So i got a few free samples of the ultrasuede the other day, hand made my own pattern because my printer is broken. Here you go.

hope you like it.
Looking for critisicm. Should I gather more?
Thanks
Mitch

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 04 Dec 2006 12:52

Looks great! I'd say you're using about the right ammount of gather, but maybe a sliver more wouldn't hurt. Also, really focus on making each pent look the same size and shape as the last.

The trick I use to do this, is I gather the panel all the way so it's over-gathered, then slowly loosen up each side just a touch, until it looks like a nice puffy pentagon with even sides, and even gather underneath.

One more thing I noticed, is it appears that your hexagon templates are much bigger than the pentagons. It could just be the way I'm seeing it though. If this is the case however, you may want to scale down the hexes a little for a more even look.

Other than that, I'd just try to work on your stitch placement consistancy, and you're good to go. Looks like you're off to a great start, keep it up!

Mitcher · Post by **Mitcher** » 04 Dec 2006 13:28

the hexs are about 1/16th of an inch bigger than the pents, it may just be an inconsistent sewing depth, by the end of the bag i was getting more and more consistent, and i will try alittle more gather, i think i would like it alittle poofier. As far as size what do you think, im using about .85in wiht 40% small side for the hexes and .75in for the pentagon sides, do you think that is good, and i should just try to sew alittle deeper and gather a bit more?
also thanks for the input and words of encouragement.
Mitch
PS. one more question, say you are doing an entire pent flower, do you gather after each side or do you do one continueous stitching aroudn the whole thing and gather at the end, i usually do the one side, then gather and do a double stitch to hold it, then go to the next side and do it again. Is this a good way or would i be more consistent to just gather 1 entire flower?

shredzilla · Post by **shredzilla** » 04 Dec 2006 14:10

Yeah, those are pretty good sizes. I actually have that pentagon size for one of my templates. I use a smaller hex though, I think .80 or .82. I have the hex you use but I haven't used it yet, though I know it makes for a decent bag with the pents and hexes being similar in size.

I place my stitches about 2mm deep.

I don't gather one side at a time, and I don't try to hold gather on each side by doing a double stitch. The reason for this is because after the pent is finished, you want the gather to even out on it's own, creating perfectly shaped panels. Just let the bag do the work for you on that end.

If you'll notice in my last post, I mentioned how I gather all the way after finishing all 5 sides of a pent/flower. I over-gather so it's very puckered, then loosen it up little by little so that it's puffy, and matches the other pents. This process is just something that you learn over time, so don't get too frustrated by it. The more bags you make, the better they'll look is the bottom line. Feel free to PM me any time if you need anymore advice.

Post by **Zac Miley** » 04 Dec 2006 14:55

I do a modified version of Chris' idea.

Gather it around an object of your choice after you have finished all five sides, and then tie a knot.

Then I loosen up some of the sides, so that they are all pretty much equal. It seems to work pretty well, but it is hard to do on the last pent.

Happy stitching.

P.S. I know I may not be the best stitcher (or even very close to it) but I think that this idea works fairly well.

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 04 Dec 2006 15:03

I eyeball my gather. I'm fairly good at eyeball-ing.

Mitcher · Post by **Mitcher** » 04 Dec 2006 16:39

Well im trying another one, should be studying for finals but im not. here are two horrable pictures of my current gather, let me know what you think, i havent tied off yet so i can change it. To much or too little, im looking for my next bag to be a bit smaller more towards the size of a golf ball. Here you go

thanks alot guys
Mitch
aww crap look my camera has a close up option here you go

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 04 Dec 2006 16:51

You got to straighten up your needle placement. When you can make straight and consistent stitches, you can form consistent gather. When you have consistent gather, you have good looking pentagons.

Try to follow the edge as straight as possible, so that your stitches are paralleled to it. In fact, make your cut-out panel edges as straight as possible. It's a bit harder to do when tracing and cutting the panels, but the magnet method (discussed in this thread) should do the job perfectly. If you're fairly accurate with a pen and scissors, by all means do so. The stitching is what really matters, and you should try to straighten it and make very, very consistent.

Also, try to make your end stitches (that connect your hexes to one another) even. What I mean by that is, make it so that the stitches of one side reflect the other symmetrically. That'll make for even looking hexagons.

And remember, patience is a virtue. Failed products are learning tools for better bags.

Mitcher · Post by **Mitcher** » 04 Dec 2006 18:12

My stitching is fairly straight i believe, i focus on keeping it straight and evenly spaced, the picture kind of makes it look like its not but i took it apart alittle and it looks decent, maybe i had too much gather there?

shortis · Post by **shortis** » 05 Dec 2006 10:41

its my new colection. i hope you'll like them..
please, say me your criticism..

mtelman · Post by **mtelman** » 05 Dec 2006 11:11

I just love them all. The middle one is my fav. Nice Not puffy pents. Like the flat stitching.

shred villain · Post by **shred villain** » 05 Dec 2006 12:21

hey mitch a good way to learn to stitch straight would be when your are tracing your hexes onto the fabric, print out a smaller hex and trace it inside the original hex. after your make 5 or so bags this way stop using it and it will help you stitch much more consistently and straight. you can do this with the pents if you please, just do it with whichever one you are looking at when you stitch. it might be a bit more work but i'd say its worth it for helping you improve faster.

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 05 Dec 2006 16:32

The one on the right has some uneven stitches. The left one shows a little bit of uneveness as well, but not very noticeable, especially after break-in.

The middle one looks consistent, but there might be a small niche on that top pent up there. Picture worth a thousand words.

ObArA'BaRs · Post by **ObArA'BaRs** » 05 Dec 2006 19:26

Do you sell bags shortis?
Your stiching reminds me kind of like Travis Idens

shortis · Post by **shortis** » 06 Dec 2006 11:08

thank for your opinions.
shred villain: i was doing it that way some time ago and I will start again it. my next bag will be with sketch a smaller hex. i will send a photo
ObArA'BaRs: yes, i selling it. until now i sold then only in slovakia.. but now i'm selling them also in czech republic. one bag is for 17EUR.

Cod · Post by **Cod** » 06 Dec 2006 16:21

I'm not a big fan of flat bags but yours look nice to me.

Here are my two newest 2-panels:

jbalexdarkelf · Post by **jbalexdarkelf** » 06 Dec 2006 16:27

Cod, have I ever thanked you for making such awesome bags!?

I love the way the look. They look sqwishy, and I like sqwishy

Major props on the bags!

Cod · Post by **Cod** » 06 Dec 2006 16:29

Hahaha, thanks, but I have no idea what the word "sqwishy" means

.

ObArA'BaRs · Post by **ObArA'BaRs** » 06 Dec 2006 16:49

shortis wrote:thank for your opinions.
shred villain: i was doing it that way some time ago and I will start again it. my next bag will be with sketch a smaller hex. i will send a photo
ObArA'BaRs: yes, i selling it. until now i sold then only in slovakia.. but now i'm selling them also in czech republic. one bag is for 17EUR.

Do u sell to the US?
Also did u use noir on that black/green bag?

jbalexdarkelf · Post by **jbalexdarkelf** » 06 Dec 2006 17:06

Cod wrote:Hahaha, thanks, but I have no idea what the word "sqwishy" means .

Its a good word

haha

modified

Bags You've Made

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