What exactly does you mean when one says a footbag needs to be "broken in?" Like, I understand that sometimes when things are brand new, they don't perform quite as well as they should and will later for various reasons. But what I mean is, what is wrong with some footbags, or what exactly changes about them for them to be considered "broken in?" Is it that they're too stiff/rigid? Or does the fabric stretch, does some of the plastic filler(if you use any plastic) break into smaller pieces, or what?
The last 26 panel bag I made didn't seem to kick quite right. It would go off in weird directions and be a lot more bouncy than I liked. It also felt very stiff. I soaked it for a few minutes in some diluted fabric softener, and now it's MUCH better. I was wondering, has anybody ever tried using fabric softener to break in a footbag, or is the stiffness of a bag not even really an issue when using amaretta, microsuede, or ultrasuede? I ask because I've never handled any of those fabrics myself.
When I started stitching bags, I used fabric from old pants, either camouflage BDUs or jeans. After I heard about people using suede to make footbags, I looked at wal mart and some fabric stores. Wal mart had some nice thick suede called "butter suede," and some thinner stuff called "decorative" or "decorator's" suede. The latter seems too thin and weak for me. It works, but when using metal fill, it gets ripped up fairly quickly just from landing on concrete.
I also found some relatively inexpensive, yet thick and rather stiff suede called "Passion sude" at distinctivefabrics.com. It works well for a footbag, I think, but it's just a bit too stiff. However, after the fabric softener, it's great.
And in case you're wondering why I haven't gotten any microsuede or ultrasuede, I can't find it for less than like $30 a yard, and I'd like to feel the material before I spend that kind of money on it. I know everybody here loves ultrasuede, but I don't know how thick or durable it is, and I want my bags to last. "Butter Suede" was like $3-$5 a yard, and the same goes for the "decorative" suede. "Passion Suede" is $13 a yard, which while still more than I'd like to pay, is less than half the cost of ultrasuede. And in case anyone else might be interested in trying passion suede, distinctivefabrics.com has a user registration thing, and when you register, you're entitled to 5 free fabric sample swatches. So you don't have to pay anything just to try it, not even shipping. If you don't register you can still get samples, but they cost a dollar each.
Breaking in a footbag
You don't have to buy an entire yard of ultrasuede just enter 0.125 as the amount and you'll get a quarter yard. If that's too much look for teddy bear materials websites, as they might stock smaller pieces.
As for durabitlity, I have an ultrasuede bag that's about a year old, and it's still not ripped. If your still skeptical, order the swatch pack from fields fabrics and give it a go, I think they're 15dollars.
As for durabitlity, I have an ultrasuede bag that's about a year old, and it's still not ripped. If your still skeptical, order the swatch pack from fields fabrics and give it a go, I think they're 15dollars.
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Zac Miley
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Yeah, an 1/8 yard of ultrasuede is cheap, and makes plenty of bags. Once you're satisified with the stitching in your bags and want to sell them, you'll probably want to get a better material than what you have now (unless it is good, I really have no idea). Ultrasuede 'light' is the material that you would want. There are a few ultrasuede 'soft' colors that work as well, but all of the 'light' colors are generally thin and durable.
If you go to ultrasuede.com, you can pretend you're a company and get free samples. I've done this several times.
I wouldn't really recommend making bags that you want to last out of amaretta, it dies very quickly.
Yeah, break in is kind of an arbitrary term. Some bags get worse (too floppy) because of it, and others can begin as horrible bags and end up wonderful. Generally, bags with a deeper bite and more gather will need to break in, and shallow bite, low-gather bags will be very floppy and require little break in.
Basically, what happens is that the thread expands/loosens a little bit, and the fabric stretches and gets thinner. Thinner generally means softer and floppier.
As for break-in techniques, obviously kicking it is the best option because you get better at hack as you do it, but if you're making the bags and aren't worried about how long they'll last, just do whatever you want. I've used baby oil on a bag before, and it was marvelous for about two weeks.
If you go to ultrasuede.com, you can pretend you're a company and get free samples. I've done this several times.
I wouldn't really recommend making bags that you want to last out of amaretta, it dies very quickly.
Yeah, break in is kind of an arbitrary term. Some bags get worse (too floppy) because of it, and others can begin as horrible bags and end up wonderful. Generally, bags with a deeper bite and more gather will need to break in, and shallow bite, low-gather bags will be very floppy and require little break in.
Basically, what happens is that the thread expands/loosens a little bit, and the fabric stretches and gets thinner. Thinner generally means softer and floppier.
As for break-in techniques, obviously kicking it is the best option because you get better at hack as you do it, but if you're making the bags and aren't worried about how long they'll last, just do whatever you want. I've used baby oil on a bag before, and it was marvelous for about two weeks.
Jay (8:06:01 PM): Bu-bu-buu-buug--Looks up, and the feeling goes away like a sneeze-bu-buuuh-BULLLSHITTT
Jay (8:06:14 PM): *wipes bellybutton*
Jay (8:06:14 PM): *wipes bellybutton*
What do you mean by "bite?" How far away from the edge of the fabric you stitch?
Also, wyrmfyre, is that something that works at almost any fabric store? putting in a value less than 1 for number of yards and getting less than a yard, or does that depend on where you go? I mean, I know you can get however much you want at an actual store front where you go in person. I've gotten 6 inches of certain fabrics to give them a try. But I'm asking if that works at any online store. I guess it couldn't hurt to just ask them, but some people take forever to get back to you.
Oh, also... Why Ultrasuede Light? You said SOME colors of Ultrasuede soft work, but what's wrong with the rest? Are they too thick?
Some of the material I have now is good, but some of it is just too thin. I see fields fabrics has an 8 piece variety pack of ultrasuede light and soft for $5. I could get one of each and try 'em out.
Also, wyrmfyre, is that something that works at almost any fabric store? putting in a value less than 1 for number of yards and getting less than a yard, or does that depend on where you go? I mean, I know you can get however much you want at an actual store front where you go in person. I've gotten 6 inches of certain fabrics to give them a try. But I'm asking if that works at any online store. I guess it couldn't hurt to just ask them, but some people take forever to get back to you.
Oh, also... Why Ultrasuede Light? You said SOME colors of Ultrasuede soft work, but what's wrong with the rest? Are they too thick?
Some of the material I have now is good, but some of it is just too thin. I see fields fabrics has an 8 piece variety pack of ultrasuede light and soft for $5. I could get one of each and try 'em out.
Last edited by Magus86 on 25 Jul 2010 09:36, edited 2 times in total.
Okay. After reading this, I checked on your collection in "Post Your Bag Collection," and found something out. You do not have any "facile" bags. This makes it hard to say how good ultrasuede light is. Ultrasuede Light is facile. At www.fieldsfabricsonline.com you get free samples. Look below on the screen to find out how to get free shipping when ordering samples.
Get two (Max for free) and try out what facile feels like. (Right side up is the shinier side.)
Get two (Max for free) and try out what facile feels like. (Right side up is the shinier side.)
Eh?? Hard to say how good ultrasuede is? I never said I knew how good it was. I specifically said that I've never touched amaretta, ultrasuede, or microsuede. ...Or are you talking to someone else ?Ramen God wrote:Okay. After reading this, I checked on your collection in "Post Your Bag Collection," and found something out. You do not have any "facile" bags. This makes it hard to say how good ultrasuede light is. Ultrasuede Light is facile. At www.fieldsfabricsonline.com you get free samples. Look below on the screen to find out how to get free shipping when ordering samples.
Get two (Max for free) and try out what facile feels like. (Right side up is the shinier side.)
Get some ultrasuede light. It'll do you a world of good. I usually buy from Field's Fabrics, but if I ever need amaretta or facile colors I can't find elsewhere I take my time at the fabric store(s) looking around. 1/8th yard increments will last you a good while if you're economical with the fabric. There's no need to buy an entire yard unless you're forced to purchase that amount under the store's minimum guidelines.
Also, if the fabric is more than a millimeter thick, it's not worth purchasing unless you know how you're going to use it.
Also, if the fabric is more than a millimeter thick, it's not worth purchasing unless you know how you're going to use it.
Waylon Lew - maker of Wasabi bags
NYFA represent.
"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
NYFA represent.
"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
Because you have never used a "Facile" footbag (Since you are a flying clipper customer, think "Juice Facile, or "Oregon Juice Facile."), you have not experienced ultrasuede light, making it difficult for you to know the feel. As I said, order a sample from field's and just get to know the material.Magus86 wrote:Eh?? Hard to say how good ultrasuede is? I never said I knew how good it was. I specifically said that I've never touched amaretta, ultrasuede, or microsuede. ...Or are you talking to someone else ?Ramen God wrote:Okay. After reading this, I checked on your collection in "Post Your Bag Collection," and found something out. You do not have any "facile" bags. Ultrasuede Light is facile. At www.fieldsfabricsonline.com you get free samples. Look below on the screen to find out how to get free shipping when ordering samples.
Get two (Max for free) and try out what facile feels like. (Right side up is the shinier side.)
Probably could have worded it a bit better...
http://modified.in/footbag/viewtopic.php?t=21393
There is quite a bit of information on facile/fieldsfabrics on here.
Im not sure if they have caught on yet, but I cant be the only one buying 1/8th of a yard of over ten colors, but a sale is a sale I guess, lol. I have a lot of colors and let me tell you, 1/8th of a yard goes a really long way.
And as far as ultrasuede soft, it is thicker than ultrasuede light (facile) and generally will only work as a pent color (on a 32 panel design). All ultrasuede soft bags (meaning bags made entirely out of uss) are generally too think and never break in enough.
Happy Stitching
~Donovon
There is quite a bit of information on facile/fieldsfabrics on here.
Im not sure if they have caught on yet, but I cant be the only one buying 1/8th of a yard of over ten colors, but a sale is a sale I guess, lol. I have a lot of colors and let me tell you, 1/8th of a yard goes a really long way.
And as far as ultrasuede soft, it is thicker than ultrasuede light (facile) and generally will only work as a pent color (on a 32 panel design). All ultrasuede soft bags (meaning bags made entirely out of uss) are generally too think and never break in enough.
Happy Stitching
~Donovon
No, I understood what you said. What I didn't understand is why you said it, that's all. I know I haven't experienced it yet, I even stated that in my first post. But anyway, I did order a sample from there, and I tried what Zac suggested as well. I don't know if it worked yet or not though.Ramen God wrote:Because you have never used a "Facile" footbag (Since you are a flying clipper customer, think "Juice Facile, or "Oregon Juice Facile."), you have not experienced ultrasuede light, making it difficult for you to know the feel. As I said, order a sample from field's and just get to know the material.Magus86 wrote:Eh?? Hard to say how good ultrasuede is? I never said I knew how good it was. I specifically said that I've never touched amaretta, ultrasuede, or microsuede. ...Or are you talking to someone else ?Ramen God wrote:Okay. After reading this, I checked on your collection in "Post Your Bag Collection," and found something out. You do not have any "facile" bags. Ultrasuede Light is facile. At www.fieldsfabricsonline.com you get free samples. Look below on the screen to find out how to get free shipping when ordering samples.
Get two (Max for free) and try out what facile feels like. (Right side up is the shinier side.)
Probably could have worded it a bit better...
go on fieldsfabrics.com and get a "variety pack", this is realy a lot usable material and a bunch of colours.
in the "swatch pack", ther is only a few little pieces of facile/uslightand and a lot of other stuff!!!
in the "swatch pack", ther is only a few little pieces of facile/uslightand and a lot of other stuff!!!
Last edited by Alf on 28 Jul 2010 14:47, edited 1 time in total.
Maybe try out some crushed panne (What the mr. sandbag is made from)?
It's almost all $3.99 a yard, making it very cheap.
http://www.syfabrics.com/Browse.aspx/Cr ... Velvet/261
You might like it.
It's almost all $3.99 a yard, making it very cheap.
http://www.syfabrics.com/Browse.aspx/Cr ... Velvet/261
You might like it.
I dunno about that. I can find it at local fabric stores easily. I looked at it and felt it and everything. It's so thin you can see thru it, and I think it's really stretchy, but I don't completely remember. Either way, if I would try it, I'd just get that locally, but it doesn't seem like it'd be too durable.