How and what with do you guys do it?

Jamo · Post by **Jamo** » 25 Sep 2004 14:41

Well, ive read through a lot of the posts in this section of the forum.
And i wouldnt mind trying my hand at making a few footbags (although ive just started footbagging, by far my most enhanced talent in life is crafting stuff) So.
Do you guys just buy some suede, some BBs or something and get a sewing machine and cut the suede stitch it together in shapes and VOILA.
Obviously not that simple but....
OR, do you stitch it using sewing needles, etc.
Thankyou

shaggster · Post by **shaggster** » 25 Sep 2004 14:51

if you are serious about getting into it, go get some facile (ultrasuede light) some leather needles and some thread.

millenniumtree · Post by **millenniumtree** » 25 Sep 2004 14:53

No sewing machine. I have one, but I don't use it for bags.
Basically, just get a needle, thread, some fabric, and filler (BBs, Sand, Plastic pellets, whatever) Then cut out the fabric and stitch it together. There's really no preparation besides getting the supplies.

You stitch it together inside out, turn it right-side out, fill it and close up the last seam. There's some debate as to how do do the closing stitch exactly... I close from the outside of the bag after filling it, others close it inside out with really loose stitching, then pull it closed after they turn it right side out.

Jamo · Post by **Jamo** » 25 Sep 2004 17:05

Ah thankyou
Will have to pop down to the local sewing supplies shop and have a look for some crap.
Thankyou

Senor Grommet · Post by **Senor Grommet** » 25 Sep 2004 18:32

If youre serious about trying to sew a few bags, get the following:

upholstery thread (or another STRONG type of thread)
sharp scissors or shears (I like Fiskars)
Facile (ultrasuede light)
1-2 pkgs small plastic beads

then,
find a pattern on the internet
hand draw the patterns
dont use a sewing machine

Jamo · Post by **Jamo** » 26 Sep 2004 02:51

Thanks for the advice, will check it out tommorow or something.
But, surely, wouldnt it be easier to use a sewing machine. It would cut down on the number of leaks etc.
Or have you all had bad experiences with them?

brian relly · Post by **brian relly** » 26 Sep 2004 05:22

I'm pretty sure the proper way to sew a 32-panel doesn't call for or allow a sewing machine.

shaggster · Post by **shaggster** » 26 Sep 2004 13:58

with a sewing machine you want be able to do what is called gathering, you will want to gather when you stitch a bag.

millenniumtree · Post by **millenniumtree** » 26 Sep 2004 20:46

Also, I've found that sewing machine stitches are actually too long. They would leak MORE than hand stitches. Also, it's a different kind of stitching. As Casey said, sewing machines don't let you gather, but to add to that, they use 2 different threads, which loop around each other. It's the totally wrong kind of stitch, and is much weaker than a hand stitch.

Yes, get some heavy duty thread. The stuff I use seems almost like dental floss, kind of waxy and stiff. I just found it in a box of thread we had. It says "Hand Quilting, Extra Strong, Glace Finish, cotton covered polyester" on the spool.