For Footbag Stitchers..........

t1337dude · Post by **t1337dude** » 03 Mar 2006 18:03

How skilled were you when you made your first footbag and decided you wanted to take up sewing up and stitching Footbags?

Lazytowner · Post by **Lazytowner** » 03 Mar 2006 18:08

lol, when I first started out I didn't know my hands from my feet.....I stitched my bag without any gather whatsoever - I stitched with the most HORRIBLE frayed fabric...I wish I still had that nightmare bag, I threw it away after I saw my first REAL footbag....*cries*

t1337dude · Post by **t1337dude** » 03 Mar 2006 18:24

I wanted to attempt taking this up, but I can't do more than a couple of clippers and around the worlds.

Kerr · Post by **Kerr** » 03 Mar 2006 18:34

What do you mean by that statement, that you won't know what a good bag plays and feels like? If so just look at pro bags and take some clues from how the panels look. And make a bag how you like them. Your first bag while be a horrible bag and then you will see instant improvement on your second bag then gradually improve. At least that how I was.

brycimus · Post by **brycimus** » 03 Mar 2006 19:08

i've never known what "gather" is, is that pulling fabric so it bunches up along the thread?

mc · Post by mc » 03 Mar 2006 19:10

I've been playing footbag for about 6 years now, and I just started stitching. Some people, like the guy who makes footfighters, make very high quality footbags without being an extremely advanced freestyler.

try and get a lesson from a stitcher in person, or read what peng and tom are making available. it should be out soon.

making bags is very fun and satisfying. start on 4 panel footbags if you're having a hard time

t1337dude · Post by **t1337dude** » 03 Mar 2006 20:49

Kerr wrote:What do you mean by that statement, that you won't know what a good bag plays and feels like? If so just look at pro bags and take some clues from how the panels look. And make a bag how you like them. Your first bag while be a horrible bag and then you will see instant improvement on your second bag then gradually improve. At least that how I was.

I've never had the pleasure of a 32 panel yet.

But that isn't even the problem. I just thought it was something to take up when I'm farther into the sport, and where

And it seems like a huge hassle to gather up the materials to do it. I might as well be very involved if I'm going to do it.

Matt Cross wrote:I've been playing footbag for about 6 years now, and I just started stitching. Some people, like the guy who makes footfighters, make very high quality footbags without being an extremely advanced freestyler.

try and get a lesson from a stitcher in person, or read what peng and tom are making available. it should be out soon.

making bags is very fun and satisfying. start on 4 panel footbags if you're having a hard time

Well, I've browsed through many tutorials, and most of them make little to no sense to me.

It'd be great for an EXTREMELY simple tutorial with all the steps.

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 03 Mar 2006 20:54

Tom and Peng (mostly Tom) comprised a tutorial on their website http://www.kingstonfootbag.com that lays out how to stitch a 32 paneled bag pretty well. Makes a lot of sense, step by step.

t1337dude · Post by **t1337dude** » 03 Mar 2006 21:04

Wasabi wrote:Tom and Peng (mostly Tom) comprised a tutorial on their website http://www.kingstonfootbag.com that lays out how to stitch a 32 paneled bag pretty well. Makes a lot of sense, step by step.

Haven't seen that yet....but am I ready for 32? Probably not, But I'll check it out anyways. Thanks.

Pengu · Post by **Pengu** » 04 Mar 2006 00:07

I make footbags but I am not very good at footbagging but Tommy Mosher plays lots and helps me test them for shreddability value. I test it for how well it plays for a n00b. I think I make pretty footbags and I've been learning to play footbag for a little over 3 months now. I'm getting a little more consistent and confident playing now.

I still can't kick though.

Anyway, before I started stitching footbags, I did a lot of needlecrafts. I can knit, embroider, cross-stitch and I can quilt. Since stitching a footbag requires not much more than a running stitch, I learned how to stitch footbags quickly since I can already sew.

I always suggest 4-panel stitching for people looking to get into stitching because if you aren't familiar with the motions of the running stitch, it is definitely the best way to learn with it's straight lines and simple repetitive nature. We're planning on putting up a 4-panel stitching tutorial soon. Keep checking back at www.kingstonfootbag.com

Xain · Post by **Xain** » 04 Mar 2006 06:05

theres no wrong time to start stitching. it's much more affordable than buying bags. But I think that if your not playing tiltless, and you don't have such a player to test your bags out, then you shouldn't sell them.

However, if you give them away and/or trade them to better players, and they give your bags a good review, then selling will become a more reasonable option.

Lazytowner · Post by **Lazytowner** » 04 Mar 2006 07:40

brycimus wrote:i've never known what "gather" is, is that pulling fabric so it bunches up along the thread?

|

exactly what it is.

setman · Post by **setman** » 04 Mar 2006 08:46

Matt Cross wrote:Some people, like the guy who makes footfighters, make very high quality footbags without being an extremely advanced freestyler.

what ?

maybe Sorbet isn't freestyler, but Kierpca is polish Champion.

these two guys make footfighters, but as i know, Kierpca makes bags only for polish guys and Sorbet for foregins.

Isaac Noyes · Post by **Isaac Noyes** » 15 Mar 2006 09:27

I started stitching last weekend and I can hardly hit 30 toe stalls.

Stitching is great though! Its so cool to see how it comes together as you add each panel, and you greatly improve as you step up how many panels you do. I've already made 4, two 12's, a 14 and a 26, and last night I finished cutting out the panels for my first 32. I haven't been gathering my stitches, but I am going to try it out with the 32 and see how I do. I have been making mine using the templates available on footbag.org's pattern/template site, and have found them very easy to use.

I think when gathering stitches, stitch uniformity is really important or each panel won't come out as a perfect little pent/hex/triangle/whatever when your done.

I totally recommend stitching just for fun, that is if you are in some place you can't shred like... waiting for food or in a boring 400 person lecture class or watching TV after a long day or even in the sunshine in the park.

Matt_mcfarland · Post by **Matt_mcfarland** » 15 Mar 2006 09:58

i started stiching about a month ago and ive been playing since december.
all i can say is that it is realy rewarding, you can make a new bag whenever you want, and knowing how a footbag is made can have a benifit on your game, i want to start trading soon wich is another plus of stitching. i enjoy doing it, and im proud of the result. i also take alot of care in discovering colorways, there are so many different bags that can be created. i think it would be great if every player, tried to stich.
so for anyone who wants to try, this is a great resource with good tips for thirty twos.
www.kingstonfootbag.com

Nightmare · Post by **Nightmare** » 15 Mar 2006 10:33

I suggest buying one of tom and pengs 32 kits and buying glovers needles from em....its a good way to start and you dont have to buy a bunch of the materials....www.kingstonfootbag.com

mc · Post by mc » 15 Mar 2006 14:21

tom and peng gave me a 32 panel kit to make my first footbag, and I think it really helped. Unless you use the awesomthe magnet method, tracing panels and cutting them out individually while trying to maintain accuracy on your very first time could easily be enough to deter someone from finishing their project.

the 32 panel kit lets you get right down to the fun, gratifying business of making your own bag. Once you've done that, and you feel the power of awesomeness flowing through your veins, it will give you the motivation to cut out your panels and prepare things yourself, because you'll know how good it feels to squish that finished product in your hand and give it a few kicks.

I definitely recommend the 32 panel kit, ESPECIALLY if you have other stitchers around who can give you some pointers while you're stitching (which will help IMMENSELY). In fact, if you have a stitcher around, I would say, MAKE SURE you take advantage of them and the 32 panel kit to learn. Stitching is a great little craft, and it's fun to make bags and give them away to your hacky friends when you're starting. They don't have to be the greatest, and people really appreciate them.

Isaac Noyes · Post by **Isaac Noyes** » 15 Mar 2006 15:29

Matt Cross wrote:Unless you use the awesomthe magnet method

Whats that? I have just been tracing all my panels onto the fabric. Takes a long time and is easy to mess up...

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 15 Mar 2006 15:32

If you have two magnets, or a powerful magnet on a metal plate, you can cut with scissors or score with a sharp razor along your stencil and the fabric.

In any case, I usually draw on the fabric myself and score with something sharp.

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 15 Mar 2006 15:35

Wasabi wrote:If you have two magnets, or a powerful magnet on a metal plate, you can cut with scissors or score with a sharp razor along your stencil and the fabric.

In any case, I usually draw on the fabric myself and score with something sharp.

Maybe I should do a tutorial on this too?

I am pretty sure I made this technique up.