The Bag Collector

16th May 2013

Question

reckless-relentless asked: What are some bags (duffel or backpack) you'd recommend to use as a flight carry on for a 4 day long weekend trip?

Hmm. I often use a Timbuk2 Hemlock (discontinued) or a Chrome Brigadier (also, as it turns out, discontinued), but you could probably go with a Chrome Yalta or a Timbuk2 Especial Tres. Timbuk2 also just released the Aviator Travel Backpack.

These might seem like overkill, but I prefer to have enough room for anything I might bring back/need to carry during the day. That’s why I prefer rolltops for travel - they can compress pretty small, but expand if you need them to.

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15th May 2013

Post with 2 notes

Chrome’s Welded Transport Bags

Chrome recently dropped two new bags in their Welded Transport line, the Welded Postbag and the Welded Rucksack.

Here’s the Postbag:

11” x 22.25” x 5.5”, 22-27L, $80

and here’s the Rucksack:

13.5” x 18.5” x 4.8”, 22 L, $110

Nice touch with the metal hardware:

Both of these bags are RF-welded (for waterproofness), include a removable laptop sleeve, and go a little minimal on the outer pockets. The bags are made of a 600-denier TPU coated fabric.

And look what I got in the mail today!

I’ll let you guys know how it is in a few weeks!

Tagged: chromeweldedbackpackrucksackpostbagmessenger bagwaterproofrolltop

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14th May 2013

Post with 6 notes

Yesterday

Remember how I said to expect a ton of posts yesterday with pictures and a video and bells and whistles?

Well, I didn’t do that, because I was busy actually working on making a bag. I think it was absurd that I thought I could get one done in a single day (with so little experience under my belt) - but I am VERY happy with how things progressed. 

From raw fabric…

to cut pattern…

to pockets and velcro sewn on:

including a microsuede-lined phone pocket!

Cutting the pattern (I got both the outer and inner cut) by FAR took the longest time. I don’t have a great place to work (using my floor to chalk it out and shears to cut), and I keep getting measurements wrong by a tiny amounts, which compounds down the line.

But I took my time, tried to be precise, and made sure I thought about things before sewing them together. So far, so good! I’m hoping to have it done before I go to Portland on Friday, so I can use it for my trip.

I found some foam in a dead bag someone gave me to dissect, so I’ll be using that to make a shoulder pad and a back pad!

Things to add:

• U-lock holster on side (gonna do a split velcro one like Burro’s quickdraw holster) - this will double as a handle to adjust the bag on your back)
• 2” buckle to split strap - gotta buy one of these…
• pouch for removable foam padding on back - since I found that foam, I’d like to use it!
• laptop divider pocket - doesn’t need to be padded, just want something to make my laptop easily grabbable.
• sternum strap

Tonight I’m gonna figure out what else I can actually sew. I’m thinking I can put together the liner, since all I have to do is add velcro for the flap and the laptop divider.

I think I can get it done before Sunday.

Oh, and big shoutout to Cory at Leif Labs, for writing the tutorial I’m using to learn. You rock, Cory.

Tagged: bagsmith in trainingdiysewingmessenger bagmaking

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11th May 2013

Post with 2 notes

I took off Monday so I could do a few personal errands and sew a bag.

Like, a messenger bag, start to finish, complete. I am really looking forward to it. No idea how it will turn out! Planned features:

• small-medium size
• 2” seatbelt webbing for the (non-split) strap
• metal d-rings
• velcro for the flap (with silencers)
• buckled straps to secure the flap as well
• a side-handle for adjustment/grabbing
• u-lock slot

Expect a decent number of posts monday - might even do a video.

I haven’t really sewn much lately. Partially because I have been working on a lot of other projects, both bag and non-bag related. But it’s also partially because I haven’t really wanted to tackle the tote project for my wife. I still struggle with not wanting to practice because I am not good at something, and not being good at that something because I won’t practice.

Every day I have to fight the urge to stick to what I’m good at, instead of pursuing what I care about. And I care about making bags. It’s a dumb thing I have to get over, and I’ve planned for Monday to be my return to it.

Tagged: sewingmessenger bagdiybagsmith in training

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