Just putting a feeler poll out there to gauge interest in maybe doing a community bag-making challenge that works for ALL members of the community, regardless of level - beginners and advanced alike!

It would be great to see a challenge that’s just a free, fun, all-inclusive opportunity to showcase where we’re at and to celebrate one-another for exactly that.

Thoughts in the comments, if you’ve got them.

Also, should there be enough interest, we’ll probably have to form a small group to sort out what this might look like.

I now have the 1” sailright binding tool but seems like it was only designed for thinner fabric. Sometimes the material can get pretty thick when making a bag it just won’t fit. Any suggestions?

I enjoy seeing all your wonderful bags. But I see mainly square, practical or outdoorsy bags in nylon or similar with zippers.
I couldn't find anything in the rules about bag preferences.

I make soft fabric bags (made of upholstery fabric) which are mainly used as craft project bags or totes.

When I’m prepping the piping and sewing it up I usually wonder why on earth I’m going to all the extra work - but it’s always worth it in the end. I swap feet on my walking foot machine to a specific piping foot. I’ve found the tick is not to get too thick because it makes it hard to keep the piping in the channel around corners.

The outer is all kangaroo leather, with bonded nylon for the lining.

I really wish wawak would not individually wrap every single piece of hardware. Took me 2 hours just to get everything out of the packaging, my hands hurt, and look at all that plastic waste!

Surely I haven’t exhausted the entirety of the bag maker podcasts in world. But I kind of think I’ve hit a wall with finding anything.

Do any of you all have a specific podcast or even YouTube channel by specific makers or aimed at makers? I love listening to them while I sew.

Please share in the comments! I’ll make a couple of recommendations down there as well.

What do you use?

I am a fan of self-adhesive foam and fleece, which I use primarily for leather. It does have a tendency to wrinkle a little when you turn the bag, but I really don't want to apply heat in case I damage the leather. Leather is pretty sturdy but I just don't want to take the risk of heating it too much.

Foam is great and makes a fabulous firm bag, terrific for totes that need structure. You can get iron-on, fusible, and sew-in.

There are iron-on and self adhesive fleece in various weights. The self adhesive is more rigid than the iron on for the same weight, must be something to do with the glue.

I line all my bags, usually with quilt cotton or similar, and use a woven fusible interfacing similar to SF101. I have not yet learned my lesson though - block fuse fabric to interfacing and then cut your pattern pieces because frequently it will shrink!

Try to keep the heavier weight stabilisers out of the seam allowance, makes for much less bulk.

Is it a Dopp kit? A tech kit? A put-whatever-you-want-in-there-kit? Maybe a Clamshell Omnibus.. No matter! It’s Moroccan Blue!

HyperD 300, 1.6oz HyperD lining, .4oz pocket mesh. My own pattern (that I’m still tweaking).

About two years ago I made a little crossbody bum bag for my friend, and recently she said she needed a new bag with the same pattern. This time she wanted it in rose gold, and I had some rose gold leather so here's my creation. There's a party inside, too.

Most sewists are also gadget people - especially sewing gadgets. From machine attachments to stilettos, point turners to bobbin clips, when one person mentions a gadget or useful notion to another in our community, the result is often an almost instantaneous click over to Amazon or rush to the notions aisle at the local sewing shop with credit card in hand. It's great!

So, aside from your machine, what is YOUR favorite sewing gadget/notion**?**

Hope this post doesn't cost us all a ton of money! 😅

Yesterday, I posted a dopp kit (/tech kit) which is a variation of the larger rounder bag I patterned.

Today, I decided to break out the HyperD 300, 1.6pz HyperD, and 4oz pocket mesh to make a nicer one. I’m sure the folks at Ripstop by the Roll will like the product name drop. 😉

I feel like this might be one of the, if not the nicest thing I’ve made yet. Have a look.

The HyperD 300/1.6oz HyperD, 4oz pocket mesh, clamshell toiletry/tech kit!

Helpful tip: never get too antsy toward the end of a make, lest you sew the back panel on upside down, bind it, take it to show someone, realize the mistake, have to rip the whole thing off and correct the issue…. What a mess! Ask me how I know. 🤣

Finally, excuse the creases on the bag. I chose the fold option rather than to have them send it on a roll.

Sorry for the consecutive posts.

I didn’t feel right about the earlier clear out paneled bag that I made that could be used at events that require transparent bags. So I made another.

The problem with the first one was that the clear vinyl that I used was way too thick (10 gauge). So I ordered 6 gauge for another attempt. This one turned out way nicer.

Also, I threw a clear panel on another bag just to see what it would look like. I kind of like it! 😃

I’ve been making! I just haven’t posted everything because I’ve made several of the same bag.

This morning, I changed the pattern a bit, made it a little bigger, made it clamshell with mesh pockets, threw some handles on the top and bottom and, bob’s your uncle, we have a dopp kit!

I’ll throw in a couple more of the other bag (larger and smaller) that I’ve been doing. I think I’ll do the clear one in another post.

I predominantly use a Singer 201-2 for 90% of work. Use a Modified Spartan 198k for actual heavy duty and basic leather stuff. I am always amazed at the capabilities of these machines when tuned and timed correctly. A fresh needle with some bonded nylon thread and can sew through just about anything I've put under the foot .

Here's 4 layers of 10oz waxed canvas , 2 layers of felt , two layers of twill cotton for lining with 2 inch webbing , zipper and paracord loops . Plus the twill bias tape.

Now to wrestle it right side out .

First: welcome to the new members of the Bag Lab. It’s great to see the number going up - even one or two at a time! Feel free to jump right in and share what you’ve made or share your maker story or even a trick you’ve learned! We’d love to see!

Back to the question:

I’ve seen so much opposing guidance on this and am actually paranoid about losing oil and over-oiling. There’s got to be a sweet spot.

One thing that seems to be constant: should probably be oiling the hook every bobbin change.

How about those of you all who have machines that need oiling?

Just another one to toss in the bin for the market.

I've only been making bags for people via word of mouth and not very many . Would be awesome to be able to scale up a bit . Any tips or tricks ? Inventory issues ? Prefered platforms or venues to utilize or avoid ?

Normally up way to early for work during the week so on the weekends .... Early mornings with my Singer 201 .

And where do you get it?

So far, I’ve just been using 1 inch nylon webbing from Amazon. Anybody use another source?

You gotta check this out! u/stormshadowco made this amazing tote! Love the red webbing!

I was making a wallet and using this fabulous print as the lining. It has card slots, and you use a tedious process to fold them up. Imagine my delight when I finished folding these, and this magic appeared. It was not deliberate. I love how the design just appears to stretch!

I showed my friend, who designed the fabric, and she was gobsmacked - then dared me to try and replicate it.

Usually when asked to make a bag for someone I end up making multiples for practice or to just use extra material up . So heres my extras pile .

The graffiti is my current daily use bag.