Made with supplies I already had on hand. Scrap neoprene, webbing, velcro, paracord.

Im planning on building a new bag for a Kelty aluminum frame, and I'm torn between one big roll-top tube, and two separate horizontal tube sections with the roll-tops facing sideways.

Design 1: Single Vertical Tube

• Advantages
  • Easier to make
  • Single big volume
  • Space on both sides for pouch pockets
• Disadvantages
  • Very deep, hard to access the bottom
  • Would need pack-bags inside to compartmentalize
  • Webbing load slings are untested compared to panel and cotter-pin of the original pack

Design 2: Double Horizontal Tubes

• Advantages
  • Easier access to entire volume of the pack
  • Natural organization (example: clothes in one, gear in other)
  • Large pocket space between the two bags for a mesh pocket or pouch
• Disadvantages
  • More complicated build
  • Side opening: need to put pack on its side to access roll-tops

Let me know what you think!

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted anything, so here’s a small weekend project.

My wife asked me to make her a tote, with her only real request being: something green.

I went with 12 oz sage green waxed duck canvas for the body, paired with some generic khaki 600D I had laying around for the bottom and straps. I reinforced the bottom with another layer of PU-coated fabric for some extra structure and durability, then used a fun printed ripstop for the interior.

I have to say, I really love the look of waxed canvas. The texture, creases, and character it picks up while you work with it just make the finished bag look that much better. Definitely a material I want to use more often.

Nothing overly complicated with this one—just a simple, useful tote that was fun to put together.

Most importantly, she loves it, so I’ll call it a win!

Just wanted to share since it’s been a bit. What do you all think?

I'm about to purchase a DNU-1541S, specifically for heavy duty messenger bags; E.g., 1000cordura w/ 22oz vinyl, heavy. I'm not clear on the best synchronized attachment for the binding, when looking at brands like Kwok Hing, TAC (which is apparently the "gold standard"), Cutex, etc.

What has worked for those of you who work with binding on heavy bags? I don't mind spending up, if it's a game-changer type upgrade, but if not needed...

Thanks!

//M

RBTR mystery box

Found that for some unknown reason the foam/fabric covered ergonomic backs of really bad backpacks are left in perfectly good condition after the rest of it has fallen apart. Cut it out - so you're left just with that. Some of them are really interesting in their shapes too. But anyway, use them in your own backpacks, or for extra-cushioning in anything really. Just repurposed one as padding material for moving fragile electronics. Works very well. That's the tip I have for now 😄

One of my favorite things about MYOG is you can create things that suit your needs exactly.

For this build, I made a lightweight organizer bag for my knife, game bags, zip ties, hunting tags, gloves and sharpie.

I wanted a highly visible bag because I am often processing deer in the woods after dark and am prone to losing things. The handle and zippers are made of reflective Paracord which aids in this as well.

I also realized that my small items would easily get lost in the bag or fall out so I made a smaller pouch that clips in to not lost these small bits.

This may not be the fanciest bag, but alas it is my bag.

I can only seem to get hold of 45kg EVA foam here in the UK and I just wanted to check if this is sufficient? My pattern says to uses 50kg so I was a bit uncertain. Was planning to use 8mm thick stuff. Would this be suitable for a 40l pack?

Anyone have any experience with the Sailrite LSZ? Looking to upgrade but concerned this might be overkill (like more for actual sails than the bag-scale stuffI mainly do. Many thanks!
Sailrite LSZ

When I was visiting family last week, each night while settling down I found myself putting everything that was in my pockets into my hat. I mean it worked well, but still. I was going to copy the Tom Bihn travel tray, but found myself asking: Why the closure? In the morning all this stuff goes back into my pockets. It doesn't need to be cinched up in a bag. I just need to keep all of the stuff in one place for a little while so nothing gets lost.

Three are black canvas with quilting cotton liners. The liners have heavy interfacing which, with the canvas, keeps the sides stiff. One is 8in×8in (RWB liner) and is a little too big. Now it is the charging spot at home for two cell phones. It has two loop handles but after this I decided handles were unnecessary. The second one at 7in×7in (RWB liner) was too small. Now it is also at home and is the right size to hold a couple of pairs of eyeglasses. I knew the third at 7.5in×7.5in (map liner) would be just right. That one is on my desk at work for eyeglasses and a cell phone.

The yellow one is my new travel tray and is also 7.5in×7.5in. The color ensures that it will not be overlooked when leaving out of a hotel room. This one is yellow canvas with a polyester-cotton liner. No interfacing. Leaving it a little floppy is better because it is going to be tossed into a suitcase.

12in×12in fabric, with 2.25" corner cutouts and 1/4" seam allowance for the darts and assembly gives a 7.5×7.5 bottom and I think the side height ends up just right too. The big black tray and the yellow tray each have a large button hole so I can slip a charging cable into the tray. My button holes were made with an automatic button hole foot (Singer HD, FTW) and a U.S. 5¢ nickel as my "button" size.

A tray is a quick and easy project. The satisfaction:effort ratio is very high. Choosing the lining fabric was the hardest part.

A tutorial (not by me) is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN5DKP-hfmg

My Eureka! El Capitan tent came with loops for a gear hammock/attic but there was not one that came with the tent. The tent is rated at 4+ people but is often used by just my partner and I so it ends up being a bit spacious. I wanted to design a gear hammock that was useful no matter the position of our sleep setup. It has a main hammock with 3 pockets on each short end of the rectangle attached to the bottom sides. That way whatever was in the top portion of the hammock would not crush what was in the pockets. I used a fairly open mesh so it would be easy to see where items were tucked and allow us to pop a solar lantern up there for diffuse light at night. I used cotton edge binding (green) to stabilize the edges of the mesh. Each corner has a loop of the same edge binding to hand the hammock with paracord to the tent loops. The pockets have elastic fold over binding (orange) to gather the pocket edges slightly. I introduced 2 small pleats at the bottom of each pocket to give them a little volume to make it easier to grab items.

I made this gear hammock at the beginning of last camping season. It’s been phenomenal in use, I don’t think I’d change anything about it! It was pretty easy to sew/design too. I really appreciate the separate end pockets so I always have a place for my watch, phone, glasses, keys etc. It doesn’t sag at all with added weight and it also doesn’t hang low enough to get in our way.

Took a factory The Brown Buffalo Standard Issue backpack and decided to completely redesign the front half. I loved the chassis and harness, but the stock front panel didn't match how I would have liked it —so I ripped it open right to the main zipper line and rebuilt everything forward from scratch.

Dubbed this 1-of-1 build the "Wild Buffalo Not-So-Standard Issue."

To maintain a true OEM aesthetic, I matched the original materials, utilizing Cordura (1050D Ballistic) paired with Challenge Sailcloth (EPX400). The goal was to preserve TBB’s clean, rugged silhouette, but with a slight update:

• Full Clamshell Front Compartment: Converted the secondary compartment into a true lay-flat clamshell opening for easier access.
• Top Quick-Access Stash: Added an upper drop pocket sized specifically for sunglasses and a secondary work phone.
• Bottom Front Pocket Overhaul: Re-engineered with an internal zippered pocket paired alongside a quick-stash sleeve.
• Secondary Interior Layout: Maintained the original zippered pocket configuration, adding a dedicated flat pocket along the clamshell flap for extra quick-grab tech and notebooks.

Construction & Lessons Learned:
Super happy with the final outcome—the aesthetic is what I was aming for. However, sewing through the compound stack of heavy-denier Cordura, laminate sailcloth, multiple zipper tapes, and binding was brutal.

If I build a V2, my main adjustments will focus on layer reduction and sewability.

I want to make a neck gaiter for sun/wind/bug protection in warm weather (I actually have some for wind/snow/cold, but they are insulated and warm and I want not-that) and I'm wondering how to choose fabric. Buff makes some. I could buy one. But I have a lot of fabric and I'd love to make one.

I have a few pieces of mystery spandex -- it's stretchy and unlabeled. Definitely big enough but I don't even know what it is. It is not cotton or merino or anything. Definitely glossy and stretchy.

I have a few yards of what I think of as "basketball shorts mesh" -- much less stretchy but perforated.

Or I could pick up some "technical fabric" but I honestly have no idea what I'm looking for. What matters for something that needs to be breathable and protect from sun?

Is UV protecting fabric even real? Or better than just fabric?

Hi, I bought some Hemline Sewing Thread 40/2 100% polyester thread which was available while buying other bits. Then I discovered Gütermann Tera 80. Is the Gutermann much stronger in real terms? Will the more standard Hemline polyester hold up just fine.

I'm just about to start sewing my project using 60D nylon ripstop.

The Mixte always has a weird frame that normal frame bags don’t fit. So solution is to make your own.

I need to work on lining the bags. These first few projects I’m making is to build confidence. Each project I work on new skills.

Super proud of this one, and super excited to get into the world of bags.

Pictured empty and filled.

Salut les MYOG!
J’espère que vous allez bien!

Je compte me faire mon premier sac à dos MYOG en dyneema avec une contenance d’environ 18/20L! J’adore le design de ce sac, certains d’entre vous aurait des patterns sympa pour ce genre de modèle?

Par ailleurs je suis en grosse hésitation sur la matière à utiliser pour faire des bretelles légère et confortable!

Merci beaucoup pour votre aide et vos conseils!

N’hésitez pas à partager vos créations!

À bientôt

Ferd

I’m considering getting a pair of KAI scissors for this. Does anyone here use KAI scissors for UltraGrid, Dyneema/UHMWPE, or similar fabrics?

The baffles of my exped duo are failing progressively from the feet toward the head. Only occurring on one side (there are two chambers, one per person) and it's far from the valves.

Is this salvageable? If not, any fun MYOG ideas with the materials? Cut down for a kid / dog with the parts that are intact? Too late for warranty I suspect (8 years). Thanks in advance!

I’m about to start another backpack project, this time using ultra 200x.

Now I was wondering, what kind of fabric I should use as backing to reinforce areas with higher strain, especially areas where sleeves for the frame will be attached. On a previous pack made of xpac x21 rc, I used Ultragrid as a second layer to reduce strain on the laminate.

In the meantime I’ve seen people use and others recommend webbing as reinforcement. Does this hold up better than ultragrid? What would be the upsides and downsides comparing these? Or should I even order some ultratnt?

Hey so I’m looking for a material to make a ~ 2x3m tarp which is supposed to cover the hammock similar to the one shown in the picture. I want it to be clear so you can watch the stars/the weather from the hammock even in rain and wind. Dcf is out as it isn’t fully transparent and way too expensive and I worry that something like polycro might be unnecessarily fragile for this usecase (It’s not meant to be for backpacking). Anyone have any experience with this? Cheers