Sad sac

[wa4chq]

Well after reading streamlines post about making a stuff sac, I decided to get the machine out and start making one for my cook kit. There's really nothing to making them but I'm used to heavier material such as canvas or sunbrella... materials I use on my boat. Anyway other then messing up twice doing the button hook- first mistake was thread bunching up because the material wasn't moving and second mistake after cleaning up the first was to sew both halves together! Next sac will just have a hole melted thru. Space for sewing on the boat isn't much of an issue but cutting out the material is. I didn't have scraps to work with because I only just recently purchased 4 yards of ripstop. All in all it was a fun project.

[streamline]

Happy to spread the bug. Trick I use for the fabric not feeding. Put a peice of thin paper under the fabric. I used a subway napkin lol. This trick works with noseeum so the feet don't damage the fabric.

[tylojuky]

Happy to spread the bug. Trick I use for the fabric not feeding. Put a peice of thin paper under the fabric. I used a subway napkin lol. This trick works with noseeum so the feet don't damage the fabric.

Hey! Thanks for the tip!!! I'm about to try tulle for a lighter bug net and was wondering how to get it to feed. That's a great tip.

Just a single layer of paper napkin? I guess you just tear it out when you're done? Or soak in water so it can be washed out?

[VictoriaGuy]

...... Anyway other then messing up twice doing the button hook (hole?)- first mistake was thread bunching up because the material wasn't moving and second mistake after cleaning up the first was to sew both halves together! Next sac will just have a hole melted thru.

You did a good job - it's nice to have custom-sized sacks for your gear!

I wouldn't worry about problems with the buttonhole - you won't see many (any??) good commercial stuffsacks with buttonholes for the cord exit. It's high-friction, and an excellent place to start a rip. Also, any buttonhole in thin fabric needs a doubler (or interfacing) to back up the buttonhole stitching, or the zig-zag will usually just pucker up the fabric.

There are quite a few better/stronger ways to arrange the drawstring tube.
I'll pull out some other sacs and post some more pics, someday (soon) , but here's one example: Hilleberg tent sack. It uses a separate piece to form the drawstring tunnel. It's more work, but we do DIY for fun, right?

[wa4chq]

Streamline, thanks for the tip. That will be handy when I make an organizer out of mesh. Where I was having an issue was when I added the small reenforcement piece for the buttonhole. The foot wanted to 'drag' the small piece and the stitches kept piling up...I think I also need to work on the 'lead foot' when pressing the peddle .

[wa4chq]

Hey Victoria Guy...beautiful Vancouver Is. I'm heading to BC in a few weeks... thanks for the info and pic of the sack you made. Fine looking job. I prefer diy for most hobbies I get involved with. Certain items I won't make but I do enjoy gettin' my hands dirty. Go Canucks!

[Redoleary]

Look's good Seaelf! Do you live on your boat? Can you hang a hammock in there? Sorry for the thread drift, but that boat looks super cool!

[arbitrage]

mountain hardwear does a great job with the closure on their stuff sacks. they feed the draw string through a small, rigid plastic o-ring that is sewn to the opening. that way the o-ring takes the strain instead of the fabric.

[tansey]

I love that junk rig on your boat
the sad thing about stuff sacks is that you can get 3 of them for under 5$ at the evil empire. very nice work.

[wa4chq]

Thanks Red! Yes, I live on her. Before making the sails I could hang a hammock between the masts. If I move the sails and sheets out of the way I may be able to do it again.
Red, I like the idea of the handle on the bottom of the sack. I can see where that would be handy.

Thanks Tansey. And I did see the sacks for sale at the big store. In fact, I bought some last week just to have some.... Will be making the remainder. I need something for my tarp and hammock.