project #3: made a backpack, it was a learning experience

[sploiz]

i'm sure a couple of y'all saw my last project, the overkill end channel. i made the hammock because i needed something easier to take my mind off the backpack. i finally got around to finishing the backpack. i don't have any pics of my silly process, just finished pics.

i loosely followed the instructions on tothewoods.net and backwoodsdaydreamer.com. i love the idea of the removable pad. when i started on the backpack i didn't understand a lot of the things. i was having trouble understanding how to make the pockets. it took me a couple weeks to really get the ball rolling on it as i was figuring out how to put the beast together. i spent the last 2 days working on it and got it finished. yep, i spent most of friday and saturday working on it and i had a blast!

i picked up a pack of binder clips with various sizes and those things work great at helping hold things together.

Link to the Album

[2ply]

Looks good! I like the mesh front pocket. Now it needs a test trip to the woods.

[sploiz]

i was planning on riding my bike to the park today but its raining. thats the main reason i made this is that i don't have a small day pack.

i weighed the backpack and it is 5 oz and the pad is 1 oz so a grand total of 6 oz. while i was at it i weighed my hammock, it was in the backpack after all. the hammock, cinch buckle, and 15' of webbing weigh 24 oz. now that i've typed this i'm curious how much all my other gear weighs.

[FBG]

Nice job!

The more I DIY items the more I'm thinking of trying a backpack. I LUV big pockets and totally dig the ones on your pack.

[Otter1]

The countoured straps will be comfy! Very nice.

[MDSH]

Nice looking pack, spoilz!

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[dragon360]

a nice looking DIY for sure - Congrats!

[sploiz]

thanks guys! finishing a project with good results really boosts your confidence. there are a few flaws with this pack, but that's what version #2 is for.

Nice job!

The more I DIY items the more I'm thinking of trying a backpack. I LUV big pockets and totally dig the ones on your pack.

jump on in! turns out the backpack was easier to make than i thought it would be. i just started learning how to sew a little more than a month ago.

i just realized that this isn't really hammock related and i probably should have put it in the donating members section.

[MotoHanger]

i just realized that this isn't really hammock related and i probably should have put it in the donating members section.[/QUOTE]

It can be used to transport a hammock and related bits, correct?

So how did you do the pockets? I have a bit of an addiction to bags, and I am tempted to make some of my own...I have done hammocks, tarps, whoopies, tree straps...but no backpacks. All this said in looking at the packs I have I can't fathom how to sew the external pockets, I may be over thinking it.

[sploiz]

it took me a few tries to figure out the pockets.

each side of the pack was a different piece. i added an extra 0.5" seam line to every side of each piece. so the pockets i sewed on to each of the different pieces separately and i made sure i sewed them on within that 0.5" seam allowance. then when sewed each piece together (wrong side out) at the 0.5" mark all the previous stitches are hidden when its turned inside out. when you look at the seams inside the pack you will see a ton of hidden stitch lines. i'll try to get a pic of what i'm talking about, but its great what all types of things can be hidden away with turning it inside out.

it would probably help if i had some pics to go along with my poor description. i'll probably make another one soon and i'll try to document it better. i'll also edit this in the morning when i can think more clearly.