Anyone into Sewing?

Pete Nelsonwrote:

All the more reason to make your own gear! That said, I've made a lot of the furniture and cabinets in our house but the cost of materials alone makes this mostly a labor of love: You just can't compete with Ikea. Same, mostly, with soft goods...

Pete Nelsonwrote:

All the more reason to make your own gear! That said, I've made a lot of the furniture and cabinets in our house but the cost of materials alone makes this mostly a labor of love: You just can't compete with Ikea. Same, mostly, with soft goods...

However, the furniture in cabinets that you make probably will outlast even IKEA! I got out of high school and did an apprenticeship for carpentry and cabinet making so I had that mentality in the late 80s over buying outdoor equipment and said I can’t justify spending $400 for Gore-Tex parka that only has a few yards of material. So I bought a sewing machine from a fellow climber. Funny thing that climber. for those that know they’re climbing history was Paul Vienna as he and his wife were running a climbing company called jesters and they were looking to upgrade machines so I bought a sewing machine from him for $60. Next thing I know I had people wanting me to make them equipment so I got a business license and started making equipment, and eventually bought more machines and an industrial machine. But I’ll be honest, the modern computerized equipment, thermoforming techniques, ultrasonic welding. it’s very hard to keep up with specially when you’re just a guy working out of your house. But I have made a lot equipment over the last 40 years and also done a lot of testing. I encourage people to do it, because it will actually make you a better consumer And have an I for spotting quality and spotting potential defects. In those early days, there was only a handful of big companies, most people were working out of their garage or basement or some small shop.

Ripstop By The Roll sells little sample pieces that I've found very valuable! Every once in a while they offer a free 3-pack of samples for just the price of shipping. If you're willing to drive a little further than the creek, Rockywoods is in Loveland and they have a retail space, which is good because their website is atrocious in my opinion.

Does anyone have a decent pattern for a cross body shoulder sling bag? I know I can find them on Etsy or other sources but I was hoping for a tried and true pattern as a starting point. 

Planning on sewing a rain fly for my G7 single ledge. Any of you fabric nerds have recommendations on what i should use? Doesn’t need to be extremely burly, but also doesn’t need to be extremely light. Thinking maybe 1.9oz coated ripstop, or maybe hyper D? Silnylon seems too fragile, and its miserable to sew. 

Max Rwrote:

Planning on sewing a rain fly for my G7 single ledge. Any of you fabric nerds have recommendations on what i should use? Doesn’t need to be extremely burly, but also doesn’t need to be extremely light. Thinking maybe 1.9oz coated ripstop, or maybe hyper D? Silnylon seems too fragile, and its miserable to sew. 

When I built my portaledges. I used 200 denier pack cloth and for the wall side I used 400 denier pack cloth. Use some 500 denier cordura to reinforce the corners. 

I have mostly used Hyper D for lightweight packs and bags but that stuff is really nice to sew and is super burly. Not sure what the weight difference would be over the size of a fly compared to the 1.9oz coated ripstop. If you reach out to Ripstop by the Roll, I have asked them fabric questions with a lot of helpful insights.

recent project beaver, buckskin, wool

two homemade haul bags on their 4th laps up the captian this past fall. the black dyneema bag has been insanely bomb over the last couple years. Many hauls and still looking pristine.

Drill holster with a Kevlar tip liner for ground up gun slinging that I made for some friends heading to south america

I’ve been working on a bd pipe dream style bag, but it’s tricky. Will try to post up once I have it working a bit better. 

Most people start with simple stuff like a small day pack, roll top stuff sack or chalk bag, and for fabric the easiest, reliable sources are Ripstop by the Roll, Rockywoods Fabrics, and Seattle Fabrics they all carry proper pack fabrics and hardware so you can keep it simple and still build something solid.

Finally got around to sewing a fly for my G7. I modeled after the flys High Mountain Gear makes. Fabric is Hex 70 with PU4000 coating. Basically took a dogbone and stiched it to the stuff sack, then covered it in seam sealer. The bottom edge has stretch binding all the way around. Still need to add a couple buckle straps to under side to make sure it stays put. 

Mark Websterwrote:

Does anyone know why Seattle Fabrics is still not allowing walk-ins? During Covid it made sense, but 5 years later?

There's a google review from July 2025 saying that yeah, it's basically still due to covid and the store isn't sure it'll ever open for in-store customers again. The worker there stood 10 feet away through the gate while talking to him.

They've got to be losing a lot of business with their current model. If there was a physical shop I'd be going in all the time. Now there's not much point when their selection is slightly worse and their prices are slightly higher. Also wanted share here about suppliers I've come to prefer. Rbtr and rocky woods are obvious. For aluminum hardware in the U.S. Tribulus Limited has a strong supply. Theres also Mozet Supplies and Refasten(awesome technical materials) in Canada but seems duties are starting to increase and shipping is more expensive. Yet to try out ExtremeTextil since they're across the pond but their selection looks stupid good, makes me envy the euros.

Lucas Ngwrote:

They've got to be losing a lot of business with their current model. If there was a physical shop I'd be going in all the time. Now there's not much point when there selection is slightly worse and their prices are slightly higher. Also wanted share here about suppliers I've come to prefer. For aluminum hardware in the U.S. Tribulus Limited has a strong supply. Theres also Mozet Supplies and Refasten(awesome technical materials) in Canada but seems duties are starting to increase and shipping is more expensive. Yet to try out ExtremeTextil since they're across the pond but their selection looks stupid good, makes me envy the euros.

I ordered some stuff from extremetextil before the tariffs and was pretty happy, and have used adventureexpert a number of times before and since. They've got a lot of good plastic hardware, and their signature cord loop webbing (since cloned by mozet in Canada)

Mike J wrote:

Hade some fun this morning making a boulder bucket.

Mike, how did you do the embroidery?  Do you have a machine?  

Whats the blue fabric? 

Has anyone tried to make a hall bag cover to put over a day pack ? I know mammut makes one but it's kinda lame. I am imagining a bullet shape with an integrated swivel, I think that the bottom of the cover could stay open to tick to UL box.  

Andre Chiangwrote:

Has anyone tried to make a hall bag cover to put over a day pack ? I know mammut makes one but it's kinda lame. I am imagining a bullet shape with an integrated swivel, I think that the bottom of the cover could stay open to tick to UL box.  

I like the idea. I started to imagine an integrated cover, something that you could pull out of the day pack's interior and invert over the whole thing. But then...why not just a day pack made with sturdy materials and removable straps?!

Yeah I agree with Pete. If you have the skills to just make a pack, building one out of challenge ultra should last many years of hauling wear (I’m at 3+ and going strong). I suppose a sleeve would be much easier if you are worried about actually constructing a bag.

If you do decide to go the sleeve route, I think challenge ultra (I believe 500 is the burliest ) is great for ease of working with, availability, durability and weight.

Andre Chiangwrote:

Has anyone tried to make a hall bag cover to put over a day pack ? I know mammut makes one but it's kinda lame. I am imagining a bullet shape with an integrated swivel, I think that the bottom of the cover could stay open to tick to UL box.  

The Trango lightweight daypack (Ration pack?) also comes with a hauling cover designed much like you're describing, but the material is corder, not PU haul bag stuff.  Still, if you treat those haul bag covers as a form of consumable item, subject to replacement every year or two, it could be useful.  I'd bet that making one out of more abrasion resistant material would be prohibitively bulky and heavy.  You can also order a replacement Trango ration pack cover as a standalone.