Homemade Backpack - from a sofa cover and old seatbelt!

[@leadscollector]

I was fully expecting a full on hodge podge of a bag. But no. Its shocking good looking and cool!

[@crispinleslie]

My wife was watching over my shoulder- she’s a quilter; she is very impressed . (You’re not making my life any easier Max )

[@harnserhoowt2824]

You are probably the only person or one of a few who ever made this bag

[@johnhempsall4644]

You could use a damp T towel to help with ironing

[@garrigproductions]

The most glorious thing I ever did as a teenager was to learn to take command of my mother's sowing machine. When my favorite jeans became too tight around the waist, I simply cut them open at the back and extended the waist line by 2 inches and did a fabulous strong job of it thanks to mum's sowing machine!

[@keithhodgson6759]

Sewing machine on a Workmate...sort of sums up Max's skills. Many thanks for another great video!

[@FlyingShotsman]

I just love the satisfied little giggles when you see that your work has turned out much better than you expected. Smashing job, Max!

[@georgesharman9891]

Brilliant Max , we'll be seeing you the great British sewing bee next

[@sprint955st]

That’s a top job, and there’s a satisfying juxtaposition between the sewing machine and the workmate it sits on.

[@davelowe1977]

Sewing is making things without violence.

[@orb505]

I think it's that big because if anything unfortunate happened to the scout, they can pack him in it

[@olympusentertainment2638]

Soooo, you're saying it doubles as a body bag 😂😂.

[@misterpontypine]

That’s smashing! I’m pleased another bloke has discovered the practical fun of a sewing machine. A cheap and cheerful waterproofing is a wax and oil blend once the wax is melted and mixed, and a hairdryer or heat gun helps it all soak in. It’s how they make waterproof “tin pants” in North America and it’ll last a good year or more. I think it’s great and I would just use it as it is and enjoy it for what it is- a rugged, canvas back pack that’ll probably need few repairs. Nice one 😊

[@Lemma01]

What are the chances that Max is the first person ever to actually try and use these instructions in real life?!😅😂❤

[@binleys]

Not surprising really sewing is just welding with softer material 😊, great series thanks.

[@chriswills4064]

Well, that worked out well, then. The only thing I would say if it was me carrying it, I would have some sheepskin pads under the seatbelt straps. I used to find the straps chafed like a mugger-flicker walking in the rain. Seeing your blacksmiths hands and forearms manipulate that sewing machine made me smile 😊.

[@SH-uv6cp]

I loved that the Scouts had *Mum's help option - Sewing and a Dad's help option - rivets. Well done. I love watching you figure this out. I'm incredibly impressed with your sewing machine skills. Me and sewing machines NEVER get along.

[@MrDparker69]

Wow Max that turned out Bloody brilliant. What a great video and thanks for sharing with us. Really enjoyed that 👍

[@davidbentley3863]

U have Become Quite the sewer. Looks Great 👍

[@gbentley8176]

We had soft packs in our Sea Scouts in the fifties. Safe and easy to stow in a boat or canoe, which were canvas over a wooden frame. One size fitted all us boys big and small! As Sea Scouts we never had a christmas tree of hanging items on the pack but Scouts did in many cases. The Instructor said it was not ship shape and getting ensnared on bushes could cause injury. A rule I transferred to training D of E girls and boys years later. A super job all round and soft packs also make better pillow material too. Thanks for providing so many memories.

[@dustymiller7758]

Fantastic work, lovely rucksack. I bet it will outlast any plastic rucksack bought these days.

[@philthorpe4549]

Smashing bit o' work! There are some really good waterproofing sprays that you might consider Max. Just by the by, years ago when I worked in an A&E up North, where there were many sewing factories, we'd regularly get patients in who'd got a sewing machine needle through their finger tip. They'd always say that they were discussing the soap opera from the night before with their colleagues and not paying attention. We used to call it 'Coronation Street finger'... ;)

[@zogworth]

My partner has done this more than once. Only very small needle so no hospitalisation thankfully

[@clovermark39]

My Mum did this. She was a machinist at a local factory.

[@bowboysam]

I would consider putting some padding underneath the seatbelts around the shoulder area, they will rub after a while on a trek. Excellent content Max👍👍 find an old sheepskin coat and use some of that if you can.

[@garyevans8116]

Very nice job mate it looks really nice. I’m a leather worker and you can get. Rapid rivets which you can either use in a press to create a nice round dome effect or you can do what I used to do and just whack them with a hammer. But you can get setting tools and they create the dome effect. Rapid rivets are about £ 4 per 100 or something. They are cheap But good work and good luck to you

[@alanpaisley8696]

You are a very handy man Max as you can turn your hands to anything

[@highdownmartin]

Looks like an old Morphy Richard iron. With the green bulb in he handle. Quite tactile irons,very simple but a nice chrome base and black plastic handle. Almost bakelite.

[@playingwithdata]

Looks very usable if you're not planning to walk far or carry much weight. From some modest wilderness hiking and camping experience I'd suggest adding some shoulder strap padding, some stiffening on the back panel and maybe a cross chest strap to keep the shoulder strap closed if you plan to do anything serious with it. You might want to think about making it a bit resistant to water too, although a simple cover made from a cheap raincoat could fix that.

[@spandon]

I'm old and I remember how these backpacks evolved from canvas/leather versions of these (without a frame) to ones with a fairly heavy steel and leather frame. Later the alloy tube frame and nylon weave efforts and depending how much money you spent, variations on that. The thing that immediately strikes me is how the load is trying to pull you over backwards, off your vertical centre-line. The more sophisticated versions evolved to put the load curved more over your shoulders towards the top of your head, closer to the torso, so avoiding wasted energy pulling it forward and subsequent strain and damage to the back/hips... Good effort though :¬)

[@henrikoldcorn]

I am bloody thankful for living in a age with cheap, practical and durable nylon rucksacks! Max’s result looks perfectly useable though, far better than I was expecting after the tent debacle.

[@Alonsel3]

I love these little side projects its so interesting and to see you work through the material and make it into a masterpiece even with little knowledge going in is exactly what us punters need to see!

[@blademan175]

I wood be ironing on a walnut board if not for my wife having the proper equipment! Beautiful work on that bag! I really enjoy watching your videos and you’re inspiring me to sew more than gear bags, thanks! Cheers from across the pond!

[@English.Andy1]

Maxpadition pack 🙌 Brilliant

[@davidsharp9166]

Looking forward to when you do some Cookery Videos

[@deepheight]

That's really impressive. Very professional looking. What I liked most was that you did it all in your sitting room. I'd never get away with that.....

[@LarryHartman-o2b]

Outstanding

[@danthefrst]

Looks great! That tab, that holds the shoulder straps at the top, that you only riveted, you should also sow it good in place. Just a tip, it will break if only riveted. Should have been sowed first, then riveted. But I think it will be just fine if you sow a slalom a couple of turns around it and 5he rivets. Another tip for a tad more straight seams, use the foot against the borders or ends as distance and look slightly ahead of the foot, not on the foot or at the needle, but just ahead and the seems will get a bit more straight. Anyways great thanks and watch out for wilderbeasts or whatever is rummaging about out int the wild over there😉👍

[@mickles1975]

When I was in the cubs in the eighties I had a rucksack with VW beetle seatbelts for straps.

[@richardguse3410]

More Ironthumber ingenuity! I wonder how many "Proficiency Badges" you're earned. Certainly attainted King Scout".

[@RuggTomcat]

Great to see you get into the sewing, as a little tip there should be a little thread cutter on the back of the reciprocal part of the machine, it often looks like a half moon cut out of the rod.

[@mikeyyoyo6464]

Will someone please tell me why I’m enjoying this series of videos so much 😂

[@viriato8566]

Cuz it's fun!

[@andrewrees5426]

I know! Max just has a way of pulling you in.

[@viriato8566]

Max I believe you could have a brilliant future in experimental archaeology! Bet you & fellow Britton Sally Pointer could have a great You Tube collaboration project. Well done.

[@alanlansdell7533]

Comes out a pretty decent pack, well executed. Can't wait to see the trip video.

[@limekilnfarm9657]

Loving the amount of videos at the moment !! Thanks Max

[@edLambshanks]

Interesting project - nice to remember the historical perspective as well..post war, scarcity and pre mass consumption economy. I wonder how many mums were left to sort the boys kit out though!

[@allenenabnit7078]

I’d mix up some silicone and thinner and soak the hole bag in it then hang up to dry then you’ll be water tight, just do a oil rub will be water resistant not proof. You are really getting much better at sewing good job 😊

[@mickreid7153]

Great work as always, thanks for sharing. 🖖👍👊😊

[@NickandFoxydog]

Love it. Absolutely brilliant. Smashed it Max.

[@Icebuntrucker]

Max you are a man of many talents , This could be one of the best thing iv seen on youtube ? , Keep it up fella

[@pj7484]

You sure have talent and patience 😀👍

[@noordinaryjoe1414]

I say well done!! Re-use, re-purpose, re-cycle. And I’m doing so, you’ve made something you can take pride in (and what some people pay ££’s for!) fab project!

[@tomsmith6741]

That's bloody brilliant 😂

[@jj4alley]

Love your work keep it up this project is at you normal high standard 🇦🇺

[@robertgoddard565]

Very cool

[@twocvbloke]

Turned out rather well, and yes, if it's meant for kids, all I can think of is them falling over backwards a lot... :P

[@proluxelectronics7419]

Best use of a Black and Decker workmate, hold a sewing machine...🤣🤣

[@giggitygiggitygoofg6069]

If you do find yourself sowing more things & making bigger items remember that charity shops are always a good place for material weather its off cut bolts, blankets, sheets or dovet covers. I've re-upholstered a set of car seats with materials bought from charity shops & the deals I got were amazing . Good work thanks 4 sharing

[@gigi3242]

awesome project, well executed.

[@TheDinnermoney]

Maverick technique!

[@cybermanne]

Pretty neat. You could probably do with a bit longer shoulder straps though (the wide part that is). And also if you're actually gonna carry anything heavier than a pillow you should probably have some sort of padding on the straps so it doesn't dig into your shoulders as much. But that should be easy enough to add on.

[@MartsGarage]

Nice rucksack. Not a million miles away from what I used in the late 60s. Excellent way to broaden your skillset, Max.

[@tonybarnden5128]

A lovely job that

[@russ1046]

Nice work 👍

[@pauljenkins2501]

Thank you for an immensely enjoyable video.

[@DaveStevis]

a sewing machine on a black and decker workmate.. proper manly! 😁

[@johncochrane2707]

Cool rucksack it looks great, I enjoyed watching and and am looking forward to your trip.

[@grenvillephillips6998]

The results are far nicer than most things you might buy - very Maximus, if I can make so bold!

[@MrTobestool]

Thats really cool. Sewing up a canvas tilt is looking easier than painting the hard top for the Landy by now!

[@christopherforster6555]

Well done looks great happy days.

[@sarto7bellys]

I remember my mom having an iron of that type and colour when I was 5 years old,............. I'm 67 now 😄

[@davemc4015]

Job well done 👍👍

[@CarlJones14]

This is mush more impressive than the tent/tarp. Old tents were just too heavy. You could add a hip support belt, and a strap across the chest. Of course, not in keeping with the nostalgic theme.

[@LS-td3dz]

That looks so useful. Your skills are endless.

[@veronicabalfourpaul2288]

Love it

[@catsmother4556]

Loved this sewing project. You made a beautiful job of it. 🎒

[@stina6762]

Absolutely brilliant. Hope you put a video up of the hike , camp 🏕️, whatever you’re planning.

[@maxwiz71]

Looks very similar to WWI packs. Love the simplicity.

[@GuyBelcher-m1l]

I love the idea of using a sewing machine but the few times I've tried I've got too frustrated and given up. It takes a lot of patience to even get the thing threaded up and ready! Hats off to you max for persevering 👍

[@chrislaf2011]

I wonder whether - out on the internet somewhere - there is anyone else who has posted a recollection of making one of these designs, all those years ago! (Admittedly, they'd be quite old by now!) The lack of detailed instructions does make one wonder whether anyone ever did actually give it a go and succeed in making it. You may be one of the few (or first!) to do so Max!

[@deanprosser5224]

Thats brilliant and loos quite practical I fancy having a go at that myself

[@johnmarshall2118]

Cool rucksack it looks great

[@KeiteiVentures]

That looks great 👍😃 more so as the instructions were so minimal...:p I've seen other hikers make their own pack packs and wondered how easy it was 🤔 Am intrigued to attempt my own build now 😁

[@dragontattooee]

Nice backpack, and another bow to your skillet. Great video Max

[@AndyCallaway]

You should put a label on it: "Rucksack by Maximus Threadweaver". 😉

[@borisjohnson1944]

I love to go a-wandering, Along the mountain track, And as I go, I love to sing, My knapsack on my back. Chorus: Val-deri,Val-dera, Val-deri, Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha Val-deri,Val-dera. My knapsack on my back.

[@karlabrown1954]

Sewing is one of my hobbies, and I would agree it is fun. Some people like puzzles. I like to sew. You have done a fine job on your jambo rucksack.

[@bigears4014]

Not bad on the sewing machine

[@ShaunMurray63]

Excellent

[@marcdewilde518]

Great video Max! Instead of knotting the side strips together at the top of the pack you might use one of those spring loaded cord lock stoppers to easily loosen or tighten them

[@marcduthie4327]

Looks great. Well done.

[@TowerHand]

Now if you treated it as you did with the tent it would be much more weather tight! It certainly came out quite fetching.

[@TheJamesandmary]

1st class job , looks very useful

[@ukPreTzeL]

Thanks Max I really enjoyed that! Great skills as always. 👌

[@andydawkins9640]

Awesome mate 👍👍👍👍👍

[@noddybray]

dib dib dob dob, jolly good job..

[@---Kevin-J-Ripley---]

Another great and informative v-log,you have certainly mastered the craft side of things which is another string to your bow,well done,and I enjoyed watching you create from such an old design.Thank you.

[@gotorm2]

That looks really good. Tempted to make one to take on the motorbike.

[@SneakersKicksCreps]

Another great video mate. 👍👍👍

[@twotone3070]

... and in the next episode Max makes his own costumes ready for his appearances on Strictly.

[@MJMC56]

That turned out well :) Hope you have some fabsil or similar to waterproof it.

[@Squarepeg57]

Self-reliance mode expanded!

[@dav1dsm1th]

Maybe it's large so when the tent fails the scout can sleep in the backpack instead. Great video.

[@peterjohncooper]

Use mild steel and weld it.