Sew Like A Pro: Backpack tutorial, Episode Zero

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I changed the design a little after finding the closure strap didn't work as well as I liked. Check out the change here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6nUqIx8jcarjJo

[@amrsaber5671]

thanks alot for your efforts its amazing backpack and plz am asking about the link of pattern file

[@SilenceFriction1]

Most of my projects are sewn on my 1950 Singer Centennial 201-2. I have come to appreciate it's simplicity, accuracy, and capacity. The 8 inch wide by 5 1/2 inch tall opening in the frame allow lots of fabric to be passed, as when quilting blankets with 3/4 inch batting. One of it's shortcomings is it's inability to power through many layers of fabric, as in an area where felled and hemmed seams are stacked upon each other. In these areas I am usually able to force the process using the hand wheel. Another shortcoming is when the machine is feeding thick assemblies. The needle starts to enter the fabric while the fabric is still being fed under the presser foot. This tends to bend the needle, causing it to contact the throat plate instead of passing through. In this instance I have to relieve the presser foot tension to allow the needle to center in the throat plate, and then proceed. As you mentioned the Sailrite machine, I began to evaluate it's advantages over the machines that I have available. There's no doubt that it's power and walking foot capability are advantageous, but I also considered that there would be greater presser foot height capacity, and a greater range of needle applications. Normally for my outdoor gear projects I use a size 18 needle with T70 polyester thread, and I believe that size 20 is the largest production needle available for my machines, in which I may be able to use T90 thread. I have not tried this, yet. This got me thinking about how I could increase the presser foot capacity on my machine. As I went to lift my presser foot, I noticed that there was a bit of travel in the lever, prior to it contacting and lifting the presser shaft. I noted that I had about 1/4 inch capacity, and that I was able to further lift the shaft manually to 3/8 inch. I removed the cover, loosened the set screw on the adjustment/lifting block, zeroed the block to the lift lever, and tightened the set screw. I now have 3/8 inch capacity in lifted position, and I am able to manually lift the shaft to 1/2 inch capacity. I will still need to re-center the needle after feed operation, as previously mentioned, but I now have increased capability. Thank you for another thought provoking video. It certainly has helped me. If I don't remove stitches at some point during a project, I am only practicing, not learning. Mike

[@donkrause]

I used to try to force my 201-2 into tasks like this, but a cheap sailrite clone from EBay has really solved the power issues for 1000d and Canvas projects. It's really worth the upgrade if you're planning on future canvas projects.

[@SilenceFriction1]

@@donkrause I see the Rex - Sailrite clone selling for around $300. I haven't done much research on it. Locally I find industrial Singer and Consew machines selling for about the same price. Being that I am on a fixed income, I need to plan way ahead for that steep of a purchase. I paid only $60 (what I could afford at the time) for my 201-2 in cabinet with accessories. Check out my blog castfromthepast.home.blog/ to see some of my work. Bear in mind that I am a beginner hobbyist, only sewing for a little over a year.

[@lairdvlaming]

Thank you so much for all the information and inspiration! This series was hands down the most detailed and helpful of the many videos I watched to learn how to sew my own roll-top! Instead of canvas I used ripstop nylon + leather. I'm not sure how to post a picture of the end product but I ended up making a video if you want to see the design. Thanks again!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Great job, Laird! I love the chevron motif, it looks awesome! I can tell you put a lot of thought into the design of your bag, very impressive. Also, that's a nice old Viking machine you have! Thanks for sharing!

[@lairdvlaming]

@@thejasonofalltrades Thanks so much Jason, that means a lot! Honestly wouldn't have been able to make it without your step by step instructions! The Viking machine was my grandmother's from the 70s but with some lubricant and (professional) maintenance it is back to working as good as new!

[@LJay-pv8lm]

Do you sell the pattern? Beautiful craftsmanship 👍 👏

[@kjlouisi4630]

I love my sailrite and I am waiting on some waxed canvas to make a tote bag. I have never worked with waxed canvas and mine probably is a lot thinner than yours being I purchased it from a fabric store on-line as opposed to some other industrial type fabric supplier. I am really looking forward to the rest of this process. Thats an awesome back pack!

[@jakobshanks3510]

My Sailrite Sewing machine just arrived yesterday. So this tutorial is perfect timing.

[@plf67]

Your videos are awesome! Makes me challenge myself to get outside the box in the everyday way of thinking for norm sewing.

[@BrianDidThis]

I’m going to follow along. I’ve been watching your videos for some months now. Ready to tackle a bigger project.

[@MyWorldInDisorder]

Beautiful job! It's sad you have to do the "I'm not responsible if you screw up" spiel. Looking forward to the other videos

[@Sage-qd6tf]

Haha throwback to the time I sewed a messenger bag with some heavy waxed canvas and a whole bunch of wax got stuck in the ridges of my presser foot. It's ok though I picked it out with a pin.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I've been lucky and haven't had much wax build-up. Big Duck Canvas tells me that their canvas doesn't shed wax as much as some others, but I've also used other brands (although not as much as Big Duck). But, as you point out, you just have to clean it out. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@provisionhandmadegear3946]

Looks amazing Jason! Great gray color. I'm still experimenting with different canvas thicknesses. I like the #10 or #12 best. The 18 and 20 are very hard to work with. By the way I used some black and found it picks up every speck of lint and particals known to man. Great job!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks! The version I build for the tutorial will be black. Look forward to lots of cat hair lol!

[@provisionhandmadegear3946]

@@thejasonofalltrades Precisely what happened to me! 😉

[@mathewbrew9300]

I have been looking forward to this.😎

[@toniwestie]

Good work! Never know Hubby may just get a another new backpack ;-)

[@stephenbrunner482]

I am excited to take my game to the next level and follow along making a backpack! I gave been working with 1000 Denier Cordura. Do you think I can use that without a walking foot machine?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Definitely, with the same caveats about planning to avoid really thick transitions. The material isn't much of a problem, it's when you go from two layers of Cordura to a 3/8" thick mass of Cordura, elastic, rubber etc. You can often get away with hand-wheeling and lifting the presser foot manually to get over that stuff, but the less you have to do that, the better. Thanks for watching, Stephen!

[@stephenbrunner482]

@@thejasonofalltrades Thanks for the encouragement! I am thankful that you are putting out sewing videos - I just cannot get excited about running...

[@jilljones1502]

I’m so sorry I should of paid more attention. I will go watch the rest of them. Sorry for the bad comment.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Sorry, sometimes I can be a little sensitive. I get that some people prefer videos with little or no dialog, that's just not what I usually make. Sorry we got off on the wrong foot!

[@jacksondoughty]

Subbed, looking forward to this

[@magealexstra]

would it be possible for you to sort some of these projects into playlists?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I think this is in a playlist. I'm not sure if you're able to see it, though. I'll look into it from my end. Thanks!

[@safepethaven]

'prefect' LOL got it

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I was hoping someone would catch that!

[@patriciabennett7866]

I caught that too! Lol

[@HumanFellaPerson]

Good lord! Most of the video is him saying not to listen to him.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Please be sure not to waste your time watching any of my other videos, you'll hate them. Thanks!

[@HumanFellaPerson]

@@thejasonofalltrades I'm actually quite enjoying them. I like your style. This one was just funny with how much of it was disclaimers.

[@brotchenkorner3944]

@@HumanFellaPerson i think he was making a joke 😉

[@bladesandbows1521]

BRO!!! 5 minutes of apologizing, maybe for possible future mistakes....what!? I want the first 5 minutes back ... Otherwise this is quality stuff mate.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I'm sending you a coupon good for five minutes off any of my other videos :) The whole point of this particular episode, actually, was to try to head off the slew of criticisms that would come later. Most of those come from people who don't watch this episode, but at least it's something I can point to. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@dsn1284]

You talk to much

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks!

[@DesmoProfundis]

I think you mean he talks 'too' much. Ya see, there are three ways to spell that word. To, which means to go 'to' somewhere. Too which means an over abundance, like "you talk too much." Too can also mean 'also' like in the sentence, "It can mean that too." And two which is one more than one and one less than three. I hope you appreciated the kindergarten level English lesson. This one's on me. You're welcome.

[@tkarlmann]

Bla, bla, bla! TD Bye.

[@jilljones1502]

Grrrrrr to much talking

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi, So, this is part of a four-part (five, counting this introduction), in-depth series that clocks in around 2 hours, maybe more, to teach those interested how to sew a professional quality backpack. Nothing in the title is intended to suggest that I would explain this by miming. I spent months on this project, and have posted it here so anyone who wishes to can watch, and hopefully learn from it, for FREE. I'm sorry that you didn't find what you were expecting in this video. There is plenty of content on the internet, so hopefully you'll find an informative, detailed video on this subject that doesn't force you to endure the torture of hearing another human voice speaking words at you. Thanks for watching, and take care! Oh, and the word you wanted in your comment is "too."