Sewing an Ultralight Tyvek Rolltop Backpack

In this video, I show you a Tyvek rolltop backpack I made to use while standup paddle boarding. Plus cats.
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[@ssoozee]

You’re so great. And I can’t handle how sweet you and your kitties are with all of those kisses. Love your videos!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks!!! Yeah, they've totally turned me into a softie lol. Thanks for watching!

[@ARDNASARENA]

Great idea! And i have a couple black cats who are the neediest lumps. Love them!

[@piewisznia9704]

Hi :) I have a Tyvek tent footprint that is still awesome after 2 thru hikes with 100’s of nights on the trail. It just gets softer and softer but always durable and a sharpie message written by my friend is still visible too after all this time. Thank you for sharing your work and ideas!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

That's cool! This pack has made it over a year now, it gets used at least every couple of weeks and has been in saltwater several times. There is some "pilling" and staining, but it seems to be structurally sound still! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@piewisznia9704]

@@thejasonofalltrades Totally! Thank you for taking the time to share your creations. Hope to try making a little tyvek pack soon and this helps a lot!

[@angelasheppard7197]

Wow I was just given a sewing machine and this just mite be a nice project to get familiar with this machine. It's not my first machine but first one in a long time. Thanks for sharing

[@stoneblue1795]

Well done, as per always sir. The wee little Florida black panther approves your design and drawing. I always pick up some useful tips in your films!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks JP!

[@IPv6Freely]

I love using tyvek for my patterning and prototyping. Great fabric that sews quite a bit like DCF and is super cheap.

[@fredhubbard7210]

I totally agree.

[@Strylover]

Nice video. Nice bag. Very inspirational. It is interesting to me how you allow your cats to just wander freely right through your work. I would be shooing them away constantly. Your patience is also an inspiration.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi, Thanks! Yeah, they have basically taken over my life. I have, on occasion, done work for someone who was sensitive to cat dander, and in those cases I sequester them (the noise they make is nearly unbearable, though). But they don't hurt anything, and are often just the interruption I need! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@braxtonec]

Perfect timing! I'm considering making a light bag for day travel on vacation!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I can't wait to see what you come up with!

[@just1desi]

Great work. Love when the cat jumped up on your lap

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks! Yeah, he's capable of ignoring me for long spans of time unless I'm sewing or have a camera pointed at me.

[@louparsons]

Another great video; thanks for all the effort you invest in each of the videos. And, well, the cats.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks Lou!

[@ulperformance4087]

Excellent point about using Tyvek for verifying the feasibility of a potential project. Not for free, but if you need a small amount of Tyvek then you can buy a Tyvek coverall or more for about $10 each

[@edward91277809]

Very nice backpack!

[@wilkbor]

Thanks for the video, Jason. I love the work and the cats as well. If you haven't already done so, maybe consider a short video on the pros and cons of the different materials and fabrics you work with.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks Keefe! That's a great idea, I'll put it on the short list!

[@alqurtass]

great simple and gets the job done love it man as always

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thank you!

[@mar13157]

Very cool

[@einars899]

I was to stuff several duvets, pillows and such in the attic. They tell us not to use plastic bags for this. They don't breathe. And I wanted something light. So I grabbed some Tyvek that I used in the walls when working on my house. Just a simple bag with a drawstring top. Did not take much time. The Tyvek will keep critters out, but still let the contents breathe moisture out. And it is amazingly tough! I can throw it around like I can with no plastic bag. And now I see I can make a backpack of it. I will. Thank you.

[@robrot5460]

Great video yet again

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks Rob!

[@provisionhandmadegear3946]

You're the Rambo of sewing! Turning nothing into something valuable. I made a bivi sack years ago using Tyvek, carpet tape and velcro. It was a little too small so I didn't use it. But I spray painted it a desert camo and that didn't really stand the test of time. I think the sharpie may impregnate the the material better. Awesome job Jasonofalltrades!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

You have impeccable timing - I just read something in an online forum about painting tyvek and was about to give it a try! (I might still, in the name of science.) I'm currently playing around with some fabric paints, fabric markers and RIT dye - stay tuned! And thanks!

[@dirtyrottenhikers4972]

@@thejasonofalltrades I turned out pretty good but it kinda degrades over time.

[@AsteriETERNAL]

Nice!👍👍

[@schandler4958]

You need to up the art and add a cat or two to the scene. :) You always provide great content.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Jason lurks into the sewing room to start a cat themed backpack ....

[@torjones1701]

Most people don't know this, but you can "erase" sharpie markers with rubbing alcohol from most surfaces.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Good tip! I know on dry erase boards, if you accidentally use a non-dry erase marker, going over the marks with a dry erase marker will allow the marks to be erased (because of the solvent in the dry erase marker). I don't know if that trick will work on other surfaces, though. Thanks for adding to the conversation, I appreciate it!

[@just1desi]

Almost didn’t recognize you with the beard “is that the same great tutorial guy I like?” Then your voice was the same. Lol

[@thejasonofalltrades]

LOL I actually recently shaved the beard off again!

[@bposey69]

Gonna try to make a bag from synthetic roofing underlayment. Similar to tyvek but much stronger

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Let us know how that turns out!

[@makermind2050]

Damn that's so cool. I'd love to learn the basics of sewing to bring my personal take on a backpack to life too :D. Well if you for some weird Reason want to learn basics in 3D printing, lasercutting, woodworking or rapid prototyping I welcome you at my workshop maybe in return you can give me a sewing lesson ? ☺️ Anyways well done !

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Um, are you in southwest Florida ...? If not, feel free to email anytime if you have questions about sewing. the jason of all trades @ gmail . com (remove the spaces)

[@hottrash7503]

4:04: i do the same with my one year old son :)

[@thejasonofalltrades]

He's essentially a stand-in for the kid(s) I never had. No joke, what ever dormant "daddy instinct" I had got awakened when I got him, it's actually pretty ridiculous lol. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@redllpallme9342]

where can I buy the mesh ....I love watching u sew

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi, Most of the online fabric retailers sell mesh of this type, and even your local big-box fabric stores likely stock it. I typically this stuff buy from Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics. Thanks for watching!

[@helidude3502]

Your kitty looks like my D-cell. (named after the cat on the batteries). Not quite as cuddly as your buddy, but definitely as interested in my activities.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

D-Cell is an awesome name! (Mine is Bobbin if you didn't already pick up on that.)

[@youdagoob]

The cat is outta the bag. However, I think it wants in!

[@billmeade3512]

Great UL design; unique; identifiable; distinguishable; reliable and jasonfiable! #gosharpieart

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks Bill!

[@fredir3596]

6:48 may have been the first time I ever heard your cat say anything.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

LOL that's actually the other cat! She isn't shy to tell you what she thinks. Bobbin pretty much only meows when he wants treats or to go "outside" (they're only allowed on our screened patio with supervision).

[@maureenpoirier8109]

😃

[@jmarylastone]

you may have said it before but I missed it ..... what needle do you use when you sew the Tyvek???

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi, I was using size 69 thread, and I think I had a size 90 needle in the machines. I'm pretty terrible about changing needles or paying much attention to which one I have as long as they're working. If you don't already know, the general rule is to match the thread to the fabric, and the needle to the thread. Size 69 is pretty versatile, so I use that almost exclusively, and most of the needles I have on hand (between 70 and 110 in my domestic machines) work well with size 69. A smaller thread, and therefore a smaller needle, would probably be a better choice for tyvek. It seems to prefer a longer stitch length, too, as if the holes get too close it becomes a perforation line that will tear easily. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have other questions, and thanks for watching!

[@jordannellessen785]

I'm interested in making a minimalist tent of my own with tyvek. Any ideas on waterproofing sewn seams? Will sew in/iron on stick?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi! My only experience with applying seam sealer is using Mcnett's Silnet (if I'm remembering correctly) to this backpack. It seemed to work, but I haven't tested it the way I would a tent. I'm not certain how waterproof Tyvek is as far as making a tent out of it, it might be fine, I'm not sure. My advice is if you have access to a bunch of Tyvek for free and want to experiment with it, go for it! If you're buying it, it might be better to just buy some silnylon or silpoly instead. Ripstop By The Roll has great stuff and some of it is pretty inexpensive. Incidentally, I'm currently working on a video for a DIY tent inspired by the ZPacks Duplex, so you might want to keep an eye out for that soon. Good luck with your project, and thanks for watching!

[@jordannellessen785]

@@thejasonofalltrades I know that tyvek is 'completely waterproof and keeps all of its strength when wet' per the manufacturer website... until you poke holes with needle and thread. I am building a house so will have plenty to spare to try but in my experience getting things to stick to it is a problem especially when movement is allowed. Thanks for getting back to me! Enjoyed the video. Looking forward to the tent!

[@johnmichaels4330]

I'm a vet and still use either my military issue pack or my Blackhawk night ops pack. Both can literally take a beating and you can pull a person to rescue with them. I'm interested in the idea of not having a 10lb bag and 50lbs of gear. How well did this bag hold up over the years? Do you have to be really gentle with it? Did it stay weather resistant? Just got into kayaking and this could be a great pack for kayak camping. Oh yeah subed. Love this channel.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi! Thanks for checking out my channel! This bag held up well for quite some time, and no, I was never gentle with it. However, my general position is I don't recommend using Tyvek for something like this unless you happen to have a large quantity of free Tyvek (buying Tyvek for this purpose doesn't seem a good idea to me), or if you are just curious and want to experiment with it. In this video about the bag that replaced this one, you can see the condition the Tyvek eventually reached. It is still structurally sound, though. - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooiUqqJ4itlnptU There are some excellent fabrics available to make a pack like this one. Check out Ripstop By The Roll, I have an affiliate link in the description of most of my recent videos, or just google them. They're an excellent source for lightweight materials for backpacks and other outdoor gear! I hope that helps, thank you for your service, and thanks for watching!

[@johnmichaels4330]

@thejasonofalltrades thanks for replying. I'll go watch it now. I haven't made it through all your videos yet, but I'm working on it lol. Love the feel of your videos, thanks again.

[@tandago7281]

Since then, have you had a chance to test it submerged in water (or under serious rainfall)? I'm wondering how it behaves at the seams...

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi! This bag is nearly two years old now, and I've used it extensively, primarily on my standup paddle board. It has been splashed several times, but never submerged. I suspect that if one made a bag like this and carefully sealed the seams, it would withstand a very brief immersion without getting the stuff inside wet. That said, it is NOT a dry bag. In fact, when I carry it paddling, I keep my valuables in a dry bag inside it. After almost two years of use, the bag is still intact, but it is definitely showing wear, mostly in the form of pilling and discoloration. Overall, I think this is a great material to use if you have access to some extra that would have been otherwise thrown away, but I wouldn't necessarily buy it to use for a bag like this. There are probably better materials made for that purpose. Tyvek is killer stuff, but it really shines in a upcycling situation. I hope that helps, thanks for the question and thanks for watching!

[@tandago7281]

@@thejasonofalltrades Thank you for answering so quickly and for explaining this. :) I am intrigued by how light the material is...

[@TyBraek]

Have you had any experience with the tyvek 14m? It’s supposed to be similar but it seems cheaper. It’s still a cloth like fabric but it’s made for art archiving. I was wondering if it’s similar to the 1443r

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I haven't. I've used the house wrap and the envelopes, which feel very similar (if they aren't the same, I'm not certain). If you can get a small portion it might be worth trying!

[@TyBraek]

@@thejasonofalltrades yeah the 14 series is much softer and cloth like. The 1443r is made for things like sewing.

[@davidholec4050]

like for cat :)

[@taitywaity1836]

Has it held up well? If so this is the ultimate pack material: durable, cheap, waterproof, and you can personalise it with sharpies!

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi, It's still holding up great, actually! This pack lives in my garage (Florida heat and humidity) and goes out on the paddle board at least a few times a month. So far, so good!

[@daisychain4096]

How about it now

[@OwenPStandley]

After two years, how did it hold up? What thread did you use?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi! The pack is still intact, but the material is "pilling" and stained, so I've pretty much retired it. You can see a clip of it in its current state in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooiUqqJ4itlnptU I used V69 bonded nylon thread on this, but a thinner thread would be better. Overall, I like using Tyvek for a project like this, if you have Tyvek leftover from a home improvement project or otherwise get a big piece for free. I would definitely NOT recommend buying Tyvek to make a bag from. It is reasonably tough and long-lasting, but not as much as a good technical fabric, and it's not that cheap if you have to purchase it. It stood up reasonably well to 2+ years of mostly wet use on my stand-up paddle board, though. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@timwarneka5681]

Hello, good sir! Wondering how this bag has held up after 3 years. Any thoughts?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi Tim! In this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooiUqqJ4itlnptU you can see how the bag looked when I retired it. It is still structurally sound (it's been sitting in my garage for a year or so now), but it was looking pretty ratty. I imagine if one made a bag out of Tyvek and didn't use it quite as roughly as I did, it might hold up pretty well. My general feeling after having made some Tyvek stuff is; it's fun to try stuff with if you aren't trying to make something to last a lifetime, and if you can score some for really cheap or free, it's worth experimenting with. If you want to make an item that you intend to use hard and you want it to last, the time you will spend making it justifies spending money on a fabric that is better suited to the purpose. I hope that makes sense, thanks for the question, and thanks for watching!

[@millanferende6723]

May I ask, is there a reason you are using this Tyvek and not the super soft Tyvek? Is this one tougher or more durable? Thanks in advance if you can clarify that :)

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi, I used this houseware Tyvek because it was left over from a friend's home improvement project, and the idea is to make use of something that would otherwise be thrown away. Honestly, Tyvek is a neat material, but if you're buying it, you would be much better off just buying an appropriate fabric instead, in my opinion. Incidentally, this pack has lasted over a year now, so if you have access to scrap Tyvek, it definitely seems worthwhile to make something from it! I hope that helps, thanks for watching!

[@DannyB-cs9vx]

There are different grades or types of Tyvek, but in general it is UV resistant for about a year. The melting point is 275f or 135c, so careful around a campfire. www.fibermark.com/sites/default/files/FMK_DuPontTyvekUsersManual_1.pdf

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks for the great info! I think I forgot to mention it in this video, but I usually singe my thread ends with a lighter, and I ruined a piece of Tyvek doing that - it melts VERY easily. Thanks for adding to the conversation!

[@TheBennynyc2]

Any updates on this ?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi! This pack was in regular use on my standup paddle board for about two years. While it is technically still structurally sound, the material has "pilled" extensively and looks pretty bad, so the pack is more-or-less retired. I made a new pack out of 400d nylon to replace this one; in the beginning of this video you can see the current state of the tyvek one - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooiUqqJ4itlnptU Overall, my use of tyvek suggests that it can be a reasonably durable material for making bags, but I would personally only recommend it if you can get some scraps of tyvek for free, and/or you are using it to experiment with. I think there are better choices of fabrics out there that will last longer, but if you have access to free/scrap/leftover pieces of tyvek, you can certainly make useful items out of it. I hope that helps! Thanks for the question, and thanks for watching!

[@dalecrabtree2382]

Hey Jason, are you in Florida?

[@thejasonofalltrades]

I am!

[@chadbrooks9763]

Can I get a durability update. I'd like to make 1 but don't wanna invest the time if it didn't last long

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi Chad, It's been a bit over a year now. I use this pack 2-3 times a month on my standup paddle board. I wear it and sometimes strap it to the board, and use it to carry a small dry bag with my wallet, keys, etc. up to and including my lunch. It is not waterproof, hence the small dry bag inside, but so far I haven't noticed anything inside being particularly wet under normal use (last week I jumped in the water with it, forgetting I was wearing it, and in the brief immersion I don't thing it soaked through, but everything was wet that day, so hard to say. In general, in a typical paddle of a couple of hours on the water, I never see any indication that water is making its way into the pack. I did seam seal the main seams on the bag. I'm seeing some wear on the bottom, where the tyvek seems to be "pilling." There are no specific wear spots or holes. It has picked up some discoloration, probably mostly from sweat. I haven't tried cleaning it in any way, other than rinsing it with fresh water. I also made a duffle bag that lives in my truck. It doesn't see regular use, just holds some tools, jumper cables, etc., and it looks pretty much like the day I made it (it's a little older than this backpack, and is inside a covered area of the truck, not exposed to weather). When this backpack wears out, I'll probably make something to replace it with. At the moment, I'm not sure if that will be tyvek or not. I feel like tyvek can last a long time if not abused, but I tend to abuse my gear. That said, it also depends on when the bag ultimately fails. I essentially made this bag for one event, and it has lasted far longer than I might have expected. If I were to make another, I'd probably use a different material for the bottom panel. I usually use motorcycle inner tube for this on my "real" packs, but lighter bicycle tubes would probably be better for a bag like this. I hope that helps, thanks for watching!

[@chadbrooks9763]

@@thejasonofalltrades wow that was a quick response and very informative. Thank you sir! I feel more confident from here on out making 1 for myself

[@jvin248]

Lol, Tyvek gets left on unsided houses for months and months sometimes. All that happens is the wind blows it off the staples. You might look into screen printing artwork on the Tyvek, I haven't tried it on Tyvek, but on T-shirts it obviously lasts a long time. See this channel for about the most useful screen printing information (and shirt sourcing) I've seen. kzbin.info Working off his hints the junior high robotics team kids I coach printed their own shirts last year -- they really liked it.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Thanks for the info!

[@Hotled1944]

So how is it holding up.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Very well, actually! I've used it on a couple of boat trips, carried on my paddle board at least a half-dozen times, and done at least one short hike with it. I don't see any signs of wear so far. Before making this backpack, I made a Tyvek duffle bag, which has been living in the back seat of my truck, filled with bungees, tie-down straps, etc. It's been back there for months, and when I use it, I'm intentionally not careful with it - I open the zipper with reckless abandon, throw it back into the truck when I'm done with it, throw stuff on top of it. It, too, has held up remarkably well.

[@Hotled1944]

thejasonofalltrades that’s awesome, I’m gonna and go see if I can snag some .

[@miaforte8536]

Have you ever printed on tyvek? Block printing. Inkjet, etc?

[@ulperformance4087]

Unfortunately, Tyvek is not sufficiently durable for use as a backpack. It will not last well in the outdoors. I make heat reflective clothing that owing to it being worn on my body, such as an Anorak and gaiter leggings worn over a base layer protected by sweater and pants, they are protected from damage. I do wear the Anorak in three seasons except Summer, but am cautious around shrubs, capable of damaging any fabric. When in Germany, I purposely rubbed up against some shrubs to test potential damage to my Anorak. Fortunately it held up without damage. A backpack for the long haul will most likely fail. Consider what you store in it. Any sharp object will easily penetrate it and consider the weight stored with its pressure against the Tyvek using sewn construction. I use glue construction throughout, a stronger bond than sewing and no holes where water can penetrate if sewn except waterproofed - an added necessity.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Very good points! I think tyvek is an awesome material for light-use pouches, and as a material for testing designs, presuming one can find a source of it for free (construction scraps, for example). This backpack lasted I think a year or two before I retired it, and it was still structurally sound but the appearance was getting pretty bad. Tyvek has its place, but I agree, if you are spending the time and effort to make something you wish to use for a long time, it's better to use fabric intended for that purpose. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@fish7400]

Hey bro! I'd like to get in touch with you offline if you're cool with it. I have some projects that I need to tackle (big ones), some equipment to buy, and some advice to ask. Not about to put my number out on a public forum lol, so how can we connect? Cool Cat btw.. We have a black shorthair with green eyes that looks like a morbidly obese version of yours. We call him Action Jackson. Thanks again for another video man! -Fish-

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hey man! Email is the best way to reach me - the jasonofalltrades @ gmail . com

[@twinstar9]

You pet your cat as though it is is big dog, or a horse, or maybe a pig or an elephant.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

He basically is a dog.

[@twinstar9]

Stop the petting at the mid-back. Farther than that irritates kitty's nerves which is why their tails go up.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

Hi, I'm not sure where that info comes from, but I've seen contrary information. Apparently they quite like it, and every cat I've ever had has responded favorably. If you have a source of your information, I'm interested to know more. Thanks!

[@twinstar9]

@@thejasonofalltrades It comes from vets and they know what it means to have the tail go up like that. Cats like the first part of the petting and they like the attention so that is what you are seeing. For us it would be like the hairs standing up on the back of our necks or the cringe we feel when we hear fingernails scraping on a blackboard. Same phenomenon.

[@twinstar9]

The origin is a protective mechanism. They can't see what creepy insects are on that part of their body and they know they can't reach that part of their body so their instinct tells them, "NOOO" when that part is stroked.

[@doughunter3967]

@@twinstar9 twitch muscles... my cat sure does't mind (when it feels like it, haha...cats are like women, you can train them to do anything they want...bless Yah...doug