Instructions to sew a square bottom stuff sack

Discussion about making bushwalking-related equipment.

Instructions to sew a square bottom stuff sack

Postby simonm » Tue 06 Oct, 2015 3:28 pm

Hi all,

I have added instructions on how I sew square bottom stuff sacks.

http://www.tiergear.com.au/25/square-bottom-stuff-sack

Square bottom stuff sack 045_640x480.JPG
Square bottom stuff sack 045_640x480.JPG (42.12 KiB) Viewed 9111 times


Square bottom stuff sack 046_360x480.JPG
Square bottom stuff sack 046_360x480.JPG (38.94 KiB) Viewed 9111 times


Square bottom stuff sack 048_360x480.JPG
Square bottom stuff sack 048_360x480.JPG (41.4 KiB) Viewed 9111 times
simonm
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1401
Joined: Tue 30 Apr, 2013 4:40 pm
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Tier Gear Tasmania
Region: Tasmania

Re: Instructions to sew a square bottom stuff sack

Postby Orion » Wed 07 Oct, 2015 2:12 am

Nice!

As simple as they are, every time I make one I have to spend some time remembering exactly what to do. One thing I never bother with is finishing the edges of the inside material. It frays, but so slowly that it's rarely an issue. The sack in the photos below is for a sleeping bag. It's over seven years old.


I like to add a grab flap at the bottom. It's easy to do (once I remember how to do it).
I think it helps a lot when pulling out a down bag or jacket:

Image


Also a round flap on top is kind of nice:

Image


I once made one with a round bottom, flat felled seams, everything nicely finished and even a metal grommet for where the cord emerged from the sack. It was a gift; I'd never go to that much trouble for myself.
Orion
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1963
Joined: Mon 02 Feb, 2009 12:33 pm
Region: Other Country

Re: Instructions to sew a square bottom stuff sack

Postby simonm » Wed 07 Oct, 2015 5:47 am

Hey Orion,

7 years is a pretty good run!

Sometimes I add a grosgrain loop at the bottom as a pull handle, I might add that to the blog post. I do a rolled hem to hide the raw edge mainly for strength as when you sew it together you are stitching through 6 layers of fabric instead of 2. As shown by the photo's below the red bag is from another manufacturer, it's a small point but I like to make stuff as strong as possible, but as can be seen from your sack they still last ok.

Square bottom stuff sack 050_360x480.JPG
Square bottom stuff sack 050_360x480.JPG (44.3 KiB) Viewed 9053 times


Square bottom stuff sack 052_360x480.JPG
Square bottom stuff sack 052_360x480.JPG (60.34 KiB) Viewed 9053 times
simonm
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1401
Joined: Tue 30 Apr, 2013 4:40 pm
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Tier Gear Tasmania
Region: Tasmania

Re: Instructions to sew a square bottom stuff sack

Postby Orion » Wed 07 Oct, 2015 6:42 am

That makes sense. The seams on mine pull apart kind of like that when heavily loaded. In fact the main seam is slowly tearing the fabric apart. Oh well, seven years and I've only had to patch it a little. It's cheap and easy enough to make a new one... if I could remember how to do it. Now I can look at your instructions to get started.

I was going to make a couple of small Cuben stuff sacks. I was thinking of just taping them together instead of sewing. I hadn't really thought it through though. Would you do it the same way and just substitute tape for stitches? Or would you use a different approach?
Orion
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1963
Joined: Mon 02 Feb, 2009 12:33 pm
Region: Other Country

Re: Instructions to sew a square bottom stuff sack

Postby simonm » Wed 07 Oct, 2015 6:54 am

I used to just tape the cuben sacks when I was doing them and they seemed reasonably strong. Sewing and then taping would probably be even stronger. There is some evidence that in sub-zero temps the tape loses significant strength so it depends where you are intending to use them.
simonm
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1401
Joined: Tue 30 Apr, 2013 4:40 pm
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Tier Gear Tasmania
Region: Tasmania

Re: Instructions to sew a square bottom stuff sack

Postby Orion » Wed 07 Oct, 2015 7:19 am

I wasn't planning on a life support role for either of them.
I was just wondering if you would cut the same pattern or do something different.

Interesting about the Cuben taped seams and temperature. I have thought about taking my Cuben pyramid out in the winter and might have done it last winter if we'd gotten any snow. I wonder if the seams would fall apart at night in the cold? That would be too funny!
Orion
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1963
Joined: Mon 02 Feb, 2009 12:33 pm
Region: Other Country

Re: Instructions to sew a square bottom stuff sack

Postby simonm » Wed 07 Oct, 2015 7:30 am

Personally I would just tape the cuben stuff sacks - keep it simple and just cut it as per normal. I haven't had any problems or had any reported failures from the one's I sold.

Lawson Kline paid 3M to do some testing I believe, though I have not read any reports of failures in the field.
simonm
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1401
Joined: Tue 30 Apr, 2013 4:40 pm
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Tier Gear Tasmania
Region: Tasmania

Re: Instructions to sew a square bottom stuff sack

Postby neilmny » Wed 07 Oct, 2015 8:32 am

Thanks for the instruction page Simon.
I was wondering what your intended depth and widths were when you cut the 400mm square piece of material?
Maybe even the finished size of the sack would be handy to start with. thanks, Neil.
User avatar
neilmny
Lagarostrobos franklinii
Lagarostrobos franklinii
 
Posts: 2604
Joined: Fri 03 Aug, 2012 11:19 am
Region: Victoria
Gender: Male

Re: Instructions to sew a square bottom stuff sack

Postby simonm » Wed 07 Oct, 2015 9:12 am

Hi Neil,

With the tarp in the stuff sack the dimensions are about 270mm long x 100mm wide or thereabouts.

Square bottom stuff sack 049_640x480.JPG
Square bottom stuff sack 049_640x480.JPG (48.35 KiB) Viewed 8998 times
simonm
Athrotaxis selaginoides
Athrotaxis selaginoides
 
Posts: 1401
Joined: Tue 30 Apr, 2013 4:40 pm
ASSOCIATED ORGANISATIONS: Tier Gear Tasmania
Region: Tasmania


Return to Make Your Own Gear

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests