After looking for a new pair of winter cycling pants, I decided I’ll just modify a pair of synthetic thermal joggers. I can sew a windproof/ resistant nylon on the front, but I’m a little worried about flex in the knee. Is there a fabric I should look for that has some stretch to it? My other thought is just sew in some darts/ articulation.

Y’all the experts at this stuff, what say ye? I can run a machine, as long as that fucking evil bobbin thing doesn’t make my living hell.

Was thinking of using some embroidery thread and hand stitching that star thing, but my last one wasn’t really star like.

I bought the hoop, what now?

It’s a MH Cater Lake, edges have been heat sealed.

I'm looking to buy a sewing machine and would like to work my way to installing zippers for drysuits, altering 3ply material (gore-tex) and making some gear.

What machine should I start with, and where should I go?

Apologies if this is too vague, but I'm new and don't know what I don't know.

Thank you kindly for your suggestions. G

Hi all, I'm wondering if anyone here might be able to help with an issue I've been having with some DIY drawstring chalk bags (for climbing). Consistently, after some use, the paracord drawstring will get chalky and "locks" in place, making it really tough (and sometime impossible) to open and close the chalk bag. This will happen after a month or so of use. I notice that the commercial chalk bag that I have owned for several years does not have this issue, even though it's also a drawstring mechanism.

Has anyone else had this problem? Any tips for cleaning or treating the cord to prevent it from getting so gummed up? Or is there a better alternative cord material that doesn't stick so much with chalk?

A friend of mine suggested plasti-dip, but I don't know much about it and wonder if the fact that it's advertised as "peelable" would lead to it sloughing off the paracord drawstring eventually.

Thanks for any advice!

Hi all! I am looking to sew a grid fleece dress, akin to the melanzana & youer versions. I have a melanzana dress and love it, but don't want to take it apart to get a pattern. Has anyone used a pattern to make a similar item? Thank you!

Long story short, this has been sitting in my garage for years. I'm itching to learn how to use it after being a lurker on this sub for sometime and getting seriously inspired. I'm guessing that this thing might not be up to the job though. I literally have no clue about sewing but I do like learning new skills.

Anyone know how often RSBTR restocks the uncalendared stuff? I'd like to make another quilt but seems like most of it has been out of stock for a few weeks.

For the lack of space i am looking for a solution to swap my to Singers for a capable sewing machine that can do light fabrics, heavy duty fabrics and zig zag stitching. I have been looking at these Sail Rite Ultrafeed LSZ. Is it worth considering or are there beter machines or combo's? My prefered fabrics are heavy duty ones like xpac, corduroy etcetera.

During the warmer months, my brother and I do quite a bit of outdoor activities: hiking, exploring abandoned places, shooting, fishing, etc. I've been using two bags for this for the past couple years: a LLBean Bigelow Pack, and a Rothco Tech Bag (haversack, basically).

These bags have worked well and I'll continue to use them, but I've become aware that a bag somewhere in between the two in size would be nice - and because I just don't know what's good for me, I want to make it from scratch.

The design I'm after is along the same lines as the Patagonia Atom 8L - one-strap sling bag with a sidezip for a large main compartment and a smaller flat pocket on the outside, plus a couple compression straps/jacket straps. However, I'd like to make it from a combination of leather and canvas (likely waxed), so that as I use it and beat the crap out of it over time a patina will develop.

I've never made a bag before - shit, the most complicated thing I've made is a zipper pouch. I could definitely try to design the pattern from the ground up, but honestly I don't have much confidence in doing that. Does anyone know where I could find a pattern for a bag similar to this that I could modify, or if not, how I could make my own?

I'd appreciate any advice or tips.

Rab has a line of coats and sleeping bags where the inner lining is coated with aluminum or titanium to reflect body heat and greatly increase thermal efficiency (they call it TILT). I think it would be neat to be able to take this idea and apply it to whatever i want, whether it's gear i make from scratch or a pre-existing item.

Does anyone happen to have insight into how this is created? I can imagine making a non-breathable/waterproof version by mixing metal powder with silicone or something (also interesting), but the breathable version is less obvious.

I'm making a ball cap and was wondering if any of you had experience making them out of cotton, or even cotton/polyester blend, or nylon.

What is a common weight for this fabric? Is it cotton canvas or something else? Thanks!

I was spoiled living in the US buying Cordura and other materials like webbing and buckles to make packs and now I live in Japan, it feels like all this stuff is way more expensive.

Anybody know of a place in store or online to get similar fabrics, mil spec webbing and side release buckles at an affordable cost?

Anyone know what durston or others is using for the 15d high tenacity polyester in the x-dome?

I just want to diy a simple tarp but want to use good fabrics

Got this off of fb marketplace for $600! Not sure what year it is. It's got the workhorse motor. Its missing the drawer on the left under tabletop, the screw for the outside foot, and the worklight. Other than that it looks to be complete and in working order.

Gonna hit the local hardware store tomorrow for a replacement screw. Got a few different feet on order that should be in tomorrow.

I’m trying to make my own jacket modifications to my rain jacket from north face with a hood, but even when it’s sold and labeled as watertight, water still gets thru the seams and gaps between thread. What would be a thread that’s moisture resistant, ballistically stable, and would tolerate extreme temperature changes (-30F outside to stepping inside which would be a warmer room temp of 65F)? I’ve heard of V-92 Kevlar, but that’ll put a hole in my wallet. Any suggestions help.

My background is finance and numbers, so I am by far the least creative individual.

I have a very basic design of a tent I would like to create. A mountaineering tent. I know the dimensions, pole material, pole diameter, fabric, etc, but I am not sure where to go from here.

What sewing machines would be suitable that won’t absolutely break the bank? Do I need to map this out in a CADA software?

Really any tips would be helpful as this is the first time doing this type of thing. Thank you

With Loosegoose no longer around where is a good source for quality down? I know Dutch and RSBTR. Just wondering if there is a place with a little better price is all. Thanks

Like the title says. I've seen posts suggesting CS Osborne grommets, but my concern is the material the bag is made out of. Vertx list the material as "mini ripstop nylon".

Is it possible to do this with this material without much fuss? And are there any quick and easy kits available that I can do this with?

Hey folks, I’m looking for some help locating 2 sets of Woojin Picco 20mm buckles.

They don’t seem to be available in the US and was hoping someone had lead or any spares. Mainly, I need two male buckles.

If you have any or know of a place to purchase these online, please let me know.

Thank you!