Another DIY Frame Bag + a question

[Oylerz]

Hey all, I did it! Made myself a frame bag. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out since I'd never even used a sewing machine before this project. It's a roll top for the main compartment with a zippered pocket on the opposite side from the roll. It's 1000D Cordura on the body, and ripstop nylon on the inside of the pocket and on the roll top.

Question I have is - what do you finish the top of the roll with? Right now it's just the edge of the ripstop nylon and I think it needs something else, but I don't know what. Any suggestions?

Any other feedback (good or bad) on this Frankenstein bag would be appreciated.

[bakerjw]

One thing that I always do is to sew in a flap over the top of the zipper. This keeps rain and muck from getting into the zipper.

In sewing, right sides are the outward good looking side.

Let me see if I can describe it. This is all on the zipper side of the bag.
For the bottom part of the material, I fold it over (wrong sides together) and sew it on the front side of the zipper leaving enough room for the slide to move without any problem.
I usually trim the zipper leaving several zipper teeth and then hand sew across them so that the zipper doesn't come of the rails.
For the top side, I fold it over (wrong sides together) and make the fold wide enough so that it can sew to the front side of the zipper and have enough fabric to go down over the bottom fabric and the zipper. I like to leave 3/8" to 1/2" of material hanging over the lower fold.
attaching these 2 pieces is pretty easy when  sewing from the back side. That allows you to stitch close to the zipper.
Once the 2 pieces are together, stitch the end of the zipper (where it ends near the steer tube) and continue stitching along the bottom fold of the top piece.
Do the same on the start end of the zipper (near the seat post).

When completed, you will have a piece of fabric with a zipper embedded in the middle as shown here.
In the bottom om my frame bags, I cut a strip of vinyl siding (Cheap. Available), drill holes in it where the bottle mounts go and attache it to the frame. Once attached, I then cinch up the velcro at the top and then the end near the seat tube and lastly at the steer tube. They are ROCK solid even in the roughest terrain.

[Oylerz]

Great advice, Thanks!

I like the vinyl siding idea, I think I will incorporate that into mine. Might need to look at adding a strap at the steer tube - mine is a little loose in there.

Edit... by the way, the bag in your photo looks amazing!

[bakerjw]

FWIW... This was not my first attempt. There have been many different things tried and tested before I finally got a design that I liked and could assemble quickly. The only shortcoming is that mine might be too tight which makes it thin.

[vermont]

I have put a zipper at the end of a roll top.  What I would do is to sew the zipper two a two inch strip of fabric.  When you are done, you are actually sewing the fabric into your bag and not the zipper.  If you are using the zipper from the start, then sew the zipper strait to the bag, but since you are adding it to a finished bag, then it might be easier to sew a fabric border to the zipper and then sew the border to the bag.
Very nice job.  It takes a lot of guts to try a zipper on the first project.  It doesn't look like you used a zipper foot.  Learn to use a zipper foot and you will end up with super clean and super strong seams (on the zipper).

[Oylerz]

I have to be honest and say I don't even know what a zipper foot is - but now I'm going to find out.

Thanks for the advice.

[bakerjw]

Also look up a darning foot. They are invaluable for working with webbing straps.

[vermont]

What do you use a darning foot on webbing straps for?  I've always had luck with a normal foot.  I can see one being useful for tight corners of a bag, however.

[bakerjw]

Both will work. I just find that a darning foot makes it easy to do X crossing patterns.

[Oylerz]

Looking at my machine it looks like I'd be limited by the types of stitches it can do anyways. No reverse or X type patterns, only diagonal or straight stitches.

[vermont]

I find it hard to believe your machine does not have reverse.  I thought all machines had a reverse.  You only need a strait stitch unless you use knit fabrics (clothing).  My machine (an old White from my mother) has more options but I only use a strait stitch.  The X pattern is done by moving the fabric with a strait stitch.  Its not a function of the machine.

[Bash Aweigh]

A thin plastic such as from a kitchen cutting board cut to a 3/4" strip: you can always put two strips in if you like it a bit stronger. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Essentials-Flexible-Chopping-12x15/dp/B00QPUD0EW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1489776211&sr=8-6&keywords=plastic+cutting+board+sheets

My sewing machine was able to sew through one layer.

I've tried very large zip ties too but prefer the cutting board.

[bakerjw]

A thin plastic such as from a kitchen cutting board cut to a 3/4" strip: you can always put two strips in if you like it a bit stronger. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Kitchen-Essentials-Flexible-Chopping-12x15/dp/B00QPUD0EW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1489776211&sr=8-6&keywords=plastic+cutting+board+sheets

My sewing machine was able to sew through one layer.

I've tried very large zip ties too but prefer the cutting board.

Good advice. I've been looking for some stiffening material for making some feed bags. Thanks

[pilotintraining]

Looks awesome! I like the combo of the roll and the zip. I just hemmed the edge of my roll top, sewing the fabric back on itself. Here's a good tutorial - just be careful with the iron on laminated fabric.

Another option, a la Porcelain rocket,  would be a stiffening rod at the edge of the roll top. A small diameter aluminum rod in a webbing sleeve would probably work well. Personally I haven't had the need to do that with my bags, but it could help with fabric bunching.

[Oylerz]

Looks awesome! I like the combo of the roll and the zip. I just hemmed the edge of my roll top, sewing the fabric back on itself. Here's a good tutorial - just be careful with the iron on laminated fabric.

Another option, a la Porcelain rocket,  would be a stiffening rod at the edge of the roll top. A small diameter aluminum rod in a webbing sleeve would probably work well. Personally I haven't had the need to do that with my bags, but it could help with fabric bunching.

Thanks! Ive been testing it over the last couple weeks on my morning commute. I'm now wrapping the roll-top over the top tube which keeps it from rubbing on my leg better. I think just a folded seam will work just fine the way I am using it now, but I might consider some stiffener to keep the roll from bunching.

Appreciate the feedback!
Cheers!

[drwelby]

Plastic packing strapping (used for bundling around cardboard boxes and pallets) works well for roll top edges too. A little dumpster diving should turn up enough for a couple projects

[steel_wheel]

Hi there - good day,

i am deeply impressed - it looks very very awesome!  And yes - i really  like the combo of the roll and the zip.
I love this thread - and i am right at the beginning of sewing my own framebag - your work is very very inspiring.