And today, in Jay's continuing experiments in learning to sew, I made a stuff sack. The idea was to try and make a simpler version of Paul's tread-lite Cuben packing cubes by making a box based stuff sac with a draw cord top sized to fit my rucksack. I may try to make a zipped box at some point but, at least for now, these are much easier. I'm still using the cheap uncoated ripstop I bought from Ebay so this isn't a long term use version, I'll probably pick up some sil nylon or poly to make some waterproof versions at some point but don't want to buy expensive materials until I'm a bit more confident in my abilities. I also wanted to see how accurate my dimensions ended up after allowing for seams etc. The other thing I wanted to try was a lap felled seam for strength as I'd never sewn anything other than a simple line of stitching for a seam or hem.
Cut a piece of ripstop 105cm x 50cm. Stitched over the edges where the draw cord would be and stitched a double rolled hem to keep the raw edge inside and have room for the draw cord. ran the draw cord through afterwards because that's a lot easier with the fish tool and wouldn't get in the way of the next seam. Lined the seam up with a half seam allowance for the lap fell and ran a line of stitching.
View attachment 18628
You can see the difference in the seam sizes for the overlap here.
View attachment 18631
Folded the larger seam over the smaller one and used some binder clips to hold it in place, then ran the second line of stitching.
View attachment 18632
After about 4-5 inches I realised I'd folded the seam over the wrong way and had to unpick the stitching which left a series of holes in the fabric. As this isn't coated, it's not going to matter on this version but I'd have been annoyed if it was sil although a drop of seam seal would have fixed it. This is how you learn.
Folded the seam the correct way and ran the second line.
View attachment 18633
It was a bit wonky at the top but improved as a went along and it'll be good and solid.
View attachment 18634
The bottom seam is just rolled and stitched and then stitched again. This is all probably complete overkill for a stuff sack but it's good practice for me to figure out how to do this and also to consider how different seams can be done. For example, I could do the lap fell seam on the side seam because the fabric is able to bunch around the arm of the machine but this bottom seam wouldn't fit so I just double stitched it instead. Should be strong enough.
View attachment 18635
Then measured out the box edges at the bottom, double stitched them and cut off the excess.
View attachment 18636
View attachment 18637
Added a cord lock to the draw cord and stuffed it with my quilt.
View attachment 18638
View attachment 18639
Works nicely, fits in the rucksack well but something as squishy as the quilt pushes the shape out so it's not as neat as a proper zippered box but it'll be fine for the quilt, clothes or food things and I'll be looking to get some waterproof fabric to make a few of these to organise my gear more efficiently.
Oh and it weighs 26g, because someone was going to ask