LARGE VERSION - link

I’ve been trying to draw up a pattern for a while now based on my most recent findings. This isn’t necessarily the best version, but it includes the features I’m looking for in my next run. It looks like a big project.

Maybe the pattern can help out any other would-be bag makers as well.

Love, peace, and pizza.

Sorry Genevieve, but you knew it would happen one day. It’s just sad that today is that day.

Below is my new love, my soul mate, the Singer 348……

The Casper bag has proven it’s worth so far. However it needed a proper weight and load test.

Experiment:
Test the load capabilities of Casper bag and impress girlfriend with a harvest of Trader Joe’s goods.

Results:

• Purchase goods and load bag.
• Bike to girlfriends domicile with loaded bag.
  
  
• Present loaded bag to girlfriend. Endure ridicule.
  
• Watch gleeful surprise of girlfriend as she discovers goods.
  
• Total goods count: 3 bags of rice cakes (plain), 1 package of Chicken & Cheese Tamales (2ct), 2 packages of Cheese Enchiladas (awesome), 1 loaf of whole wheat sourdough, 1 8×10 sketch book, 1 sharpie, 1 Foray gel pen, 1 box of Marlboros, 1 Marconi lighter, 1 crescent wrench mutli-tool, 1 bike tool, 1 roll of quarters, 1 Kryptonite U-lock
  
• Sexy Results!
  

Thanks to: Trader Joe’s & The Amazing Genevieve

Piece(s):

Notes:
A little something I put together for my messenger bag making. I actually just got the idea from the photos Jon shot of me earlier today. It’s bits and pieces from video I had taken months ago, photos of me by Jon, and photos I shot of the new bag today.

Thanks to: JonnyPockets (photos) and MSTRKRFT (Bloc Party Remix Beats)

Holla.

Piece(s):

Notes:
This “Casper” bag is the product of some hard research and a bit of practicing making other bags. Although this bag is truly featureless (no pcokets or anything like that), it is a real sign of progress and hope for me.

“Casper” is a turning point in my bag design and production. Even if I did break my sewing machine finishing it. (Not to self: get machine fixed.)

Thing that make this bag special:

• Recycled Military Rubber-ish liner (with printed description of what it held previously)
• Metallic silver padded shoulder (material from an old food delivery bag)
• Main strap buckle (for quick release)
• Sternum strap (for stabilizing)
• Overstrap on should pad (for clipping phone, bottle, walkies, etc.)

Things to take into consideration for “Casper’s” soon-to-be born brother:

• Pocketing
• Strap attachment at begging of main stitching
• Velcro attachment before main stitching
• Trimming during main stitching
• Designed dimensions

Until then I am a super happy camper.

Piece(s):

Notes:
This is a basic bag that I put together in about an hour last week. Althouh the design is simplistic, the fabrics are flavorful and quite nice. The exterior is a common cotton stripe (off-white/forrest), and the liner is a super-sturdy soft wool (grey). As I said, this is a simple construction bag really used so that I could breakdown the framework itself. I needed to insure my roots before progressing to more complicated bags. As from where it derives it’s name, this bag too can hold a lot of junk in what would be its trunk.

The bag has a few interesting features:

• Shorter flap (I derivated from the design I has been using)
• Not water or weather proof, but VERY lightweight
• Taller design perfect for books and knick-knacks
• Designed much more for a female wearer

This was a definitive success. I am very happy with it.

Some highlights of the past few weeks.

This is Carmen. She is a singlespeed, coaster brake equipped wonder. And tomorrow she will leave me for another. I love her so, but it must be.

Goodbye Carmen.

Random fun with Cole Gamble. I can’t figure out if I like him more with or without the settings. You decide which is more awesome.

Thanks for tuning in.

1. Lose control of my fixie going down Sandy.
2. Tell Jon I just found a piece of beef in my bean and cheese burrito.
3. Dress like Guy Fawkes near a Scientology building.
4. Forget to finish my art projects.