sheffielddesigns-blog

[sheffielddesigns-blog]

Rucksack Project Update

Finally got around to making leather lash tabs for the rucksack. These were fairly straightforward to make. Basically, I printed out the design on paper and then cut it out and used it as a stencil to outline the design on a piece of leather. Instead of using the edges of the paper stencil directly, a placed a ruler over the edges and drew the design on. I then cut out the arrows as best I could using a pair of scissors and then cleaned up all the edges using an Exacto knife.

[sheffielddesigns-blog]

Science Break: A short video I made illustrating the science side of my life--my day job. Music Credit: Tony Anderson

[sheffielddesigns-blog]

Rucksack Project Update: Shoulder Straps

These shoulder straps take a lot more work than I imaged at first. I opted to copy @topo-designs using seatbelt webbing which is very strong and also very visually appealing. I don’t the special mesh you normally see on the underside of these straps so I made the whole thing out of Cordura 1000D fabric. Again, I can’t stress enough how important it is to measure and cut everything evenly. That being said, cutting the rounded bottom was done free-hand (maybe not the best idea, but it seemed to work). Adding the grosgrain ribbon around the strap really adds a professional touch while serving as a second seam. For filler, I bought some batting at the craft store. It’s actually more difficult to buy foam than you would think it should be. If anyone has any tips on where acquire foam please let me know.

I really like how these straps turned out.

[sheffielddesigns-blog]

Top pull cord cover almost complete and ready for attachment--just need a metal o-ring to finish it off. Making this piece was very straightforward, but the finished product is very satisfying. The contrast between the fabric, thread and paracord really make it pop.

[sheffielddesigns-blog]

Sometimes, the smallest things can be the most satisfying.

[sheffielddesigns-blog]

Rucksack Project Update: Top Enclosure I am very satisfied with how the top enclosure came out today! It's modeled after the @topo-designs Klettersack and completely stitched by hand (my fingers hurt). It was essentially the same as making a pouch except that I used the curbed edges which look very nice and add a little volume to the enclosure. For the edges I used an overlock stitch and then a half back stitch for the zipper connection. The grosgrain ribbon covers up the seam lines very nicely. And stitching it in provided a second row of stitching adding to the strength of the seam. The next step is to connect it to the rest of the bag.

[sheffielddesigns-blog]

Just wanted to say that felt holds up surprisingly well. Brings me back to my grade school days when people would use felt pencils cases.

[sheffielddesigns-blog]

A little note about frayed edges

Throughout this rucksack project, I’ve been battling frayed edges (see the right picture in previous post for an example). Fraying along a cut you make with a lower denier fabric is what comes with using the fabric--it’s not my fault; however, battling the frames by continuously snipping at them with scissors instead of sitting down an hashing out how to take care of them for good is my fault. Frays can become a real problem when you are working with short seams are attempting to use the overlock stitching method I have described. This is the first project I am encountering the frays since it’s the first project where I am including a low denier liner fabric (all my other bags have been straight 1000D Cordura).

A quick internet search led to some quick solutions: either using a lighter/candle to heat seal them or by sewing in a hem. While sewing in a hem will require more fabric and a few more measurements, I think it’s the best way to go. Heat sealing should work (in fact, I use it to close off my nylon strap ends) but can still break down in the long run. From now on it’s a hemmin’ for me.

[sheffielddesigns-blog]

Rucksack Project

Recently I’ve been working on a hand stitched rucksack project. The pack design is largely based on a 15L version of my Topo Designs Klettersack. Hand stitching the pack has been somewhat difficult, but the processes has taught me that while still advantageous in certain situations, hand stitching has its place and a sewing machine will eventually be necessary. The outside of the pack is made of Cordura 1000D fabric (pictured on the left bound to a nylon strap) and the inside is lined with 420D Nylon fabric (pictured on the right). The pack is held together using Dual Duty thread and a half back seam strategy is being used for most of the seams in the pack as it is apparently very sturdy. The hand stitching is evident in that my seams aren’t perfectly straight, however drawing in a line to guide your stitching definitely helps (see right image versus left image). You can also see how the 420D Nylon liner easily frays at the edges. This is why a grosgrain seam liner is necessary and will be applied along with the second row of seaming.

I will post more pictures as I go. I can’t wait to see how it looks!

[sheffielddesigns-blog]

Painting an Axe Handle

Axes with hand painted handles have been popping up all over the internet--best illustrated by the work of Yellowood Design Studio. I really like the way these look and wanted to give customizing an axe a go. Now, while I wasn’t going to get into restoring a vintage axe, as I have no experience doing this sort of work, I was confident in my ability to paint the handle of a camping axe as per a protocol I found online. After a lot of taping and many coats of spray paint, here is the finished product. To finish it off, I will perform a few touch-ups and add a clear coat.

[sheffielddesigns-blog]

My Yosemite NP experience was amazing and I wish I could have spent a lot longer in the park than I did (we stayed two days, one night). The weather was perfect and the scenery was gorgeous. I was able to hike the Mist Trail and see a couple waterfalls along the way. 

My camping experience was also equally as fun. We ended up sleeping 6 people in a 6-person tent which actually (minus some snoring) went pretty smoothly. Grilled hotdogs, veggies, and steaks done over an open fire really hit the spot after a day of hiking. I’ll definitely be coming back here again.

[sheffielddesigns-blog]

Working with Cordura brand fabric is a little different from working with felt. I knew that the best way to construct a bag was to stitch from the inside out--it just makes the most sense. I purchased some colored Cordora brand fabric and a heavy duty zipper online. I snagged some Daul Duty thread and thicker leather-working needles from my local craft store and got to work.

After a few internet searches, I decided to use an overlock stitch for the edges of the bag and half-back stitching for the zipper. The popular opinion online is that the half-back stitch is the strongest hand stitch for a seam and most closely resembles the stitching done using a sewing machine. I found that the overlock stitch seems pretty strong and provides a bit of rigidity giving the bag some shape. The total time spent on this project was around 3 hours.

Major Observation: The most important part of creating an object from fabric is your cuts. Accurately measuring and precisely cutting your fabric can mean the difference between a professional-looking product and an uneven mess.

[sheffielddesigns-blog]

How it all started

I grew up in moderately rural part of Bucks County, PA (a suburb of Philadelphia). While my family wasn’t the type that would take week-long camping or ski trips, I was still imbued with a love of the outdoors; mainly by my father who would often tell me stories of his childhood when he would explore the woods surrounding a local orphanage, hunt in the fields belonging to a nearby farmer, or crawl under the fence to swim in an abandoned quarry located near where we lived. As I grew older, I was able to start experiencing the outdoors for myself. I took a few camping trips in high school, but my first real camping experience was during college when my roommate at the time and I packed our bags and spend a few days on the Appalachian Trail. During our time there we hiked, lived out of a tent and cooked our food over an open fire using wood we cut from fallen trees using our field knives (sort of wish I had a hatchet looking back). During this trip, I began to develop an interest in the outdoors that would be fostered over the next 5 years or so. 

Recently, I traveled to San Francisco with some friends to camp in Yosemite National Park. This was going to be my first big camping trip to a popular destination and so I knew proper planning was important. During the weeks leading up to the trip, I started doing research on what gear would be necessary. Through this research, I discovered companies like Topo Designs and Poler Stuff that offered functional outdoor gear combined with beautiful designs that appealed to my minimalist taste. In short, I settled on the Topo Designs Klettersack and that was the day pack I used on my trip to Yosemite. However, my desire to camp and interest in outdoor gear persisted after my trip. 

I am currently a graduate student in the Life Sciences working on cell division in the E. coli bacterium. Science if often times frustrating and the process can be very unsatisfying so it’s nice to have a hobby into which you can place some creative energy in order to yield a satisfying result. In accordance with this idea, I began to research the materials needed to construct my own gear. I started my first project by making a utility bag prototype out of felt (pictured in my header image). I didn’t have any prior sewing experience so it was a learn-as-you-go process. Hand stitching the bag was a therapeutic experience that allowed me to relax and clear my mind. The finished product was extremely satisfying to hold in my hands and look at. I decided right there that I wanted to continue for make bigger more complicated pieces of gear.

And the story unfolds...