Bushwalk Australia

G'day,
my (free) Janome sewing machine is dribbling along. Ken at the Heights Sewing Centre in Geelong is a champ. Know him MD?
Took up all my walking shirts-tails begone!
Took up all my pants, my shorts
Made my two shoulder strap pockets for my rucksack.
Don't get too close I might try and take up your pants!
Now I fancy trying a wee day rucksack as a trial-about 10 litres.
Can anybody recommend some material from Spotlight (that I don't have to order), just off the shelf.
Cheap,
WP or at least WR,
Strongish,
Light (ultralight? ) going for about 200 grams -there'll no padding in the shoulder straps (or anywhere else).
I want the first batch so that I can just pick it up with the plan to make a bigger one later if the wee one works, maybe with some VX42 or 21.
Also, would anyone know how much fabric/material I would need for a 35-40L internal one roughly?
Ta very much.
G

Yes Cecile and I know Ken.
I know of nothing at Spotlight really suitable for even UL rucksacks and Cecile and I have nothing LW in our stash suitable for packs. Canvas would be a different story

Thanks anyway MD.
Might just have a crack with some cheap stuff as I'll likely stuff it up anyway, might be good fun.
Cheers G

Keep in mind that the fabric weight makes very little difference to the weight of a rucksack, usually all the straps and webbing and padding are where the weight is

Yep, no worries.
On that, recently chatted with a chap that has the exact same rucksack (modifications, model, company and all) as me except his is 10 litres smaller (internal compartment) than mine -apart from this identical-mine is only about 45 grams heavier.
That's my plan to strip it as nude as I can including the other hardware- bit of a challenge/fun. Carry up to 11 kgs maybe
The ultimate aim is a 35-40L internal and roll top, no frame, padded shoulder straps for about 350-400 grams. No hip belt pockets etc. Small simple hip belty thing a la MLD.
Maybe in VX21?

I’ve been through this too. My initial “good quality” fabrics in Oz came from sail makers ( it took a bit of chat to get them to sell me a bit of fabric). I got a lot of fabric about 8yrs ago from dimension polyant, who make the X-pac stuff ( they sold end of roll stuff then , though not sure about this now - the internet’s your friend,). Also bought stuff from Owfinc and Z-packs. I’d suggest having a look at Dimension Polyant for X pac fabric. I’ve been very impressed with it.

A

Postage from Germany tends to be slow... alternatives?

UK ? You'll have to search/ask for what you want as I was not looking for pack material but
https://ukfabricsonline.com/
https://www.pennineoutdoor.co.uk/fabrics

Oz .. https://www.rickyrichards.com.au/ - has heavy duty stuff .. but for clothing has sunsmart stuff that might be interesting.

I like the idea of rebirthing hi-tech sail cloth. I know there is a co in the UK that is doing it.

Dan from Wilderness Threadworks is using some sweet materials and might be able the help

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

I won't have any trouble getting Xpac. Just want something close and cheap to practice also in case my machine goes the way of the other three and carks it. That's why I was hoping SLight might have something. There is one 15ks away- close for me. I don't know of any other chain type fabric shops in Oz.

Any local Op-Shops?
They often have scraps of cloth and fabrics

Moondog55 wrote:Any local Op-Shops?
They often have scraps of cloth and fabrics

Good thinking Batman!
I never thought to check-there are three nearby!
I will certainly have a look now you mention it.
Ta.

Would I be correct with a faint memory as a wee lad that department stores had a fabric section?

Maybe even variety stores, they used to have a cafeteria too!

Neo wrote:Would I be correct with a faint memory as a wee lad that department stores had a fabric section?

Maybe even variety stores, they used to have a cafeteria too!

Time travelling back to Coles in Melbourne before the Mall?
Alas those places are no more. My third job- $3.19 per hour. Never forget my pay rise after a year-4 cents per hour. Beginning to settle on two yards of VX21. Will give me enough for a 40L and a 10L for about $55. If I can just confirm my machine is up to it.

If you are prepared to edge wrap with tape and don't mine white and if it doesn't need to be waterproof I just found some high strength polyester in my stash you can have cheap, ditto some LW canvas than would make a nice but small rucksack

Thanks kindly you for the offer MD.
I may get back to you.
I am feeling more confident with the 1983 Janome-was using the wrong thread and it kept blocking.
Have been practising seams etc and now it's zipping along.

My Janome is 1983 too - have had it since new....an SR2100, if I recall.

You do need to be sure to get the thread size right for the needle, and also the upper thread tension may need to be adjusted - if using heavier thread, the upper tension needs to be increased to pull the thread up through the fabric so that the junction of top and bottom thread is correctly placed. Failing that, get it serviced. Also, BTW, for sewing heavier fabrics and webbing I tend to use leather pointed needles - 16 is as big as you can get easily, but there’s a guy on eBay in Goulburn or thereabouts who sells them in 18’s and 20’s for domestic machines.

A

Mine says V/740888/750. http://vi.raptor.ebaydesc.com/ws/eBayIS ... 4720941132
Eventually I am going to take the machine and some Xpac (I have some VX42 and VX21 and cordura 500) into a shop nearby, I think, and get some pointers.
Thanks for the tips- I am taking note.

That’s older than mine. Looks like the teeth underneath that move the fabric forwards are not engaging with the fabric properly. Unscrew it where the bobbin sits, and remove all the fluff that collects there, and spray some lube in.