no sew?

[duct tape dude!]

O.K. as a 14 years old dood, im not too good at sewing, but i would really like to make a messenger bag so that I can have a personalized bag, do yall think that fusible webbing (iron on stuff, ya know?) or fabric glue would actually hold up, or should i ask my mom for a lil help (last resort)

[Load3r]

I dont see why a combination of that fusible webbing, duct tape and some staples couldnt work.

That be pretty sweet actually. Don't forget to add some sort of plastic layer for weather proofing, even a garbage bag if you don't have anything else.

[fifilafoo]

haha a whole bag made out of webbing sound pretty fun....course gotta love the iron??
wonder if a bag with velcro sides would work....course could just pull it apart and voila easily stored away....hehe such bad ideas

[duct tape dude!]

haha a whole bag made out of webbing sound pretty fun....course gotta love the iron??
wonder if a bag with velcro sides would work....course could just pull it apart and voila easily stored away....hehe such bad ideas


i mean instead of sewing the seams put a small strip of fusible web there. velcro is a good idea

[pinoyblaze]

Another Idea!! Ducttape message bag!!! Woot!!! <3 In electric orange!!!

[ikrizia]

what is fusible webbing?

[duct tape dude!]

Another Idea!! Ducttape message bag!!! Woot!!! <3 In electric orange!!!


I got one, kindof, its more like a murse, (man purse) lol
and fusible webbing is like you iron two peices of fabric with the webbing in the middle and it "sew" them together

[Coffee]

It's worth learning to sew, though.

[duct tape dude!]

i can sew quite well, just not good enuf to make a sturdy messenger bag

[Coffee]

Fusible webbing is good, but at the same time you're essentially just gluing things together. It's great for seams, but I wouldn't really trust it with load-bearing construction.

I think that if you minimise the amount of sewing necessary, it'll be much easier for you. If you can use or borrow a machine (or even better, an overlocker) then you can just about make a factory-level piece.

[duct tape dude!]

i got a machine, and i bet i can make the front bottom and back and flap out of one peice of fabric huh?

[ladyjanewriter]

i got a machine, and i bet i can make the front bottom and back and flap out of one peice of fabric huh?

You could, but it would be kinda like a flat envelope, unless you add some side pieces to widen it a bit on the sides. :)

[duct tape dude!]

dats what i meant, id only have to sew 2 U shaped lines

[Coffee]

That would be stronger than using separate pieces. Another option that might be better would be to make the sides and bottom from one piece. That way, you don't risk the strap pulling the sides off.

[duct tape dude!]

or i could make it all 1 peice, (a thick lower case t)

[Coffee]

That's another possibility.

The fewer points you sew, the fewer points can fall apart!

[Jesse]

Bre Pettis (of make magazine fame) made a messenger bag in one of his pod casts, check it out!
http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2007/06/make_a_messenger_bag_out_1.html

If you really want to you can "weld" the seems instead of sewing them, check this instructable for tips:
http://www.instructables.com/id/EZEZIAVMIMEP286W1W/?ALLSTEPS

If you don't like the plastic or the massive amount of work that will go into a project like this you can at least look at the plans he used for the bag.
Have fun! ;)

[duct tape dude!]

aight, in the next coupla days ima get some canvas ill post some pics wen im done

[dreaminginlilies]

I saw an episode on "Whip up" (http://whipup.net/2007/09/23/messenger-bag-video/)
that shows how to make plastic fabric out of trash bags and other plastic bags.....you could start by drawing out your pattern on newsprint, making some of that plastic fabric and them using duct tape to put it all together and maybe even make the whole strap out of duct tape and fasten the flap with the velcro that just sticks on...