Stitchback FL backpack

[nnmarcher]

I recently completed a backpack using the Stitchback FL pattern. I found the pattern well thought out and I was able to print on regular 8.5x11 inch paper then tape together pieces. The instructions were helpful and the illustrations were easy to follow, but I did miss having pictures of an actual bag being constructed along the way. The pattern offered several customizable dimensions including hipbelt length and shape, shoulder strap length, and torso height. The only change I made to the pattern was adding the PALS webbing to the hipbelt. I want to add hip pockets/pouches at some point. I did all of the work on my Singer Heavy Duty.

I did most of my shopping at extremtextil.de since I live in Austria. I used 2nds quality 500d Cordura for the “outer” pieces and Xpac VX21 for the “inner” pieces as listed in the pattern. I bought everything suggested in the notions and had to purchase a few sewing items along the way (transfer paper, tracing wheel, glue, needles, machine oil). The foam and Kydex (2.2mm, for hip belt stiffener) came from Amazon. The 2mm HDPE for the back panel came from extremtextil. I am in ~$220 for all the materials to make the backpack and probably 35 hours from printing the pattern, cutting it out, cutting fabric, and sewing.

Lessons learned:

• Don’t forget to cut notches while cutting out pattern to align fabric pieces
• Save small scraps of each fabric while trimming and sew them together before the real pieces to finalize tension settings.
• I learned to sew a buttonhole instead of using a grommet tool and it was an easy substitution for threading the shock cord through the front stuff pocket.

Changes I will make on the next bag

• Adjust the hipbelt configuration so that I can tighten by pulling forward, not backwards
• Probably won’t bartack webbing on shoulder strap through the shoulder strap foam. May just do it to the outermost layer of fabric.
• The mesh for the stuff pocket and water bottle pockets is just ok. I think I’d prefer something with a tighter weave and more elasticity.

The completed pack is pretty nice and feels like quite an accomplishment. My favorite part is how the hipbelt turned out. I think it is really comfortable so far, but I haven’t tested it very rigorously. I learned a ton about backpack construction and already have some ideas for how I could further modify this design for applications more specific to me.

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[WoodBow]

Solid work man.

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[dlee56]

Hip belt looks comfy, what size foam did you use?

 

[nnmarcher]

Thanks, @WoodBow!

@dlee56 The hip belt is 3 pieces of foam, one piece of ⅛” that runs the entire length of the belt and then two pieces of ¼”, one on each end. I glued them together with shoe/contact cement and it’s holding well. The 2.2mm kydex is glued to the ⅛” foam in the center of the hip belt between the ¼” pieces. The lumber pad sewn onto the bag's back is also ¼” foam. For what it’s worth, the pattern suggests foam density of 70-75 kg/m^3. The Amazon description for the foam I used was 86 kg/m^3 and I haven't found it too stiff.