Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Further Mutations

Mini Mess Something Something…I forget what number I’m on…
15x12x5—5/2007—cotton duck & Top Gun Poly
I need to come up with a snazzy name for this size of bag—something that fits into the laboratory aesthetic. I’m thinking Loup-Garou…’cause, you know, werewolves hang out in labs, fo’ shore. Though, maybe I should spell it phonetically…Loogaroo…hmm…
So, I got the cotton canvas on eBay and the seller said it has a water-resistant finish…but of course they lied. So now I’m thinking it’s gonna shrink when it gets wet. Nuts. Pictures to come when that happens.
I think this design is almost done. I just need to clean up the side compressors a bit and some other small things and that should be it.
I forgot to put the back pad in this bag. I forget something every time. I am dumb…ha.I took the D-ring off of the side-release buckle on the shoulder strap. I’ve been having slippage problems with the seatbelt webbing…and I want to continue using this type of webbing. So, minus two coolness points. It’s still super easy to adjust both ways, though. Zing.
The belt loops changed into a belt tube. I think this is stronger and…well, maybe not more comfortable, ’cause you get scrunching…but it has better load-distro and strength. More corner-reinforcement to come. I’m probably only going to put this on the Trunk-size bags since this bag already has a cross strap—aka the tummy strap (a la BagJack)…but we’ll see.

oh, p.s. Leif Labs has a website now. It's basically a link to this blog...but things could change...ha.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Skirts

So here are some skirts I've made for my friend Brianne...

The Scrabble Skirt

All right… I’m more of a bag-making guy, but here’s how I make skirts (and I’m not saying this is the best way to do it):
First, the basic shape of the skirt: I like the truncated cone, myself. You start with this shape and then you fine-tune it, depending on how curvy you are.
Here’s how you get all the curves to line up—with this equation: x=θ/((z/y)-1), where θ, y and z are known lengths. Mmm, math. And here’s the little diagram (that blue part's your pattern) …
So, measure the waist (y), length (θ), and hemline (z) and crunch the numbers. Once you know x you can draw the pattern with a string and pencil. And I just measure z with a string, too. It’s not precise, but it’s good enough. You can use cosines if you want, but…yeah, I didn’t think so…

Now add a waistband (don't forget to factor this into the length...I always forget and make my skirts too long), put in a zipper, a drawstring, or whatever you want.
The Scrabble skirt has a zipper in the back with a little bow flourish to boot. When I'm wearing skirts, I prefer the zipper on the side, but this is what worked with the bow.

Making things cute: The Scrabble letters and blocks are appliquéd on, and the numbers are embroidered using a zigzag stitch. Yep. Making small 3’s is a pain in the ass, by the way. Fortunately Brianne’s name is only worth nine points. Ha.

The Scary Skirt


The How to Keep a Husband Skirt


The pattern of this skirt looks like a donut. That means it's super twirly. Like, ballerina twirly. It has an elastic waist. And that grosgrain ribbon took forever to sew on. Damn. I thought it'd never end.
Fabric detail

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Clampdown

15x12x5—5/2007—Poly & 1000d Cordura
“You start wearing the blue and brown/You're working for the clampdown” (The Clash).
This design’s almost where I want it to be. I just have to move some seams and make some other minor adjustments. Some features: floating liner, padded back, zip pocket. I forgot to put reflector rings and a light loop on it, though. Woops.


Look! belt loops.