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.

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

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.