Categories
Uncategorized

DIY Ultralight Backpack

After successfully making a quilt that survived the CDT, I figured I’d try my hand at making a backpack. I consulted my friends John and Dan and they made some recommendations about materials.

Materials

1 yd 5oz/ sqyd DCF

1/2 yd ROBIC 210D EXTREEMA

1/4 yd 3d mesh (for straps)

yoga matt (for foam straps)

Some old Butterfly Yoga Pants

misc buckles and webbing from old pack

Rough Steps

  1. Buy materials
  2. Measure old pack
  3. Cut out materials
  4. Sew sides of pack
  5. Sew it all together

For this project, I mostly used my old MLD Exodus 58l as a template, but I also made a few changes. Since I do not own a sewing machine and I live in a 24 sqft van, I completed this project at the library, the laundromat and at friend’s houses. Thanks to everyone that let me borrow your machine!

On my first day at the library I wrote all of my measurements down from my old pack on a piece of paper, and began to cut the DCF.
my measurements (black does not include seam allowance, green does, gold is proposed changes for next time)
On my second day at the library, the pieces and pockets began to take shape
On my third day at the library, I started working on the shoulder straps. Sometimes progress was slow, as I could only work for a two hours between work and when the library closed for the night.
A major breakthrough occured when my friend Bridget let me use her sewing machine!
My friend Sienna let me use her sewing machine at the Laundromat, and I was able to finish the straps!
Another major breakthrough after my friend Sienna invited me to her friend Izzy’s sewing party
My friend Sienna let me borrow her machine, and I was able to finish the pack!

Overall, this was a very fun project! I learned a lot, and the finished product turned out better than expected. In total I used about 8 different machines. If I was to make the pack again, I would try to borrow a friend’s machine for a day or two to save time. Switching machines was a fun challenge, but did add stress at times.

A few other changes I would make:

  1. Wider shoulder straps so that I could fit a bigger phone in the pocket
  2. Wider pockets
  3. Hip Belt Pockets
  4. Putting the ski straps lower and the ice axe top loops higher
  5. Sewing the front and back together first before sewing the bottom on.

Leave a comment