"We took on IKEA for a nice 'n' easy one to ease into a month that may take a few collective years off of our lives...

Recently in r/ManyBaggers, we were nicely asked (challenged!) to make a more stealthy version of IKEA's iconic open tote bag; thanks to u/abs369! The premise was to add a zip closure with adjustable straps, and tech it out with some better fabrics. This was a quick build with room for future iteration.

We thought this would be a fun, level zero way to kick off the challenge as we ramp up into much more technical builds throughout the month….things like 3L taped outerwear, insulated midlayers, maker collaborations, 1pc constructions, bags, shoes??! And much, much more".

Follow the link to project log for the build.

"If you were to create a techwear starter-pack, an essential you'd see is either a cobra or fidlock buckle belt. When we break it down, most techwear belts are composed of three stitches, webbing, buckles with maybe a webbing end and adjustor. However, good to great can be in the design, or it can also be attributed to the sum of its parts… materials and hardware. Our take is an iteration everyone on our team would wear….something that is unobtrusive, comfortable, functional and can be paired with just about any fit…. And in two widths (25mm and 38mm). Thank you to **A Plus** for the Fidlock hookup as well as **Chun Wo Ho Co** for the webbing!

We also decided to explore ways to use tyvek to prototype and create proof of concepts. The day began with a bunch of folding in different shapes as a way to work rapidly through a bunch of different iterations. The idea of doing a laminated wallet isn't anything too new, but I wanted to see which ways I could push the concept, utilizing arguably the first waterproof/breathable fabric around! Tyvek is already well known as a waterproofing mechanism for homebuilding, and has many other uses too (shipping envelopes….light diffusion…)".

Follow this link to project log for the build of belt and that one for the wallet.

"We returned to a concept we had a couple years ago that never went anywhere… a small messenger bag that can convert into a low profile sling.

The idea was a carry solution that's slim and unobtrusive for daily use, but can pop open with double the volume when you need to carry something like a laptop.

We used two pretty wild fabrics for this one, not necessarily well suited to play together but we wanted to showcase some fun textures and technologies. One is an iridescent poly/nylon blend, the other is a multi layer laminated textile made with yacht racing sailcloth technology. Closure and strap feature magnetic buckles from Fidlock. This was our first time using their "stripe" buckle, and we'll talk more about it in the log".

Follow this link to project log for the build.

"Inspired by the Snow Peak seamless pant, which has no seams in the bum or croctch. Instead combining both legs into 1 piece. I love these pants and thought we'd explore the concept a bit further, combining all the pieces together into a single pattern piece for the main construction. Extra pieces include pockets, waist, and the crotch gusset. The result is a lightweight sleek running pant, ready to tackle wind, inclement weather, and a damn good amount of abrasion (should you trip and eat pavement on your run).

We used some beautiful softshell double-knit fabric from Everest Textiles, a very tight woven nylon face with a ultra luxurious fuzzy twill polyester backing. Plenty of stretch, quick to dry, and one of my all time favorites for everyday wear. We used the same heavy-duty stretch webbing from the belt explorations the other day. Its got a very-low elastane content, relying mostly on mechanical stretch. What little elastic that is in there is composed of nylon wrapped micro shock cord filaments that resist overstretching overtime".

Follow this link to project log for the build.

"We woke up and saw how lonely our running pants were and decided to make it a companion. An insulated active layer for those cold morning hikes that you get pulled into by your weekend warrior friends that don't take no for an answer...

This garment uses the same recycled nylon softshell (from Everest) that we used in day 3 on our 1-piece run pant, paired with one of the world's lightest ripstop nylons… made from a very exciting new polymer from German mill Dyntex... that also happens to be biodegradable! (Degradation starts to take effect after 5 years, so don't worry about your jacket falling apart on the West Coast Trail).

We finished by adding some ultralight aerogel insulation to pair with the nylon ripstop… It's so light that 99% of its structure is air!"

Follow this link to project log for the build.

"We approached this idea as a cross between a typical running vest and a modular, chest rig; something you'd maybe see a filmworker wearing.
The goal was to create a form-hugging, low profile vest that allows for a bevy of modular additions, such as backpacks, tool pouches… or really anything that has a strip of velcro on it.

We utilized a host of amazing fabrics, featuring specifically a textile called Opelon, which is a very soft, 4-way stretch 'looped' fabric. Think the soft side of velcro, but in a fabric. Level 9 hard to sew, but adds a lot to the final design's functionality.

Two front zip pockets can house small tools, keys and other bits while front dump pockets allow for quick access to phone or other tracking devices. Back flap allows enough room to fit a 13" laptop with little to no bulk...perfect for the urban minimalist who maybe wants to stroll sans backpack into the office. Adjustable paracord sides. Which in a future iteration would become static cord interacting with a Fidlock ratchet".

Follow this link to project log for the build.

"We decided to shake things up a bit and address two questions we're asked all the time, and see posted in nearly every sewing community online. How do you attach and clean finish a zipper?

And how do you build volume and shape in pattern using darts? (And pleats too by extension).

Tune in, and read onwards, today we're going DEEP into a thorough documentation on zippers and darts in patterning".

Follow this link to project log for the build.

"We threw this little dude together using some really exciting new fabric that our beloved pals at Dimension Polyant sent over. This is a 2 layer laminate by the looks of things, with a sexy hi-contract kevlar X.

TBH... Other than being a really burly nylon laminate with a kevlar x... we dont actually have the specifics on this stuff just yet. Its only just arrived at INTERN HQ, so of course we had to play.

Details be damned for now because this stuff is REALLY FUN TO SEW! Looking forward to using it in some MACS2.0 pouches. The ultra simple little bell pack we made from it today follows yesterdays day 6 tutorial on Zippers and Darts. We wanted to take the opportunity to demonstrate the techniques outlined there in a (semi) complete product".

The link to project log for the build will be available soon.

"We wanted to discuss the MACS pouches a little bit more as well as give a brief exploration of MACS 2.0; based also on user feedback.

When the MACS concept was initially created, the goal was to execute a no-waste pattern that utilized the full width of a roll of fabric. This was achieved by setting rules to the dimensions of each pouch in order for them to nest perfectly as grid within the full width of a fabric roll. We used a fabric that was 58" wide… however when it was sent to production, the roll width had changed without our knowledge, to 54". The factory made updated samples that were approved by our collaborators, so we never actually caught that error; resulting in some discrepancies. Live, and learn.

The focus was the re-draft MACS 2.0 off of updated roll widths of 1500mm from Dimension Polyant. Additionally, we tested updated zipper garages, and a few new material and hardware stories. To top it off, we braided some paracord as a fun test to create a Sacoche style bag".

Follow this link to project log for the build.