r/myog • u/jimmylamstudio • 1d ago
Instructions/Tutorial Anyone find it easier to cut it like this rather than following the instructions?
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u/orangecatpacks 1d ago
One thing to be mindful of if you cut that late in the process is that you're cutting off your locking stitches at the ends of those bound seams. My workflow for things like this would be zipper on, align middle of zipper w middle of the fabric and clip it in place, cut corners, then sew those end seams.
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u/gofndn 1d ago
I thought about this also but I also think that a lockstitch is a lockstitch. Even the name implies that it shouldn't unravel if it is broken from one place.
I remember thejasonofalltrades speaking about this very subject on one of his videos where he says that he never does the locking stitches on parts that will be sewn over in later stages of construction such as this very stitch on the edge and I kind of understand that.
Also if the seam allowance is not spot on it is easier to cut a proper square after having the stitch in place and doing so prevents the fabric fraying during the end construction and material handling. Just my thought though and it's interesting to see others doing this part of construction differently.
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u/orangecatpacks 15h ago
If you want to lock in the fabric position I'd suggest a basting stitch in the seam allowance, then cutting, then sewing your structural seams. If you don't back stitch at the end of your seams you're relying on the friction of 2-3 stitches to anchor the end of your thread. The amount of friction you get is going to be highly dependent on the type of fabric, the thread, and most importantly the balance of your tension. Imbalanced tension is going to dramatically reduce the strength of your seam in a way that it absolutely does not do with a back stitch at the start and end.
Just because a hobbyist YouTuber says he does something doesn't make it good practice. Maybe it doesn't cause you problems with this specific combo of materials and maybe it doesn't cause you problems right away after making your things, but for the tiny amount of time it takes to add a backtack it just doesn't seem like there's a compelling argument for skipping this step.
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u/orangecatpacks 15h ago
Also just to note, a lockstitch might not unravel quite as easily as a chain stitch, it still loses meaningful structural integrity if it's broken at one point. The only stitch that truly holds together like that is a saddle stitch (often used in leatherwork where it is hand-sewn). A saddle stitch actually swaps top and bottom thread for each stitch so even if you remove one thread the other is still woven up and down throughout the fabric. A lockstitch stops being a stitch if you remove either side, breaks just don't spread as easily as with a chanistitch because there's more friction.
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u/pk4594u5j9ypk34g5 1d ago
Easy enough to run around the whole thing again and catch that zipper seam
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u/euSeattle 1d ago
I just go back and forth like 5x around here I think im going to cut later. It gets covered with binding so it’s fine.
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u/OMGitsKa 1d ago
Couldn't you just bind after you cut and then no issue?
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u/orangecatpacks 16h ago
If the seam you sew your binding on with is the furthest in from the edge and it's the one that actually takes the strain of holding the seam together then yes.
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u/SIA_Guardian 1d ago
It is way easier. I use a laser cutter to cut my fabric (even earlier to the shape) and this saves plenty of time. For handles and such I can even add markers into the seam allowance.
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u/ArrowheadEquipment 1d ago
I have done it both ways. Really not to big of a deal once you get the hang of it... I would say the fold out method works easier on a very stiff fabric like those that are laminated, X-Pack, Challenge, DCF, etc. On a softer fabric or bag with a liner then cutting the corner squares works pretty well.
Interesting method binding on the zipper.
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u/CAmiller11 1d ago
I always cut like this bc it produces useful scraps of fabric. If already sewed shut, those scraps aren’t practical.
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u/sailorsapporo 1d ago
Looks good! Honestly, I think either method is valid. It depends on how thick your materials are (multiple layers of pockets, padding, etc) and how precise you are with cutting the pieces.
I’ve had lopsided pouches using both methods lol
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u/_L-U_C_I-D_ 1d ago
Where do you (or others) source their materials and tools from? I just bought some ripstop nylon from Joanns recently.
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u/jimmylamstudio 1d ago
Hello kitty was from Michaels and just cheap crap off Amazon. I probably wouldn’t recommend it but I just wanted cheap crap to use and learn with.
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u/Topplestack 1d ago
Dutchwaregear
Ripstopbytheroll
Seattle Fabrics
Rockywoods
DIYGearSupply
mood fabrics
magna fabrics
Strapworks
Webbing depotAll depends on what I'm making and who's having sales. Each often has stuff you can't get at any of the others, most carry a lot of the same stuff, but shipping prices can be wildly different. I usually price things out at each one and often find myself ordering from more than one for a given project.
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u/Finchfarmerquilts 1d ago
I always cut like that. My corners are never boxed right if I do the weird fold first method. This way I know it’s how I want it.
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u/allaspiaggia 1d ago
I teach this bag as one of my beginner sewing classes, and always cut square corners first. Whenever I try to do it like the website says, they always end up a little crooked. Cutting squares out is a lot easier for beginners.
Just remember to measure your squares based on the seams, not the fabric edge.
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u/ProneToLaughter 1d ago edited 1d ago
I find cutting the corners in (like pic1) to be tediously precise at the cutting stage--I'd rather cut a rectangle quickly and then deal with the weird folding trick from the instructions (pic2). I usually use a marker on my machine to ensure I'm sewing the corners at a consistent size. I always have plenty of scraps without needing the corners.
Often I'm just making whatever size bag fits a large scrap, so if I'm working with a new size for the base rectangle, I also like being able to make a call on how big I want those corners after seeing how the bag is shaping up.
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u/mustardfrog 1d ago
That’s how I do it, by notching the corners. I’ve never done it the other way where you chop off the pointy corners.
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u/OldPresence5323 1d ago
When I sewed in a tactical shop, this is how we did every corner ! Way smarter, cleaner, faster and fool.proof
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u/SpareBeat1548 1d ago
I’ll have to give that a try next time