I've made a few bags and a rain cape. Basting tape is invaluable to get
heavier materials to stick together, use bar soap on the needle to keep it
from gumming up. I gathered some info from the ultralight hiking forums. I
have found a few threads on making your own gear and they show the process
Marty,
I have been at it awhile now. My sewing has a long way to go, but I see
it as an ongoing hobby with skills to improve. My suggestion is to start on
simple projects, like stuff sacks, using less expensive materials until you
are confident. Research the materials you plan on using. Some
I've made 20 or so handlebar bags, and in my experience /most/ of the work
is pretty easy, but the parts that aren't are surprisingly difficult. In
particular, sewing the corners of the bag & taping the edges are the places
where you'll end up driving yourself and the sewing machine to despair
