Carradice cotton duck

[steeleagle]

I want to have a go at making my own saddle & handle bar bags, and maybe eventually some panniers. Traditional style, like carradice.

But was just wondering if the fabric they use is the same as generic waterproof cotton like this;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Cotton- ... _963wt_985

[fatboy]

It is probably the same sort of stuff but I don't know. The weave looks similar in the photo

[Brucey]

it might be; but cotton fabrics like this are usually specified by weight per unit area, and this isn't stated, it is just 'heavy' which could mean anything really.

I guess you could always buy some and compare it directly.

cheers

[breakwellmz]

I would ask for a sample.

[Brucey]

wikipedia lists the types by fabric weight and a # system;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_duck

and I note that SJS list at least one carradice bag as using 18oz (i.e. #1) fabric, the heaviest type.

Nice article on classic lightweights site;

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/components/carradice-components.html

I have a longflap bag which I have used (not every day, but often) for nearly thirty years now.

Proper cotton duck for saddlebags and panniers is treated to be rot-proof etc. Lesser grades which are used for upholstery etc may not be similarly treated.

cheers

[robc02]

Pennine Outdoor have a good range of fabrics and fasteners.

This one could be worth a look. They also sell a proofed version.

Hope you've got a heavyweight sewing machine to match!

[Brucey]

hmm maybe... but 300g/msq is about half the weight of an 18oz fabric if my sums are anywhere near.

cheers

[steeleagle]

Hope you've got a heavyweight sewing machine to match!

Going to hand stitch the whole thing.

[robc02]

hmm maybe... but 300g/msq is about half the weight of an 18oz fabric if my sums are anywhere near.

cheers

I didn't even look at that, to be honest!

Pennine Outdoor do a wide range of materials and are, or used to be, happy to send out samples. It might be worth giving them a call.

[robc02]

Going to hand stitch the whole thing.

Best of luck. You've got more patience than me!

[hubgearfreak]

Going to hand stitch the whole thing.

i've made one, i wouldn't do it again

the photos are there on the infamous togglechaintour bikes thread

[hubgearfreak]

this may be useful, ebay item 150818592416

[robc02]

I've successfully stitched this Cordura fabric on a domestic sewing machine. Not as heavy as Carradice cotton duck but still substantial and hardwearing. (I made a bag to carry the daggerboard, rudder etc. for a Laser sailing dinghy - it proved very durable).

[steeleagle]

Going to hand stitch the whole thing.

Best of luck. You've got more patience than me!

Im going to use a hand sewing awl, the kind of thing people use to sew leather. It'll get through anything. I know people (including my mother) who have hand sewed dresses and complicated pieces of clothing. I had a great uncle who used to hand stitch fishing nets.

Unfortunately I do not have any direct experience myself, and my mother cannot see well enough now to help. But I am pretty confident it will be manageable. And certainly not an expensive or dangerous experiment (like frame building - which I am also thinking about!)

[hubgearfreak]

found it......

i quite liked the shape of the green one below, as opposed to carradice who make brilliant bags but don't do the colour i'm after.

here's a pic of one identical to the one i got from ebay.



and here's some manx tweed* in the right colour. if you can recall my wheels, i think you'll agree it'll look quite dashing
* other tweeds are available



then, i wasted weeks trying to find something to stiffen the tweed with. finally i found some pelmet hessian from dunelm mill. it's like tightly woven sack cloth, impregnated with some glue or polymer. simply apply a generous amount of waterproof PVA to it



weigh it down overnight between two rejects of kitchen worktop



and you'll find that you've got stiffened tweed. excuse my eldest, he's the oppposite of camera shy in this pic is also the cheap and nasty vinyl one.



so draw round and measure what it is you wish to reproduce.



trim with some leather furniture place's offcuts that can be had cheaply off ebay



start with some tack welds, that aren't welds.



more trimming



then with 4mm shoulder bridle leather and buckles again from ebay, make up your fixings and erm, fix.