5 Beginner Sewing Ultralight MYOG Tips I Wish I Knew

Getting started in sewing and MYOG can be really difficult when you don't know where to start. Here are my 5 tips to improve your quality of work and reduce frustrations for the amateur UL MYOG enthusiast.

SEWING GEAR:
Activated Carbon Filter: Check eBay for this one! Should be around $20-$30

CAMERA GEAR:

[MattiasMoberg]

I also liked the inexpensive fabrics tip, i just finished a ultra lite backpack prototype using 2 IKEA bags for fabric. It looks surprisingly good.

[fuzzylogics]

Haha “just get started” is truly the best advise ❤️
I was just yesterday talking to myself again looking at courses that I can’t pay for right now “why? You have a sowing machine, fabric, thread, books, YOUTUBE.. just start!”

[cubgsan]

Good day to you.
I am a senior rider on HONDA from Japan.
Enjoying touring, camping and video uploading.
This is so nice video
Awesome!!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Full supported !
Have a nice day my friend!!

[bearhugzfam]

Why hello there! I've been sewing (clothes and such) for a long ass time but I'm just getting into MYOG so I was looking for tips on getting started with new materials (and thank you for that! This video has been great) but I thought maybe I could offer some tips in return from the other side of the sewing machine, I hope that's okay.

Building on the first one about "just do it" - yep, that. But also get started on random bits of fabric like old jeans or a shirt (non-stretchy, so no tshirts) while you're getting used to your machine. It's so upsetting to get started with an expensive fabric only to destroy it because you haven't gotten used to your machine yet and can be where a lot of beginners start and end their journey because they don't want to waste more money. Remember as well that a lot of gear can be made from different materials, they just won't be as strong or super light or waterproof - there's nothing wrong with making a denim wallet before making a dynameen one or making a tent out of bedsheets for your kids to use as a fort indoors.

Those binder clips are also known more specifically as sewing clips or quilter's clips, just in case y'all need to go hunting for them. If you see quilter's clips in a local craft store going cheap, yep, they're the same thing. They're handy because they'll hold multiple layers (think of how thick a quilt is) but they have the flat side to sit on the machine so they don't cause bunching. Not only do they not poke holes like pins do, but pins will cause bunching in a lot of fabric and the quilting clips really cut down on that so you get a smoother finish.

Thread tension will sometimes be a bit different depending on the sewing machine foot and the fabric you're using so yeah, mess about with your random other fabrics, but I always recommend trying it on a little bit of your actual fabric before you start the whole project.

Check out how things like bags and jeans are made by hand, remember that a lot of high fashion items are made by hand and are actually really good quality and don't be scared to look into how that's made. Ultimately a lot of it is all the same thing - people figuring out how to make things that don't look like ass that are as functional and long-lasting as possible. Flat felled seams for instance are the ones you normally see on your jeans, and learning how to shape a basic fabric handbag will really help with designing a backpack with good capacity and easy access. Learning to sew a zipper in different ways, learning different sorts of fastenings like how to attach straps and such, and learning different ways to reinforce joints of all forms (again, you'll usually find these in studying bags and sometime upholstery) are also really useful.

Oh, also! Learn about different presser feet and different types of thread. Sometimes investing in silk thread (for the strength) is worth it, sometimes it's completely useless and you're just wasting money. Same with presser feet, most will be useless but some, like a walking foot for certain slippery fabrics and/or big stacks of fabric, oh man they make such a difference. Quilting skills are useful too btw, because there's a lot of advice in quilting about how to work with thick stacks of fabric, so if you're looking to make anything like sleep pads or insulation, that's where to go. Speaking of insulation, quilting has you covered there too, lots of talk about types of insulation and batting available....

Oh hey you got to the first point I made xD sorry for that. But yeah imma leave that there because it really is so important but also good sources of cheap fabric - charity shops/thrift stores and car boot/garage sales. I recommend not taking perfectly good clothes that others might actually need to, yk, buy and wear, but things like bedding and curtains, garments with stains, or items with not terribly comfy fabric, those are the things that tend not to sell anyways and they're all things we can use for practice and MYOG. There's also tonnes of "offcut fabric" options on ebay and while they do tend to be much smaller pieces, I firmly believe that learning to make useable fabric from scraps is a crucial survival skill, so if you lean more prepper/survivalist like me then that's a good option too. It might also be worth talking to your local charity shops about if they have any fabric items they feel unable to sell because of their state, if you tell them what you want them for they may be willing to sell them to you for cheap or give them to you so they don't have to pay to dispose of them. Also! You can turn carrier bags into a surprisingly strong sewable material you can use like tarp or leather, that's a great one for the more survivalist/eco friendly among us and it's a good practice for more expensive heavy weight materials if you ever get to that.

Also last point but, learn to hand sew and learn how people work with leather. These aren't skills you'll necessarily use much but htey're great to fall back on especially if you do ever need to fix or make gear while you're on the trail or if SHTF. Learning basic alterations like how to take in pants, sew on a button, fix a rip, add a lining, and expand a garment that's too small, are all great tools to have at your disposal. Next level of this is learning to make fabric from scraps but I mentioned that already, still recommend it though.

[lexischaub]

I'm so glad I found this... trying to get into backpacking but looking at the costs of the gear I just thought "am I crazy for wanting to make my own??" Had no idea it was actually a thing! Thanks so much!

[stephenkoawl]

THANK YOU FOR TEACHING ME THIS ACRONYM! This is what I’ve been getting into and needed this

[iiimke]

Great tips, thanks!
Best tip: the first - just get started!
I was thinking about (a looong time) sewing an insulated sleeve for my Nalgene-bottles. I planned and planned, considered if it was worth it instead of buying, and so on.
Than after a recent hike where I needed such a sleeve for my small-sized nalgene-bottle (to bring tea, it was below freezing temps outside) I just collected some materials and started. As in: "Ok, if I sew these pieces together, it's just enough for the inside" "Oh that is some foam I can use as insulation if I fold it twice", just sewed it all nicely toegether. The top opening was difficult, but I managed to make a useable product in one sitting - and it actually looks and feels nice!
I will definitely look more into your other videos as well :)

[tullochgorum]

Another tip - learn about the different kinds of presser feet. They can make jobs like sewing a professional flat fell seam a lot easier.

[fredhubbard]

I agree that you should just get sewing... But the cost can be prohibitive, and prototypes are inevitable... Two low cost options. Tyvek is a fantastic material for that. Especially to mimic stiff fabric. Also, thrift stores often have cheap material...

[ellief]

Sir, why dont you blink? Love the vids :)

[funkdrummer]

Step 6: lava lamp for sewing table.

I'd like to see your follow up on what bad thread tension examples look like and possibly advice on how your thread tension should change given the materials you are working with. Thanks for these great tips!!

[GriffithJones]

Great tips, love your work! You’re an inspiration to me

[jmash]

Thanks for the video! You're exactly right about getting started. I borrowed a machine and made a sheet for my sleeping pad on day one. Where can I learn different seams and techniques? Thanks!

[tacpunk]

Great tips! Just started, thanks for sharing. Picked up some kits from ripstop by the roll for practice pieces.

[globalmilitarycollections]

I haven’t started sewing yet but all my materials are on the way. I’m going to start out by copying an army issue magazine pouch. I have a vevor industrial sewing machine and it seams to use mil spec #69 bonded nylon thread just fine. I hope everything goes well

[andersbodin]

my local fabric store sells some random thin polyester fabrics by the kilo, 20EURO a kilogram, and its really light, 50-70g per meter. Its probably not going to last. but it will make the first edition of my gear realy cheap and light. And it does not need to last since i will probably be re making it next year with better materials.

[Achielezz]

you lost the stare-down at 00:40 ;)
just a small thing i noticed, your videos are incredibly well shot! really love your content as someone just starting MYOG

[toco]

I also think that adjusting the machine to the right tension is essential and I find that very difficult. Always have these big loops on the lower side of the fabric. :-( Would be great, if you could share your experiences on that with us. :-)

[Modern_Warrior_School]

I couldn't get the tension right for my first project, so sewed the whole thing by hand... After 2 weeks, I'm still not done yet. Still, I'm learning a ton about the technique from just jumping in.

[laurenanderson]

do you have a video on getting tension right? Ive been messing around with it all morning and I just cant get it right! And next question: What is a good beginner fabric for a bike packing frame bag? I want it to be good enough fabric that it is useable but not xpac cause thats really difficult to sew!