Modular Front Pack ================== .. only:: html .. contents:: .. figure:: front_pack.jpg :align: center This is a small day pack that can be used standalone or attached to the front of a :doc:`../modular_backpack_base/index` This is a basic day pack with MOLLE knock-off/compatible webbing, so that it can be expanded with accessories. Like the :doc:`../modular_backpack_base/index` it isn't a beginner's project, as it requires quite some sewing confidence and a sewing machine able to sew through multiple layers of heavy materials and sew both straigt and zig-zag stitches. Materials --------- You will need: * 60 cm outer fabric (e.g. coated cordura); * 70 cm lining fabric (e.g. ripstop nylon or uncoated, lightweight cordura); * two pieces of rigid padding about 30 cm × 42 cm: a rigid foam, or a rigid sheet plus softer foam * 2 meters 2.5 cm webbing; * 7 meters twill webbing to bind the raw edges: * 1 meter waterproof zipper plus sliders etc (to make a 90 cm long zipper); * 33 cm round or thin elastic; * 1 handle or 25 cm 2.5 cm webbing; * termoplastic sewable feet; * 2 ladderlocks; * heavyweight sewing thread (regular all purpose thread isn't strong enough). Pattern ------- The pattern is available in the following formats: :download:`modular_front_pack.val` valentina file where the measurements can be customized; :download:`modular_front_pack-copyshop.pdf` A0 PDF file for copyshop printing; :download:`modular_front_pack-A4.pdf` A4 tiled PDF file for home printing. the latter two formats are based on a finished measurement of 30 cm × 42 cm × 5 cm (width × height × depth) with 1.2 cm for the zipper. Instructions ------------ .. tip:: Any time coated / water resistant fabric is involved, only use pins in the sewing allowance, and use a long seam (e.g. 4 mm) to minimize holes in the coating and preserve the water resistance. Binder clips are useful to keep things together while sewing, and so is masking tape, depending on the cases. In the pictures you can see what I used in most cases. .. tip:: When working with webbing and edgebinding measure the amount you need, cut and seal the edges with a flame to prevent fraying. .. tip:: When sewing TPU-coated fabric sometimes the machine may have issues carrying it; in that case put a piece of tissue paper on the coating while sewing and rip it out afterwards. Cut all fabric and lining parts according to the pattern, using the given sewing allowance (usually 2 cm). Cut the rigid padding about 5 mm smaller than the pattern. MOLLE panels ^^^^^^^^^^^^ .. note:: Instead of cutting the laser-cut style MOLLE pattern, you can follow the instructions for :ref:molle_pattern_webbing: on the base backpack; in that case you'll need about 6 more meters of webbing. Note that the instructions for the base backpack use a 2.5 cm allowance and instruct you to start attaching the webbing at 5.5 cm from the top; since this pattern uses 2 cm allowance you should start the webbing at 5 cm from the top. Print either the full pattern for a back panel with MOLLE slots, :download:`molle_pattern_front_back_panel.svg` or the version on just one A4 sheet :download:`molle_pattern_a4.svg`. Cut two extra front / back panels, and cut the MOLLE slots on it with a knife, optionally cutting the rounded edges with a punch. Heat-seal each edge with a hot hair station set at 200°C or a lighter flame. Sew the panels to the main front / back panels on the marked vertical lines. From now on, treat as one. Lining Pieces ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Take the inner pocket lining piece, zigzag the top edge, fold it down 1 cm and again 2 cm, sew 1-2 mm from the bottom fold to create a channel for the elastic. Place the elastic in the casing, put the wrong side of the pocket on the right side of the back panel lining with a pleat at the center bottom, sew all around with a seaming allowance of 1.5 cm, backticking over the elastic. Shoulder straps ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Sew two pieces of webbing 45 cm long to the sewing allowance at the top of the back panel, aligned with the MOLLE pattern. Cut two pieces of webbing 70 cm long, seal their edges. Put one end on the right side of one small triangle of fabric, so that one edge goes from one corner to the middle of the long side, and there are 5 cm of webbing beyond the long side. Fold the triangle in half, right sides facing, and sew 2 cm from the long edge. Turn the triangle inside out, topstitch near the edges of the webbing. Sew the lower strap triangles to the bottom of the sides of the back panel, just above the rounded off corner with a 1.5 cm allowance. Sew the handle centered to the top of the back panel. Sides and Zipper ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Place the right side of the zipper on the right side of the sides so that the seam line of the sides is at a short distance from the teeth; baste in place close to the edge of the zipper tape. Place the right side of its lining on top of both; sew so that the zipper is sandwiched between the two layers and turn them inside out so that the zipper protudes. Insert the zipper pulls in the assembled top/sides. Baste the lining ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ In this step we will attach all lining pieces to their fabric ones, wrong sides facing with a wide zig-zag stitch, so that they are easier to treat them as one while assembling the backpack and to prevent the raw edges from fraying before they are covered with tape. Sew the lining and fabric of the top/side panels on the remaining raw edges. Sew the lining to fabric of the bottom panel. Sandwitch the rigid padding between the lining and the fabric of the front panel, sew all around the edges. Sandwitch the rigid padding between the lining (including the pocket) and the fabric of the back panel, sew all around the edges. Assemble the backpack ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Place the bottom panel on the top/side panel, right (fabric) sides facing, sew on both short edges. Note that the zipper will have a narrower seam allowance than the bottom panel. Press the raw edges towards the bottom and bind them with twill webbing. Place the right (fabric) side of the top/bottom/sides on the right side of the back, sew all around. You may have to clip the raw edges near the curves before sewing. Open a few centimeters of the zipper. Place the right (fabric) side of the top/bottom/sides on the right side of the front, sew all around. As above if needed clip the raw edges before sewing. Bind the remaining raw edges with the twill webbing (this will require two pieces of twill webbing 157 cm long). Turn the finished backpack inside-out and enjoy it.