Shoulder Sack
=============

.. .. figure:: sack.jpg
   :align: center

This bag style is, I believe, pretty common among reenactors of epochs
between the Middle Ages and the 18th century, and I've found online a
`list of period depictions of similar bags
http://www.larsdatter.com/wallets.htm>`_ .

It is a convenient style of bag that can be used to carry clothing and
other goods.

These instructions aren't historically accurate, but at least the one
sewn by hand are vaguely plausible, since they use stitches and
techniques with a long history.

The instructions for machine sewing give a bag with visible machine
stitching that is probably not appropriate for any reenactment, but are
suitable for an historically-inspired variant made with modern technical
fabric.

Materials
---------

* Less than 1 m sturdy linen or cotton fabric, or lightweight waterproof
  synthetics;
* matching sewing thread.

Pattern
-------

This bag is made out of a rectangle of fabric as high as the length and
twice as wide as the width of the finished bag, plus sewing allowances
on all four sides.

To hang comfortably from the shoulder a length of about 1 m looks good,
and if you're using narrow fabric (~80 cm) using the full width is
convenient.

Instructions by Hand
--------------------

.. figure:: 0101-hems.jpg
   :align: center

Fold down all four edges of the fabric by the sewing allowance twice to
form a hem, sew with a running stitch.

.. tip:: for thick fabric that does not unravel  folding the edge just
   once may be enough.

.. figure:: 0102-center_seam.jpg
   :align: center

Using either a strong thread or up to four strands of regular sewing
thread, waxed, whipstitch together two long edges for 3/8 of the length
from each end, leaving a slit in the middle that is 1/4 of the full
length.

.. figure:: 0103-end_seam.jpg
   :align: center

Fold the fabric so that the long seam + slit is in the middle, and
whipstitch closed the short edges.

Instructions by Machine
-----------------------

.. tip::

   If using coated, water repellent fabric, you want to minimize holes,
   so use a longer stitch than usual (e.g. 3 mm) and avoid using pins as
   much as possible, only using them in the sewing allowances.

   Do however backstitch at the start and end of all seams, for
   stability.

   Binder clips are useful to keep things in place without making holes,
   even if they can't do miracles on extra slippery fabric like
   silnylon.

Right sides together, align the long sides of the fabric and sew with a
double sewing allowance 3/8 of the length from each side, leaving a slit
in the middle.

Fold down all four edges of the fabric by the sewing allowance twice to
form an hem, topstitch.

Wrong sides together, flatten the tube so that the seam is in the middle
of one side, sew the short ends at a bit less than one sewing allowance
from the raw edge.

Turn inside out, right sides together, and sew again the short ends at a
bit more than the sewing allowance from the last seam to form a french
seam.

Turn inside out so that the wrong sides are inside and the bag is
finished.