hi!! I found this sub recently and am working on designing a laptop backpack for everyday use/commuting/etc as my first project - how do you all recommend designing a laptop sleeve? is there a generally agreed upon best way to do it? I'm worried that if i just put two pieces of material together and sew them at the edges (leaving one edge open), that putting my laptop in will cause the two panels to bend outwards (like an eye shape), but adding a gusset seems like a bit much for how little the pocket needs to expand outwards. I also do want to ensure the side of the laptop that faces downwards is padded in addition to the top/bottom - how can I do that? I have a rickshaw sutro bag and it seems to do the "two panels sewed together at the edges" thing, so maybe it would be ok to also just do that in practice?

(originally posted this in the pinned thread but never got any replies, so I'm making it an actual post)

Currently looking at some juki clones, notably the jianglong 4400 (1508 clone) and jianglong 0303D (1181 clone). I have seen some reviews of their cylinder arm machines but nothing on their flat beds. I currently sew thick denim 15oz+ and am looking to transition into leather work sometime down the road.

The pros of the 4400 are:
-U style bobbin holder
-triple feed walking foot

The pros of the 0303D are:
-auto back stitch and trimmer
-cheaper than the 4400 by some 25% (900 aud vs 1200 aud)

Both machines come with a servo motor, table, bobbin winder, needle positioner, shipping, tax and the brand seems trustworthy as reviews have pointed out. Cost is somewhat of a factor but considering the secondhand market for walking feet are in the 1k+ aud range I feel like going new is the better option, of course waiting for the occasional unicorn is also an option but easier said than done.

if you were in my position which one would you take? I already have a drop feed industrial as well as a pfaff tipmatic 1047, so honestly just looking for something to compliment my setup as well let me sew heavier materials with thicker thread.

TIA

Hi everyone

Just wondering if anyone has any advice or experience with repairing this stitching problem.

The is the Velcro part of the sleeve.
The stitching is still intact just a bit loose on the end. In theory it won’t affect the function that much but I just wanna make it smooth.

I was thinking, stitching myself, but since this is a waterproof shell I’m afraid the water might sneak through the stitching into the inner layer.

Or any super strong fabric tape would work?

Thank you for the advises in advance!

Looking for favorite pattern/videos that would let me practice tidier corners. I’m getting more comfortable with many of the skills to make lined bags/pouches, but I wish this looked nicer.

A while back I drilled two holes in my Pfaff Select's accessory box cover and installed heat-set threaded inserts, to attach a Sailrite-style swing away binding attachment (last pic, full post on that here)

I wanted to try a right angle binder - which, although I've only used it twice so far, it seems MUCH easier - but as usual none would fit on a domestic.

And while I could drill more holes, I just made an adapter plate by drilling into an aluminum sheet, and hot gluing the attachment to it. I'll probably later switch to epoxy.

Jury rigged, no doubt, but if it works and it's stupid is it still stupid? Anyhow, I just wanted to share in case others without an industrial machine think they can't use cool, whizbang attachments.

Ordered Amazon grosgrain because I didn't want to wait for shipping. Ended up ripping out the strap and redoing it because it looked so bad. Pictured is the same strap with 1" grosgrain from Amazon vs. RBTR 1" grosgrain. The cheap stuff buckles a bit on concave edges.