Anyone MYOG?

[B-9]

I found this cool community of DIYers who call their hobby MYOG.

MYOG = Make Your Own Gear

Specifically these guys and gals are making their own camping/hiking gear. Everything from tents to backpacks, bivy sacks, quilts, and tarps.

As an outsider looking in I am totally in love. I’ve made a few stuff sacks over the years and have modified many a pack for camp. This year I wanted to do some tarp tenting and found this huge MYOG community while researching Ultra Light Materials to make a tarp.

I pulled out the old sewing machine... a bust it’s junk. So now I’m happily searching for a new sewing machine so I can play seamstress on the weekends. Haha

Anyone here getting their MYOG on?

Yes I’m pretty sure sewing your own camera strap is considered MYOG! Down to Noktons darkroom builds. MYOG the photographers way.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Instead of buying a sewing machine, poke around your area for a place where you can rent/use someone else's machine. Or pay someone a small amount to run a couple of seams? Maker spaces, quilting places, any messenger bag makers in the area? this will get you connected to people who know things about sewing and fabric, people into making their own stuff, etc. And it will often get you access to much nicer machines.

 

[B-9]

Dan, it didn’t take long to find a new machine.

This morning the dog and I liberated a old Universal DeLuxe ZigZag machine from its damaged cabinet. 40$ for the machine, knee control, original feet, a few spare parts, and a ton of bobbins. The machine was cleaned and adjusted about a decade ago and had a new motor installed. It has sat relatively unused since says the previous owner.

The old stretch belt is dry checked pretty bad from storage. 3$ for a replacement singer belt (universal and standard are Singer owned) A few drops of oil and we are sewing again.

Now to see if it fits in the slot on my bench...

 

[B-9]

A little update,

I have barely been using my Universal ZigZag instead have been using my old Singer 221 that was given to my by my grandmother from great grandmas estate. It is a wonderful machine for anything I have to sew even leather.

I purchased a used Babylock Pro Serger machine only to replace a few parts and have the motor fail on before its first project.... darn! Time for professional servicing.

Ive made a ton of stuff in the past months. Mostly hiking/camping related stuff.

Planning to start a camera bag this fall (got a few paid sewing projects to start).

I have also been working on two very large Canoe Portage bags for next spring.

I completed a sling bag to replace my backpack when biking.

Participated in a show/swap with a handful of original designs and got some great feedback.

Friggin love sewing and beer... lots of beer!

 

[Keith]

Love the sewing machine idea ... I have always had a desire to make my own clothing.

 

[B-9]

Keith, that is what got me interested. I wanted to sew my own fleece jacket after not really finding what I was looking for or it being overpriced. Along with accommodating the occasional fix or alteration.

I knew sewing basics and had used a sewing machine before so it was really easy after reading a owners manual (threading can be unique to each machine).

I have had my 221 for a few months and threading it is now second nature.

My overlock machine is a entirely different beast but was super critical in getting the finish I hope for in the fleece jacket and other garment plans. A real big blow when it decided to be extra stubborn and blow its load.

A really relaxing hobby to get into during the winter months as well as being super gratifying when you complete that little pouch or what not!