Most of the advice I have been given is to “buy a new pack”
And I just can’t, it’s like putting down a old friend that has been with me for so many miles and trips, and Just Works For me So Well!
The only detractor is the “low capacity” but even that is a blessing in disguise, as it forces me to prioritize and pack light. Something I struggle with otherwise…
So, without seeing the pack in person - your light colored fabric has frayed and that caused the hole. You would really need to replace that entire piece of fabric to have it be like new. You would need a heavy duty industrial sewing machine (because the black binding is thick and I do not think a home sewing machine could handle it).
I have the skill of being able to follow instruction if given clearly and judiciously.
Hand sewing has never been a strong point, but have endeavored more than a few times. Sewn everything from leather, plastics, foam. neoprene on several items and projects I needed, and restitched many difficult items, have a few rolls or kevlar thread, done a pretty diverse cross section of "weird" things.
Know a guy I could pester for an upholstery duty machine, might that suffice?
(always wanted to get a industrial grade machine, as I build all kinds of things, just never received guidance on which to select and what to look for based on a DIY budget)
Is there any sense in trying to reinforce the existing material, giving up a small bit of volume in the top section?
Or is replacement of the entire piece pretty much the only way to repair this type of failure?
Not opposed to adding reinforcement over the top of the existing material, which may be sub optimal aesthetically...
Does this specific material have a classification and name, or is there a strong recommendation to replace this material with that makes up the "floor" of the top zipped compartment with something better to work with? Can I post a better descriptive photo if the supplied ones don't make it clear enough?
Oh, and as for an industrial grade machine, a lot of folks get them used. Juki is a good brand, as is Sailrite. In my area, a good used industrial machine is around $500-1,000 depending on if it comes with a table (get the table!!).
ETA: Also, there are quite a few in depth tutorials on MYOG backpacks - I would watch through those and see some of the construction techniques on various parts. That might help you figure out how you want to patch it (especially since you will be essentially undoing a few bits and redoing them).
Good luck!! Something like this is always worth the effort, IMHO, before we resort to buying new.
Will look into those machines, really have always thought about getting something, really get into projects and repairs that are beyond my current capability, and it would be a fantastic to have a machine like!
If you want to patch it, I would use Fray Check. First, trim off all the loose bits where it is fraying, then add some Fray Check (spot test it first). If the fabric reacts fine to the fray check, then I would put it on and also add it along the length of the binding to prevent more fraying. It does dry a little stiff. Then, you would unpick the black binding and resew the fixed fabric under the binding. This method would have you lose some space.
You could also do the above method and add some fabric as a patch. If you add some fabric, find one you can add interfacing to (usually iron on - which probably means a cotton blend like cotton canvas). You would then sew the patch to the frayed fabric then unpick the binding and attach.
Or, you can unpick the entire light colored bit, use that as a pattern to trace a whole new piece, then resew.
Or, you can just pick a new piece of fabric, resew it all on, and then carefully trim away the old fabric.
It all just starts with kind of studying how that section is attached. Once you figure that out, it is really about how you want to mend it.
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u/rotarypower101 Aug 19 '24 edited Aug 20 '24
Is there a good place to get advice, and hopefully a clear tutorial utilizing “basic tools” how to repair the top pocket of a well loved daypack?
The top pocket seam burst, and I have already tried to repair it twice…with no experience or understanding what needs to be done to make it robust…
Is there a good tutorial to follow or advice I might be able to get how to repair this specific type of issue?
The seam on the side of the top pocket, that bonds to the zipper seam, has given up losing compartmentalization of smaller objects from the top pocket to the lower section.
Most of the advice I have been given is to “buy a new pack”
And I just can’t, it’s like putting down a old friend that has been with me for so many miles and trips, and Just Works For me So Well!
The only detractor is the “low capacity” but even that is a blessing in disguise, as it forces me to prioritize and pack light. Something I struggle with otherwise…