NO SEW Possibles Bag

As you noticed in the previous post about Trek2014's possibles bag it is easy to sew; but, what if you don't even want to sew on the straps to your bag. No worries. Here is a NO SEW option for attaching the strap to the bag body. Follow the instructions regarding the body of the bag in the previous post--cut the slit, turn the bag inside out, poke out the corner fabric and press. Here's the change.

Open the flap and cut four slits through all layers of the fabric. Use the photos as a guide. Sharp scissors are handy. I used a rotary cutter and pressed down where I wanted the slit. Warning: I didn't roll the rotary cutter. You could easily cut too far if you did.

The body of the bag is on the bottom portion of the photo.
The flap has been opened towards the top.

Knot the end of the strapping and thread
through from the backside of the bag.

Make sure your slit is no larger than the width of your strapping. My strap is 1" wide. The slit if a bit less than that. There is a lot of sizing in this strap and the knot will not pull through the slit.

Thread the other end of the strap through the slit on the
other side of the bag and then tie a knot. 

Note: the strap material I bought in bulk has a lot of sizing and is very stiff. To soften the strap drag a chop stick over the strap in the same manner as if you're going to curl ribbon with scissors. You can use the backside of scissors as well. Run the tool that you choose over both sides of the strap several times and this breaks up the sizing. You can also soak the strap in water and rinse it before you assemble the bag.

Sew an Apron: Completely and Totally Optional

Aprons are cute and easy to sew, but remember they are optional. We recommend NO POCKETS on the apron because objects placed within bounce annoyingly as you trek; however, empty pockets would fix that problem. Here is a blog post on how to sew an apron. Click Here.

Sew a Possibles Bag

The possibles bag holds small items that are necessary during the hiking/walking parts of Trek. Things such as lip balm, personal necessities, and a water bottle go in the bag. The strap is worn over the shoulder and across the chest. A flap is incorporated into the design to prevent items from falling out when the bag is placed in the cart or on the ground. A trekker can attach a button and buttonhole or velcro type materiel to keep the flap even more secure.

Our Stake has a very large group of trekkers about 500 and I purchased plenty of denim pants legs which are sewn on three sides from a seller on Ebay.

Finished bags on bale of 200 pant legs.

Presewn denim pant legs.

Draw a chalk line up 13" from one end of bag.
This 13" tall portion of the pant leg is the body of the bag.
The rest of the rectangle is the flap.

Cut on the chalk line across the leg through only one layer of denim.
This is the opening into the bag. No need to finsh this opening.

Turn the bag inside out to hide the seams.

Cut  51" length(about 1 1/3 yard) of 1" wide cotton webbing.
This is the strap for the bag.
I purchased the cotton webbing from a seller
on Ebay.

Shape the corners by forcing the fabric completely out
of the four corners. I use a chop stick.

Press the bag open and then fold the flap over and press again.

Attach the cotton webbing to the back of the bag.
The strap is located 1" below the slit you cut on the other side
of the bag.

Stitch through all layers of denim avoiding catching the
flag in the stitching. I use my needle down function and
pivot at the corners of the webbing finishing with a diagonal
stitching line across the square of stitching.

Using the denim pant legs purchased in bulk saved a lot of money when compared to purchasing cotton twill, denim or even lighter weight cottons by the yard (even with sales and coupons); plus, nearly all of the sewing was completed before I even received the denim pant legs.

Sew a Neck Cooler: "Trekkies, the Stake will Provide These"

This site that sells the polymer granules for neck coolers has helpful dimensions for the number of neck coolers per pound of granules. Watersorb
Here are some instructions for the neck coolers the Lindon Stake Trek Sewing Committee are making:
The bandanas are 22" square.
Fold the bandana diagonally through the center.

Find the center point of the folded edge. It should be about 11" from the edge. Finger press a crease to mark the center.

Fold 1 1/2" along the diagonal fold and mark a 12" area center of the center point of the bandana.

Stitch down this 12" area to make a tube for the water absorbing polymer.

Leave one end open to fill with 1 tsp. of polymer. Stitch end closed after polymer is inserted into the tube.

Here are some links. "Sew Very Useful Neck Cooler"  Click Here.

Water Crystals Scarf--Click Here.