Asymmetric Backpack

Bizarre Bazaar is over, the holidays are past, and custom bag orders are getting caught up on. That can only mean one thing, prototyping. I have been struggling to find a backpack design that I am completely in love with. I have, however, found myself in like with this new, more traditional two strap bag. It features a single vertical zipper that serves as a more messenger-style access port giving the wearer access while still on the shoulder. It is also covered in scotchlite reflective tape, features a waterproof zipper pocket and a nice big pocket with flap on the front.

Lynn's Backpack

Summer was continuing to be hectic with family trips to Boston, MA and the Berkshires where we ate and drank like kings and queens and enjoyed the beautiful landscapes of rolling hills, a pond, an apiary and an epic garden. Somewhere amidst the travels and the bike rides I was able to work on another new product: the traditional backpack. Having already designed and tested two much larger and more burly "messenger style" backpacks, it was time to tackle new territory and Lynn had been looking for a backpack she said so I took it upon myself to try to help here out. While I have some pattern adjustments to make so as to decrease puckering around the zipper, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. The design is minimalistic but functional and I think the overall bag can be a success for those interested in a water resistant sack without all the bells and whistles of the larger offerings. Now I just need to get it to Lynn who has been patiently awaiting the delivery for some months now. It seems that as Summer turned to Fall, I ramped up my time in the studio and this little huni found its way into the corner as she so gingerly pointed out this past weekend!

Pannier Prototype 1

First of all. I'm finally back to the blog, (let's hope for good), and am excited to announce the launching of http://www.forestcityportage.com! It still has a few bugs to be worked out, some text needs to be changed and some more pics added, but all in all I'm just excited that its up. Now that that announcement is out of the way I shall proceed in updating everyone as to the events of the past six months.

Made in the 216 was a really great time, Room Service and the Pop up Space were packed to the gills and the weather couldn't have cooperated any better. Then summer broke into high swing and between the lack of staff at Melt Bar and Grilled keeping me at the restaurant more than I would have liked and the call of patios, I was a bit scattered in my appearances at the workshop, (the persistent 95 degree days in a room with a wall of windows didn't really help much either). I did find some time, however to make a fun city pannier for my friend Nina. The simple design features only webbing and velcro for mounting as I tried to focus on ease of use, cut down on costs (a nice Ortlieb mounting system can run $30-40/pr alone), and cause I didn't have a bunch of pannier hardware lying around when she asked.

The final product, while somewhat rudimentary, turned out really nice and I think that I would make some more (although probably with a decent set of mounts as the ease of use was not as high as I had hoped). The sailcloth exterior is super durable and the post consumer waste vinyl liner is light and keeps things waterproof. In the end, a pretty nice bag for a twelve pack and some clothes on a crummy day.

Big Boy Backpack

This has been months in the making and the free time of winter has allowed for the completion of the first ever full on backpack. This thing is big, brauny and bold. It could use to be a little taller and to have a bit more flap on the top for rolling purposes, but it is comfortable as all hell and surprisingly pleasing to the eye despite the desert camo. It features a split shoulderstrap on one side and a zippered file pocket along the back for easy access to those important papers. Look for a final design by spring.

"Casual Encounters" Back Pack Prototyping

So I have finally finished the first few rounds of prototyping for the around town backpack and the results are great. There is a 3d exterior pocket with pen pouches and a wallet spot along with easy-ats on both sides. The straps are seatbelt webbing and the exterior fabric on these two are sailcloth. The one with the red V is I and the tree is II. Moving the straps to the back of the bag really helped tie it all together and I think the final design will incorporate a simple yolk of some sorts when all said and done.

Backpack Prototype

So it's been a long time coming but I finally have a backpack in the
works. Digital desert camouflage isn't my most popular fabric and I
had a bunch of it from a bulk remnants purchase a few months back. The
neat part of this bag is the waterproof side pocket which is 12"x15"
and can be accessed without removing the whole bag. It is meant to
hold flat objects as it runs along the back of the bag. Look for
finished photos in the coming weeks!