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Most sewing machine problems don’t start with catastrophic failure—they start with the small maintenance habits makers ignore for too long. In this episode, Matt Evans joins us to break down the practical upkeep, adjustments, and troubleshooting skills every DIYer should know to keep their machines running smoothly and sewing clean.
In This Episode, We Cover:
The maintenance habits that actually matterHow to diagnose common sewing issues like skipped stitches, poor tension, and fabric feeding problems The simple machine adjustments makers should feel comfortable making themselves DIY tools, cheap shop hacks, and unexpected hardware store finds that can make patterning, cutting, and machine upkeep easierCustom UL Hiking Gear for Dogs and Humans - Red Paw Packs
Guest: Matt Evans, Red Paw Packs
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Most of us like the idea of American-made production, but very few of us understand the complexity (or the role DIY makers can play in rebuilding it). This conversation explores what it actually takes to build sewn products sustainably in America without losing sight of the people behind the products.
The Carolina Textile District helps businesses (big and small) create amazing products here in the US through educational courses, businesses connections, and operational support.
Sewn Goods 101 Course
Industrial Sewing Program
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Any project is a serious undertaking—but sewing everything for your thru-hike is next level. That’s exactly what Eliza did for the CDT. She breaks down what it actually takes to design, sew, and trust a full 15-piece kit when failure isn’t really an option.
In this episode:
Where to start when you want to make something big Why the failed prototype helped in the long run How Eliza approached fabric selectionWhat she did this project forListen in to get inspired and see where your next build can take you.
Guest:
Eliza SweeneyFind Us on Social Media 🚀
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The line between professional gear and great DIY gear is hard to define. Instead of guessing, we brought in a pro. A product developer with Patagonia and Yeti experience breaks down what actually matters and what makers can learn from the big companies.
In This Episode, We Cover:
The real difference between product design and product development—and why it matters for makers / cottage companies How big companies turn rough ideas into finished products (and what you can steal from that process) Simple ways to define your project upfront so you don’t get stuck, overbuild, or lose direction How to handle feedback, check your ego, and iterate like a pro without burning out your creativityListen in and start building with more clarity, confidence, and intention before you even sit down at the machine.
Guest:
Kyle Rogers - Project Waterloo, LinkedIn
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Stop rushing your photos and start making your gear look as good as it actually is. Cinematographer and maker Chris Ellison breaks down how to think about composition, environment, and presentation so your projects hit differently the moment people see them.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Why most maker photos fall flat—and the simple shift that instantly improves them How to use environment, framing, and depth to make your gear the clear focal point Practical tricks like stuffing, shaping, and staging your bags so they photograph clean and intentional How real-world use, travel, and feedback loops shape better design (and better visuals) over timeListen in and start taking photos (and making gear) that actually do your work justice.
Explore Ellison Handmade:
Website InstagramShop our latest products here
X-Pac®Find Us on Social Media 🚀
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Not every upgrade happens at the sewing machine. If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or unsure why your work isn’t improving, this episode breaks down the mindset shifts that actually move you forward.
Filip Raboch joins us to share what he’s learned building custom gear at a high level. Listen so you can avoid the common traps and start making smarter, more intentional decisions in your own process.
Why identifying a specific use is most important How to say no and why you have to The hidden reality of being a custom gear maker for a livingGuest:
Filip Raboch Custom Gear
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Foam might not be the flashiest material in gear making, but it’s responsible for some of the biggest performance upgrades in your packs and bags. In this episode, we break down how experienced makers actually use foam. Covering real techniques, hard-earned lessons, and the small tricks that make projects come out better.
In This Episode, We Cover:
When and why to add foam to a project—from shoulder straps and back panels to laptop sleeves and structured bags How thickness, density, and foam type change comfort, structure, and sewability in real builds Practical techniques for cutting, shaping, ventilating, and installing foam cleanly in your projects Maker-tested tips for working with foam on home machines, avoiding common mistakes, and getting better results the first timeIf you’ve ever struggled with straps, structure, or padding in your projects, this episode will change the way you do your next build.
Guests:
Ryan Campbell from the Wandering GoatMatt Evans from Red Paw PacksProducts:
New X-Pac® Fabrics New Challenge ULTRA 200X ColorsXLPE FoamFind Us on Social Media 🚀
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If you're still using the closest scissors to your machine - you need this episode. We sit down with Kai Scissors for a deep, no-fluff breakdown of what serious makers actually need to know about cutting tools. From steel and geometry to maintenance habits that pros swear by.
Listen to the episode to get a 20% off discount for ROTR listeners.
In This Episode, We Cover:
Why premium scissors will radicalize your cutting experienceHow to choose the right size, style, or serration for technical fabrics, tight work, or heavy-duty materials The secret maintenance tips you won't find on reddit When rotary cutters, specialty blades, or niche tools outperform traditional scissors🛒 Shop Kai Scissors and all of our newest products
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Ever wonder what actually happens before a fabric hits the shop? In this episode, we sit down with RBTR's own Carter Holland to pull back the curtain on product decisions, failures, tradeoffs, and future releases you won’t hear about anywhere else.
How fabric ideas really get approved or quietly killed before they ever reach your sewing tableWhat goes wrong during development and testing and why some “almost launched” materials never see the light of dayThe unspoken constraints of cost, MOQ, timing, and quality that shape every product we releaseEarly insight into upcoming fabrics and categories that will define what makers are building next🛒 Shop all of our newest products
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Traditional tailoring might seem worlds away from technical gear—but the principles are the same. In this episode, Alasdair Leighton-Crawford of Cimoro shares how skills learned on Savile Row translate directly into better-fitting apparel, smarter pack design, and more intentional making.
We talk about:
Why tailoring is one of the fastest ways to truly understand fitHow athletic thinking and craft obsession shape better gearWhat most makers overlook when designing packs and apparelBalancing bespoke work, scalability, and running a small businessWhy making by hand still matters in an age of automation and AICimoro
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Factories aren’t just about scale—they’re classrooms for better design, smarter workflows, and more durable products. In this episode, Douglas Davidson shares lessons from global manufacturing floors and explains how makers at any level can apply factory thinking to make better gear, whether sewing at home or building for production.
Announcements:
Maker Meet-Up Spring 2026Shop New ProductsGuest Links:
Douglas Davidson | Canvas Worker & The Brown BuffaloHolubar Mountaineering backpack Bruce Johnson - History of GearHiroshi fujiwara (Goodenough)Dan Green, Arcteryx VP of DesignWilson bag factoryClarification: Douglas mentions Pungkook as having 100,000 employees in the episode. In the flow of the conversation, that number got mixed up. He meant to say 10,000 employees.
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Let us know what you want out of the podcast for 2026. Email us: [email protected]
Sadly, the episode that was planned for this week had a technical problem and was lost entirely. We're bummed because this was going to be a fun episode. After only missing one week over the 5 years we've been running the show, we suppose it was bound to happen eventually.
Don't worry, we have exciting episodes planned for 2026 and you can expect to hear from us on a regular basis once again.
Thanks for our best year of podcasting!
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How our guest went from weekend prototypes to leading design work at The North Face, Nike, and Burton. This episode traces what it really takes to get great at designing gear. You’ll hear practical insights on materials, overseas factories, and the decisions that shape products you trust.
Guest: Douglas Davidson of Canvas Worker and The Brown Buffalo
Factories Mentioned:
http://www.pungkook.com/AJ Factory, https://www.instagram.com/kcajvn/Meru Documentary
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Sewing mistakes happen to everyone. Yes, even the pros. Today we’re breaking down how to actually fix the ones that haunt your workshop. From feeding fabric through the machine to perfecting seam allowances and choosing the right project order, we’re giving you the guide we wish we had on day one. Plus, we answer community questions on binding 3D shapes, PSA tape stitching, machine feed types, and even… what happened to Isaac?
2025 DIY Kit Sale
Ep. 135 with Luke Mathers from Truce Designs
Co-Host, Matt Evans from Red Paw Packs | Custom UL Packs built in Tarpon Springs FL
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Great pack fabrics don't always come right from the mill. Luke from Truce Designs finds some of his fabrics from old sailboats, kites, and scrap bins. Upcycled fabrics aren't just "green" they're durable, functional, and full of old stories. They're the perfect accent to include on a bespoke project. Listen to this episode to hear about what to look for, what to stay away from, and how to upcycle old materials.
Truce Designs Links:
Website Youtube ChannelInstagramNew Products:
Marine Grade Vinyl🛒 Shop all of our newest products
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Good design is more than shapes and stitches. It’s timing, color, and knowing when something is good enough to release. We chat with James from Route Unknown to talk about secrets behind the drop method and how he creates modular, beautiful, and ultra-durable products in his one-man shop. Plus, why the UK doesn't have that many cottage companies.
Listen to the episode to understand the edgy title :)
https://www.instagram.com/route__unknown/
https://route-unknown.com/
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In this episode, we’re separating fact from fiction in the world of technical fabrics and MYOG. We debate 10 true or false statements about technical fabrics, covering topics like seam strength, water leakage, ripstop grids and more. Expect a playful and opinionated conversation that is sure entertain and maybe shock you.
Guest: Matt Evans from Red Paw Packs
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It’s draft day at Ripstop on the Record! In this episode, we sit down with Francesca Hall and Ryan Campbell for the very first Fabric Draft. Each person builds a six-category roster of technical fabrics, covering packs, bags, quilts/sleeping systems, shelters, apparel, and mesh in a snake-style draft.
Which fabrics made the cut? Which powerhouse materials were left on the table? And who built the strongest lineup? From classics like 1000D Cordura® and Silpoly XL to cutting-edge picks like ULTRA™ 200 and Polartec® Alpha Direct with Wool, this episode is a fun (and competitive) deep dive into the world of performance textiles.
Guests:
Ryan Campbell | Wandering Goat,
Francesca Hall | @madeby_francesca
Drafts Choices:
Ryan: Pack/bag: ULTRA 200 Apparel: Alpha with Wool Shelter: 1.1 oz Silpoly XL 2nd GenPack/Bag: 1000D Cordura Quilt: 0.9 oz MEM 15 ECO Jameson:Mesh: Venom MAXPack/Bag: 210D Venom Gridstop Apparel: alpha 4008 Shelter: 0.67 oz DCFPack/Bag: RVX15Francesca: Apparel: 5.2 oz AIRWAVE 4-Way Ripstop Pack/Bag: EPX200Bag/Bag: 1.9 oz PU Coated Ripstop Quilt/sleeping bag: Mem 15 poly tag printable Apparel: 3.4 oz nylon Taslan🛒 Shop all of our newest products
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Becoming a designer is like being a painter. You have to master the fundamentals while developing a style that’s unmistakably yours. In this episode, we sit down with legendary designer Dan Matsuda to explore how he’s honed his craft, built a distinct design philosophy, and what young designers can do to create original work in a world full of remakes.
Sample Matsuda
TAD Lightspeed
TAD Parallax
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In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on our recent trip overseas to meet with production partners—from one-man shops to sprawling 800,000-square-foot mills. We share behind-the-scenes stories, cultural mishaps, and our biggest takeaways from seeing the process up close.
You’ll learn why fabric design is more like chess than checkers, how global trade and mill specialization impact what shows up on Ripstop by the Roll’s shelves, and answers to your most pressing customer questions—from dyeing and durability to sustainability and working conditions.
If you’ve ever wanted to know what’s really happening on the other side of the supply chain, this episode is your front-row seat.
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www.ripstopbytheroll.com - Visa fler
