A Maker's Story: about learning and refining

As we make and design bags with more frequency we have developed & evolved our bag constructions to work better with our aesthetic and functional ideals. It's been part of a continual learning and refining process that we hope will, well, continue. Over the last 12 months we've arrived at a simple cohesive construction technique for all our larger bags (rolltop rucksack, utility tote v2, the long strap tote - even the Roam camera bag).

The construction involves having two layers of fabric back to back that when sewn (or not sewn) together create a series of pockets. Some of these pockets remain as pockets, others (on the rolltop rucksack for instance) allow us to introduce a layer of padding for bag carrying comfort. In the photo above, the stitch lines are for the inside back pockets (one central and two smaller either side) for our updated utility tote.

This two layer construction means we can create all sorts of pockets of differing shapes and sizes without having to worry about having bulky seams everywhere. It means that each bag has a double thickness base for extra strength and durability. And it also means that there is additional reinforcement (often three or more layers of heavy duty fabric) for areas of high loading or stress - like the point where the leather shoulder straps of the rucksack join the fabric body.

On the whole, we've always wanted to have bags without a separate lining so that the construction of each bag is visible and honest. The two layer construction allows us to do this, whilst also reinforcing areas that might take high stress, wear or loading.