So I am very interested in making a few cuben fiber stuff sacks. I have little to no sewing experience so the idea of taping the seams really appeals to me. The main question I have is do you think it is necessary to reinforce any of the cuben fiber that is being cinched closed? If so, what is the simplest way of doing it. Any other advice is also very welcome.

Thanks!!

Buy a zpacks stuff sack and copy it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSyfoecZCSE

I made all mine following this video and they have lasted approximately 500 miles so far.

If you still need tape I used this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-ROLL-3M-Adhesive-Transfer-Tape-9485PC-1-2-in-x-60-yd-5-0-mil-02120063476-/260990708324?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc4422a64

If you need eyelets Joann's has them for about $5 with the installation tools included.

As far as reinforcement goes. The fold that makes the drawstring channel is plenty for strength.

Good luck!

+1 to buying one from Zpacks since Joe sells the fabric and the tape too.

Using 3M brand #94 solvent/cleaner/prep is supposed to help the tape stick better.

Does Steve Evans (Suluk 46) still have cuben bonding info buried on his website?

Start making them without the reinforcement to see how long they last. Upgrade later, only when necessary, to avoid delaying your start. Expect to learn as you go. Choosing smooth, slick cord may reduce abrasion in the cinch channel.

Someone wrote about using the fibers as a straight line when laying out the shape on the fabric. Using a warm (not hot) iron helped make the fabric keep the folded edge but that may have been for sewing.

backwoodsdaydreamer.com has a stuff sack pattern

"Start making them without the reinforcement to see how long they last. Upgrade later, only when necessary, to avoid delaying your start."

I would suggest to delay now and study a bit first. When the CF fabric costs $25-30 per yard, I would hate to keep doing it over and over to get it right. MLD stuff sacks are reinforced nicely.

--B.G.--

All the info you guys have given so far is excellent. I had actually watched the youtube video that was posted and my biggest concern was putting in the eyelet but if the price of the tool is only five dollars I will look into it.

It would also be nice to have a stuff sack to give me something to go off of but I would like to not spend the extra money on buying one.

Thanks again for the advice!

Installing eyelets is really easy. If you are worried about strength, just double the mount of cuben there. I have done that when using a button hole stitch on lighter nylons.

The tool that comes with the eyelets is not the one in the video. It is a little tapper that you use with a hammer.

I first made small stuff sack out of tyvek to get a feel for it. I think you will find it fairly easy once you get going.