Seam Allowances

[A Wilson]

I’m building my own pack, and am trying to decide what kind of seam allowances are necessary for a simple flat seam (no [mock] french, or felled seams)—the kind that will hold the walls to the back panel. 5/8ths is the standard for most purchased clothing patterns, but it seems as though more or less would be necessary for various fabrics and seams.

For urethane coated nylons, I have a hard time believing that a triple-stiched 1/2 inch felled seam allowance would fail before the fabric or stitching itself.

Does anybody have either insight or hard evidence, so that we may minimize/optimize our material usage?

[Dwight Shackelford]

I just finished the G4 pack, and it called for 1/2″ seam allowances. Its an UL pack though. Not sure what you have in mind.

Dwight

[A Wilson]

I’m basically making a rucksack w/ 200 denier packcloth and 1.9oz urethane coated ripstop. Thanks for the reminder of the G-4’s pattern. ALW

[Roger Caffin]

I find 10 mm is plenty, and 6 mm is enough with light fabrics and some care for a simpler seam – hem at edge, open out, flatten and oversew.

[Author]

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