I just wanted to share a method for keeping track of a complicated project. I'm about to sew my first pack, and I want to limit the amount of seam-ripping I do (especially since it's made of Xpac). So, being the nerd that I am, I made a flow chart! I plan to put the pack together with a printed copy of the chart, crossing off items as they are completed. Here's my partial flow chart for my pack – it's missing a few steps, like making the frame, but it's nearly complete.
The chart was generated by graphviz, a program that generates flowcharts automatically from source code. You just have to specify which steps are dependent on which other steps, and it'll do all the layout for you. Here is the code that generated that flowchart:
digraph chili_pepper {
graph [ dpi = 800 ];
rankdir=TB;
size="8,5"
node [shape = circle];
"Hipbelt:nCordura Panel:nLooplocs, 3/4 webbingnwaistbelt w/3:1npole attachments" -> "Hipbelt" [label = "Attach 3d mesh,ninvert,nsew horizontal seperator"];
//
//
// Pole, Pad Sleeves, Back and Bottom Panels:
//
//
"Sew shoulder strapnattachments,nharness attachment,ncordura reinforcementnto Pole sleeve front" -> "Sew Pole Sleeve Frontnto Pole Sleeve Back"
"Sew Pole Sleeve Frontnto Pole Sleeve Back" -> "Cordura Bottom" [label = "sew on"]
"Build Load LifternHarness from Xpac" -> "Sew Harnessnand cordura reinforcementn to Pole Sleeve Backing" -> "Sew Pole Sleeve Frontnto Pole Sleeve Back"
"Roll topnbottom buckles" -> "Cordura Bottom" [label = "sew on"];
"Cordura Bottom" -> "Bottom Panel" [label = "sew to Xpac"]
"Sew Pad Sleeven from 3d mesh,nmomentum, velcro,ngrosgrain on bottomncorners and top" -> "Sew Pad Sleevento Back Paneln(BOTTOM ONLY)" -> "Sew Bottom Panelnand Back Panelntogether" -> "Sew onto back panel:n1) Pole Sleevesn2)Velcron3)Pad Sleeve" -> "Stitch Inside Out";
"Bottom Panel" -> "Sew Bottom Panelnand Back Panelntogether";
//
//
// Side Panels and Front
//
//
"Cut Side Panels" -> "Sew on Loop locs,n3/4 buckle,nlong piece of 3/4,nmisc tie offs?" -> "Stitch Inside Out";
"Cut Front Panelnand Lycra Pocket,nHem Lycra" -> "Sew Lycranto Front Panel" -> "Stitch Inside Out";
//
//
// Putting it all together
//
//
"Stitch Inside Out" -> "Hem With:nXpac? Grosgrain?" -> "Seam Seal";
//
//
// Shoulder Straps
//
//
"Cut,nPerforate CCF" -> "Shoulder Straps"
"Sew webbing strip,nwebbing on top,nadjustment bucklesnonto outer fabric" -> "Sew Velcro ontonouter fabric,n3d mesh" -> "Sew outer fabricnonto 3d Mesh"
"Sew outer fabricnonto 3d Mesh" -> "Shoulder Straps"
}
