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@jerzone@techhub.socialOk, hear me out, what if I didn't buy purpose built fabric for the bike's frame bag??
Testing and learning with scraps. There's a lot to juggle, first attempt at this I had one piece facing the wrong way so I ripped out the seam and started over. Next test a little better, but liner seam location is wrong, thus the extra visible seam. Next up I ironed things, which really helped, and used thicker liner material. Going to dig up an old zipper for more practice.
I kept doing sewing tests and eventually closed up this "thing” even though none of the test panels match. It's a floppy, sad test bag. 
Notes:
* I'm still pretty horrible at sewing
* come up with firmer liner and/or stiffening material
* sewing machine doesn't like thick stuff (i.e. zipper gusset)
* should pin/clamp more things together before sewing
It won't be using velcro except for one onto seat tube. Top and down tube have threaded holes that bag will bolt to using 3d print panels, also stiffening that part of bag.
@jerzone this looks amazing. Would like to know see how you make it.
@jbenjamint Me too!
@jerzone Those large seed bags are great and very durable. Go for it.
@bosquebill Rummaging around the house for ideas I ran across grocery bag brother in-law sewed out of a feed bag. Figured if nothing else it would be good for the first time trying to sew one of these things, although now I don't want to let the cardinal down! “;^):
@jerzone When sewing, just remember the seed bag will have no "give" unlike a canvas fabric. So take that into account when creating your pattern. 
@jerzone Might be okay if your sewing machine will work with it
@jerzone I know this is obvious, just nudging your own thoughts... Bang out something really simple you will use and field test it
@jerzone
That looks great!! I bought a lot of bags that a charity in Vietnam made with repurposed feed bags. They were so interesting.
@jerzone I love it! Did you see the dog food bags amongst the Iditarod bikes? https://bikepacking.com/bikes/2025-iditarod-trail-invitational-rigs/
@pete That is excellent! And those are some seriously packed bikes!
@jerzone I'd imagine there's an awful lot of 'well, perhaps just one more layer …' 
@jerzone Your bag looks fine for first try with funky material and you learned stuff
Forgot to mention thread the other day in my musings... Some thread is hard to work with even in great machines. Like the clear stuff for "invisible" stitches. Some looks okay but doesn't run well either, usually cheaper ones but not always. Some have "coatings" on them which will rub off in the thread path and eventually cause trouble...
It's a guessing game sometimes. If you find a thread that works well for most things you learn to try switching to it when having problems
@lfisk I was wondering about thicker thread and maybe even sturdier needle. This had a roll of “all purpose" thread and one needle, which I broke shortly after getting it. Got a Schmetz universal needle:
130/T05
80/12
No idea what those mean. “:^)
Went to joann fabric yesterday, but their needles are all cleared out and it's kind of thread-bare (ha!).
@jerzone Schmetz used to be very good. Haven't kept up on sewing stuff of late...
That's a light weight needle (I looked it up) Wiki:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewing_machine_needle
I tend to use needles suitable for blue jeans (denim) with heavier threads. I don't care what it looks like when I'm done, I want it to be strong
@jerzone The old Reader's Digest Sewing book is pretty good for general questions and sussing things out. I've an old copy that has helped from time to time. Tend to look stuff up on the net nowadays but kinda know what I'm looking for now too...
Believe me... it is really hard to search the web for "thread" problems
@jerzone Yes! I have the "Complete Do-it Yourself Manual" too. For many years I would peruse used book sales and stores. I'm very fond of reference books.
Just took another look... I have the Back To Basics too in a different spot. Thought that cover looked awful familiar