Coding by Day, Stitching by Night: Alex’s Custom Gear Journey

Why?

I’m very active in cycling and am a member of a larger cycling group. For a multi-day event (Berlin - Usedom - Berlin over 4 days), I was looking for a way to keep a few snacks within easy reach, and that’s when I got hooked. Since then, I’ve developed a range of custom-made bags, which I sell and make on commission.

Although there are many cool bags available, having one you made yourself just feels way better.

How?

When I started, it quickly became clear how active the outdoor gear community is and how easy it is to get materials and information. At first glance, things like bike bags, backpacks, fanny packs, or even wallets may seem incredibly complicated, but once you dive in, it quickly becomes like a little puzzle. You have to cut the pieces yourself and pay attention to the order in which you assemble them, but yeah, just puzzles ...

In Germany, there are one or two retailers who not only offer waterproof, abrasion-resistant fabrics but also really cool closures and zippers that give everything a more professional look.

It also didn’t take long before friends started asking if I could offer sewing classes, which I’ve now done three times now.

Two Projects I’d Like to Share

Daypack, so far my most complex project

My largest and most intricate project to date is a backpack I made last year. I was looking for a waterproof backpack with a laptop compartment and a few external pockets, but nothing seemed to meet all my needs. There are many backpack patterns and tutorials online, and in the end, I combined two patterns into one and created this backpack.

Messenger Bag for Bike Basket

For my second project, I worked with a friend to make a messenger bag for a bike basket. We wanted a waterproof bag with as many comfort features as possible, like magnetic closures, but it also had to be practical and stylish for everyday use.

Unfortunately, there were no patterns available for this, so we started from scratch. It took us 2 days to finish the bag but we are really happy with both the way there but also the result.

Tips on how to get started

Since I’m often asked whether you need a special sewing machine for outdoor fabrics and how to get started, I can reassure you. Most household sewing machines handle multiple layers of fabric quite well, and even simpler projects are no problem. If you’re curious and want to try it yourself, I have patterns for a wallet and a small first aid kit (which I also sell on Etsy) and would be happy to share them with you.