Okay okay. Here we GO!

A few last tweaks were made, and I've signed the pattern off!

In just over a week —on 9 Nov— this beauty will be available.

It's name is Max.

I've decided that I'll tell you all about the details in the launch email closer to the time, but for this newsletter — which is really more of my 'behind-the-scenes' journal — I'm going to share a challenge I had to deal with.

The Challenges with Closure

I originally began this bag 15 months ago, and it was narrow, had a zip-top closure and no roll. It was a very different baby.

But, as lovely as it was, the zip was simply too limiting when Covid still has us all doing some degree of juggling.

I even tried beefing up the dimensions and re-attaching the zip in a different manner for Mark 3. It was still meh. (I honestly preferred Mark 2.)

I knuckled down for Mark 4, feeling like I was starting all over again. I sized up even more and swapped the zip for a flap. The flap had a tab that could be latched closed when the flap either overhung or the bag was chock-full.

I got so much wonderful feedback about this version, but I just wasn't happy enough with it, functionally. There was a chance of contents being exposed in inclement weather, and it just was crying out to be rolled.

So, in Mark 5, I added a closure that allowed rolling.

But, sob, the front webbing (that black strap) just kept on gapping and the roll wouldn't stay rolled. The idea that I might be so close and have to return to sampling seemed excruciating (and expensive).

How to do rapid testing at home by myself to ensure I was on the right path?

Hand-sewing. I got out a needle and thread and stitched through exterior and lining materials, to see if catching the webbing higher up was an option.
 

My handiwork wasn't pretty, but it worked. (Final bag shown at top of page.)

Later, the talented Makers tore open the lining, took out my messy stitching and attached the webbing fully. Gorgeous. Relief.

Mark your calendars. Launch will be 9 Nov 1pm GMT.

Only 30 will be available in this batch.

More info coming next week.