footbag.org

[Mark Zimmerman (Radbad8)]

Hey all. I was thinking I'd make some bags cuz I haven't before, and I'd like a challenge (besides the challenge of keeping that stupid little sack up in the air.) I was hopin to sew a net bag. SO!

Should I use a specific pattern, or will any do?

What should I fill with?

What material should I use?

Thanks a lot!

[Michal Hadas (koix)]

can somebody reply?

[James Jansen (jjansen)]

id get some microsuede or microsuede light for fabric. sand would be a good fill also. the 14 panel design listed on this site is pretty easy. you may want to try a 4 panel though.

[David Wilder (bigdirtyfoot)]

Shouldn't he use a thicker material for net? Sorry man, I don't really know much about net.

[James Jansen (jjansen)]

shit. i thought you were talking about freestyle bags, not net bags. sorry, read the post wrong but if you look on the WFA website most of the netbags are a sort of shiny leatherish cowhide.

[Jochen Bauer (DoctorJay)]

Netbags should be real hard so I guess that sand is not good as filling.

Every net player should be able to help you out.

[Russ Arsenault (Calumniate)]

Some people use heavy vinyl or cordley (which is what most soccer balls are made of). Another option is to use leather, but the catch is that you need to interface the back of the leather with interfacing material as to prevent stretching.

Fill for net bags can be tricky if you don't know what to look for. It's worth noting however that any plastics manufacturer that uses injection-moulding equipment likely has an abundance of small plastic pellets that are ideal for fill. They can vary in size/weight depending on the application.

That's about all the secrets I'll let out of the hat for the time being

Russ

[Russ Arsenault (Calumniate)]

Some people use heavy vinyl or cordley (which is what most soccer balls are made of). Another option is to use leather, but the catch is that you need to interface the back of the leather with interfacing material as to prevent stretching.

Fill for net bags can be tricky if you don't know what to look for. It's worth noting however that any plastics manufacturer that uses injection-moulding equipment likely has an abundance of small plastic pellets that are ideal for fill. They can vary in size/weight depending on the application.

That's about all the secrets I'll let out of the hat for the time being )

Russ

[Russ Arsenault (Calumniate)]

sorry that was supposed to be a happy face and I'm not sure why it posted twice..


Russ

[Keegan Ferreira (octopi)]

ok, dont use leather, not to mention the fact that its morally wrong, but (ive heard) it stretches and you have to pretreat it. You should use synthetic plastics that are pretty stiff, such as the type of material juggling balls are made of. Im pretty sure they sell it at fabric land.

[Stephen Blair (millenniumtree)]

I agree, morally wrong. I'd refuse to play if someone brought out a leather bag.
I'm vegan by the way.

[Stephane Comeau (steph)]

You want to make a net bag? Great! (finally, some net bag stiching!)

First, you should make it a 32 pannels (at least). Anything less is not round enough (if you want to play with it in a real match).

Second, use a tougher thread than you would for a freestyle bag.
Third, use average density or high density plastic pellets. They should'nt be too small (the bag woud get too heavy) nor too big (the bag would not bounce as well). The rounder the better. Pellets influence a lot the properties of a net bag.

Fourth, follow Russ' advice for the material. I agree with him: leather needs a backside because it streches. But the best is to avoid leather. That way you do less work, not to mention avoiding shocking other kickers over a dead cow! Heavy vinyl is THE thing! The heavier, the more bounce you'll get (which is what you want from a net bag).

Fifth, don't hesitate to use force wen you fill it. Push 'em pellets!!! Your bag will not get too soft too soon (another reason not to use leather). Bags get softer with kicks.

Finally, closing a net bag is not easy (is you want to make a good job). If you overrun you stiching a few stiches, you'll have the chance to push the last node in without letting the bag get too loose in the operation.

One very last thing, went you turn it outside-in, it will be tough because the material is heavy vinyl - not very easy to manipulate through a small hole. Help yourself by ''greasing'' the inside (when it is inside-out) and the hedge of the hole. For that, use a liquid leather/vinyl cleaner. A few drops should do. In doing so, your new bag will also look as clean as it should.

A good net bag is one that is perfectly round. You can achieve that by having every hole on every pannel at exactly the same place. For that I use a dye (actually two) that cuts the material (with a press) and makes the pinholes. This helps me to save on time, so can do a bag in two hours at the most. However there is an investment $$$ to make (a good example of capital - labour substitution).

Good chance in your project.
Stéphane Comeau

[Russ Arsenault (Calumniate)]

For those interested i will soon be offering a selection of low-cost 'mad cow' footbags very soon!

Jokes aside, Stephane's tips and tricks are right on. I still look forward to using the leather/vinyl cleaner trick to turn the footbag inside-out. Thanks Stephane!

Russ