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Step 19Make and Install Shoulder Strap
If you have strap that you've had in mind to use, you can skip this step. It is easy, though, to make a shoulder strap if you have some extra duct tape.
This one is not easily adjusted, unfortunately. In fact, it's very basic, but gets the job done. I left making it more useful as an exercise for the maker. As with the shoulder strap and buckle straps, this will take the full width of duct tape.
Begin by cutting 2 ~1ft lengths of tape. Rather than placing directly on top of one another, place 6in offset, so that there is 6in of exposed on either side of the proto-strap. Cut another 1ft length of tape and cover the exposed sticky side with 6in of the new strip of tape. Continue this process until you reach your desired length. You will probably need between 4 and 6 feet depending on torso size and positioning.
For this bag, I made about 5.5ft, which was about 1ft too long.
Cover the seams, if desired, by cutting lengths of tape and attaching by aligning the center line on one strap to the side of the other. Fold over.
Cut a 12in segment of tape. Cover one end of the strap with 6in of tape and thread through one of the anchors. Rough in the strap, making sure the piece of tape is centered. Install the strap by laying the tape cleanly and using another piece of tape perpendicular to secure the loop (picture #9).
Rough in the other side. Instead of finishing, try the bag on for size. Depending on where you think it is comfortable, adjust the strap. Once you find the perfect length, finish that side.
You now have a functional messenger bag!
I've already come up with some changes I'd like to make, as well as some more... ambitious designs, but I'm curious to see what other people develop given this simple recipe.
If you make one using this how-to, I would be interested in seeing it.
This one is not easily adjusted, unfortunately. In fact, it's very basic, but gets the job done. I left making it more useful as an exercise for the maker. As with the shoulder strap and buckle straps, this will take the full width of duct tape.
Begin by cutting 2 ~1ft lengths of tape. Rather than placing directly on top of one another, place 6in offset, so that there is 6in of exposed on either side of the proto-strap. Cut another 1ft length of tape and cover the exposed sticky side with 6in of the new strip of tape. Continue this process until you reach your desired length. You will probably need between 4 and 6 feet depending on torso size and positioning.
For this bag, I made about 5.5ft, which was about 1ft too long.
Cover the seams, if desired, by cutting lengths of tape and attaching by aligning the center line on one strap to the side of the other. Fold over.
Cut a 12in segment of tape. Cover one end of the strap with 6in of tape and thread through one of the anchors. Rough in the strap, making sure the piece of tape is centered. Install the strap by laying the tape cleanly and using another piece of tape perpendicular to secure the loop (picture #9).
Rough in the other side. Instead of finishing, try the bag on for size. Depending on where you think it is comfortable, adjust the strap. Once you find the perfect length, finish that side.
You now have a functional messenger bag!
I've already come up with some changes I'd like to make, as well as some more... ambitious designs, but I'm curious to see what other people develop given this simple recipe.
If you make one using this how-to, I would be interested in seeing it.
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If you adapt the process for making the primary compartment, you'll find they're easy to make. I just made a box that's 2 widths of tape wide and tall and 1/2 a tape width deep, not including the flap. The strap wraps all the way around the box and clasps closed with a buckle.
The box is taped securely onto the side and "cleaned up."
I hope that explanation was adequate, though I'm afraid I'll have to update the instructions for it to be clear.