Introduction: Rope Bag for Rock Climbing - Quick, No-Sew and Under $8

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About: We love DIY, especially when it's cheap, quick and recycles old clothes! :)

Are you one of those weird people that just carry rope around unprotected? I get it! Why would you pay like $50 bucks for something you don't really need?

Well - turns out you need it. Not so much the bag itself, but the protective sheet of fabric that goes underneath the rope when you're outside. If your rope lays directly on the ground, rocks, dirt, and organic material constanty poke at it, damaging it and shortening its life span.

Don't worry, we have a cheap, quick and working solution for you. Follow the steps and become a proud owner of THE BEST and the simplest rope bag ever.

Step 1: Materials

You'll need the following.

Materials:

1)At least a 1,5 meter x 1.5 meter sheet of old fabric. Price:$0

We encourage you to use recycled materials. Here are some examples of the things that will work: bedsheets, tablecloths, curtains, basically anything that's lightweight and not too stretchy. If you ask around, I'm sure someone will give it to you for free.

2) 12mm Eyelets. Price: $5 or less.

You'll need 10-16 pieces depending on the size of your project. We used 10 for the prototype bag on the picture, but it's a bit smaller than the project in this tutorial. You can use metal, plastic or rubber grommets. We used metal, but there were some sharp edges that could potentially damage the rope. So, just to be on the safe side, we recommend you use plastic/rubber ones.

3) A thin rope or webbing. At least 5 meters. Price: $1 or free if you DIY

It must slide easily trough the eyelets, so go for ropes with a smaller diameter. The length depends on the planned size of your rope bag, but 5 meters sould be plenty for a bag we're describing in this tutorial. You can also recylce an old shirt to make the rope, using this tutorial. https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-An-Old-T-Shi... we skipped the twisting part and used just the cut-up shirt. It worked fine.

4) You'll need something to keep the edges of the fabric from unraveling. ( max $2)

This is a no-sew project, so we're going to show you how to hem using universal glue or acrylic paint. If you have a sewing machine, you can just zig-zag stich. You can also hand-hem using a blanket stitch, but it'll take a long time.

Tools:

1) If you're using metal eyelets, you're going to need some sort of eyelet tool.

Most stores sell them together with the eyelets anyway. Plastic and metal ones usually don't require tools.

2) Scissors

Make sure they are suitable for cutting fabric

3) Brush (optional)

We'll need this to spread the glue. You can also use a small piece of cardboard.

Step 2: Cut & Prepare Your Fabric

Cut a circle of your fabric.

Make sure that the fabric sheet is big enough, like we said before, at least 1.5 metes squared. You'll get a circle with a diameter of at least 1.5 meters. It doesn't have to be a perfect circe, just try to ge the general shape right.

Note: If there is a seam in the middle of your fabric (like if you used a small beadsheet and had to tear it open on one side ) - it doesn't really matter, as long as the seam is not unraveling where you cut trough it.

Step 3: Place Your Eyelets

This is probably the longest step. :) Just stay focused!

1) Mark where the holes are going to be.

They should be evenly spaced. The exact number will depend on your project size, aim on them being about 20 cm apart. Place them at least 3 cm from the edge. We used 10, but realized that we could do with more (as that disperses the pressure on each one, prolonging the life of the bag). So we are recommending 12-16, depending on what size you are making. Just make sure that you have an even number of them!

2) Make holes for your eyelets.

Try to make your holes as small as possible. Use scissors or a sharp knife to make a small incision. For a 12mm grommet, the hole is probably big enough when you can force the tip of your pinky finger trough it. In order to do them right, the eyelet should be forced trough its hole. If you cut your hole too big, no worries. You can cut out another hole next to it, about 5 cm away. If you do that, just hem the hole you won't be using (details in the next step). You can also go buy a bigger grommet, or use a piece of leather or a thicker fabric as reinforcement padding around the hole. (as we did)

3) Hammer / press in the eyelets

If you are hammering - do it gently, or you might end up damaging your eyelet!

Step 4: 'Hem' Your Bag Using Universal Glue or Acrylic Paint.

You need to do this for most materials to stop them from unraveling. We are using glue, which is a simple solution for those who can't or don't like to sew.

Altiernatively, you can use a zig-zag sitch on your sewing machine, or a blanket stitch. You can also hem the thing 'properly' with some webbing or ribbon.

If you are using a knit or ripstop fabric you can skip this step.

1) Go to a place that you don't mind messing up

This is gonna be a bit messy, so go to the garage or out on the parking lot, or just protect your workspace with some newspaper.

2) Put your bag on the floor, and get out your glue/paint

3) Carefully, apply a line of the glue/paint all around the edge or the fabric.

Make sure you use enough. There should be a full circle or the stuff, without any gaps. Don't dilute it with water!

4) Using a brush or a piece of cardboard, spread it around and make sure that it clings well to the material.

If the material is getting wet, that's great! If the glue just sits on the top, try working it in a bit deeper. If your fabric won't soak it in, that's okay. As long as it clings to it, it's working.

5) Let it dry.

Step 5: Thread It and Voila!

1) Place your dried project on the floor, and prepare your cord/webbing.

2)Thread it trough each hole, as you see on the diagram.

3)Get out your climbing rope, and put it into its new bag!

4) To transport it, grab the cord in a few places (you'll figure it out), and just toss it over your shoulder. When you arrive at the crag, just dumpit on the floor, and you allready have your rope on a protective sheet. Simple as pie! :)

If you like this tutorial, you can visit our website, where we are planning to pubish many more like it.

We also have an Etsy Shop if you don't want to make this bag yourself. If you can't find it in our shop listings, just request a custom order and we'll gladly make you one! :)