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Send us Fan Mail What does it take to design bags for athletes like LeBron James and Kevin Durant—and what can the rest of us learn from it? After nearly three decades designing soft goods, Hrag Nassanian joins us to share the stories, lessons, and design principles he’s learned from creating products for some of the world’s best athletes, everyday users, and everyone in between. In This Episode, We Cover: The very specific featured KD wanted on his bagWhat small ergonomic details immediately tell Hrag whether a bag was designed wellWhy originality shouldn't be your goalWhat changes when you go from making one bag to manufacturing thousandsListen in for years of design knowledge and a look at how the lessons learned designing products at the highest level can make all of us better makers. Guest:  Hrag Nassanian | LinkedIN, Wayfinder New Products: Zipper, Challenge ULTRA TenX Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail What do names like Venom™, MONOLITE™, and HyperD™, actually tell you about a fabric? We sit down with Carter and Matt to unpack the stories, materials, and  decisions behind RBTR’s signature fabric lines, so you can better understand what you’re buying and choose the right material for your next project. In This Episode, We Cover: The stories behind some of RBTR’s strangest product names, discontinued favorites, and the decisions that shaped the fabrics makers use todayWhat actually defines the characteristics that connect the fabrics within each lineThe yarns, weaves, coatings, and fibers behind these materialsHow to decide when a more specialized or expensive material is actually worth itListen in for the product knowledge we usually take for granted, and leave with a better understanding of what these fabrics are, why they exist, and where they belong in your next project. Matt Evans | Red Paw Packs  RBTR Fabric Glossary New Products Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail You can sew with a fabric for years and still be surprised by how much you don’t know about it. Ryan and Matt are back for a fabric quiz that digs into the specs, terminology, and secrets, while uncovering some surprisingly useful things to consider when choosing materials for your next project. In This Episode, We Cover: A surprisingly difficult fabric quiz covering everything from hydrostatic head and solution dyeing to UHMWPE blends, fabric weights, and warp vs. weftWhy some of the specs we obsess over may matter less in the real world than we thinkThe fabric application triad and the tradeoffs between price, weight, and durability when choosing materials for a projectA head-to-head backpack fabric draft where every point earned in the quiz becomes buying power for main, accent, stretch, and liner fabricsPlay along, keep track of your score, and see if your fabric knowledge can beat Ryan and Matt. Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail Repairing gear requires a different mindset than making it from scratch. But one of the greatest benefits of sewing skills is being able to get more out of the things you already have. Our guest breaks down how to confidently tear into finished gear, diagnose what actually failed, and make repairs that can keep your favorite equipment going for years. Here's what we cover:  What you need to look for before grabbing the seam ripper Why sometimes the best repair starts by seam ripping something that isn't brokenThe repair-specific tools and tricks worth adding to your sewing kitWhat years of repairing failed gear can teach us about better designHow repair can make you a better gear designer Whether you do this for environmental reasons or to have fun, gear repair has some tangible benefits to makers of every skill level.  Guest:  Maddy Hem from Black Bear Gear Repair New Products:  X-Pac®UX20ST  1.8 oz Venom™ Ripstop Hybrid Nylon 6.6  Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail Technical fabrics are changing fast, but what’s actually driving the next generation of materials? We sit down with Taylor and Yann from X-Pac® to go behind the laminate and talk hyperTEC, UHMWPE, sustainability, and where performance fabrics are headed next. In This Episode, We Cover: Why the industry is shifting back toward high-performance materials—and what that means for the fabrics makers will see nextWhat makes the new hyperTEC line different, including 100% UHMWPE face fabrics, UHMWPE X-Ply®, and the development behind themThe surprising truth about “recycled” fabrics, including why two materials carrying the same certification can contain drastically different amounts of recycled fiberWhat makers misunderstand about laminates, delamination, and the decades of development happening behind fabrics that might look deceptively simpleListen in and get a rare look behind the materials you’re cutting, sewing, and building with every day. Products:  VX21OE, UX10, X11 | Shop All X-Pac® Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail Many of us don't make it to the sewing machine until 8 or 9 p.m., after a full day of work. By then, it's hard to think like a product developer (and even harder to stay creative). Marc Shatalow joins us to share how he balances a full-time job with a growing bag brand, along with the design process, production habits, and mindset that help him keep creating without burning out. In This Episode, We Cover: How to balance a 9-to-5 with a bag company—and why small, consistent progress beats marathon sewing sessionsMarc's workflow for designing new bags, from paper models and 3D CAD to finished prototypesProduction habits, lean manufacturing ideas, and shop tweaks that save time without sacrificing creativityHonest conversations about pricing handmade work, building products people value, and why following your curiosity often leads to your best designsListen in and discover why building a successful maker business isn't about finding more hours, it's about optimizing the time you do have.  Marc Schatalow | Mrs. Marc Bags Products:  Venom™ 200 HPU Tan Merino Wool Jersey Knit Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail Great products don't happen by accident. They happen because someone obsesses over hundreds of tiny decisions that most never notice. In this episode, Jenna Lagonigro pulls back the curtain on how professional products go from sketchbook to production line, sharing the design principles, development process, and tech pack secrets that every maker can apply to their own projects. In This Episode, We Cover: How to build your first tech packWhy empathy is the best skill for product designers What professional product developers do to choose fabricsBehind-the-scenes insights from overseas factories and sample roomsListen in and start thinking like a product developer. The way you approach your next project may never be the same. Guest:  Jenna LagonigroProduct Developer at: Moment and Long WeekendFind Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail Most people see a finished backpack as the end of a project. Today's guest sees it as the beginning. Kenn Walker is a modification expert, known for taking a scalpel to the seams of $400 backpacks and making them even better than before. From his background in parachute rigging to turning a World Cup soccer ball into a bag, Kenn brings the kind of creativity and problem-solving that every maker can learn from. In This Episode, We Cover: Which techniques Kenn uses to confidently seam rip and modify finished bagsThe one tool Kenn cannot live withoutHow he turned custom modifications into a thriving businessWhat parachute rigging taught him about sewing, load paths, and building gear that lastsKenn's favorite shop hacks, machines, and workflow for tackling one-of-a-kind projectsKenn Walker is a Custom/Modification Designer | Instagram | Website Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a blacksmith becomes obsessed with making backpacks? In this episode, Ethan Goss of Goss Handmade shares the unconventional ideas, hard-earned lessons, and creative rabbit holes that have shaped his approach to designing packs that blend heritage aesthetics with modern performance. In This Episode, We Cover: Why some vintage backpack designs still outperform modern alternatives—and which features deserve a comebackEthan's surprisingly effective wood frame stays and what they taught him about comfort, durability, and pack designThe anatomy of a great shoulder strap, from foam selection and fit to the small details that make packs more comfortable under loadHow classes, community, and studying other makers can dramatically accelerate your growth as a gear makerListen in and lend a few ideas from Ethan's playbook. You might just find your next rabbit hole.  Guest: Ethan Goss from Goss Handmade (Instagram, Website) Shop the latest fabrics and materials here.  Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail Most sewing machine problems don’t start with catastrophic failure—they start with the small maintenance habits makers ignore for too long. In this episode, Matt Evans joins us to break down the practical upkeep, adjustments, and troubleshooting skills every DIYer should know to keep their machines running smoothly and sewing clean. In This Episode, We Cover: The maintenance habits that actually matterHow to diagnose common sewing issues like skipped stitches, poor tension, and fabric feeding problems The simple machine adjustments makers should feel comfortable making themselves DIY tools, cheap shop hacks, and unexpected hardware store finds that can make patterning, cutting, and machine upkeep easierCustom UL Hiking Gear for Dogs and Humans - Red Paw Packs  Guest: Matt Evans, Red Paw Packs  Shop the latest fabrics and materials here.  Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail Most of us like the idea of American-made production, but very few of us understand the complexity (or the role DIY makers can play in rebuilding it). This conversation explores what it actually takes to build sewn products sustainably in America without losing sight of the people behind the products. The Carolina Textile District helps businesses (big and small) create amazing products here in the US through educational courses, businesses connections, and operational support.  Sewn Goods 101 Course Industrial Sewing Program [email protected] Shop the latest fabrics and materials here.  Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail Any project is a serious undertaking—but sewing everything for your thru-hike is next level. That’s exactly what Eliza did for the CDT. She breaks down what it actually takes to design, sew, and trust a full 15-piece kit when failure isn’t really an option. In this episode:  Where to start when you want to make something big Why the failed prototype helped in the long run How Eliza approached fabric selectionWhat she did this project forListen in to get inspired and see where your next build can take you.  Guest:  Eliza SweeneyShop the latest fabrics and materials here.  Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail The line between professional gear and great DIY gear is hard to define. Instead of guessing, we brought in a pro. A product developer with Patagonia and Yeti experience breaks down what actually matters and what makers can learn from the big companies.  In This Episode, We Cover:  The real difference between product design and product development—and why it matters for makers / cottage companies  How big companies turn rough ideas into finished products (and what you can steal from that process)  Simple ways to define your project upfront so you don’t get stuck, overbuild, or lose direction  How to handle feedback, check your ego, and iterate like a pro without burning out your creativity  Listen in and start building with more clarity, confidence, and intention before you even sit down at the machine. Guest: Kyle Rogers - Project Waterloo, LinkedIn Shop the latest fabrics and materials here.  Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail Stop rushing your photos and start making your gear look as good as it actually is. Cinematographer and maker Chris Ellison breaks down how to think about composition, environment, and presentation so your projects hit differently the moment people see them.  In This Episode, We Cover: Why most maker photos fall flat—and the simple shift that instantly improves them How to use environment, framing, and depth to make your gear the clear focal point Practical tricks like stuffing, shaping, and staging your bags so they photograph clean and intentional How real-world use, travel, and feedback loops shape better design (and better visuals) over time Listen in and start taking photos (and making gear) that actually do your work justice. Explore Ellison Handmade:  Website Instagram Shop our latest products here X-Pac®Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan Mail Not every upgrade happens at the sewing machine. If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or unsure why your work isn’t improving, this episode breaks down the mindset shifts that actually move you forward. Filip Raboch joins us to share what he’s learned building custom gear at a high level. Listen so you can avoid the common traps and start making smarter, more intentional decisions in your own process. Why identifying a specific use is most important How to say no and why you have to The hidden reality of being a custom gear maker for a living Guest:  Filip Raboch Custom Gear Shop our newest products Find Us on Social Media 🚀 @RipstopbytheRoll www.ripstopbytheroll.com