5 (non-sewing) Habits That Make You a Better Maker

Send us Fan MailNot 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 Filip Raboch Custom GearFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailFoam might not be the flashiest material in gear making, but it’s responsible for some of the biggest performance upgrades in your packs and bags. In this episode, we break down how experienced makers actually use foam. Covering real techniques, hard-earned lessons, and the small tricks that make projects come out better. In This Episode, We Cover:When and why to add foam to a project—from shoulder straps and back panels to laptop sleeves and structured bags How thickness, density, and foam type change comfort, structure, and sewability in real builds Practical techniques for cutting, shaping, ventilating, and installing foam cleanly in your projects Maker-tested tips for working with foam on home machines, avoiding common mistakes, and getting better results the first time If you’ve ever struggled with straps, structure, or padding in your projects, this episode will change the way you do your next build.Guests: Ryan Campbell from the Wandering GoatMatt Evans from Red Paw Packs Products: New X-Pac® Fabrics New Challenge ULTRA 200X ColorsXLPE FoamFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailIf you're still using the closest scissors to your machine - you need this episode. We sit down with Kai Scissors for a deep, no-fluff breakdown of what serious makers actually need to know about cutting tools. From steel and geometry to maintenance habits that pros swear by.Listen to the episode to get a 20% off discount for ROTR listeners. In This Episode, We Cover:Why premium scissors will radicalize your cutting experienceHow to choose the right size, style, or serration for technical fabrics, tight work, or heavy-duty materials The secret maintenance tips you won't find on reddit When rotary cutters, specialty blades, or niche tools outperform traditional scissorsFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailEver wonder what actually happens before a fabric hits the shop? In this episode, we sit down with RBTR's own Carter Holland to pull back the curtain on product decisions, failures, tradeoffs, and future releases you won’t hear about anywhere else.How fabric ideas really get approved or quietly killed before they ever reach your sewing tableWhat goes wrong during development and testing and why some “almost launched” materials never see the light of dayThe unspoken constraints of cost, MOQ, timing, and quality that shape every product we releaseEarly insight into upcoming fabrics and categories that will define what makers are building nextShop New Products HereFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailTraditional tailoring might seem worlds away from technical gear—but the principles are the same. In this episode, Alasdair Leighton-Crawford of Cimoro shares how skills learned on Savile Row translate directly into better-fitting apparel, smarter pack design, and more intentional making.We talk about:Why tailoring is one of the fastest ways to truly understand fitHow athletic thinking and craft obsession shape better gearWhat most makers overlook when designing packs and apparelBalancing bespoke work, scalability, and running a small businessWhy making by hand still matters in an age of automation and AICimoroShop Fabrics HereFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailFactories aren’t just about scale—they’re classrooms for better design, smarter workflows, and more durable products. In this episode, Douglas Davidson shares lessons from global manufacturing floors and explains how makers at any level can apply factory thinking to make better gear, whether sewing at home or building for production.Announcements: Maker Meet-Up Spring 2026Shop New ProductsGuest Links:Douglas Davidson | Canvas Worker & The Brown BuffaloHolubar Mountaineering backpack Bruce Johnson - History of GearHiroshi fujiwara (Goodenough)Dan Green, Arcteryx VP of DesignWilson bag factory Clarification: Douglas mentions Pungkook as having 100,000 employees in the episode. In the flow of the conversation, that number got mixed up. He meant to say 10,000 employees.Find Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailLet us know what you want out of the podcast for 2026. Email us: [email protected], the episode that was planned for this week had a technical problem and was lost entirely. We're bummed because this was going to be a fun episode. After only missing one week over the 5 years we've been running the show, we suppose it was bound to happen eventually. Don't worry, we have exciting episodes planned for 2026 and you can expect to hear from us on a regular basis once again. Thanks for our best year of podcasting!Shop Fabrics HereFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailHow our guest went from weekend prototypes to leading design work at The North Face, Nike, and Burton. This episode traces what it really takes to get great at designing gear. You’ll hear practical insights on materials, overseas factories, and the decisions that shape products you trust.Guest: Douglas Davidson of Canvas Worker and The Brown Buffalo Factories Mentioned: http://www.pungkook.com/AJ Factory, https://www.instagram.com/kcajvn/Meru Documentary Shop RBTR Fabrics hereFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailSewing mistakes happen to everyone. Yes, even the pros. Today we’re breaking down how to actually fix the ones that haunt your workshop. From feeding fabric through the machine to perfecting seam allowances and choosing the right project order, we’re giving you the guide we wish we had on day one. Plus, we answer community questions on binding 3D shapes, PSA tape stitching, machine feed types, and even… what happened to Isaac?2025 DIY Kit Sale Ep. 135 with Luke Mathers from Truce DesignsCo-Host, Matt Evans from Red Paw Packs | Custom UL Packs built in Tarpon Springs FLShop RBTR Fabrics Find Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailGreat pack fabrics don't always come right from the mill. Luke from Truce Designs finds some of his fabrics from old sailboats, kites, and scrap bins. Upcycled fabrics aren't just "green" they're durable, functional, and full of old stories. They're the perfect accent to include on a bespoke project. Listen to this episode to hear about what to look for, what to stay away from, and how to upcycle old materials. Truce Designs Links: Website Youtube ChannelInstagramNew Products: Marine Grade VinylShop RBTR FabricsFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com