Why this guy cuts up $400 backpacks | Kenn Walker

Send us Fan MailRepairing 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 RepairNew Products: X-Pac®UX20ST 1.8 oz Venom™ Ripstop Hybrid Nylon 6.6 Find Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailTechnical 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 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailMany 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 BagsProducts: Venom™ 200 HPU Tan Merino Wool Jersey KnitFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailGreat 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 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailMost 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 | WebsiteFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailWhat 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 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailMost 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 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailMost 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 CourseIndustrial Sewing [email protected] the latest fabrics and materials here. Find Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailAny 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 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailThe 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, LinkedInShop the latest fabrics and materials here. Find Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com