How to Think Like a Product Developer

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] 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 SweeneyFind 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, LinkedInFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

Send us Fan MailStop 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 hereX-Pac®Find Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com

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 Guest: Filip Raboch Custom GearShop our newest productsFind 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 scissors🛒 Shop Kai Scissors and all of our newest productsFind 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 next🛒 Shop all of our newest productsFind 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 AICimoro🛒 Shop all of our newest productsFind 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.🛒 Shop all of our newest productsFind Us on Social Media 🚀@RipstopbytheRollwww.ripstopbytheroll.com