Open App
7 hours
South Parish Community Centre
Starting at EUR 7
Sun, 25 May, 2025 at 10:00 am to 05:00 pm (GMT+01:00)
South Parish Community Centre
Sawmill St, Cork, Ireland
Curious about using a sewing machine, or making your own cycling gear?
This open level workshop will take you step by step through the process of making a stem bag for your bike.
Demonstrations of steps such as cutting out material, using the sewing machine, and pattern steps will be given to the group. Then one on one support will be available throughout the construction process.
We will be using the pattern from LearnMYOG (Make Your Own Gear) Learn MYOG has a follow along YouTube video for additional support.
As part of our mission statement for inclusivity and sustainability, this workshop aims to up-cycle materials where possible.
The workshop leader has sourced some cord and lining, mesh, elastic and collar material from old rain gear, bike cover, blanket strings, and mesh shirt. For structural integrity of the fabric, we had bought new materials as well. These include velcro (hook and loop), webbing, and waterproof Navy blue Cordura for the outside of the stem bag so it is strong and does not collapse inward.
Please bring any old raingear, umbrella fabric, or backpack covers that are broken or you do not want anymore. We can use them for the collar and liner of your bag. If you do not have any old gear lying around, don't worry, just come along yourself. So far we have purple and silver liner upcycled materials donated.
This will be a small group of 8-10 people and full day workshop on Sunday May 25th in the Gay Project at South Parish Community Centre, Cork. Cost of ticket covers materials.
Please bring some lunch and snacks for yourself!
Info: Brief introductions to group members and hosts. Overview of Queer Bike Rides, and what will happen in our sewing workshop. Kimaya will show the materials available and collect old rain gear from participants. She will demonstrate how to cut out a piece of fabric using a pattern piece - using tailors chalk and scissors and keeping placement in mind for minimal fabric waste.
Info: Group participants will choose their materials and cut out their pattern pieces. Anyone finished early can start to have a snack, and watch/read though the pattern https://learnmyog.com/bpStemBag.html
Info: Kimaya will demonstrate how to use the sewing machine for straight stitch and backwards for locking. Simple tips will be given to prevent problems: eg When ending a seam, pull the thread tails 10cm long so when you start again you won't have to rethread the needle. The first few steps of the pattern will be demonstrated on the sewing machine. One volunteer will be invited to try in front of the group so any immediate questions can be answered.
Info: Participants prepare each piece for assembly.
Body Front
Cut mesh the desired height of the front panel, width to match.
Bind or hem top edge of mesh, zig zag stitch if stretchy mesh.
Baste stitch mesh to front panel to form the pocket.
Set aside front panel.
Body Back
Cut webbing to match the length of back panel. Melt ends to prevent fraying.
At notches, mark parallel line approximately 2 inch (5 cm) from top edge of back panel. Intent is to align with front mesh pocket height.
Sew webbing to back panel at 1 inch (2.5 cm) increments with tight zig zags or 3-4 parallel stitches.
Set aside back panel.
Bottom Panel
Cut webbing to match the diameter of bottom panel. Melt ends to prevent fraying.
Align webbing along middle of bottom panel.
Sew webbing to bottom panel at ~1 inch (2.5 cm) increments, evenly space.
Set aside bottom panel.
Info: Demo then group application.
Cinch Cord Collar:
Single fold 1/4 inch (6mm) to wrong side of fabric and hem one end of collar. Repeat other end.
Fold collar in half along length, wrong sides together (WST) and finger press to crease.
Starting ~1 inch (3cm) from either end, baste along long edge, sewing within the 3/8 inch (1cm) seam allowance.
Label starting point edge with "B".
Set aside cinch collar.
Pre-Assembly - Body
Wrong sides out, align back panel to front panel along one side. Webbing daisy chain should align to the mesh pocket opening.
Sew Back to Front using 3/8 inch (1 cm) seam allowance.
Double check your front pocket and webbing are oriented correctly in relation to each other.
Info: Contrary to many online tutorials, it's better to sew the circle now to avoid puckering later.
This is by far the toughest part of the project, so take your time. A short stitch length makes sewing curves easier.
Tip: put Body panel below Bottom. Rotate circle as you sew, feeding Front-Back straight.
With right sides touching, align Bottom panel to bottom edge of Body panel. Arrange the bottom panel's webbing parallel to the body's bottom edge.
The edge of the circle should be touching the bottom edge of the body panel.
Begin sewing, precisely following your 3/8 inch (1 cm) seam allowance as you sew.
Go slow, use a short stitch length. Make sure the edges stay even as you progress.
As you reach your starting point, stop short before stitching over the body panels vertical seam allowance.
Info: Close the Body: Because we stitched the circle first, the vertical seam allowances may be a bit uneven. No worries!
With clips or pins, align the Body Panels with the Bottom circle to close the gap.
Adjust the Body panel seam allowances to match the remaining circumference of the bottom panel.
Sew the vertical body seam closed.
Last, stitch closed the gap remaining in bottom circle panel.
Flip the body right side out to check for any puckering or misalignment. Can fix minor puckering by seam ripping a small area and pulling/easing any excess fabric.
Info: Attach Cinch Collar
With your bag body right side out, align the raw edge of collar along the top of body.
Opposite end of collar slips into the open end of collar, marked "B", making a cord channel.
Baste stitch a Cyberian Cord Loc into this seam, near the cord channel opening. The cord lock should be sandwiched between Body and Channel.
Using 1/4 inch (6mm) seam allowance, stitch the collar to the body.
Info: Liner
Repeating above steps, sew the liner body to the liner bottom.
Along the vertical seam, leave a 3" (8 cm) gap to be closed after flipping the bag.
Info: Liner Assembly
Slide assembled body inside the assembled liner. Right sides touching. Wrong side of liner should be out.
Align and clip liner along top perimeter of body/collar.
Sew along perimeter using 3/8 inch (1 cm) seam allowance.
Flip entire bag right side out, passing Body thru gap in liner vertical seam.
Top stitch liner closed. Then push liner into Body.
Congrats, the sewing is complete!
Info: Final Touches
Cut velcro straps or One-Wrap to fit around handlebars and stem.
Add draw cord thru channel and cord lock. Small shock cord works great as well.
Tie cord thru the bottom panel webbing and around the bike fork to prevent swinging.
Also check out other Workshops in Cork, Sports events in Cork, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Cork.
Tickets for Sewing Workshop: Bike Stem Bag can be booked here.
| Ticket type | Ticket price |
|---|---|
| General Admission | 7 EUR |
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