Throw bags

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Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Escaping Imlay pothole

Throw bags, aka potshots, are useful as a pothole escape tool. They are relatively simple to make, although they require strong stitching.

You can purchase a well-made throw bag from Imlay, but they are easy and fun to make.

1 You will need:
2 Instructions:
3 Thoughts on stitching
4 How to use

[edit] You will need:

38 x 14 inch heavy weight pack cloth (shown in red)
28 x 9 inch light weight pack cloth (shown in black)
6 feet of 9/16 inch climbing rated tubular webbing
3 feet of smooth parachute cord
One large cord lock

69 or larger nylon thread

a heavy-duty sewing machine with #16 needle (minimum)

[edit] Instructions:

Cut the 38 x 14 inch pack cloth as shown in Figure 1 (click to enlarge).
Sew the webbing with equal sized loops extending on each side.
Overlap the ends of the webbing and secure them with 5-6 wide stitches.
Make the bag by sewing the color-coded edges together (blue to blue, etc).
- Stitch outside to outside so the seam is inside the bag (you know, the usual sewing stuff).
- Leave about a 1/2 inch seam.
- Roll this over and secure with a second stitch.
- Roll this again and secure with a top stitch.
- This provides increased strength, and protects the fraying edges of the fabric.
The bag should now look like Figure 2.
Sew the light weight pack cloth to the top of the bag.
Secure the seam as above.
Fold over the top edge of the light weight pack cloth with a narrow 1/8 inch seam.
Fold this down again with a 1/4 inch seam. This should make a loop for the drawstring.
- Fold the edges outward as shown in Figure 3 for the opening of the drawstring.
Feed the drawstring through.
Put the pull cord end on, add cordlock and secure the ends with an overhand knot.
Securely tack down the ends of the webbing with a couple of wide stitches (Figure 4).

[edit] Thoughts on stitching

Throw bags require strong stitching, especially on the bottom. After sewing my first version, I took it to the park with my kids, put about 15 lbs of sand in it (not quite half full) and started throwing it around. To my horror, after six throws, the bottom seams blew out completely. I headed back to the sewing store and bought a spool of upholstery quality thread and a #16 needle. I redid the seams using a double top stitch. So far, this has held up well.