Ripstop on the Record

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Many 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 sessions
Marc's workflow for designing new bags, from paper models and 3D CAD to finished prototypes
Production habits, lean manufacturing ideas, and shop tweaks that save time without sacrificing creativity
Honest conversations about pricing handmade work, building products people value, and why following your curiosity often leads to your best designs
Listen 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 Bags

Products: 
Venom™ 200 HPU Tan 
Merino Wool Jersey Knit

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Great 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 pack
Why empathy is the best skill for product designers 
What professional product developers do to choose fabrics
Behind-the-scenes insights from overseas factories and sample rooms
Listen in and start thinking like a product developer. The way you approach your next project may never be the same.
Guest: 
Jenna Lagonigro
Product Developer at: Moment and Long Weekend
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Most 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 bags
The one tool Kenn cannot live without
How he turned custom modifications into a thriving business
What parachute rigging taught him about sewing, load paths, and building gear that lasts
Kenn's favorite shop hacks, machines, and workflow for tackling one-of-a-kind projects
Kenn Walker is a Custom/Modification Designer | Instagram | Website
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What 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 comeback
Ethan's surprisingly effective wood frame stays and what they taught him about comfort, durability, and pack design
The anatomy of a great shoulder strap, from foam selection and fit to the small details that make packs more comfortable under load
How classes, community, and studying other makers can dramatically accelerate your growth as a gear maker
Listen 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. 
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Most 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 matter
How 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 easier
Custom UL Hiking Gear for Dogs and Humans - Red Paw Packs 
Guest: Matt Evans, Red Paw Packs 
Shop the latest fabrics and materials here. 
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