Water Bottle + Sample Book

Intention

Write about the big ideas behind your project? What are the goals? Why did you make it? What are your motivations?

The goal of this project is to create a water bottle holder that also has a money pouch. Oftentimes when I am backpacking, I leave my stuff at the hostel and want to just carry a water bottle and some money. I don't want a big tote bag or to carry the items separately.

Process

Outline your approach to the project? What ideas did you generate and how did you refine or reject them? What did you research and explore? what were the design choices? What challenges were encountered and how did you resolve them?

I first sketched what I wanted and then I broke down the idea into different pieces.
Then, I started by cutting out the pieces on paper to get the dimensions right.
Initially, I cut everything true to size but then realized that I needed to leave a little space for the stitching line. I made the pocket with thicker material, so was rather inflexible and hard to sew on anything else. So I just sewed in several small steps.
I also tried to sew the strap, but it was too thick to flip inside out, so I just trimmed it up to make it nice.
The bottom was also a circular shape and rather hard to do, but I remember our professor, Olivia Robinson, showing us how to sew a rectangle with a circle using a pinning technique so I used that.

Product

Detail what you created. What methods or techniques did you use? What tools and technologies were involved? Include images, code or video.

I used a combination of the sewing machine, hand stitches, and also the 3D shape sewing for the pocket. I also used pins to keep everything in place before starting.

Reflection

Reflect on the process of making this project. What did you learn? What would you do differently?

I enjoyed the process of making this. However, it was harder than I thought because the pocket, straps, and circle for the bottom were tricky to sew.

I think I would have used different materials for the pocket and strap. Since I was trying to create dimension for the pocket and also enclose it, it was really hard to sew. I think I might have used a zipper and stronger material for the body since now it's rather stretchy and I'm afraid it might rip of the water bottle is too heavy.

If I could do it again, my craft might be a bit better. I think I could add a light as well for solo backpackers who are traveling by themselves to feel more safe.

Overall, I learned that with sewing, patience is key. Whenever, I rushed into the sewing, I always messed up, but if I took up to check to see if everything was in place and sewed a bit more slowly, it always worked out.