Thank you for watching! 😊 I really hope you enjoyed this video and that you can use this formula for all your packing cube needs. Let me know in the comments if you have a question for me. Gracias! 😊
I needed a much bigger, and compressible, packing cube for packing a large tent on my motorcycle. I used your formula, and made only 1 change to make a cube 22" x 11" x 7.5", that compresses down to 4.5". I made the compression panel wider, and sewed the zipper tape about an inch from the edge of the panel, in order to get the needed height for the cube, both compressed and open. Thank you so much for all your packing cube videos... the combination of all of them made this project a success!!!
Thank you Allie!!!! I was about to do all these calculations myself until I stumbled upon your video. You are so detailed and thorough. You are saving me a lot of time. I appreciate you!
Thank you Allie 😃!! I will definitely use this to add to my collection of 4 compression cubes I made, thanks to you! I tried to adjust size myself, well...that didn't work out, lol!! I really want a smaller longer cube for bottom of my backpack carry-on. Thanks to you, problem solved 👍
Hi thank you! :) Yes, you can definitely add a gusset between the zip and the top panel. I did something similar in this video: ua-cam.com/video/X8nufboxcAI/v-deo.html
OMG , this formula is going to be so beneficial , and easy to use , thank you, thank you so much , I am going to put it in use very soon, because I love to make and gift packing cubes ( and bags too 😀) to friends and family , because they are so useful 👍👍👌👌👌
I am enjoying your packing cube videos. Please consider putting them in playlist so that sewists can find all of them at once. I have a couple of questions. I don’t need my cubes to be waterproof but I do need them to compress. Can I substitute mesh for the plastic insert on the cube? If so, can I make it as a compression cube?
Thank you for the suggestion, I will consider making a playlist, definitely :) About the mesh fabric, I could imagine that you can add mesh to the top of the compression packing cube instead of waterproof fabric. However, you would have to add a strip of fabric around the mesh fabric to then join the zipper (that's what I would do) to make sure the mesh doesn't catch the zipper when compressing it. Make sense?
@@AllieSewCrafty Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I plan to use the technique you use in your plastic top packing cube video. I will substitute mesh for the plastic and add the compression zipper panel. By including a fabric border and lining on the top panel that should prevent the mesh from being caught in the zipper, right? I also have one more question. What is the tool you have in your hand while you are sewing the packing cubes? Are you using it to keep the fabric flat? Thank you again.
@@HealthStartAustin :) Yes adding that facing to the mesh should help prevent it from getting caught with the zipper. The tool I use when sewing is an awl, some people also call it a stiletto. It's very useful to keep the fabric in place and you can get as close to the needle as you need.
@@AllieSewCrafty Thanks! I have an awl. What a cool way to keep things moving. I'm making a test cube now. When I get one of the "real" ones done, I'll share. 🙂
Hi, actually my seam allowance has always been 1/4". When I was testing the formula, adding the 3/4" seam allowance is what worked. I don't know if because of the curves, but that's how I've done it and it worked for me. But good point, let me know if you try the 3/8" seam allowance I would love to hear your comments 😊
Thank you so much for this, you’re amazing!! I noticed there’s no measurement for a top zipper panel, does that mean you just sew the main panel to the zipper tape? Thanks again! 🥰
Hi! You're very welcome! :) Yes, the zipper tape is sewn directly to the top main panel. I guess if you want to make the packing cube taller, you can cut a strip of fabric the same length as the bottom zipper panel and maybe 2" wide and join the zipper tape to that.
I have been looking for exactly these instructions! I have a problem with the calculations, though. When I try to use the formula and put in the numbers for the cube that you made in the preceeding 2 videos, something doesn't match up. For example, Using the formula of adding .75" to each side of the main panels to get the cut size would mean that your cube finished size would be 8.75" x 11.5" (cut size is 9.5" x 12.25"). Got that! Than I calculated the perimeter to be 43.5". Applying the curve adjustment of 4" makes that measurement 39.5". That works! Then (and here's my problem) to calculate the back zipper panel I take the width of the main panel piece (9.5") and deduct 2.5" for seam allowance adjustment which would give me 7" but the instructions say to cut 9" x 1.25". I'm a college graduate with a math major and I can't figure this out. I thought you might have used the length measurement (12.25") and subtracted 2.5" but, no, that would be 9.75". Please help me understand why the "alteration formula" doesn't work for the cube that you made and for which you gave measurements. I don't have to tell you how difficult it is to unpick ripstop or polyester so I need to get this right the first time so that I don't have to repurchase fabric. Thank you!
Hi! Thank you for your message, it actually inspired me to make a video sewing 2 different packing cubes using the formula. Hopefully that video can answer your questions. It's called "testing packing cube formula" :)
@@AllieSewCrafty that was my mistake. I thought you were giving a formula for COMPRESSION packing cubes. I had not seen a regular packing cube video until you pointed out that your formula was for a regular packing cube. Thank you for clarifying. I’m going to try to calculate sizes for COMPRESSION cubes based on your videos for the one you made. Thank you again!
@@kensmother1652 Oh I see, got it. Ok for the compression packing cube, you have 2 zippers. For the top zipper, I would take the measurements of the zipper panel minus the back zipper panel (the back zipper panel goes with the top zipper) and that's the size of the top zipper (plus a couple of inches for wiggle room). For the second (or bottom) zipper, I would take the measurement for the entire zipper panel after deducting the 4" and then just add 0.5" seam allowance. Of course, the zipper has to be longer than the zipper panel by like 5" if I remember correctly. I hope that makes sense. Let me know if you have any more questions :)
In Tutorial 1 there is a piece called "top zipper back" and it is 1.25". In this video, there is a piece called "back zipper panel" and it is 4.75". I've watched all 3 videos several times and can't find where the "back zipper panel" is sewn. In video 1 the compression zipper panel is simply joined and not pieced. Also, it would be helpful to include altered zipper lengths in the formula.
Hello, the zipper length varies depending on the size. In the formula document, at the very bottom, I added "Your zipper should be a couple inches longer than your zipper panel." I only tested the formula on regular packing cubes, not the compression packing cubes. The back zipper panel and top zipper back are essentially the same, but I wanted to differentiate the top zipper back for the compression packing cubes. The back zipper panel is sewn between the two ends of the zipper panel. I really hope this helps you, please let me know if you have any other questions, maybe I can assist with.
Thank you for watching! 😊 I really hope you enjoyed this video and that you can use this formula for all your packing cube needs. Let me know in the comments if you have a question for me. Gracias! 😊
I needed a much bigger, and compressible, packing cube for packing a large tent on my motorcycle. I used your formula, and made only 1 change to make a cube 22" x 11" x 7.5", that compresses down to 4.5". I made the compression panel wider, and sewed the zipper tape about an inch from the edge of the panel, in order to get the needed height for the cube, both compressed and open. Thank you so much for all your packing cube videos... the combination of all of them made this project a success!!!
Wow that's amazing! I'm so happy the videos were able to help you accomplish that task :) 😊
Thank you! This helps immensely
I'm so happy to hear that! 😊
Thank you for explaining it so clearly, and providing the printable instructions.
You're very welcome 😊
Thank you Allie!!!! I was about to do all these calculations myself until I stumbled upon your video. You are so detailed and thorough. You are saving me a lot of time. I appreciate you!
I'm so happy to hear that thank you so much! 😀
Thank you Allie 😃!! I will definitely use this to add to my collection of 4 compression cubes I made, thanks to you! I tried to adjust size myself, well...that didn't work out, lol!!
I really want a smaller longer cube for bottom of my backpack carry-on. Thanks to you, problem solved 👍
OMG so very welcome Deanna!! This makes me so happy!! Happy sewing!! 😊
This video is great, thank you. Would it be possible to put in a small gusset above the zip? Between the zip and the top panel?
Hi thank you! :) Yes, you can definitely add a gusset between the zip and the top panel. I did something similar in this video: ua-cam.com/video/X8nufboxcAI/v-deo.html
OMG , this formula is going to be so beneficial , and easy to use , thank you, thank you so much , I am going to put it in use very soon, because I love to make and gift packing cubes ( and bags too 😀) to friends and family , because they are so useful 👍👍👌👌👌
Wonderful! You're so very welcome! 😊
I am enjoying your packing cube videos. Please consider putting them in playlist so that sewists can find all of them at once. I have a couple of questions. I don’t need my cubes to be waterproof but I do need them to compress. Can I substitute mesh for the plastic insert on the cube? If so, can I make it as a compression cube?
Thank you for the suggestion, I will consider making a playlist, definitely :)
About the mesh fabric, I could imagine that you can add mesh to the top of the compression packing cube instead of waterproof fabric.
However, you would have to add a strip of fabric around the mesh fabric to then join the zipper (that's what I would do) to make sure the mesh doesn't catch the zipper when compressing it. Make sense?
@@AllieSewCrafty Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I plan to use the technique you use in your plastic top packing cube video. I will substitute mesh for the plastic and add the compression zipper panel. By including a fabric border and lining on the top panel that should prevent the mesh from being caught in the zipper, right? I also have one more question. What is the tool you have in your hand while you are sewing the packing cubes? Are you using it to keep the fabric flat? Thank you again.
@@HealthStartAustin :) Yes adding that facing to the mesh should help prevent it from getting caught with the zipper. The tool I use when sewing is an awl, some people also call it a stiletto. It's very useful to keep the fabric in place and you can get as close to the needle as you need.
@@AllieSewCrafty Thanks! I have an awl. What a cool way to keep things moving. I'm making a test cube now. When I get one of the "real" ones done, I'll share. 🙂
@@HealthStartAustin Yes!! I can't wait to see them :)
just to clarify - are you assuming a 3/8" seam allowance (and that's why you add 3/4" to each measurement)? thanks
Hi, actually my seam allowance has always been 1/4". When I was testing the formula, adding the 3/4" seam allowance is what worked. I don't know if because of the curves, but that's how I've done it and it worked for me. But good point, let me know if you try the 3/8" seam allowance I would love to hear your comments 😊
Thank you so much for this, you’re amazing!! I noticed there’s no measurement for a top zipper panel, does that mean you just sew the main panel to the zipper tape? Thanks again! 🥰
Hi! You're very welcome! :) Yes, the zipper tape is sewn directly to the top main panel. I guess if you want to make the packing cube taller, you can cut a strip of fabric the same length as the bottom zipper panel and maybe 2" wide and join the zipper tape to that.
I love this but I'm super confused. How comes we subtract seam allowance instead of adding it?
I understand 100% I go in more details in this video Testing Packing Cube Alteration Formula
ua-cam.com/video/YCjIfm9LTic/v-deo.html
I have been looking for exactly these instructions! I have a problem with the calculations, though. When I try to use the formula and put in the numbers for the cube that you made in the preceeding 2 videos, something doesn't match up. For example, Using the formula of adding .75" to each side of the main panels to get the cut size would mean that your cube finished size would be 8.75" x 11.5" (cut size is 9.5" x 12.25"). Got that! Than I calculated the perimeter to be 43.5". Applying the curve adjustment of 4" makes that measurement 39.5". That works! Then (and here's my problem) to calculate the back zipper panel I take the width of the main panel piece (9.5") and deduct 2.5" for seam allowance adjustment which would give me 7" but the instructions say to cut 9" x 1.25". I'm a college graduate with a math major and I can't figure this out. I thought you might have used the length measurement (12.25") and subtracted 2.5" but, no, that would be 9.75". Please help me understand why the "alteration formula" doesn't work for the cube that you made and for which you gave measurements. I don't have to tell you how difficult it is to unpick ripstop or polyester so I need to get this right the first time so that I don't have to repurchase fabric. Thank you!
Hi! Thank you for your message, it actually inspired me to make a video sewing 2 different packing cubes using the formula. Hopefully that video can answer your questions. It's called "testing packing cube formula" :)
@@AllieSewCrafty that was my mistake. I thought you were giving a formula for COMPRESSION packing cubes. I had not seen a regular packing cube video until you pointed out that your formula was for a regular packing cube. Thank you for clarifying. I’m going to try to calculate sizes for COMPRESSION cubes based on your videos for the one you made. Thank you again!
@@kensmother1652 Oh I see, got it. Ok for the compression packing cube, you have 2 zippers. For the top zipper, I would take the measurements of the zipper panel minus the back zipper panel (the back zipper panel goes with the top zipper) and that's the size of the top zipper (plus a couple of inches for wiggle room). For the second (or bottom) zipper, I would take the measurement for the entire zipper panel after deducting the 4" and then just add 0.5" seam allowance. Of course, the zipper has to be longer than the zipper panel by like 5" if I remember correctly. I hope that makes sense. Let me know if you have any more questions :)
@@AllieSewCrafty I think that sounds like it will work. I’ll let you know after I find the rip stop in the color that I want. Thank you!
In Tutorial 1 there is a piece called "top zipper back" and it is 1.25". In this video, there is a piece called "back zipper panel" and it is 4.75". I've watched all 3 videos several times and can't find where the "back zipper panel" is sewn. In video 1 the compression zipper panel is simply joined and not pieced.
Also, it would be helpful to include altered zipper lengths in the formula.
Hello, the zipper length varies depending on the size. In the formula document, at the very bottom, I added "Your zipper should be a couple inches longer than your zipper panel."
I only tested the formula on regular packing cubes, not the compression packing cubes.
The back zipper panel and top zipper back are essentially the same, but I wanted to differentiate the top zipper back for the compression packing cubes.
The back zipper panel is sewn between the two ends of the zipper panel.
I really hope this helps you, please let me know if you have any other questions, maybe I can assist with.
@@AllieSewCrafty 🙏
@@debbyapling8583 ❤