I'm just getting into commuting and I'm liking the look of these bags and (from what I'm reading here anyway) they seem to have a very satisfied customer base.

I wonder if anyone could please post pictures of the bag unrolled (front and back). The pictures on their website are a bit abstract, at least the open one. Rough measurements/notes/comments would be greatly appreciated too.

The reason I ask is because my girlfriends grandmother is a amazing seamstress with access to commercial level tools/components and we've been trying to keep her busy with projects since her husband passed away recently. She made me an amazing straight razor rollup kit that I use while traveling.

Anyway, I hope this thread doesn't degrade into a "I'm mooching off Acorn's ideas and intellectual property" thread of some sort. Gawd knows from what I've heard here they sell out within a few hours (or less?) every month. I'm already thinking about one of their larger bags for my commuting pleasure, so they'll get my bankroll soon enough I suspect.

Shameless/off topic recommendation follows: For those that like the look of vintage stuff (and have money to burn), you should check out Saddleback Leather. I don't own any of their stuff but I hope to one day. They recently gave away their new Dopp kit (read:shaving bag) on one of my shaving forums and seem to be a really cool company with high quality stuff.

Google is your friend.

Zero images of the bag unrolled.

Edit: and Google is my friend, Microsoft my master, and Apple my nemesis.

I can understand why some people get upset about reading comprehension skills in other posts. Snarky reply aside, I really would appreciate anyone else's input here.


EDIT: What happened, did Roger M's post get deleted? Not seeing it anymore... oh well, the contents of it are posted in my quote already.

I didnt read through your entire original post before looking up the website.. Sorry

Nice bag though

No worries. Was kinda odd though.. I had a palm-to-forehead for you when I saw that.

The pic on their site is pretty much what it looks like.. not sure what you mean by 'abstract' unless you just mean it's not a flat straight on view.

Yea, exactly. I'm wanting as much info as possible to pass on to the grandma. Her skills are impressive but she always wants definite measurements/outlines (I guess from making clothes for so long).

Plus any opinions from users regarding changes (if any) they'd like to have to theirs so I can consider integrating them into the drawing/layout for my own.

EDIT: It's one of those things where it looks simple but, for example, the actual layout of their exterior hardware is probably pretty important to get right or else you might end up having to redo some things. Not to say that's not out of the question, but no reason not to go the 'tried and true' route if I can. None of the website pics (or any others I have seen on the site, yet anyway) show a clear/flat-ish view of the exterior, let alone the interior.

ethical considerations aside, but one option would be to buy the bag from a place that you can return it...

Thanks for the idea but that's neither here nor there for me because

1) I wouldn't ever do that (buy, copy/use/whatever, return for refund) to a mom and pop company,
2) it's unnecessary since I don't need to actually have the thing on hand (some variations are going to occur in the design, intentional and incidental),
3) worst case scenario I can use what images I can find to draw something up myself.

I mean if you wanted to get REALLY technical this is kinda infringing upon their design, but it's on the same level as copying a nice shirt you see in a store or building your own sawhorses based upon some you saw in a cabinet shop. I don't think the ethical concerns (barring the above idea) are that much of an issue.

Usually when I want an image of something, I go straight to flickr. I just searched and there are some flat pics on there. You'll have to do it yourself though.

Bam! Perfect. Flickr ftw. I don't think of searching places like that... I guess I assume Google has parsed it for me, probably some conflict present that doesn't allow such nonsense.

Ha... Flickr (by Yahoo). Has that always been there? Shows how much I follow the internet photo hosting political scene.

Pair this with the stated dimensions 8"x16" and I'm in pretty good shape, now for any user comments on things you'd have different if you could...?


and here
and here
and really nice here.

I never would have guessed how that is designed if I hadn't seen that picture. Needs a makeup light and a mirror.

You're pretty much all over the board here. So yes, you are trying to copy the Acorn roll bag, down to pictures and the dimensions. I would say that this isn't rocket science. Think about what you want to carry. Measure them. Then think of how you can incorporate that into your design. Use the Acorn as inspiration, but other than that, give Grandma some credit and maybe you two can design a great solution together It has the makings of a nice project!

Not so much 'all over the board', as perhaps a bit unclear. I wouldn't ever buy-->use/copy--> return. Does that make more sense? Yea, I know it's not rocket science but I'd still rather get some input from folks and do things as close as possible to right the first time. I think it will be a nice project too. I'm thinking I won't make it quite as wide as the acorn bag so that it will be easier to tuck under the saddle. To do that I may add additional hardware where appropriate so that it can be easily mounted parallel/underneath the saddle. Might also give my saddle some splash protection since I'm not rocking fenders yet.