ROLLTOP BACKPACK
The Slabtown
ADVANCED
A heavy-duty rolltop backpack built for adventurous makers.
BAG MAKER KITS
All of the ingredients you need to make this bag. (Includes PDF pattern + paper template.)
Slabtown - Seasonal Bag Maker Kit
All of the materials you need to make this bag.
$235.00
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$235.00
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Slabtown - Custom Bag Maker Kit
All of the materials you need to make this bag.
$235.00
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$235.00
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Slabtown - Bag Maker Kit with Pendleton® Wool
All the luxe ingredients you need to make this bag.
from $265.00
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from $265.00
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Slabtown - Bag Maker Kit (Seconds)
All of the B-grade materials you need to make this bag.
Regular price
$235.00
$199.00
15% off
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Regular price
$235.00
$199.00
15% off
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- / per
LEATHER + HARDWARE KITS
Everything but the fabric. (Pattern sold separately.)
Slabtown - Black Leather + Hardware Kit
All the leather + hardware, minus the fabric!
$165.00
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$165.00
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Slabtown - Chestnut Leather + Hardware Kit
All the leather + hardware, minus the fabric!
$165.00
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$165.00
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INSTRUCTION
Choose how you'd like to learn! (Full maker kit + online class include PDF pattern.)
from $23.00
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Slabtown - Online Class
On-demand videos + PDF pattern with Ellie's pro tips.
$49.00
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$49.00
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EXPANSIONS
Add features to your bag! (Purchase separately or add to your kit.)
Merino Wool Felt-Padded Backpack Straps Kit
Make your backpack straps extra comfy with Merino wool felt pads!
Regular price
$10.00
from $7.50
25% off
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Regular price
$10.00
from $7.50
25% off
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TOOLS + SUPPLIES
Not sure what you'll need? Download the tools + supplies list below.
from $48.00
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$9.00
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Bakelite Mallet
Non-rubber mallet for setting + punching. Save when bundled!
$39.00
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$39.00
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Leather Stamps Kit
Monogram, personalize & write tiny love notes! Great for gifting.
from $28.00
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from $28.00
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Edgestitch Presser Foot
Helps you sew straight stitches along fabric edges or seams.
$19.00
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$19.00
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$25.00
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$14.00
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Double-Sided Leather Tape
Strong versatile double-sided tape essential for bag making.
$5.25
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$5.25
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Slabtown Essential Tools Bundle
Tubular Rivet Peening Tool, ¹⁄₈" Drive Punch, Snap Setter & Anvil
Regular price
$34.00
$30.00
12% off
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Regular price
$34.00
$30.00
12% off
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Topstitching Needles
Large-eye needles for heavy-duty sewing on thick fabrics.
$7.50
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$7.50
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Moonrise Sew-In Label
Regular price
$3.00
$1.00
67% off
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Regular price
$3.00
$1.00
67% off
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Leather Straps Toolkit
Mallet, Punch Board, 1/8" Drive Punch, Round End Punch, Leather Pen
Regular price
$119.00
from $107.00
10% off
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Regular price
$119.00
from $107.00
10% off
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Line 24 Snap Setter
Hand-set line 24 snaps precisely! Save when bundled.
from $4.00
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from $4.00
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Cotton Twill Tape
Heavy-duty 1" cotton twill tape great for binding seams in bag making.
$1.75
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$1.75
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$13.00
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THE SLABTOWN BACKPACK
Online Class
Learn to make your Slabtown with Ellie, the designer, from the comfort of your home sewing machine. The step-by-step on-demand videos are great for visual learners and those who could use a confidence boost.
😍 Maker Stories
"There’s nothing quite as cathartic as beating the crap…out of leather & metal with a heavy mallet. 10/10, do recommend."
@whitnetygetsdressed
I made this backpack with the Slabtown kit. It’s the most complex and interesting project i’ve ever made and i can’t believe i did it!!!
@maggies.crochet.chaos_
"The Slabtown is a full-on, comprehensive, beautifully curated making experience. I learned lots of great tips from the instructions & course. I recommend the Bag Maker Kit if you want to spoil yourself with a ‘win. I’m proud as hell of this one!”
@sewnorth
“I really love this backpack! Not only the way it looks but how functional it is. This was also so fun to make and easier than I thought it would be!”
@kryystaa
"This was my first time making a bag and I was nervously excited to tackle this backpack, but it turned out great!"
@gyasti
"There’s nothing quite as cathartic as beating the crap…out of leather & metal with a heavy mallet. 10/10, do recommend."
@whitnetygetsdressed
I made this backpack with the Slabtown kit. It’s the most complex and interesting project i’ve ever made and i can’t believe i did it!!!
@maggies.crochet.chaos_
"The Slabtown is a full-on, comprehensive, beautifully curated making experience. I learned lots of great tips from the instructions & course. I recommend the Bag Maker Kit if you want to spoil yourself with a ‘win. I’m proud as hell of this one!”
@sewnorth
“I really love this backpack! Not only the way it looks but how functional it is. This was also so fun to make and easier than I thought it would be!”
@kryystaa
"This was my first time making a bag and I was nervously excited to tackle this backpack, but it turned out great!"
@gyasti
"There’s nothing quite as cathartic as beating the crap…out of leather & metal with a heavy mallet. 10/10, do recommend."
@whitnetygetsdressed
I made this backpack with the Slabtown kit. It’s the most complex and interesting project i’ve ever made and i can’t believe i did it!!!
@maggies.crochet.chaos_
"The Slabtown is a full-on, comprehensive, beautifully curated making experience. I learned lots of great tips from the instructions & course. I recommend the Bag Maker Kit if you want to spoil yourself with a ‘win. I’m proud as hell of this one!”
@sewnorth
FAQS
Questions about The Slabtown? We've got you covered.
What is the Slabtown Backpack?
The Slabtown is a heavy-duty rolltop backpack built for adventurous makers. Level up your bag making game with this hardwearing bag ready for anything you throw at it (or in it).
What are its key features?
• Spacious main compartment with rolltop closure
• Quick-access zipper to main compartment
• Front zipper pocket for essentials
• Adjustable leather backpack straps
• Side pockets for water bottles
• Durable construction for years of wear and tear
What making paths are available?
1. Bag Maker Kit: All materials you need to make this bag + pattern
2. Leather + Hardware Kit: All the leather and hardware minus the fabric (Pattern sold separately)
3. Pattern (PDF or Paper): For sourcing your own materials
4. Online Class: Step-by-step video guidance from the pattern's designer
5. Padded Straps Add-on: Merino wool padded straps for extra comfort
Who is it for?
Makers with wanderlust, your next project has arrived. The Slabtown is perfect for stitchers ready to tackle a heavy-duty project. Whether you're hitting the trails, cycling to work, or packing for a weekend getaway, this backpack's got room for all your gear—and then some.
Although a heavy-duty sewing machine is recommended, it is not necessary. Most home sewing machines that have been well taken care of will do just fine. A walking foot attachment and/or Jean-a-ma-jig can help you power through bulky seams. You do not need an industrial sewing machine to make the Slabtown.
The Slabtown has tubular rivets, which must be set with a tubular rivet peening tool and a (non-rubber!) mallet on a hard surface, such as a slab of stone, metal anvil, or concrete floor. To set the Line 24 snaps, you’ll need a Line 24 snap setter and a dot anvil. Finally, you’ll need a 1/8” drive punch, which is used with a mallet on a cutting board.
You can add these tools to your kit individually or combined in the Slabtown Essential Tools Bundle for a discounted price!
Download the FULL TOOLS + SUPPLIES LIST
The Slabtown is an advanced level project. Advanced projects are for experienced stitchers ready to invest a significant amount of time and energy into becoming a bag maker. Complex construction and seriously professional results.
The making time for advanced projects is estimated at 8-12 hours. Having said that, each maker has their own pace and process. We recommend adding the online class for extra support and to ensure a seamless (no pun intended 😉) making experience.
Tubular rivets are much stronger than double-cap rivets. Since The Slabtown is a backpack, the straps pull away from the bag at the attachment points, which makes double-cap rivets unreliable, since they can pop-apart when pulled with opposing force. On the other hand, tubular rivets are made to withstand this force, and will stay in place (especially when reinforced with leather on the backside of the fabric). So, in a nutshell, The Slabtown is designed to stand the test of time! Please don't substitute double-cap rivets for the tubular ones when making The Slabtown. Also note: tubular rivets need to be set with a Tubular Rivet Peening Tool.