It's the Links page! Here are some things I like:
Bagsmiths
These are some of my favorites.
For a longer list see my blog here and scroll down.
>Archie's Grobags (Website in the works) The only modern UK bagmaker that matters right now.
He haunts the London Fixedgear & Singlespeed forums.
>Bagaboo (bagaboo.hu/en) Pac-influenced Hungarian messenger bags. Sharp applique/embroidery work.
>BagJack (www.bagjack.com) Hot bespoke Berlin bags. They're big in Japan.
>Blick's Bags (blicksbags.com) Cleveland up-and-comer. Cool backpack designs.
>Cocotte (www.cocotte-equip.com/english.htm) Montreal company. They have the only true messenger
bag that uses a hook/d-ring setup on the main strap. Super cool.
>Bailey Works (www.baileyworks.com) Small New Hampshire-based shop. Top notch.
>ChicagoWIG (chicagowig.com) One-man (mostly) Chicago bagsmith. Big, big bags and backpacks.
>Crank (crank-tokyo.com) The Japanese Zo...only with better stitching.
>Lazy Monk (lazymonk.moonfruit.com) Zo copies with awesome traditional Japanese needlework.
>Lemolo (lemolobags.wordpress.com) A one-man (two-?) Portland stitcher. He mostly makes backpacks.
>Pac (www.pacdesigns.com) Some of the coolest bags around. Originator of the much-copied x-strap.
>R.E.Load (reloadbags.com) Some of the best applique work around.
>Resistant (resistant.exblog.jp) Simple, sleek bags from Japan.
>Seagull (seagullbags.com) Giving R.E.Load a run for their money in the applique department.
>Under the Weather (under-the-weather.ca) Another cool Canadian company.
>Zugster (www.zugsterbags.com) One-man part-timer from SF. Very cool.
Fabric & Hardware Suppliers
>Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics, Inc. (www.owfinc.com) One-stop shopping for all your bag-making needs.
>Rockywoods Outdoor Fabrics (www.rockywoods.com) Kaleidoscope of Cordura.
>Perfect Fit (www.perfectfit.com)
>Rochford Supply (www.rochfordsupply.com)
>DJ Associates, Inc. (www.dj-associates.com)
>Seattle Fabrics (seattlefabrics.com)
>Para Gear (paragear.com)
>Bally Ribbon Mills (www.ballyribbon.com)
Sewing Machines
[manufacturers/importers] ...these are a few that make popular upholstery machines.
>Artisan (www.artisansew.com) Peep the 618-1SC.
>Cobra Sewing Machines (www.leathermachineco.com) Leather- and heavy-duty machines. Great forum.
>Consew (www.consew.com) See the 206RB-5.
>Highlead (www.highlead.com.cn) Where all the good machines from China come from, probably.
>Juki (www.juki.com) Check out the DNU-1541S, a popular bagmaking machine.
>Reliable (www.reliablecorporation.com) They offer a lot of copies of sweet Japanese upholstery machines.
They have an online store. Lots of walking-foot machines.
>Sailrite (www.sailrite.com) Their Ultrafeed machines are nice if you're looking for something portable.
>Seiko (www.seiko-sewing.co.jp) See the STH-8BLD-3. They used to make these for Consew.
>Tacsew (Website? I don't know) Like Reliable, they import copies for the budget-minded sewer.
I have the T111-155. It's treated me well so far. A few other bagmakers use it too.
[retail] ...once you know what machine you want, shop around. There are tons of sites out there.
Keep in mind there are companies that just have the machine drop-shipped to your door and companies that set
up the machine for you. Also, make sure the seller is an authorized dealer...in case you have any warranty issues.
>All Brands (allbrands.com)
>Atlas Levy (http://www.atlaslevy.com)
>Industrial Sewing Machine Man (industrialsewingmachineman.com) Drop-shipped from Tacony Corp.
>Industrial Sewing Machines (www.industrialsewmachine.com) Pictures of every machine ever, I think.
>Keystone (www.keysew.com)
>Miami Sewing (www.miamisewing.com) Lots of crazy used machines.
>National Sewing Supply (walking-foot.net)
>Singer Industrial (parts.singerco.com)
Manufacturers
>Cordura/Dupont (www.cordura.com)
>ITW Nexus (www.itwnexus.com)
>YKK (www.ykkamerica.com)
>Coats (www.coatsddb.com)
>MarChem CFI (www.marchemcoatedfabrics.com) They make Top Gun!
>National Molding (www.nationalmolding.com)
>Bally Ribbon Mills (www.ballyribbon.com)
Buying Stuff
>Maude Vintage, Downtown Columbia, Mo.
>E-mail me at coryleif@gmail.com to order wallets.
Looking at Leif Labs
>Flickr (www.flickr.com/photos/leiflabs)
Friends of Leif Labs
>fotoNOMAD (fotonomad.net) Photos of racing, messengers, grand prix & rock'n'roll.
>jadematter (www.jadematter.com) Get your knit on.
>Permanent Records (www.permanentrecordschicago.com) 1914 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago.
Searching for awesome music in Chicago? Go no further. Look for hot in-stores and one cute kitty.
>Maude Vintage (www.maudevintage.com) Clothing & costumes, downtown Columbia, Mo.
>True/False Film Festival (truefalse.org) One of the premier documentary film fests in the US.
>VROOM VROOM! (lulabelle212.etsy.com) Cute car jewelry made from tiny toys.
>Como Polo (comopolo.com) Columbia's hardcourt bike polo squad.