Regular exterior upholstery fabrics for an expedition bag?
Hi! My 15yo daughter is going to Greenland this summer for 15 days, and she needs a hold-all duffle type expedition bag to go to and from the airports (won't be used on site all that much).
I'm not at all familiar with gear making, but I know how to sew, and while looking to purchase a bag, I found the MYOG people.
So I figure maybe I could make it?
Here is my question:
*Are regular waterproof exterior furniture (upholstery) fabric adequate enough to make a hold-all expedition bag?*
I just stopped at my local fabric store (I'm in France) and they have a decent selection of waterproof fabrics.
I don't mean water "resistant", but waterproof, they generally have PU or PVC coating. They also had a heavier tarp (black rubber type fabric) that I could use for the bottom of the bag.
I'd be able to get the fabric locally (read : i can pick up a small yardage, do a test run first, get more later if i feel like i could pull it off) and for cheaper than the tech fabrics. I especially don't want to pay more for a bag I'm taking the time to make than what I could purchase one for. So one concern is trying to make it on the cheap side.
Additional information about what the bag needs to be:
The expedition bag is mainly a hold-all type bag to travel with and carry everything together to and from the airports (2 day layover). Once on site, it will be stored away locally with 15 or so other people's bags, so it shouldn't be too bulky.
It has to be big enough to carry as much as possible within the airline limits (checked luggage size, 20kg weight).
She won't be using it much during her stay as she'll have all her stuff in a few sealed waterproof bags in the kayak.
It should be waterproof enough that if it rains the days going to and from the airport, her things won't get wet, but that's it and sturdy enough to carry 20kg.
I've tried looking to see if anyone uses laymen's fabrics, but i can't seem to find anything.
Thanks in advance