My Covid-19 and later projects

[John Fenna]

Project 70
Danish Polycotton Smock and second pair of trousers
All made pretty much to the same pattern as my other smocks and trousers - except I made the hood a little bigger and added a waist drawcord to the smock and took another inch out of the waistband of the trousers!

 

[John Fenna]

Project 71
Wool hat
Made by sewing up the back of a worn out British Army pullover... a bit scratch on my baldy head - but very warm!



Edit - 16/4/23 - now lined with the repains of a torn Buff headover

 

[John Fenna]

Project 72
Badge holder
I did not want to add Velcro to the new smock so made a double sided badge holder to hang off the pocket button... it also forms a pocket to hold my insurance details and extra business cards when I am in the woods

 

[Mesquite]

Project 71
Wool hat
Made by sewing up the back of a worn out British Army pullover... a bit scratch on my baldy head - but very warm!

Nice bit of upcycling there John. To ease the scratchiness you could always line it with a bit of parachute fabric

 

[John Fenna]

If I wear the wool hat over one of the old, reversible, double skinned Buff caps - then it is not only very comfortable and very warm but also even more versatile and the little neoprene peak keeps the sun out of my eyes as well!

 

[John Fenna]

Project 72
Wool shirt
With the demise of an old favourite wool shirt and the realization that another is worn almost transparent in places, I decided it was time to make a new one. The fabric was a gift (thanks Mary) and the pattern was one I have used many times since I first designed it. The fittings came from the scraps box

 

[Tiley]

Wow! Your clothes are beautifully made! I would be proud to wear something fashioned by you.

 

[John Fenna]

Ah - but I know where the mistakes are and how to stand to hide them

 

[gra_farmer]

Ah - but I know where the mistakes are and how to stand to hide them

Nice work John, out of interest, what belt tool/knife you have on you in the pictures?

 

[Tengu]

Your clothing is nice and tailored.

Im busy with my Iron age work clothes, but I doubt they were much fitted.

Still, I have a tunic and a lukha now.

 

[John Fenna]

Nice work John, out of interest, what belt tool/knife you have on you in the pictures?

The pouch is from an original Leatherman Wave (given to me by Tim Leatherman himself - but that is another story) containing a bladeless Leatherman Rebar my EDC tool. In my trouser pockets are a SAK (retro fitted antler scales) and an antler scaled Sheffield carbon steel EDC clasp knife - my day to day set up

 

[John Fenna]

Project 73
Scraps chair
Now this one really is a "Covid" project ... despite my best efforts Covid has eventually got me - and got me good! Two weeks ago I was sitting with my "Hospital bag" all packed and ready but luckily the proscribed antibiotics sorted out the chest and sinus infections that came with the Covid and I stayed out of the NHS strike areas...
I am only now starting to feel well enough to be bored and today I used up scraps (a couple of Rowan, Hazel and Willow poles that have been clogging up the garage for a couple of years, some scraps of paracord and a rag of mesh fabric) to make a new chair for my permanent camp (where I will, hopefully, be running a small Meet at the weekend) to replace one that is too big, too heavy and starting to rot.
The fork and fabric are there to take bags and odds that I want to hand...

 

[Mesquite]

Glad to hear you're feeling better John. Nice chair, should do you good service

 

[SaraR]

Sorry to hear that you got so ill, but good that you’re improving at last. Do take it easy and don’t overdo it as you’re recovering. Nice looking chair - great for sitting outside and enjoy the fresh air in the meantime.

 

[Tengu]

Thats a grand chair but it looks like it might vex you if used too long.

 

[John Fenna]

Project 74
Beeswax based polishes
Another real "Covid " project ... after trying to go back to work after a negative Covid test , I am back on the sick list ... with "Post Viral fatigue" AKA "Long Covid"!.
Although I spend most of my time dozing/rotting in front of the TV I have found enough energy to make some Beeswax polishes

Top - Dubbin for leather waterproofing and care. 125g Lard, 200g wax 200g Neetsfoot compound oil.
Left - wood wax polish. 100g wax, 250ml turpentine substitute (white spirit), 10ml Lavender oil (for a nice smell!) The brown is the remains of a dye wax previously in this tin, now stored in the lid - stiff enough waxes not to mix
Right - Leather polish - 200g wax 300ml Neetsfoot compound oil.
Basically just (carefully) heat and mix the ingredients - something I can do even with a head full of mush!

 

[Mesquite]

Sorry to hear you're still feeling rough John, fingers crossed you recover soon.

 

[Tengu]

Oh, thats good, must get some turps

 

[John Fenna]

Project 75
Hat bands
I like Tilley hats (though the quality of the canvas has dropped DRAMATICALLY recently). I have worn out 6 of the T3s over the years always getting them replaced for free with their lifetime guarantee I have also bought 2 - so currently I own 3 Tilleys ... and they all needed new hatbands as I like to customise everything
All are comfortable - more comfortable than you might thing in two of the hatbands ... which are not rusty steel but painted leather!

 

[Mesquite]

The faux barbed wire ones are brilliant, nicely done Mr F