Sewing your own kit

[Kerne]

It seems that, due to staff shortages, from September I have to teach Textiles as well as Design and Technology. Given that my glass is always half full, I want to take advantage of the fact that I have to quickly learn to use a sewing machine.

So:

Does anyone have any sources/links/suggestions/patterns for decent quality information on making your own outdoor kit. I already have a copy of John Fenna's book (Great stuff! ) and am looking for advice in particular on making a bivi bag, a rucksack and a tarp and on sewing and seam sealing silicone nylon.

I have already bought some windproof fleece and I'm going to have a go at a jacket - watch this space...

 

[Shewie]

I'm just looking into making my own Lavvu hopefully, if I can find some decent plans that is.

I've managed to aquire a 1950's sewing machine which looks pretty bombproof so hopefully it'll be up to the task. I just need to learn how to use it now without stitching my fingers to the table.

 

[Kerne]

I just need to learn how to use it now without stitching my fingers to the table.

I had an aunt who trained as a miliner and who managed to get a heavy duty needle right through her thumb and out the other side - carefully does it...!

 

[Bravo4]

I had an aunt who trained as a miliner and who managed to get a heavy duty needle right through her thumb and out the other side - carefully does it...!

I got to pull a heavy duty sewing machine needle out of my girlfriend's thumb once, I was amazed at how hard I had to pull to get it out.

sewing silinylon tips
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/tips/silnylon.asp

 

[Gailainne]

It seems that, due to staff shortages, from September I have to teach Textiles as well as Design and Technology. Given that my glass is always half full, I want to take advantage of the fact that I have to quickly learn to use a sewing machine.

So:

Does anyone have any sources/links/suggestions/patterns for decent quality information on making your own outdoor kit. I already have a copy of John Fenna's book (Great stuff! ) and am looking for advice in particular on making a bivi bag, a rucksack and a tarp and on sewing and seam sealing silicone nylon.

I have already bought some windproof fleece and I'm going to have a go at a jacket - watch this space...

Big subject, however here are some of the links I've found (bought an Aldi sewing machine a while back)

Catenary tarp

Sewing outdoor gear

Hammockforums Check here as well

For fabric as well as Point North and Pennine there is Fabricsnstuff

Pity I had a link to some very good info on basic seams, but its gone , but if you do a search inside hammockforums theres a couple of guys who have done videos on sewing different seams.

Hope this is of use

Cheers

Stephen

 

[Ogri the trog]

How about the clothing side.....
Tere has been some talk recently about smocks, which has inspired me to try a ventile homemade - longwinded process since much is by hand, but I hope it proves to be worth while.

ATB

Ogri the trog

 

[irishlostboy]

this might be a good source of ideas.
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html

 

[malcolmc]

Point North [ http://www.profabrics.co.uk/ ] have a number of free guides to sewing outdoor kit and also a leaflet/plan for a hooped bivi bag for which they charge. Also good info on military standards etc. is DIY Tactical [ http://diytactical.com/blog/ ].

Hope that helps.