Bushpilot’s MYOG thread

[bushpilot]

I picked up a sewing machine this winter with the goal of making my own gear and learning a new skill in the process. Quite a few of these threads up here now, but I would figure I would post some pictures of my projects to help inspire others. Maybe I will add some build alongs in the future.

To get started I started making some accessories for my stone glacier pack. First up was a Nalgene bottle holder that sits out of the way and doesn’t flip around when it sits on the side of the hip. So I made it to sit between the shoulder strap and frame on the belt. Still easy access, but out of the way. While I was at it I made a gps pouch that sits on the belt webbing for easy access.

 

[bushpilot]

Next up was a couple of silnylon dry bags. The orange one is a food/ clothing/ cape bag maybe 30L in size. The grey one is a “load cell” meant to keep my pack a little cleaner hauling meat. Seams are not sealed to aid in blood drainage from the bottoms corners. The top corners also has ladder locks installed which attach to top of the frame, keeping the bag from sagging.

 

[bushpilot]

Getting a little more comfortable with using the machine, I wanted to start making a little more than basic gear. So I progressed to making a “woobie” with 3.6oz climasheild apex, and 1.6oz Ripstop.

 

[bushpilot]

The woobie was good practice for my next project. My hunting partners son is turning 1 this spring. So I decided to put together a kids quilt for him that will hopefully keep him warm in the woods.

I put the quilt together using 1 yard of 6oz apex insulation, and 2 yards of 1.1 hyper d ripstop, 36” of micro cord, a cord lock, 3/4” grosgrain and some pack hooks. and some kam snaps. I will be making a couple more of these in the future for my kids so I might do a build along. It has a closable “cinch” style footbox, and shockcord pad straps. Finished dimensions measures 34”x54”.

 

[Team4LongGun]

How hard was it to learn to use a sewing machine?
Great job

 

[bushpilot]

How hard was it to learn to use a sewing machine?

Not hard in the least. Having exactly zero experience before starting, just watched a few YouTube videos. Ripstop by the roll has some good resources in terms of starting out. Learning the different stitches and their applications goes a long way to having a project come together. Also think your way through a project in terms of what pieces need to be added at what stage. Way harder to go back after something is stitched up to add a piece on.

 

[Sagebrushhunter]

That’s cool! I tried making a few things with sewing machine and ended up with some funky looking gear. . I ran out of patience and haven’t tried it anymore

 

[bushpilot]

Here’s a super simple one. I am a big fan of using glassing pads in snowy/ muddy conditions. I lost my old one on a mt goat hunt last year. So I cut a 9x15” piece of EVA foam from an extra kid play mat. Then hand stitched a 1” piece of nylon webbing so it can be strapped secure to my pack. This is a little to thick for using a home machine unless you turn it through by hand. Bonus is it’s red on one side and grey on the other. Weighs 3.5oz.

 

[bushpilot]

I have packed a rab siltarp 2 for several seasons now, but I have never used it. Being solo most of the time it just seemed bigger than necessary for just my use. So I decided to make a smaller tarp that is lighter, but can also serve as an emergency shelter or primary shelter during early season in the elk wood. Roughly using the dimension of the Kifaru sheep tarp.

I used 4 yards of Xenon XL 1.1 Silpoly, Hyper D 300 for reinforcement and 3/4 grosgrain for the tieouts, plus one 3/4 beast dee ring. The resulting tarp is 6ftx12ft, has no seams except the roll hem outside. Weighs 6oz less than my siltarp, and has about half the packed bulk.

 

[bushpilot]

Last one for today. Cobbled up a 2 piece spotting scope cover my Swaro ATS. I prefer this as it allows for me to use the swivel body function unhindered. I don’t always use the end covers as during the hunt I usually just trust the objective cap and the mag view cover unless in a dusty environment. I also put a piece of velcro on the objective cap to attach to the cover when not in use.

 

[Paladin]

Good looking stuff bushpilot! Thanks for sharing. I enjoy sewing as well and look forward to a rainy weekend every now and then so I can get the machine out.

 

[bushpilot]

Todays project was a pouch for my kill kit. Using Hyper D 300 material, number 5 continuous zipper with slider and grosgrain pull tabs. I made the pouch 10x5x3” which is maybe a little too big for what its purpose. Will likely put another one together that’s 8x4x3.

 

[westco24]

Very nice work. Can anybody recommend some currently available sewing machines that are smart buys? I'd like to get a machine that will do cordura as well as thicker nylon webbing and through pack belts etc. No idea what brands or features I should look for. Thanks.

 

[as.ks.ak]

Very nice work. Can anybody recommend some currently available sewing machines that are smart buys? I'd like to get a machine that will do cordura as well as thicker nylon webbing and through pack belts etc. No idea what brands or features I should look for. Thanks.

A lot to unpack here…depends what all you’re after and the budget you want to work with. The MYOG thread on Reddit has a wealth of information on it.


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[sickles107]

Just when I thought buying a reloading press and bow press opened up deep rabbit holes, now I have a damn sewing machine on my wishlist!

All good stuff, nice work

 

[bushpilot]

A lot to unpack here…depends what all you’re after and the budget you want to work with. The MYOG thread on Reddit has a wealth of information on it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I can’t honestly say I am qualified to really answer this question. I bought the machine I have after reading what others are using. It certainitly has some limitations when it comes to multiple layers of heavy fabric and webbing. There are work arounds of course but my main objective was to just get started, if I need to upgrade in the future then I will.

 

[bushpilot]

Haven’t been at the projects as of late, got some big ones planned but have been just waiting for materials to arrive.

I just put together this windshirt as a custom request from a friend. Made out of MTN7 0.75 material it will be utilized as an over layer above his puffy, to block the wind. My first time putting together a garment but it came together. Need to do more work in this area, as I really stumbled along some steps.

 

[Mt Al]

Haven’t been at the projects as of late, got some big ones planned but have been just waiting for materials to arrive.

I just put together this windshirt as a custom request from a friend. Made out of MTN7 0.75 material it will be utilized as an over layer above his puffy, to block the wind. My first time putting together a garment but it came together. Need to do more work in this area, as I really stumbled along some steps.

View attachment 531510View attachment 531512View attachment 531514

WOW, very nice work! Gotta start somewhere and if you made one this nice to start, you'll be cranking out better stuff as time goes on.

 

[MightyMatt]

The woobie was good practice for my next project. My hunting partners son is turning 1 this spring. So I decided to put together a kids quilt for him that will hopefully keep him warm in the woods.

I put the quilt together using 1 yard of 6oz apex insulation, and 2 yards of 1.1 hyper d ripstop, 36” of micro cord, a cord lock, 3/4” grosgrain and some pack hooks. and some kam snaps. I will be making a couple more of these in the future for my kids so I might do a build along. It has a closable “cinch” style footbox, and shockcord pad straps. Finished dimensions measures 34”x54”.View attachment 518437

This is a really awesome idea, the only thing I would mention is to be very careful with the cord as it could be dangerous to the little one if the wrong circumstances came together. Just be careful. Super thoughtful of you to come up with and make this for your buddy. I'm sure it will be greatly appreciated.

 

[bushpilot]

This is a really awesome idea, the only thing I would mention is to be very careful with the cord as it could be dangerous to the little one if the wrong circumstances came together. Just be careful. Super thoughtful of you to come up with and make this for your buddy. I'm sure it will be greatly appreciated.

That is the biggest flaw that bugged me with the first quilt. I have since gone to a flat elastic design with kamsnaps to replace this.