DIY Pack rain cover/tarp

[Manosteel]

Since my shoulder injury, I can't shoot my bow or do anything else to active. So I have been busy going over gear lists, gear etc.... And begging my wife to sew for me.

I wanted a pack cover for the rain but to save weight it had to be light and have multiply uses. After researching ideas on the net here is the results of my boredom.
1 - rain cover for the pack that is also....



2 - emergency tarp shelter




3 - floor sheet ( for tarp tents like kifaru / mountain LT) or ground sheet for meat



4 - food bag to raise in tree too keep away from bears or a gear hammock



5 - meat bag for pack or to keep cool in a stream if tag out early and need to stay out,



All in one piece that weighs 5 oz.

 

[Hardstalk]

Thats awesome! Ive always wanted to make a pack out of that same concept. Not just a rain cover. Versatility is my calling.

 

[a3dhunter]

Good job.

 

[Manosteel]

The pull out bags in some of the pics where made by my wife to the exact sizes I needed. The pull outs from left to right are; large pullout for food, medium pullout for emergency misc; medium pullout kill kit; small pullout for hygiene; small pullout for misc; 2 small stuff sack - tarp tent & rain gear; larg stuff sack for 1 man Hubba tent; and finally custom scope cover - all made of coated silnylon.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Great idea man! That looks like it will work really well for you.

 

[cmc]

Great multi purpose concepts put to use.

 

[flyinsquirel]

Looking good. Now tell the wife to step aside and tackle that sewing machine! Although, she does do some damn fine work, maybe not.

 

[Manosteel]

Thats awesome! Ive always wanted to make a pack out of that same concept. Not just a rain cover. Versatility is my calling.

I came across extreme ultra- light back packers who did just that, made their own ultra-light packs out of silnylon ( coated and uncounted). I showed my wife and she said she could do it if I cut out the design and gave her a plan. She is getting real good at sewing silnylon and making the stiches real strong. The meat bags she made me after about 3 try's can hold 100 lbs with no stretch, creep or fraying.

I love my T1 but if money was tight I would have no problems buying the bikini frame and making a custom bag for it similar to th HC4800/7000

 

[Rizzy]

Good idea!

 

[muleman]

Looks very functional. What is the finished size? Is that a draw cord sewn around the perimeter?

 

[SHTF]

What material you using? Can you provide a link. I completely want to get into this and start doing some of my own gear also.

 

[Becca]

This is awesome! Sometimes the best way to get exactly what you want is to make it yourself

It's probably that my sewing machine isn't meant for it, but I have a hard time getting excited about sewing with silnylon....guess I need more practice. Congrats on a job well done.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Excellent! I like. My compliments to your wife.
Hunt'nFish

 

[Daniel_M]

Whats the weight on it? Super cool.

 

[realunlucky]

This is why I keep trying to get my wife to buy a sewing machine excellent work.hope you get healed up quick but cannot wait to see what you come up with next in the mean time

 

[Daniel_M]

Z-Packs stocks a decent amount of materials. Also Bearpaw Wilderness.

http://www.zpacks.com/materials.shtml

 

[Manosteel]

The rain cover/tarp Final measurements are 47"W x 54"L, and it weighs 5 oz with the drawstring. And you sew a draw string flap on the material first before you sew anything else. After the sewing is done you thread the draw string through the flap.

I have received more than a few inquires about the silnylon/ripstop stuff we have been making and as a result I finally convinced my wife to do a video of the process, costing me a manicure for her to agree, but it will be done. Now if someone would be kind enough to point me toward an idiots guide to editing movies I would greatly appreciate it

Here is a link to an earlier DIY thread I posted regarding the pullouts & Drawstring bags. It explains how we made them and what materials we used. It includes pictures of the plans I drew up.

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?5903-DIY-pull-outs-draw-stop-bags-etc

 

[Daniel_M]

Way cool man!

Any updates as far as maybe adding a square of fabric stitched on 3 sides to stuff it all into?

 

[Manosteel]

...

 

[Manosteel]

This is awesome! Sometimes the best way to get exactly what you want is to make it yourself

It's probably that my sewing machine isn't meant for it, but I have a hard time getting excited about sewing with silnylon....guess I need more practice. Congrats on a job well done.

You need special footers on the sewing machine for most of the stuff my wife sews for the silnylon. Most sewing machines come with a couple. I will have her explain the the do's and don't to sewing this material.