DIY Help??

[blackbishop351]

Is there anyone near me (Greensboro, NC) with experience making/modifying your own gear?

I ask because I've never so much as used a sewing machine, but I'm itching to try out some of the great gear ideas I keep finding. I can hand stitch in a pinch, but I'm not about to, for instance, try to hand-sew an underquilt.

The learning curve on this kind of thing looks pretty steep, especially for someone unfamiliar with the basic equipment/techniques. I thought if there were someone around who's experienced, I could flatten said curve a bit. :D

[Amigi'sLastStand]

I wish I were. I love to teach ppl to sew. Man, the first silnylon tarptent I made, I felt on top of the world. Check around you man, schools, churches, the old lady across the street. Someone you know can sew I'm sure. Most of the stuff I found on WB requires novice skill so a good 1 hr class is all you really need. Good luck, and welcome to the world of homemade gear.

Made a stove, yet?

[blackbishop351]

At this point the only person I know who can use a sewing machine is my mother-in-law. We won't even discuss how much I DON'T want to ask her for a tutorial.

No, I haven't made a stove. They look pretty easy, especially with the great detailed instructions everybody posts. There again though (referring to my water thread), I'm a convenience junky. I'm using a Primus Micron and I love it. I might get a Jetboil at some point, but I don't think I'll go away from the canister.

[porkbutter]

It is not uncommon for better sewing shops to have sewing classes. My sister teaches at one, and has taught guys who took the class specifically to make outdoor gear. Evening classes are likely.
Having said that, with just enough pointers to get the sewing machine to function, I built a Speer Hammock from one of their kits. I was surprised at how non-technical it was to do so.
Good luck!

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Guys, if you can tie a hammock knot or pitch a taut tarp, you can sew a straight stitch using a sewing machine without a personal tutorial.
How to thread a sewing machine (http://www.ehow.com/how_5839_thread-sewing-machine.html)
How to use a sewing machine (http://www.ehow.com/how_5862_sewing-machine.html)
A lot of information for the beginner (http://www.sewing.org/enthusiast/html/e_learntosew.html)

Practice on something that is easy to sew like an old sheet or shirt.

Silnylon is kind of hard to sew because it is so slippery. I usually hand baste (sew it together by hand using huge stitches - like 2" per stitch) before sewing it on a machine so it can't slip around

[Just Jeff]

I'm with both Dino and Amigi. You can probably do it w/o a class if you read a few sites and play around a bit. The problem is what to do if you mess it up and get a birds nest or something. So it might be worth it to take a class or two just so you have someone to answer your questions directly and give you pointers as you go.

But once you get the very basics down, like threading the machine and adjusting the tension, you can sew most any tarp, hammock, etc. It's cake.

I just saw a machine at Salvation Army last weekend. I didn't really look at it, but I think it has was the all metal kind people say you should get anyway. And spending $10 on a machine means it doesn't matter much if you mess it up. Otherwise, Walmart has some cheap ones.

Biggest tip I can pass on - use quality thread. I tried to skimp with the $.50/spool Walmart thread - doesn't even work for practicing. I was frustrated b/c I couldn't figure out what I was doing something wrong, and it was just the thread. Gummed up the machine, kept breaking, etc. Drop the $5 on some Guttermann's or similar and be done with it.

The hardest part is deciding to do the first project. After that you'll amaze yourself at how simple it is.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

I've used Coats brand 100% polyester heavy-duty thread without problems and it is readily avaiable in most places where fabric is sold. As Jeff notes, WalMart thread is junk. It might be OK for hand sewing or hand quilting (granny style), but it is useless for machine sewing.

[Big Dawg]

Is there anyone near me (Greensboro, NC) with experience making/modifying your own gear?



Well not Greensboro, but 500 feet away in Jamestown, near Adams Farm. What's up fellow triad Whiteblazer!!!

As for sewing, I just recently started making some gear. My next door neighbor is a sewing genius, & she taught me how to use her sewing machine. I've made a silnylon hex tarp, several silnylon stuff sacks, and other odds and ends. No pack or tent yet. I'm willing to share the little info I know.

[Big Dawg]

Made a stove, yet?

Oh man,, what are you doing to the poor guy. You know once he makes a stove, there's no turning back.

Hello. My name is Big Dawg, and I'm a alkystoveaholic. :D

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Hi Big Dawg. Welcome to Alkystoveaholics Anonymous.

[blackbishop351]

Guess what, Dawg? You just became my new best friend! :D Any help/tips/time at ALL would be appreciated more than I can say!

[Big Dawg]

Hi Big Dawg. Welcome to Alkystoveaholics Anonymous.

Thank you, Dino. I feel like I have a big support group here. It's comforting!! :D

[Big Dawg]

Guess what, Dawg? You just became my new best friend! :D Any help/tips/time at ALL would be appreciated more than I can say!

Blackbishop351,,, PM me w/ your ph#,, & the best time to call ya,,,, we'll talk!!!

[Nightwalker]

Silnylon is kind of hard to sew because it is so slippery. I usually hand baste (sew it together by hand using huge stitches - like 2" per stitch) before sewing it on a machine so it can't slip around.

I love those 200 boxes of straight pins, for the very same reason.

I bought the sewing machine for my wife. I use it ten times more than she does. :)

[Nightwalker]

I've made a silnylon hex tarp, several silnylon stuff sacks, and other odds and ends. No pack or tent yet. I'm willing to share the little info I know.Where did you find dimensions for the hex tarp? I want to make a diamond tarp with catenary edges and ridgeline for my hammock, but I need to know some general radius dimensions and stuff.

[Big Dawg]

Where did you find dimensions for the hex tarp? I want to make a diamond tarp with catenary edges and ridgeline for my hammock, but I need to know some general radius dimensions and stuff.

All I did was buy some silnylon from a guy here on WB (supposedly the same stuff Henry Shires/Tarptent uses). It was 5.5' by 25'. I cut it in half & had 2 pieces, 5.5' x 12.5', cut off the corners on one side at each end, joined them together on the long sides, sewed a hem around the whole thing, & sewed on nylon webbing straps on the end of each long side, & presto,,, a hex tarp!!!:D Not the straightest sew lines, but who am I trying to impress, as long as it holds! I have a hammock, but don't use it much,,, but do love the coverage of my hex tarp when I do use it!!