Fixing to build a Ghillie suite and have a ?

[MikeW]

Just to let you know I've done a ton of research and read all the threads Google ect.
Am going to use synthetic thread and stuff from Jo Ann's and Michael's.

Where I hunt it's either plan ole hot or very warm, I want something as cool as possible so BDU shirts are out.

Am trying to think what to use as a base coat or shirt to attach the netting too. I don't want a pull over so it needs to be designed as shirt with buttons, Velcro or magnet closers. My first thought was those mesh shirts you see the muscle heads wearing at the gym or sports type like football practice jerseys, problem is all those are pullovers. I found the material but can't find a shirt or jacket made from it..I might just have to have my honey sew me one up.

Any ideas or suggestions, and yes I know I can buy one cheaper than what am about to spend but then I couldn't say "Yeah I made it" plus I'll probably buy enough material to make 2-3 and I'll sell the others and break even.

TIA

[bayoulongbowman]

You da man! How ya been mike , good luck! mark #78      

[MikeW]

Pretty good Mark..life's been a roller coaster for me the last few years but I just hang on tight and try to enjoy the ride. I might be headed to your neck of the woods in a few months for work, if I do I'll give you a holler. Do you guys still do the "Wild Thing" shoot?

[1kwikstik]

I made one last year using just the netting for a shirt. I cut out front and back and tied them together like a big t-shirt. I pretty well followed the youtube videos from Ghillie Arnheim. Worked out pretty good.

[MikeW]

^^^
Now why didn't I think of that.

[ckanous]

Got one started with netting, should be pretty cool.

[Doc Nock]

I built one on a very ugly old cheap leafy suit...

Bubba, it's going to be HOT regardless... no air moves thru that stuff!

I wore one on a nice Oct day... as it got dark, I started to pack up. I brought a duffle to pack it in cause it catches on eveything leaving a trail Ray Stevens could follow...

Point being, when I pulled off the jacket and pants, I took a big chill..it was that cool and never noticed with the suit on! Packed up quick like and hustled out to warm up.

here's a link for mesh and string... I've dealt with these folks. They're excellent:

 http://www.ghilliesuits.com/index.aspx

[lpcjon2]

I would get a poplin military BDU jacket. It is light,and when wet it dries quick. You can sew the ghillie on it and use the buttons of the jacket to close the coat. And it is camo underneith ( comes in desert,woodland, and various digital patterns).

[MikeW]

poplin military BDU jacket

Poplin huh..I'll check into that..Thx.

[lpcjon2]

Its the BDU that when you look at the material it is made with a 1/4" little square pattern.Great stuff.

[Benoli]

I'm going to the local Gioodwill store and buy me a cotton long sleeve shirt. Then I'm going to cut most of the back out and some off the front. Basically I'm leaving the shoulder sand sleeves in place so it will keep it's shape and cover with netting material. Anyway that's the plan.

[calgarychef]

I made one and used an old canvas jacket from the goodwill store.  Once you get your burlap or whaterver you use on it, it will be heavy!  You need something strong enough to last because you'll put a lot of time into making it and I think t-shirts etc. won't work very well.  What about a big piece of netting and make a poncho to hide under?

[woodchucker]

Why don't you just go to Jo-Ann's and by a few yards of the nylon netting that they use to make "laundry bags" out of???

Make yourself a pull-over top,and draw-string type pants are very easy to make.

[MikeW]

Why don't you just go to Jo-Ann's and by a few yards of the nylon netting that they use to make "laundry bags" out of???

Make yourself a pull-over top,and draw-string type pants are very easy to make.

It looks like that's what am going to have to have my wife do for me. That is the exact material I want to use.

[woodchucker]

Mike, Here are some simple instructions to make a pull-over top...

1) The entire top is made using rectangles,and sewing the seams.

2) Body, measure from the "hollow" in your throut,to just above your knees, then double this measurement.(this will take care of the front and back)Then, cut the netting as wide as the outside of your shoulders.(this makes it wide enough to fit over your body)

3) Sleeves, measure from the top of your shoulder,to the bone in your wrist.(this is the length) Then,measure around your upper arm and double this measurement.

4) Hood, Measure from the base of your neck,up over your head,and down to the base of your neck again. Then,add 6 inches to this measurement. Then, measure around your head,and again add 6 inches.(when you cut the netting,you will want the hood seam to be at the back of your head/neck)

5) Fold the hood netting and sew the back seam.

6) Fold both sleeves,and sew both sleeves lengthwise.

7) Fold the long body piece in half so you have a front and back. Lay the shoulder part of the sleeve against the shoulder part of the body. sew the sewn sleeve seam to the front&back of the body tacking the sleeve to the body. Now sew the sleeve up over the shoulder and back down to the seam. The sleeve should now be sewn to the body. Repeat this with the other sleeve.

8) To attach the hood, cut a slit in the top folded edge of the body. Then, starting in the front,at the middle of the body slit(neck) sew around the base of the hood and back to the middle of the body again.

You should now have a "net" pullover that will come to just above your knees. Try it on,and if you're happy with it, add your jute twine and fill it our real good. Build the body first, then you can decide if you really need/want the pants.

Good Luck!!!!! You should be able to cut and sew the body in a day...

Filling it out with twine will probly take you a couple weeks!!!  

[woodchucker]

Sorry Mike, I missed part of your first post...

(that it had to be open-front,you didn't want a pull-over)

9) Cut the front up the center, and attach a few velcro closers.

Good Luck!!!!! Let us know how you make out!!!

[MikeW]

Thx guys...the wife is going to sew me up a jacket with mesh material and some pants. I'll do a build along when I get it going. I plan on making it pretty sparse too, just enough to break up the human outline, as little stuff on it as possible and still be effective.