New hobby I picked up

[JSimon]

Well I got a wild hair over the weekend and decided to take up sewing of all things. I think it would be cool to start making some of my own bowhunting gear mainly for fun but to also save some money. My main motivation was to create a simple quiet pack for carrying in my extra layers. I have a Blacks Creek Rigg Itt modular pack frame that I use to carry my climbing sticks in and out of the woods and it has some buckles to attach a pack. The pack they sell for it is fairly expensive and not as big as I would like for carrying in my bulky coat and other layers, so I thought I should try making a pack to attach to it.

I borrowed an old sewing machine (and I do mean old) and dove right in. I drove to the fabric store and bought decent thread and a couple of yards of camo fleece. The machine didn't have a manual so after replacing the power cord due to dry rot, I spent several hours trying to figure out how to thread it, lol. I then spent a couple more hours figuring out how to adjust the machine so that it made nice stitches.

I finally had it figured out but decided I should start with a couple of simpler projects for practice before tackling a backpack. For a few pennies and a few hours of time, I ended up making a neck gaiter and a bomber hat. The gaiter is based on one I had lying around and I used a free pattern and video I found on the net for the hat.

They turned out much better than I would have imagined so I thought I would share my success. I had a blast making these things and since it was easier than I thought, I'm now dreaming up a few more extravagant packs and scouring the net for other hunting clothing and gear patterns, lol. It might be a while before I finish the pack though. Anyone else sew their own gear?

Antique sewing machine I borrowed from my mother in-law. I'm guessing 1940's or 50's vintage.
 

My work area. Don't pay any attention to the messy basement!
 

Hat and gaiter.
 

Some pics of me modeling them     .
 
 
 

[sunny hill archer]

Jeff, That looks real sexy...      

[Rick Butler]

Nice work, looks good.

[8leg-lover]

Real men can sew. I learned in 7th grade home economics and never forgot. It's come in handy over the years. Thanks for stepping forward.    

Carl

[Grey Taylor]

Good on you for giving it a go! Great results, too.
I enjoy the heck out of making my own stuff. In a past life I was lucky enough to be a purchasing manager in a company that made backpacks, sleeping bags, duffle bags, cloths, etc. Got some good experience there.
I have a commercial machine in the garage that's the bomb for bow socks, bags, etc.

Guy

[Downsouth]

That's awesome    Sewn up a few bow socks and other odds and ends on an old machine I got at a garage sale. It's a good skill everyone would do well to learn!

[Mudd]

How cool is that? Way!! You be "Da Man!" Thanks for sharing.
God bless,Mudd

[lpcjon2]

I sew and have sewn many kitchen curtains with backing and sew a ton of my own gear,I also have put pink feathers on my arrows.Maybe I should have left that part out.But my wife loves the fact I sew.  :thumbsup:And Im a former marine if yaw got a problem with pink and curtains...LOL

[Whitetail Nut]

Looks like you did a great job. congrats on your new hobby

[FerretWYO]

Not a bad hobby to have and it looks like you have it down.

[Kenneth]

That's awesome right there!!!  My wife got me some material from walmart to decorate the garage and I told her that I wanted a sewing machine for my next gift so that I could make my own clothes.  She just laughed it off, but I plan on hitting her up again real soon.  I started to make a fletching cover but sewing by hand takes way too long!!  Great Job brother!!!

[JSimon]

That old sewing machine works awesome. It only does straight stitching though. I also borrowed a 1980's or so model from my Mom that does zig zag stitching which I think might be good for making button holes or reinforcing webbing straps and stuff. I haven't had a chance to figure out my mom's machine yet.

I'm going to look around for an old used sewing machine of my own. It would certainly be nice to have around. My son won Vermonster13's youth bow give away. I wasn't sure how to string that little bow and I didn't want to break it so I quickly sewed a couple of pockets in a short piece of nylon webbing and it worked great as a bow stringer. I'm hoping to get an all steel antique machine that seem to be more durable than the more recent plastic ones.

[Covey]

I broke out my wife's old sewing machine and been looking for some more pattern's myself. She makes fun of me when I rub on the wool and fleece material in the fabric stores! HA! Jason

[EricW]

Cool stuff. Know I don't feel so bad wanting to buy one. LOL

[Igor]

Good Job!

Funny that I can across this thread tonight as I was thinking about asking my wife to give me the beginners course on her machine so I can start a few projects myself!

><>
Chief

[sabas silva]

If only I could sew, nice work Jeff

[fixer]

I sew my own bow socks for my bows and my takedowns also the end cups I use on my bow stringers. I enjoy building my own stuff. I can see a cap coming in the furure.

[razorsharptokill]

Hey, that's pretty good!

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

Anything that brings us closer to self-reliance and proves to us that "we can do it" is VERY cool in my book. You've got a talent there that in the long run will save you a bundle and might even make you one too. Thanks for sharing!    

[Apex Predator]

Contact Dick Wightman on here about your machine.  He is quite the afficianado from what I understand.  I too would like to find an older, heavier model myself for such projects.

Dick, you out there?