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Squirtgunsquirter

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Joined
Jan 15, 2018
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1,180
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Illinois
I'm stumped.

I need some ideas for something interesting to sew.

I have made:

Roll top waterproof molle AR rifle scabbard, mounts to pack. (1000 denier courdura)

Molle panel for pack. (500 denier cordura)

Rain jacket. (220 denier cordura)

Adjustable rifle sling.

Clip on foraging bag (500 denier cordura)

Mosquito head net.

Several Scuba webbing/Cobra buckle pistol belts.

Various roll top dry bags.

A few messenger bags (1250 Denier ballistic nylon/ Seat belt webbing straps)

Quilted polartech insulated waterproof jacket, integral molle webbing front and back (sold it)

I'm running out of ideas! I could make a chest rig, but I don't have armor plates yet.

Any thoughts?

Anything smaller than a two person tent, not looking to buy or make tent poles right now.

Need something to do tomorrow. Wife is sick, and I will be stuck here in the condo. Not afraid of complicated builds, but maybe not a full on backpack, then I would have to sell it on craigslist.
 
Wish we were closer, I’m looking for someone to make a new top for my jeep! I’m willing to pay well for something for with a little better quality but don’t know any upholstery shops here. Sewing is a skill I never pursued but always wanted to. I even have three old sewing machines, two singers with one of those an industrial model for leather and thick stuff, and an old brownie. Even though they all worked when I got them they are just antique decoration now.
 
They still work. My first two industrials sat for over 10 years in a garage, after a woman passed away and left them to her son. He never used them. I cleaned them up, One of them is still my main machine 10 years later. I've bought a couple double needle machines that were sold as junk, the owners just couldn't figure out how to thread them.

Outdoor gear is my hobby. My next exciting upcoming pay-the-bills work is a bunch of trade show table covers. Basically sewing super long kilts. Ah well, sometimes cool stuff comes along.
 
JoAnn's has nice calicos on sale 50% off till 2/7 if interested in making something out of that type of material. If looking to sell your items, its been a cold season, how about some goat/calf/sheep blankets? Or even for dogs? People love their critters and will spoil them rotten.
 
Alright, I will still take cool ideas anytime, but for now, I will see if I can make a dog pack tomorrow.

Hmmm, dog food, water, maybe some molle... he is quite tactical, dontcha know.

And red, because I always get a little worried during hunting season.

I like this one, its kind of low profile...

https://www.woofshack.com/media/cat...k-hunderucksack-zum-wandern-ruffwear-11_1.jpg


I have 1000 denier coated cordura, and red webbing, and 2 ADF quick release buckles...

Maybe a band of 1.5 inch webbing so I can mount some mag carriers to him! Crossloading!

DOG! MAG! lol
 
Starting...

dog pack.JPG


My images will be huge
 
I like the totting capabilities of the first pic verses the one for a service dog although you can see the design a little better. Just like the pouch idea for carrying things around. Maybe add on a few loops to hang things off of too like a collapsable bowl? Whatever you decide and since his isn't your first sewing adventure so probably already thought of, make sure weight is even for both sides when packing. Velcro verses zipper might make more sense.
 
JoAnn's has nice calicos on sale 50% off till 2/7 if interested in making something out of that type of material. If looking to sell your items, its been a cold season, how about some goat/calf/sheep blankets? Or even for dogs? People love their critters and will spoil them rotten.
That is my wife's favorite store. Right after Barnes and Noble, Sur Latube, BBB, Michael's, etc. She has a warehouse full of stuff from these places.
 
I was thinking to do a "mag-bandolier" for my 10/22...something like the chicom-chestrig,if I can find the time.
 
I'm not sure where a large amount of 22 ammo would really come in handy on your person. Maybe a rare scenario: a large group assaulting unarmed (picture "Walking Dead" type scenario, not realistic).

If you are in a shootout, a 22 is a horrible choice. Limited knock-down power, limited range. Again, a rare scenario will turn out well. Now if a 10/22 is all you can afford, definitely get it. Heck, get 2, they're cheap (they used to be, not sure any more!). It's great for going after small game (squirrels), and yes it COULD take down a deer (but luck will play a big part of that).

If you just want to fire cheap 22's, a 'better' path might be to start with an AR15 and just get a conversion kit (bolt and magazine) for $200. Then you can have a weapon that at least can easily convert from one to the other. You could even carry the second bolt & mag with you & convert in seconds from one to the other. Not ideal, but an option. I suppose if you were bugging out, needing days/weeks of supplies on your back, this could be ideal.

Now if you don't know your weapon, you're in trouble already.
 
I ordered some sewing supplies, but I have a ton of stuff I have never had the opportunity to use. Just looking around, I found a few yards of netting, two types. A very fine no-seeum netting in foliage green (grey with a slight green tint), and the some olive drab mosquito netting.

I'm thinking... ultralight ghillie suit. I can make it two ways.

Full length suit. Long sleeves, built in hood, finer mesh for face covering.

Partial suit. Cape and hood, no sleeves.

I do not have any burlap, so I don't now yet what I will do for that, I am going to look around online and see some styles.

I like this one...

http://image.sportsmansguide.com/adimgs/l/2/299852i4_ts.jpg

I don't think this one breaks up outline enough, but I'm sure it would be better than nothing.

http://images.esellerpro.com/2294/I/122/70/leaf suit new 1.jpg

And I really like this one.

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1NyeD...ball-Airsoft-multicam-1000D-Nylon-ghillie.jpg
 
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Hmph. Started making a ghillie suit out of netting, and didn't like it. I just made the hood from the emersongear one above... I can see why they used the solid cordura as a base. I have everything to make one that way, but holy cow, all the cutting. It's a BIG small project. Maybe I can speed it up, do the cutouts like paper dolls.

I need to get a nice IPA (off work today, obviously) and have two bottles and stare at my fabrics until I just reach that tipping point, and make it.
 
Nope. I just don't like the fabrics. I will wait to make this until I get a really light ripstop in some kind of camo. The solid colors just aren't doing it for me on this one.
 
that would be nice,a very high tech version of mine of mirrors only.
 
I have never had the inclination to sew, but I think it would be a very valuable and lucrative skill post SHTF.

Can anyone still get ahold of a foot-crank sewing machine?

Can you use special needles to sew leather into clothing with a foot-pedal sewing machine?

I envision curing animal hides into tanned leather, and using patterns and a foot-crank sewing machine to make pants and tops.

Is such an idea even realistic?
 
those old foot-crank machines are way thougher than these new "plastic thingys" if you don't go industrial?
needles to sew leather are slightly different,if I remember correctly,there are needles to almost every fabric...I'm prolly going to get
a foot-crank machine sometime in the future.
 
The old fashioned foot cranks are really hard to find but I have seen some in New England quilt shops online. Very pricey. I've kept my eye out at swap meets but have yet to see any. Mainly just the cabinet. Granny has the cabinet part using as a table for her TV. If I can only find the machine to go with it, I'm sure I could sweet talk her. :).
 
You want this one
s-l1000.jpg

And so do I! The top presser foot swivels, and sews in multiple directions. You an sew pant legs and sleeves because the arm allows you to reach way inside tubes. The bobbin isn't as big as I would like, but whatever.

With cutting needles (rather than ball point) you can sew leather with this machine. I used to sew leather on this machine
206rbl-18.jpg


But that's a $3000 dollar machine, and doesn't do as much as the old singer. It just does some things a lot faster. I sold the consew, I need a triple feed walking foot that is more portable.

Sewing leather is all about thickness. Thick leather cant be bunched up as you sew, it can be really hard to work with, not because the machine wont sew through it, but because you cant bend it.
 
those old machines go here from 20-200 euros,depending if they work or are they sold as something to use or in the antique section...and none are sold here in my neck of woods
 
I have never had the inclination to sew, but I think it would be a very valuable and lucrative skill post SHTF.

Can anyone still get ahold of a foot-crank sewing machine?

Can you use special needles to sew leather into clothing with a foot-pedal sewing machine?

I envision curing animal hides into tanned leather, and using patterns and a foot-crank sewing machine to make pants and tops.

Is such an idea even realistic?
Last summer I built a 20'×20' building that was to be dedicated to tanning furs and hides. Unfortunately since our house didn't get built last summer we had to move in to it temporarily. My plans are to tan the furs I catch on the trap line and turn them in to useful products for us and to sell. Some examples; mink teddy bears for the grandkids, beaver bedspread, bobcat blanket, etc. I've sent a lot of Alaskan furs out to a commercial tannery and they have generally done a good job. But tanning is something I've always wanted to do myself.
I need to start looking for a sewing machine, and I like the idea of a foot drive machine. The wife has a nice electric sewing machine, she's already told me that I can't use it. She can be so selfish sometimes.
 
I really like that old Singer! Just seeing that big pass thru. . . I am envious. I am working on a Queen size quilt right now, yes the one I told you guys in the past I was wanting to make for my bed. I have a Brother that was a graduating gift from my mother so let's just say it a few years old now, but it is also standard size, which means I am wrestling with all the turning/rotating that comes along with real quilting. Working on viney leaves, criss crosses and still need to do some circling stencils. Still working on the edges. . . not sure how I'll be doing the middle yet. May just have to put it on a frame and hand stitch. My machine is really not set up for quilting at all, but this is on my bucket list of things to accomplish in my lifetime and I am working with what I got.
 

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