[ahp]

Recently I have started making a Ghillie Suit and I am really enjoying it. I will try to update this as much as possable inorder to get feed back and help others.
Most of the sewing is done by my wife because I suck at it and her background is design/fabric.

Reference Websites:
- http://www.se-tac.com
- http://www.ghilliesuits.com
- http://www.tacticalconcealment.com
- http://www.airsoftforum.com

Materials:
- MC BDU
- Burlap
- Rit Dye (Tan, Olive Green and some other color I can not think of)
- Sniper Mesh - 100% Polyester (Think of mosquito netting)
- Dental Floss No scent.
- Shoe Goo (http://www.amazon.com/Eclectic-Products ... B000H6EDOG)
- 1000D Cordura Fabric (Coyote Brown), I am going to use this for padding. (legs, chest and arms)

Currently I have this on my team forum and here are my updates.

*** UPDATE ***
(8/1/2011)
I ended up de-threading the back of the BDU where the mosquito netting is going go. I used some Unstitching tool that my wife had and after 2hrs I had my fabric that I am going to trace for the mosquito netting. I also at this time took off all pockets.



*** UPDATE ***
(8/2/2011)
Pinned the mosquito netting to the cut out BDU for making a template. Then cut out the templates.

Look at the first picture; now look at the piece on the right of the picture. That piece of fabric it is not cut on the right side. Keep in mind that I folded the mosquito netting in half to make one full back piece. If I was to unfold the right cut you would see one piece.

I also cut out the top of a boonie hat to make a vent.

This is what it looks like up close


*** UPDATE ***
(8/3/2011)
I dyed some burlap (2 yards) last night and I am letting them hang outside in the sun today. I think the color was tan.


*** UPDATE ***
(8/4/2011)
Last night I started de-stringing some of the burlap for jute.
I am going to make the base of the Ghillie a mix between burlap and jute (tan) then I am going to throw in some colors.

Here is a picture to show what is going on. One bundle is less than 1 yard with jute length 8-12' long.




*** UPDATE ***
(8/8/2011)
Seeing how I was up last night late and early this morning 3am, my wife was able to help me with putting the mosquito netting on. She truly makes sewing clothes look like an art.

Base BDU is complete.




**** UPDATE ****
(9/12/2011)
Over the weekend I finished placing the Netting on the BDU top and Boonie Hat.
I also put shoe glue on each stich to keep it supported.






**** UPDATE ****
(9/14/2011)
Install the Jute and Burlap on the BDU Top
Base is Jute (Color: Un-Dyed Tan)
Add-On's (Color: Olive Green & Torque / Jute and Burlap Strips)




**** UPDATE ****
9/24/2011
I added more jute to fill in the back, then off to drag in the mud/clay. Unfortunately TX is in a drought and all I had to work with was... well you will see. I think I am going to add more this strips of brown burlap strips to break it up.





Comments, Questions, Concerns are welcomed.

 

[MGunner]

AHP

Looks awesome! Someone on ASR makes ghillies for a living, and does the mesh thing on the back. He charges $300 for a whole suit

 

[ghilliesandstuff]

AHP

Awesome! How much time do you have invested in this project?

 

[ahp]

AHP

I would say so far I have put in about 10-15 hrs. I am stuck at the moment because I (my wife) have to resize the BDU's sleeves. I got a BDU that was 2x bigger than me to run a camelback and gear under the BDU.
The sleeves are about 5 inches longer than I would like so I (my wife) am going to cut and re-sew to size.

 

[scar527]

AHP

Sounds like you have an awesome wife!

 

[ahp]

AHP

Thank you, yes she is good to me.

BUT.... LOL she is not doing this for free. I have to make stuff for her and watch our little boy while she is helping me. Kind of a nice trade off.
I will try to post more this weekend when I have some free time.

 

[ahp]

AHP

I am a bit delayed due to my son

 

[ahp]

AHP

*** UPDATE ***
I have attached the netting to the back of the BDU top. This has taken me about 10hrs + because the netting will not work with me.
Pictures to come!

 

[inthetallgrass]

AHP

I love to see people (sorry I am just assuming) that are older playing airsoft, it makes for more experienced, smarter players, actually that's about 2/3 rds the forum I am talking about. Lol maybe we just get the the filterd version of airsoft Ie all the annoying younger players, like myself who are conceited and think they are the bee's knees with their super nine and tacticool hoodie and runners, maybe I am sterotyping or I am just praising the entire forum. I do tend to go at a tangent / annoying rant that no one wants to listen too but that's just me.

Sorry to bore anyone who read that but to be on topic

Wow that is really organised ghiilie making. And maybe I misread or forgot you explaining why because of my rant but two yards of jute isn't really half of what you need even if it,s just for the back.

Edit: sorry I misread you are adding colours later. Lol.

 

[fuzzywolly]

AHP

Tying the netting is quite the long process. But it is very much worth it in the end. If you spend the time on the netting, you will have yourself a very durable suit.

Looking forward to updates man!

 

[ahp]

AHP

To inthetallgrass,
I tend to have a bit of attention to detail, if you can't tell by my layout. Second I have a total of 12 yard of burlap and can make about 4 bundles of jute to each yard. (I think that is right).
The colors I will have is Tan (not dyed), Torque, Olive Green and Dark brown

 

[inthetallgrass]

AHP

To inthetallgrass,
I tend to have a bit of attention to detail, if you can't tell by my layout. Second I have a total of 12 yard of burlap and can make about 4 bundles of jute to each yard. (I think that is right).
The colors I will have is Tan (not dyed), Torque, Olive Green and Dark brown

Awesome, looking forward to seeing it done. Also sorry for ranting again, I tend to type exactly whats going on up there... lol.

 

[ahp]

AHP

Updated

 

[fuzzywolly]

AHP

Looks good, something I do to my ghillies is put some glue on the inside of the jacket on the stitches as well for extra support. Not necessary, but it makes me feel better about using it on the field for long periods of time. (years upon years)

 

[ahp]

AHP

Thanks I will do that.

 

[ahp]

AHP

Ok I need abit of guidance because I am doudting myself on the construction.

Building the base of jute... Do I need to put more? I was thinking maybe I need to put a bit more at the top line only because the jute does not have overlapping. But then again I am thinking I need to leave it as is because in time it is going to get hot with to much jute.

 

[fuzzywolly]

AHP

When you firs start tying on jute, you are going to have doubts. It's hard to tell if it needs more or less given the fact that there are a few variables.

1. When jute is worn in, it frays and takes up more space
2. More jute will be applied on other areas of netting, which will help "fill" out suit, and make it look "finished".

What I do is go through and apply some jute across the entire suit, adding different colors along the way. I don't worry if there appears to not be enough. Once I get the suit covered completely, I step back and take a look. I then add more where necessary.

My first suit had too much jute. It looked like it needed more, and applied some right away. When instead, I should have waited to the end to see if it was filled enough. I ended up having to go back and take some out.

So I would not worry about there not being a suit entirely filled. You can always go back. My suits tend to have much open space for vegetation. I could get some pics up, and you will be quite surprised how little jute there is. To put things into perspective, I can lift any part of the jute up and 90% of the surrounding netting has no jute (in that particular area).

I'll try and get some pics. Its probably hard to understand what I am saying, and sorry for any confusion.

Edit:

Also, the top line looks fine. I prefer to have most of that EMPTY as the boonie jute will come down and cover the upper neck area anyways.

Also, I always start at the bottom and work my way up. Just a thought.

 

[ahp]

AHP

Ok Great, thanks for the tips and help. I am going to work a bit on it tonight and I think I will tie in the jute in every other square because it sounds like if I keep at this rate I will have a very full jute suit.

 

[fuzzywolly]

AHP

I did roughly every 2-3 squares, and then jumped up 5 squares, continuing the same pattern throughout the whole suit. After finally adding some more to areas that needed it, it was then time for some burlap filling, which did the job great.

 

[newbie]

AHP

AHP - Below is a link to a recent ghillie suit I made it shows towards the end the frequency of how I tie my jute. I agree with fuzzies process. I use inch by inch netting and tie jute every 2 inches. It seems like not enough but once you have the suit on you have a good amount of space to attach natural veg. Hope it helps