BootsnAll Travel Community

http://www.mediatinker.com/blog/archives/008262.html

Fishermans pants...

Boredom strikes again...

sweet! I don't care what people say, but those Thai fisherman pants look so damn comfy!!!

I'm like you Marisa, I make quite a lot of my own stuff (my chalk bag didn't come from a store either!)
I tend to free-style with clothing, for some reason I just can't work a pattern, it always ends up too big or a funny shape (there's not logical reason from this, i just plain can't). I find i get much better results to find an existing piece of clothing I like the fit of and use that as a guide.
My concerns when making gear for travel/any activity that may put demands on the gear, are:
I have a normal domestic sewing machine, which is fine for tops etc, but isn't great for denim or anything made from heavy fabrics. The motor just isn't strong enough to push the needle through. I also can only use fairly standard cotton, I've tried heavier thread and it just didn't cope, which limits the strength of whatever you make. one day i hope to make an investment in an industrial strength sewing machine and overlocker.
I also find it very frustrating to know what I want to make and not be able to source the fabric I need. The cloth the fabric stores stock don't seem to be very good quality. They might be pretty, but they never seem to last as well as something I could have bought. What I would really like is to be able to buy the fabrics used by outdoors manufacturers so I can the quality, but my own designs, but i am unable to find somewhere the will sell these sort of performance fabrics to the public small enough amounts.
Sigh.

It can be more difficult to get the fabrics equal to those outdoor companies use. I've been wondering how to get at them myself. Some are patented but I believe that there are ways, possibly even legal ones) to get your hands on those non patented fabrics. If anyone knows I'd love to hear it.
Luke- have you tried a heavier duty needle? you'll still have the low power problem but it may enable you to use some heavier threads.

I speak that language. What are you looking for?

Hey Joe,
What I'd really love right now is some kind of light-weight, uber breathable, superfast-drying fabric to make pants for the hotter climes. All I can find locally is cotton or nylon (of the nasty sweaty variety!)

Only prob is I'm in NZ, not sure whether cost of getting fabric over here would make it all unfeasible considering I only want one pair of pants worth right now?
Sigh, island life, its not all its cracked up to be!

Callilucy:- yeah, I'd had that thought too. Doesn't work.
The gears on the machine just start slipping, even when I give up and wind the machine on by hand. I decided it might be better to put up with snapping needles left, right and centre than to strip the gears off my sewing machine.

Joe- I don't have any projects currently on the horizon but I'll know who to ask next time it comes up. Thanks!

Luke- How frustrating! I've been there myself and it is no fun to have a smoking sewing machine. If you sew frequently it may be worth it to invest the moolah and get a better machine. My mom has had the same beast of a husqvarna viking for about 30 years now and it'll sew anything!

Callilucy:-
Yeah, I think you're right. At the moment I'm trying to shed as many worldly possessions as possible, but I think once I establish I fixed abode again I'll definately have to look into it.

You know what I wish I could make and just don't see a possible way to? Shoes.

I really like shoes.

Me too, Luke..on the sewing machine and shoes!!!

I've seen this link on making sandals out of tires, but have never tried it on my own. Just thought I'd post the link tho.

WEeee! that is crazy! That guy is so cool!

I have to admit though, I really dream of pretty little girly shoes, the type I always try on in shops but never ever wear. Occasionally I think I'd like to be a girly-girl for a change and buy something pointy with heels, but I know they would just sit in my wardrobe and make me feel guilty for neglecting them in favour of my jandals/trainers. (knowing this doesn't always stop me buying them though).

My favourite shoes at the moment come from this cool place up in Raglan (NZ's premier hippy-surfer spot) which started out as one guy hand making shoes and grew from there (but luckily hasn't grown toooo much), so maybe there is hope for those with the motivation and technical ability. http://www.soulshoes.co.nz

I've got plenty girlie shoes lying around like that!

I like that Raglan's site! Reminds me...there's a shoe company in San Antonio -- I always see them art/craft fairs and do want a pair of their sandals..just a bit expensive, but so cute! Handmade cute sandals! Piper Sandal Co

http://www.tarptent.com/projects/tarpdesign.html

Tarp tent weighs 18 ounces when all said and done...

*bump*

Instructions for making:
- gaiters
- simple silk liner
- Tunturi Hat (hat with ear flaps) / balaclava
- Neck gaiter/warmer

On another note, I found a Make Your Own Gear forum on Backpackinglight.com

Free sewing patterns from Shelby (winter gear company in Finland)

For Polartec fabrics (100, 200, 300 series, Power Stretch, Thermal Stretch, Windbloc, Power Dry), check out Malden Mills Store. You can buy by the yard, roll, or remnants.

Guys, if I wanted to make something like This - it's a tshirt made of wicking material, but there is no (or very little) Lycra in it, it's not stretchy, its nice and baggy like a regular old comfy T - which one of these wicking fabrics would be the right one???

No idea what all these technical fabric terms are, but my aunt is a seamstress and I want some stuff for xmas, but I also want to point out to her that she can make her own gear for her RTW

Tracy, I'm not sure which of the ones from Rockywoods would be closest to the Techwick material (not enough info on some of those fabrics). I tried to research the Techwick material, and I think it's pretty guarded, being patented and all. However, you can gather that it has the silver odor eliminating technology, which a few companies are using in their outdoor gear department.

I'm no fabric expert, but here's what I found...

I think the Polartec Power Dry fabric might be a similar type of fabric. Malden Mills sells Polartec Power Dry on their website, but I don't think it's the type with the silver fibers (for odor resistance). But you could always call and ask, if you're set on the odor resistance factor (it's relatively new technology, so I imagine it may be a bit pricey) - Power Dry with X-Static or with Odor Resistant Technology.

Coolmax generally uses a polyester/nylon/lycra blend - most likely soft, stretchy material?

I stumbled upon a "Product Knowledge Center" for Performance fabrics. Interesting if you want to research more about different types of fabrics, has links to textile companies (manufacturers) and whatnot.

Hope this helps!

Cool stuff marisa!

Thanks for sharing.

Hey Marisa;
Do you have any idea of the feasibilty of making a flannel dream sack as opposed to buying a silk one? I'll be in th U.K the middle to end of January and i wonder if the silk will be sturdy or warm enough? Right now I'm stitching togetther a bed sheet that I folded in half but that's time consuming-doing it by hand to boot. If the silk keeps warm enough then I think my time may better spent to go ahead and get it but I reckon I'm looking for the input of the more experienced hostellers in the bunch.

Hey dickie,

Silk vs. Flannel..it just depends on what your needs are...

Silk - (pros) - super lightweight, compactable, breathable, good in warm weather, good in cold weather, dries fast
- (cons) - expensive, rips easily

Flannel - (pros) - nice and warm in cold weather, cheap, sturdier fabric than silk
- (cons) - bulky, heavier than silk, traps moisture

Stitching the sheet by hand, wow, you must have some patience! Is there any way you can get access to a sewing machine or a seamstress (seeing that you're in Bagdhad, maybe they'd be cheap?)? Silk liners are expensive to buy. You're in the military? Is there any way you can get some sort of bag liner through them or an affiliated store? (I don't know much about that!).

Personally, I was going to buy cheap silk from a fabric store and make (machine sew) a mummy liner, following the shape and measurements of my sleeping bag (or generically, you can look at the dimensions at the bottom of this link as a reference).

As for me, I'd prefer silk over flannel b/c of weight/compactability/seasonality (can use it it cold and warm weather) issues.

Marisa - thanks so much for the info. I actually had no idea TechWick even had the odor resistant thing, I just happened to like the shirt... That does explain a lot though (like why it didn't stink on my last trip...)

I'm going to read up on that and then send the info along to my aunt


Thanks again!

I made a "farmer john" wetsuit 2 years ago. Sorry I can't send a picture, it is at my friend's house in Cairo. But how I made it:

Neoprene from Seattle Fabrics http://www.seattlefabrics.com/neoprene.html

Wide Velcro from my local fabric store
Neopren cement fom my local dive shop.

I cut the top of the wetsuit to the princess lines from my wedding dress, and the bottom to a pair of longjohns I had on hand. The neoprene is pretty thick, but you also want a negative ease, so the ease cancels out.

I then sewed it with a leather needle. I did that on my grandma's 1952 Kenmore sewing machine. It only makes straight stitches. I used lap seams for the most part.

After that I went over the seams with neoprene glue, attached the Velcro, and all was well.

The wetsuir worked fine in the Red Sea at Christmas time.