clothing

Tags- wilderness survival, wilderness survival skills, camping, hunting, survival clothing

Make Your Own Clothing

There may come a time when you are forced to make your own clothing or accessories you need in the field. When I attended survival school, we had to make packs, goggles, some small pouches, and other gear. Generally, it is not that difficult to do, but it does take some serious thinking. For instance, what you may need is never a problem to identify, but how to make it may take some time. Then, you must also consider what to make it all out of.

Those of us in the Air Force usually had a access to parachutes from crashed planes. Or, perhaps we had bailed out and at least had one “chute” with us. A personnel parachute, when I was in the military, was twenty-eight feet in diameter. That, friends, is enough to make your shelter and all the accessories you may need. But, what about you, the average civilian who does not have a parachute? What do you have to use for emergencies. Well, each survival situation is unique and your equipment and supplies may be limited in some cases. However, you always have something available.

If you car breaks down, you have unlimited resources available to you. Everything from the battery to the car seat covers can be used. You have many miles of wires (for snares maybe) and insulation you can use to your advantage. The key here, is to use your mind and consider unorthodox ways of using what you have available. I once read of a man and woman who survived subzero weather by using crumpled up newspapers to line their coats with. In another case, read about a man who used his hubcaps to shine the sun on a rescue aircraft (he didn’t have a signal mirror). Think and survive.

Let’s consider what items you can make that can be worn in some fashion. Headgear, Arab style, can be made from a towel or large piece of cloth. Just make sure there is a headband of some sort used with it, so it is held firmly in place. Also, goggles can be made from cloth, wood, or plastics. Just cut two small slits where your eyes will be and have a hole on each end of the goggle. It can then be tied around the head so it is held firmly in place. Goggles are very important for eye protection in both the desert and arctic environments.

In cold weather you can construct insulated socks by taking a pair of socks, placing dried grasses in them, and then inserting a sock covered foot. Make sure the dried grass cover the food 360 degrees. Then, the sock with insulation may be inserted in a boot or handmade moccasin. The key to insulation against the cold is dead air spaces. These spaced heat up quickly and retain heat very well. Of course, once the grasses become pressed or compact, they need to be changed. Check them at least twice a day.

Moccasins can be made from a large triangular piece of cloth or leather. Keep one tip of the triangle the front of the foot and the other two tips outward on each side of the heel. Then, raise all three tips and secure in place with rope or string. While there are better and more durable moccasins that can be made, this type can work well in an emergency. Remember, we want working clothes, not fashion here.

Puttee’s or gaiters, can be made from just about any cloth or leather. They are merely wrappings that go around the ankles and up the legs. In the military, during World War II, they were referred to as “leggings.” I suggest you cut your material in strips, about 2 or 3 inches wide, and wrap the legs. Gaiters can keep insects out of your pants and offer some protects from brush and briars as you travel. Keep in mind, green or uncured leather will shrink if it gets wet. So, if you use fresh uncured leather to wrap your legs with, try to keep your gaiters dry.

Another item that is easy to make is what my grandfather called a Mule Collar Pack, or some folks call it a Horseshoe Pack. Regardless of the name attached to it, it is a very simple pack to make and is very easy to wear. It resembles a rolled up blanket and you may have seen photos of Civil War soldiers wearing them. All you need is a blanket, or large piece of cloth or material, and some cord or rope.

Spread the pack material out flat and place your equipment at the top. Leave a good 6 to 12 inches of material on both sides of your gear. Be sure and put your large and flat items down first, then the smaller items on top. I suggest once you gear is on the pack materical, you fold the sides up, keeping the fold straight on both sides. Then, starting at the equipment end, slowly roll the material down. You should attempt to keep the roll as tight as you can.

Once the rolling is completed, tie the roll in at least three places. Tie one spot about at each end, and one in the middle. Then, I usually use a larger piece of rope to tie the opposite ends of the roll together, forming a crude horseshoe or mule collar. Then, to wear it just slip the “hole” of the pack over your head and shoulders. When worn properly the pack should cross from a shoulder and go down to the opposite thigh, both front and back. This type of pack is easy to make and a breeze to carry.

Another item that is easy to make is a survival serape, or poncho. Just take a blanket, or large piece of material, and cut a hole in the center large enough for your head to fit through. Don the serape, and tie the loose material at your waist. It the material you constructed your serape is waterproof (plastic or nylon) you may have made a rain poncho. If the material you used is a wool blanket, you will have a very warm piece of clothing for cold weather use, even when your serape gets wet. Wet wool retains its insulating properties even when damp or wet.

In some situations, depending on where you are, you may be able to use reeds, grasses or other natural resources for clothing. You can weave grasses, or reeds, into cloth like material that can be fashioned into crude clothing. Additionally, make a few large sheets of material and you can use them to reinforce your shelter if need be. Also, in some areas of the world, large leaves (like the banana leaf), can be used to make clothing. Furthermore, between the hard outer bark of many trees and the wood itself, is a thin layer of material that can be removed and woven into material as well. Or, of course you can use animal skins, both cured and “green” (uncured). In an emergency almost anything around you can be used.

If you are forced to survive, look around you. What do you see? Reeds can become a new serape, grasses a new loincloth, or tree bark can make a pair of sandals. Also a floor mat from your car can become a sleeping mat. An old blanket can become either a pack, head covering, or a survival serape. A gallon of motor oil can be used as fuel if the need be. And, a fishing kit can be used for other purposes besides fishing. The line can be used to make snares and a baited hook works well for catching birds. Keep your mind active, observe, evaluate, and survive!

Take care and I will see you on America’s Wilderness trails.