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[blackrain]

This was a discussion a few months ago. Since Halloween is just around the corner, I decided "BOOFLOUGE" would be appropriate for this "HOW TO". So I bribe Mom with some Bingo cash and off we go:

First you need a pattern. Get the one that fits you. Note the size on the side of the package. Mine should just be stamped "FAT ***". This is a short sleeve pattern, but the same principle applies to long sleeve.


Then you need your BOOflouge, or what ever suites you best. One good point. Always buy your Camo after hunting season, the price drops alot. Or look on the $1 tables for what you like.


Next lay out the material and cut out the pattern. In this case we will start with the front of the shirt. Fold the fabric in half. and place pattern on the "FOLD" of the fabric. Not the "V Collar as a reference.Now pin everything in place.


Once you have pinned everything, make sure you add a little extra for shrinkage when washed. I'm a big guy, so I always add extra and cut to XXL size. Not I gave myself and extra 5" at the bottom of the shirt and an extra 3" at the sleeves.


Now lets cut it out. Note how the back collar is on the fold. This will allow it to be one piece when cut out.


Front half complete. Note the extra material left at bottom and at sleeve.


Now lets line up the material. Multi patterns need to match up. You should have a mirror image of what is on front, should be on back lined up. So sometimes you have to move down the fabric till everything lines up. This is totally up to you. You don't have to do this if you don't care what your shirt looks like. For this application we will "Dress right Dress" everything as close as possible.




Let's cut out the back portion of the shirt. Same thing, everything is cut on the fold.


Cutting on the fold. Means just that. Since all patterns are in halfs. So fold your material long ways. When cut this is how the should look.



The back sleeve has to be trimmed straight. I don't know why, but that's what Mom says so I guess it's right. Note the start to finish pictures.

Fold the fabric under till the top half of sleeve is in line:


Pin it down. This is what it should look like when pinned and ready for cutting. Note how you will cut at the sleeve angle.


Now cut the excess:



Sleeve is now straight:


All cut out and ready for stay stiching. Meaning just a temporary sew job. This allows for my fat *** to fit in it so adjustments can be made. ie tucked in, remove excess fabric or whatever. Once all adjustments are made then a final permanet stich is done. Always stay stich when making adjustments. Once you have reached final fit up then permanent stich.


Stay Stiched shirt. Mom had to wait till 0100 in the morning to make sure that I fit in the shirt (I work nights. She wakes up after I get home and we talk a while). So here it is stay stiched. Note how a 1/4 seam goes all around the shirt. This is common practice when sewing. Even the pattern instructions will tell you this. Always sew inside out.


The stay stich has been pulled out,now it's time to put on the collar. Note on stay stich. It really doesn't have to be used all the time. Mom uses it to make sure everything fit perfect and enough room is allowed.

Let's get the collar ready.


First iron them and then sew them together.



The "V" collar.
This is the hardest part is setting the collar correct. Pining from the inside, to sew to the outside. Your on your own here. The pics should make it clear.

Lay out the "V". Sew per instructions of pattern.


Pin Collar to inside of shirt as such:


Note how it is pinned together:


Should look like this when sewn:


How it looks from the outside before it final sew:


Final sew. See the thread:


Back of collar.
Mom just did a zig zag stich on this. Not a critical thing. Won't be seen when worn. First you have to iron a hem in it. Then you sew it down like so:




Now let's sew it in. Attach per pattern instructions.


Sew in place.


This is how it should look when complete.


Almost finished. Let's do the hem. 1/4 all around. A rolled or single hem is up to you. I'm into disposable wear,so fraying does not bother me. The choice is yours.

Sleeves



Shirt bottom hem


Once everything is hemmed, iron the whole shirt.


Final finished product:


With all the pictures and working nights, this took a total of 2 days. Someone who is very good at sewing should be able to do this in about 2 hrs after everything is cut out. Good rainy day project. Great project for Mom or Grandma,after you bribe them with money or work lol. I hope this helps everyone. I'll do a Pant "How To" at a later date. I need lounge pants for the house.
Later,
Blackrain

[nerdcore]

Nice. I think a lot of people should start making stuff like this, for lounging or for pb or whatever. Pinch those pennies for necessities, people! Like food and paintballs.

[Foxat]

Wanna save more $$$ for paint and make your girl/boyfriend happy?
Here are lots of free patterns!
I use it for LARPG, but you can make a lot of things with your hands and a sewing machine (maybe I'll post a barrel condom pattern there )!

[blackrain]

Like this one?

Next to Googles, this is probably the most important item in paintball. Yep you got it, they both protect your eye from getting shot out.
I've always wanted to make one of these. We will be using ACU 1000D Cordura. I figured since I have 3 yards of the stuff laying around, might as well use it.

3/16 Shock cord and ACU


cord lock


1-1/2 or 2" webbing


sewing machine


Layout the pattern. It's not hard to make. This is why I'll be using a "one piece" Design. This picture you see is the pattern for what will be made here. Any other drawings you see in this "HOW TO" are useless. I changed up the design after I had taken the picture. Also the word "SEAM" actually meams "HEM". So this picture is the actual pattern that is used.

The pattern:
I have never figured out why companies that produce soft goods have to use more then one piece on something that is so simple. I would imagine it makes them more money due to labor cost in third world countries. However I'm a simple person who has a simple design. Don't let all the measurments spook you. Just look at each one and it will all work out. As mention above,ignor all the other pattern pictures in this thread, this is the one you will use:


The fabric:
NOTE:
While making this,make sure the fabric is inside out. Always sew from the inside.

Nothing complicated about it. This is just a scrap piece of 1000D ACU I had laying around after another project. Never waste your project scraps, they can be used for something else.
Place the pattern on the fabric. Pin down and cut out.



Fold the fabric:
Next fold the fabric in half. This will help you find center.


Then fold the 1-1/2" webbing in half. This will also help you find center. Then lay in place on the fabric.


Pin down:
Pin down the webbing in place. It should be center and have 1-1/4" on each side of long end only. See pattern for more info.


Sew webbing:
Nothing hard about this. Just sew down the webbing. Like everything we sew,it is double sewn.


Hem:
On each end of the fabric,sew a 1/4" hem. Not only will this help the barrel go in better,but it cleans it up real nice and prevents future fraying or wearing of fabric.


Shock cord and cord lock:
I bought the shock cord and cord lock from DIY Tactical.


Cut 28" of shock cord:


Sew it together and sew in the shock cord:
Fold the barrel condom in half. Slide the shock cord thru the top of the two hems and out thru the side. See picture for more info.


Sew the two halfs together using a 1/4" seam (this is the only time we use the word seam. A hem is folded over. I know I wrote hem on the pattern instead of seam). We double sewed the sides. Make sure you get the shock cord real good.


At this point the project is done. For those who want to continue to make a nicer one, follow the rest of the instructions. For those who are done, turn your sock right side out and go play.

Boxed ends:
This will give you barrel sock a better appearance. From the bottom of the sock measure up 1-1/4". From the top of the measurement, draw a line to the corner of the lower webbing. Sew along that line. Make sure to double or triple sew this line.
Then cut away any excess that is left. Not to close to what you just sewed. Do this on both sides.


Once the box end is completed turn it right side out.


Now put it on your gun and go play.


Hope everyone enjoyed this. Comments are welcomed.
Later,
Blackrain

[blackrain]

We did improve them:

Later,
Blackrain

[lonegunmen]

I see you ran off a bunch of barrel socks at once. Once you start, you just can't stop eh?!? I made a bunch last year, once I started I just kept making more and more in one sitting. Had over a dozen by the time I was done. I am able to sell them at the local field for $8 each. On some I make an inside to it of cordura, and then sew a pre-printed fabric onto it. It really isn't any thicker than my store bought barrel socks.

[sniperfan]

Cool. Back when my mother was still alive I had her do a number of paintball-related items for me on her sewing machine. She made me a really nice Tigerstripe Products pattern neoprene front cover for my dust-blue cocker that covered the entire front cover (gutters removed) and it looked really professional.

Back in the early days of paintball you used to see a lot more well made homemade items like this. Real hand made stuff like this is a dying art in this country. Thumbs up.

[blackrain]

Originally Posted by sniperfan

Cool. Back when my mother was still alive I had her do a number of paintball-related items for me on her sewing machine. She made me a really nice Tigerstripe Products pattern neoprene front cover for my dust-blue cocker that covered the entire front cover (gutters removed) and it looked really professional.

Back in the early days of paintball you used to see a lot more well made homemade items like this. Real hand made stuff like this is a dying art in this country. Thumbs up.

Sorry to hear about your Mom. Thanks for the thumbs up. Yep Back in the day we made alot of our own stuff. I do this stuff so others can see how easy it is.

Later,
Blackrain

[Foxat]

Man, you're great!