Sew your own outdoor gear

By Kathleen Wilker

SUPPOSE you’re competing in the Keskinada bright and early tomorrow morning, and you’re packing you’re gear tonight.

You need your waterproof mitts, fleece liners, neck and ear warmers, wacky shirt, fleece vest and wind-stopper fleece. You double-check your list because bringing the right gear is essential for good times outdoors, especially in the winter. But, how do you find the perfect gear for your outdoor adventures?

Derek Heffernan — an avid skier, cyclist and camper — sews his own.

OOM: What motivated you to start making your own outdoor gear? Derek: My mom is an accomplished sewer with a well-equipped sewing room. While visiting her, I thought I’d try to make a simple fleece vest. So my mom created the pattern and I did the sewing. OOM: How did your vest turn out? Derek: I thought it was great. My mom noticed that the bear print didn’t match on either side of the zipper (common rookie mistake) so she ripped it out and resewed it. After that, I decided to take charge of my own projects. The vest wasn’t too hard so I thought, why not make a jacket? I like working with fleece because it’s very forgiving – it doesn’t move when you’re sewing and it hides the stitches. OOM: What gear have you made? Derek: All kinds: fleece mitts, vests, jackets, hats and neck warmers, waterresistant paddling pants, cycling jackets, waterproof and breathable mitts, and long- and short-sleeved wicky shirts. My most recent project was a windstopper fleece that I wear cross-country skiing. OOM: Which were your most successful projects? Derek: I recently made a bunch of wicky shirts for commuting. I needed a whack of them because I bike to work and sweat easily. I cut up an old T-shirt to make the pattern, so they fit really well. Fit is so important when you’re making your own gear. If you’re buying readymade garments, you can try them on. But patterns come in just a few sizes that may not fit you perfectly. OOM: How do you make sure your gear fits? Derek: I make a shell with cheap fabric before I start using the expensive outdoor material. I’ll use cheap fleece to test a fleece pattern or cheap nylon to test a waterproof breathable fabric (Gore-Tex ® ) pattern. By using fabric with similar qualities and stretch to the fabrics for final products, I can see if the pattern I’m using works. OOM: Where do you find high-tech fabric in Ottawa? Derek: I’ve been burned a few times with “water resistant fabric” from local fabric stores. It’s generally not breathable and it leaks. Real Gore-Tex is not available locally. Neither is high quality fleece, like the Polartec ® Power Shield with which I like to work. So I order my fabric from two stores in Calgary: Peak Fabrics (www.peakfabrics.com) and Textile Outfitters (www.justmakeit.com). OOM: Where do you get your patterns? Derek: Textile Outfitters has great patterns made by several outdoor companies, including Storm Mountain Designs. I also order patterns from Controlled Exposure (www.peak.org/~ce). Their patterns aren’t simple, but they work.

About three years ago, I made their waterproof breathable fabric mitts. It took me a while to figure out the thumb, because it’s 3D, but those mitts have seen a lot of action and are still going strong. OOM: Do you have any suggestions for novices who are keen to sew their own outdoor gear? Derek: Yes, definitely. If you have a friend who sews, save yourself some aggravation by getting him to look over your shoulder the first time you sew something. I’ve found really good advice in Rochelle Harper’s books, Sewing Outdoor Gear: Easy Techniques for Outerwear That Works, and Sew the New Fleece: Techniques with Synthetic Fleece and Pile. Unfortunately, the second book is out of print, but it’s worth hunting down a second-hand copy. Textile Outfitters has a bulletin board that’s a great source of information for everything from sealing waterproof breathable fabric to sewing zippers in tents. My own motto is “Think first, measure twice, cut once.” Modifying patterns is careful work. For example, if you want to take an inch off a waist, you need to take a quarter inch off each seam. Otherwise the whole pattern will shift an inch. If you’re just starting, I’d recommend using fleece (waterproof breathable fabric is expensive and more finicky), and making mitts or a vest, because the garment is smaller and the fit is more forgiving than jackets or pants. After you’ve mastered a pattern, you can add special

features, like zippered pockets, Lycra ® or Velcro ® cuffs, drawstrings or designs. You don’t need a fancy sewing machine to make great gear, but the tension must be adjusted correctly. If it’s too tight or too loose, your stitches will rip easily. Because you’re making outdoor gear that has to withstand a lot of wear and tear, strong stitches are essential. And always use polyester thread; it doesn’t shrink and it can handle the kind of use that outdoor gear gets. OOM: How does your gear measure up to products sold at leading outdoor stores? Derek: Unless you’re shopping on the clearance rack, my gear is less expensive. I’ve come a long way in my sewing and can safely say that my gear works as well as ready-made products. Fleece, especially, comes in all kinds of cool designs. I like wearing unique gear. Since you are investing time into making your own gear, it’s fun to be creative. I wear my gear around the city as well as on the slopes, so I work at making it look professional. I have to admit, I’ve created some interesting looking garments as I was learning to sew. I remember one pair of black fleece pants I made for tobogganing, with a florescent green bum patch and bright blue knee pads. My wife still wears them! OOM: Have you considered starting your own company? Derek: Yes, I’ve certainly thought about it. But I’m not a mass-production kind of guy. When I figure out how to make a certain garment, I like my next project to be more technically challenging. The first time I made fleece mitts, for example, I didn’t include any designs. On the next pair I appliquéd suns and added Lycra cuffs. Every time I make something, I like to try something new, so it wouldn’t be very cost effective. I have custom-designed fleece jackets for friends, but again, it takes so long to get the fit just right that the finished product has to be pretty expensive to justify my time. OOM: What are you working on right now? Derek: It’s still in the planning stages, but I’m dreaming of a single-pole, singlewall, bomb-proof Gore-Tex tent. Maybe

ON LONG COLD evenings, after you’ve scraped the slush off your commuter bike and waxed your skis in preparation for the weekend’s lop pet, you might be wondering what outdoor adventures you could pos sibly participate in. Making your own outdoor garments is a great way to enjoy the winter and gear up for wherever the next trail takes you. Dust off your sewing machines, grab some fleece and get started.

I’ll get around to it in March, when the snow’s melted, the canal’s not frozen and the mountain biking trails haven’t opened yet.

— Kathleen Wilker loves the outdoors, coffee and writing. Since the birth of their darling daughter (July 2003), she and her husband have been figuring out how to make all of the above baby friendly activities.

You Start With Fresh Tracks And End With Fresh Stories.

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Winter days like this you’ll always remember. Sharing a day’s mountain adventure with good friends. The new snow. The occasional slip. Laughing about it together at day’s end by the fire.

At T&L we have the experience and passion to help you plan your escapes with friends this winter. From the newest gear to the authentic winter wear. Beginner to hard core. Come see us, our T&L guides will be there to get you ready for your memorable days ahead.

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Books are a wonderful source of entertainment, education and instruction, and any time is a good time to embark on an exercise program. However, with the change of seasons it seems we are always waiting for the snow to either fall or to indulge in our favourite outdoor activities.

C o n d i t i o n i n g f o r O u t d o o r Fitness

Those in-between times present an ideal opportunity to delve into the book Conditioning for Outdoor Fitness, Second Edition (Mountaineers Books, 2004, $39.50). It will help keep both the enthusiasm and fitness level on an upward swing all yearround. Written by specialists in their particular fields, this book is a comprehensive exercise and nutrition guide written for everyone. While it promotes the health benefits of exercise, it gives readers a sound understanding of various aspects of their bodies.

The second edition has been widely revised and updated since its first release in 1999. New material has been included on exercise machines, balance, women’s conditioning, optimal health and much more. The book is conveniently divided into four parts that include Basic Principals, Body Regions, Conditioning for Outdoor Fitness, and Optimal Wellness.

Numerous features make the book inviting to read by including index boxes of practical points, tips, chapter summaries, and charts that indicate specific exercises geared to 17 particular activities. The exercises are plentiful, and their presentation is simple and concise with material supported by 120 photos and 40 illustrations. This book is excellent, and a “must have” for your library.

Reading time well-spent:

• Wilderness Navigation, Mountaineers Books, 2004, $20.50

• Snowshoeing, Stackpole Books, 1998, $23.95

• The Backpacker’s Handbook, McGraw and Hill, 2004, $28.95

• Wilderness Basics, Mountaineers Books, 2004, $26.95

• Digital Photography Outdoors, Mountaineers Books, 2004, $26.95

• Cross-Country Skiing for Everyone, Stackpole Books, 1998, $26.50

• Snowboarding, Stackpole Books, 1999, $23.50

• Hiking Light, Apr 2004, Mountaineers Books, $26.95

• Snowboarding: Guide to Gear and Getting Going with Advice from The Experts, Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2004, $20.95

If you haven’t already discovered the joys of hitting the snowy trails, Claire Walter introduces both novice and veteran snowshoe enthusiasts to the wonders of winter through her book The Snowshoe Experience (Storey Publishing, 2004, $14.95).

Walter is no stranger to outdoor appreciation and her expertise is evident from her numerous books on snowshoeing, skiing, scuba diving and fitness. Walters shares an enjoyable literary journey in the history of snowshoes, the evolution of designs and contemporary outfitting. Discover the world of winter pleasure that awaits you as she reminisces about past wildlife encounters in such destinations as Jackson, Wyoming, Alberta’s Jasper Park Lodge, and snowshoeing in Colorado.

Both recreational and competitive snowshoers will derive a wealth of information on technique, appropriate attire, safety, and trail etiquette. Although the book is published in the United States, it provides information specific to Canadian readers, and many Canadian resources are cited. Snowshoeing is a simple and inexpensive activity that can be enjoyed by all ages, and Walter’s book shows just how easy it is and how beneficial the rewards can be.

Outdoor Photographer ’ s Handbook

What better way to capture your experiences than enjoying the outdoors through the medium of photography? While today’s cameras frequently tout “point and shoot” simplicity, knowledge of basic photography techniques and composition is necessary to get great photographs.

In the Outdoor Photographer’s Handbook (Barry and Cathy Beck, Stackpole Books, 2004, $16.95), the authors provide a solid introduction to photography. They highlight simple techniques and tips based on their 20 years’ experience as outdoor photographers. At first glance, one may think that such a compact little book would not have much to offer. Wrong. This little gem is one of the better handbooks on the market.

The Becks examine digital versus film cameras, photography equipment, and flash tips. Their coverage of light and composition is particularly strong with key tips on obtaining the best photos according to time of day, weather, angles and photo framing. The book imparts great advice on how to photograph people, animals, landscapes, or closeups. The conversational writing style, punctuated with personal anecdotes make this book a joy to read.

Not surprisingly, high quality photographs support the text to illustrate the key concepts. Whether you are outdoors at home or abroad and shooting still life, wildlife, or family, the Outdoor

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Photographer’s Handbook is an ideal choice for the backpack pocket.

When you can’t be on the trail, curl up with a great book. It will make your outdoor experiences more vibrant when you do escape to the fresh air. — Jo-Anne Benson is an Ottawa area resident, frequent traveller and long-time writer/reviewer who specializes in travel literature, nature books, and material about the outdoors.

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