MOTHER'S ARMCHAIR GUIDE TO HOMESPUN OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT IDEAS
Books and resources for making your own outdoor materials.
Want more information on crafting your own back-to-basics outdoor gear? Then peruse . . .
RELATED CONTENT
A gentle introduction to a gentle art. Rasberry shares how to spin wool and color it with natural d...
Drying laundry on a clothesline saves money and fossil fuels. Plus your clothes will smell fresh wi...
You can make your own outdoor patio furniture — or just a comfortable chair for the front porch. St...
The water for this homemade outdoor shower is heated by the sun, saving you money and energy. You c...
OUTDOOR GEAR
In this special section on outdoor equipment, we've tried to present a sampling of some of the many functional, low-cost items you can make at home or—in some cases—on the trail . . . including several types of shelters, a backpack, a candle lantern, a compact cooking stove, a poncho, and a sleep-sack. But even all that, we realize, is only a sampling of the many possibilities open to the do-it-yourselfer. So, MOM's editors have assembled a recommendedreading list . . . a mini-library of homemade backpacking and camping gear know-how.
MOTHER'S HOMESPUN OUTDOOR PROJECTS (AND RELATED TOPICS)
"Make It & Take It" (MOTHER NO. 49, pages 44-46). This three-page article outlines the procedures for making a backpack oven, a fish-filleting board, a fanny pack, a crawfish trap, and boot hangers.
"MOTHER'S Backpack Oven" (MOTHER NO. 64, page 160). A "shorty" article detailing the construction—in minutes—of a zero-to-$3.00 backpack oven.
"Snow Caves and Other Shelters" (MOTHER NO. 78, pages 64—66). There's no need to carry a shelter into snow country when this three-page article tells you how to build snow caves, igloos, and other. winter abodes!
"Making Natural Cordage" (MOTHER NO. 79, pages 38—40). Here, Tom Brown, Jr.—the outdoor survivalist—tells (and shows) you how to make cord for bowstrings, fishing line, snares, lashing, and many other uses. Nature will provide the materials, and the only tools required are your hands.
"Dog Packing" (MOTHER NO. 82, pages 82-85). A detailed guide to fabricating a pooch-pouch that will enable Rover to carry his own supplies on your next outing.
"The Anyone-Can-Make-It Copperhead' Survival Knife" (MOTHER NO. 83, pages 122-124). No expensive shop tools or extensive metalworking knowledge are required for this, knife-from-a-saw-blade project.
"A Dandy Double-Fronted Hunting Vest" (MOTHER NO. 83, pages 182-184). This three-pager includes instructions and pattern guides for a home-sewn, multipocketed hunting vest. (See page 132 for information about ordering back issues.)
DO-IT-YOURSELF BOOKS
Wilderness Gear You Can Make Yourself (Stackpole Books, 1973) by Bradford Angler. A vintage examination of hewing rustic outdoor items from natural materials . . . the ultimate more-with-less approach. The book is out of print, but — as is the case with most of Angier's books — is available in many public libraries in the U.S. and Canada. It's an entertaining read, too!
Make It and Take It: Homemade Gear for Camp and Trail (Pacific Search Press, 1977) by Russ Mohney. Make It is 97 paperback pages in large format (8-1/2" X 11 "), with instructions for homebrewing some 40 projects, each accompanied by well-drawn illustrations and delightful cartoons. The categories include cookware items, fishing gear, seafood traps and nets, hiking and camping equipment, carrying devices, and miscellaneous outdoor goodies . . . plus 11 pages of introductory material. Order it from Pacific Search Press, Dept. TMEN, 222 Dexter Avenue North, Seattle, Washington 98109 . . . for $5.95 plus $1.00 shipping and handling (Washington residents, include state sales tax).
