How to Construct a Ghillie Suit
- 1). Lay out the camouflage uniform on the floor with the arms stretched out to either side in a T, then lay the netting over top of it and cut it out around the uniform, leaving an inch or so extra on every edge. Cut at the intersections of the netting so that you retain the intersections themselves. You should not leave any strings hanging over.
- 2). Attach the netting to the back of the uniform first, starting in the middle and working your way out to the edges. When attaching the arms, again, work from the middle and out and work from the shoulder toward the wrist. Ideally, every intersection of the netting should be attached to the uniform. If you're not handy enough with needle and thread, try marine glue or other waterproof adhesive. Once you've worked to the edges, flip the suit over and wrap the remainder of the netting around to the front.
- 3). With the suit flipped over, cut out pieces of canvas to cover the available space from the upper thigh to the knee on each leg, as well as the wrist to the elbow on the sleeves. You can also add some to the front of the shirt if you think it might be necessary. Double up the canvas, or sew in a thin strip of foam or rubber between the canvas and the uniform shirt and trousers for added protection. This will reduce wear and tear on you and the suit, as well as provide easily replaceable patches should part of it get torn.
- 4). Tie the burlap strips into the netting, leaving tails of varying lengths. You can also spray-paint some of the burlap in green and black before attaching it, to add to the color depth of the suit. The burlap provides both an additional disruption to the pattern of the human body and alternative attachment points for local foliage. You do not need to add a burlap strip for every square of netting -- some should be left free to attach foliage closer to the body.
- 5). Fashion a hood from one of the remaining strips of netting, cut to about 18 inches wide. Fold the netting in half width-wise and tie one of the long edges together, then tie the shorter open side in to the shoulders of the suit. You can also use a camouflage cap for the base of the hood, or leave the hood completely unattached from the rest of the suit.
- 6). Once you are out in the area where you want to use the ghillie suit, collect fresh native foliage and attach it liberally to the suit by weaving it into the netting or tying it off to the burlap strips. Foliage will need to be refreshed repeatedly if you are in the area for a long time, as it will wither and brown relatively quickly, making the wearer stand out from his surroundings.
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