Burlap, a humble fabric made from jute or hemp, has found an unlikely champion in the world of camouflage. Its coarse texture, natural coloration, and readily available nature make it an ideal material for constructing ghillie suits, providing effective concealment in various environments. This comprehensive guide delves into the specifics of using burlap for your ghillie suit project. We'll explore its advantages, disadvantages, preparation techniques, and integration into a successful, effective ghillie suit.
Why Choose Burlap for Your Ghillie Suit?
Burlap offers several compelling reasons for its widespread use in ghillie suit construction:
- Natural Camouflage: Burlap's natural fiber composition and earthy tones offer excellent camouflage in a variety of settings, especially woodland and field environments. Its uneven texture breaks up the human form effectively.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to other camouflage fabrics, burlap is remarkably inexpensive and widely accessible. This makes it a budget-friendly option for creating a ghillie suit.
- Durability: While not the strongest fabric, burlap is reasonably durable, capable of withstanding moderate wear and tear. Proper preparation and construction techniques further enhance its longevity.
- Easy to Work With: Burlap is relatively easy to cut, sew, and manipulate, making it a manageable material even for beginners. Its rough texture allows for easy attachment of other natural camouflage elements.
Disadvantages of Using Burlap
Despite its advantages, burlap also has some drawbacks to consider:
- Susceptibility to Weather: Burlap can absorb moisture and become heavy when wet, reducing its effectiveness and potentially hindering movement. Proper treatment can mitigate this issue.
- Rough Texture: The rough texture, while beneficial for camouflage, can be irritating against the skin. Consider using a liner for increased comfort.
- Limited Color Variety: Burlap typically comes in natural earthy tones. While this suits many environments, achieving specific color schemes might require additional dyeing or layering.
Preparing Burlap for Ghillie Suit Construction
Before integrating burlap into your ghillie suit, proper preparation is essential:
- Washing: Wash the burlap to remove any loose fibers, dust, or factory treatments. This also softens the fabric slightly, improving its handling.
- Cutting: Cut the burlap into strips or pieces of varying sizes and shapes. Irregular shapes are crucial for achieving a natural, less uniform appearance.
- Dyeing (Optional): If a specific color is required, consider dyeing the burlap using natural or commercial dyes. Test a small section first to ensure even color application.
- Treatment (Optional): To enhance weather resistance and reduce moisture absorption, consider treating the burlap with a water-repellent spray.
Integrating Burlap into Your Ghillie Suit
The integration of burlap into your ghillie suit design involves strategic layering and blending with other natural materials:
- Base Layer: The burlap can form the base layer of the ghillie suit, creating a foundation for other camouflage elements.
- Layering: Layer burlap strips or pieces of varying sizes and colors to create depth and texture. Overlap the pieces to break up the silhouette.
- Adding Natural Camouflage: Secure natural materials such as leaves, twigs, grass, and other vegetation to the burlap using strong thread or twine. Choose materials appropriate to the environment where you intend to use the suit.
Example Layering Technique: Imagine building layers like an onion: a base layer of burlap, followed by a layer of lighter colored burlap strips, then a layer of darker burlap and finally attaching natural elements to the top layer.
Case Study: A Successful Burlap Ghillie Suit
One successful ghillie suit construction utilized a base layer of naturally colored burlap. Additional layers of darker dyed burlap provided shading and depth. To further enhance its realism, the creator meticulously attached various grasses, twigs, and leaves gathered from the local environment. This resulted in a ghillie suit that seamlessly blended with its surroundings.
Conclusion: Embracing the Versatility of Burlap
Burlap, with its affordability, natural camouflage, and workability, remains a popular choice for creating effective ghillie suits. By carefully considering its advantages and disadvantages, and employing the proper preparation and integration techniques, you can leverage its versatility to craft a ghillie suit that offers excellent concealment in a variety of environments. Remember that meticulous attention to detail and environmental adaptation are crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of your ghillie suit regardless of the materials used. Happy hunting! (or observing, depending on your needs!)