A couple of weeks ago I was at Staples / Home Depot getting some clipboards for the Turkey course and noticed that next door there was a Michaels fabric shop and they were having a big anniversary sale. I went in to see what they had in camo fabric and there wasn't much selection. They didn't have any modern Realtree or Mossy Oak but they did have what looked to be the original Advantage camo pattern. Then the little old lady that was helping me out found a whole table of digital camo material. I decided to get some of that and to make some military tribute cases for my son and me. The material was 60% off. Bonus!
While I'm no stranger to needle and thread, thanks to the Army, I had never used a sewing machine. But my M-i-L had given a sewing machine to my wife as a presnt a few years back but she's never used a sewing machine either so this thing had never even come out of the shrink wrap. The little old lady at Michaels was very helpful and gave me some pointers. Youtube had some good instructional vids as well.
Last weekend I started the project. I started with a prototype for my son. Here's what I came up with. I wasn't thinking of the pocket while at Michaels so I used some big buttons I've had in a jar for years.
Here's a shot from another angle to show the zipper layout I wanted. I don't like fumbling with a top end loading case in the dark after a long day of hunting.
The prototype was a bit tight in some spots and loose in others so I adjusted my pattern. I had also learned a lot about the sewing machine, seams, etc that I incorporated into my next case. Everything is double stitched for added strength and there isn't one loose thread that'll unravel. For this one, I had bought a zipper for the pocket.
I also added a loop and a sling to this one. My son doesn't like slings.
Easy entry and removal.
The handy pocket.
Ready for stowing.
I'm really happy how this second one turned out. I know my prototype won't last more than a season or two but I got some more material, again at 60% off, and I already plan on making my son another case but "heavy duty" this time. Thanks to getting the material on sale, I was able to make these 2 cases for less than $25. Just in case you're thinking of making a case, 3 yards was more than enough for 2 cases.
)