| purpose of the suit, as well as the quality and longevity | | | | blocks of strips in similar coloring, as this will defeat the |
| you want from the finished product, you may spend | | | | aim of using the ghillie suit to merge into the |
| many hours preparing, making, and seasoning it before | | | | background. |
| you can put it to use. When a ghillie suit is made from | | | | The dye colors should be chosen to blend in with the |
| scratch, these tasks can take as many as 100 hours | | | | area where you will be wearing your ghillie suit. You |
| to complete. For a small cost, however, you can buy | | | | can also increase the authentic look by taking the suit |
| most of the materials you need to put your | | | | to the area and rolling it around in the local vegetation, |
| camouflage together more quickly and easily. A third | | | | or by adding some of the vegetation to the strips on |
| option is to buy a ghillie suit that is pre-made and ready | | | | the netting or the suit. Keep in mind, however, when |
| to wear. | | | | making your ghillie suit, that burlap is hot and heavy. If |
| A ghillie suit starts with a foundation, usually a battle | | | | you add too much to it, you may find it difficult to |
| dress uniform (BDU) comprising pants and jacket, a | | | | move as quickly as you may need, as well as being |
| flight suit, or simply an old pair of coveralls. If you | | | | uncomfortable, particularly in hot weather. |
| improvise your own foundation suit by using such | | | | You can omit the dyeing and cutting, but still have a |
| garments as old coveralls, make sure they are first | | | | hand in the making of your ghillie suit by buying a ghillie |
| washed with a detergent that has no scented | | | | kit that includes all the materials you need, as well as |
| chemicals added. When you need your ghillie suit to | | | | assembly instructions. These can be ordered in the |
| provide cover only from the waist up, leaving your legs | | | | custom color combination you want or bought in |
| free for movement, you can plan to make a net | | | | available patterns, and can take from five to 10 hours |
| poncho covered with ghillie material rather than a full | | | | to complete by hand. If time is a factor, a pre-made |
| suit. | | | | ghillie suit costs more than a kit, but saves time and |
| Dedicated people who are determined to make their | | | | effort. |
| own ghillie suits from scratch need to buy burlap in | | | | When making your own ghillie suit, you need to |
| preparation for the most time-consuming and tedious | | | | remember that Hessian and burlap are highly |
| part of the operation. This involves dyeing the burlap to | | | | inflammable and take appropriate precautions to treat |
| various shades ranging from medium green to brown, | | | | it. This need should not apply to the ghillie suits and kits |
| cutting it into strips, and sewing the strips onto the | | | | available for purchase, because they are usually |
| foundation suit with the ends of the higher strips | | | | treated with fire retardants before you buy them or |
| overlapping the attachment points of the lower strips | | | | are made of fire resistant materials. They are also |
| by about half an inch to provide coverage. | | | | often made of materials that are lighter and cooler |
| Alternatively, you can first sew and glue netting to the | | | | than burlap, making them more comfortable, if less |
| foundation suit, then attach the dyed burlap strips or | | | | traditional, than the type of ghillie suit you would make |
| jute twine to the netting. Be careful not to finish with | | | | yourself. |