Hunting Warm Bag

[mmsmith2032]

I'm not sure if my post is appropriate here or not, but someone on another forum told me I might find some help here for a project I want to start. My goal is to build a suit/bag similar to the attached for hunting. I've never sewed before in my life (my daughter does have a Brothers sewing machine though). Any suggestions on how to proceed? Thanks in advance!

[Boston]

That's..very ambitious for a first project. Good luck!

You'll basically be making a jacket, with half a sleeping bag attached to the bottom.

[mmsmith2032]

Thanks. I'm debating on whether or not I want to add arms or just have a bag that goes up to just below the arms.

[humer91]

Thanks. I'm debating on whether or not I want to add arms or just have a bag that goes up to just below the arms.

If being used for hunting, I would think the arms would make it a lot more practical...at the price of having to sew the arms

[mmsmith2032]

Thanks! Any idea where I can find a tutorial on how to sew arms? I'm planning on using Climashield (the thickest I can find is 5.0 so I'd imagine I'd have to use two layers) so I don't have to quilt.

[Tendertoe]

What is the benefit of something like this over a separate jacket and a quilt pulled up to the waist or armpits?

If you are set on a design like this, have you thought about just sewing a half a sleeping bag/quilt to the bottom of a jacket?

[mmsmith2032]

From what I understand, the benefit is that it is loose fitting (at least in the bottom half) and body warmth is being generated and maintained in one large "compartment".

[gargoyle]

Two layers of 5.0 would be extra bulky.
Buy a cheap sleeping bag, new or used for $15-$40. Even a kids sized bag for just your lower torso/legs. Probably find one in camo too. Add some suspenders to hold it up, if needed.

[FLRider]

What sort of temperatures are you looking for this to keep you warm in? The reason I ask is that two layers of CS APEX 5.0 is really warm (like negative digits warm), and you can get 6.0 from OWFINC. 6.0 should take a normal person down into the single digits for warmth, assuming perfect fit (figure the teens for a "real world" figure).

That being said, check out some of the patterns out there for winter coats. When you reach the bottom of the coat pattern, instead of seaming it together, just extend it down into a full-length bag. Easy enough, if you can sew the coat in the first place.

Hope it helps!

[rjcress]

Just my opinion, but I would think that some insulated overalls under a jacket would be a more flexible solution.
And you don't have to worry about your skirt/dress tripping you when you try to walk.
or the skirt part getting drafty
I say the last 2 only partially in jest.
Often, when I hunt, I find that I have to dress for when I'm sitting and generating less body heat, but I don't stay sitting the whole time. I've found that layering works best for me, since I can always shed or add layers easily if I'm getting too hot or cold. ie. I sit for an hour motionless, then shoot a deer that I have to drag out of the woods. I'm thinking your one-piece hunting dress would not allow easy adaptation to those very different insulation requirements.