Bushcraft Tarp for less than £10. How to modify a NATO issue IPK into a bushcraft Tarp/Basha.

[@suzanneorourke7098]

Dear Simon, I was very happy to find your work on you tube. Here's my problem. My dog Charlie is getting old and peeing on everything , the couch, the bed, etc. I have a sewing machine, a 1980 basic singer which I have history with. The most sacred memories- college sundresses, my wedding gown, yellow checkered curtains for my first home with hubby, maternity clothes, baby clothes, my little girls first day of school in a pale yellow cotton fabric with little baby blue elephants. So yes, the best memories I have were behind the sewing machine making these practical and tender items. Now it's me and Charlie and I am struggling. It's really hard to come home from work to a wet bed to clean up. So I liked your 3 layer dog blanket solution and want to modify it for home use. I want to make the best waterproof bed cover, couch cover and they need to be light enough to throw in the wash. And I want these dog bed covers as pretty as a sundress , waterproof, and light weight to thrown in the wash. Materials and fabrics can be very expensive so I became very curious about your three layer dog bed blanket. Anyways, I love the work you are doing. Suzanne

[@PaulB-justme]

Sorry for commenting rather late, but I have only just found this video! Watching this took me back over 40 years when I bought my very first tent. I used it in the garden, but it didn't take too long before the corner tie points on the flysheet started tearing, and the rubber loops broke. (Maybe why it was cheap and in the end of season sales?) I took the old tie points off, and reinforced the corners with denim from an old pair of jeans, replacing the rubber loops with wide elastic. On a dark brown fly, the faded denim and white elastic looked a bit odd, but, at the age of 15 and with all the work being done myself, I was very impressed! The tent lasted for a number of years and survived to when I stated going motorcycle camping! I still miss this tent!

[@davidbarnfield9849]

Really good video Simon I've forgotten the amount of times I have dug a trench then put up one them IPK sheet's, once the para cord is pegged out sheet is then covered with the soul from your dug trench, sags like crazy but there Super Strong. Great to see you re cycling these into overnight tarps. Cheers mate. Dave B. Thailand.

[@chrismead1464]

Found 3 of these on a shelf in the garage when my wife and I bought our house. Still on that shelf. Thanks for the info for a new project. Hate to let things go to waste.

[@kennethmcdonald9736]

It was worth mentioning that you get 2 very good water carriers if you are careful opening the inner and outer bags.

[@greetb9330]

Good lateral thinking AND a dab hand with the sewing machine! No excuses for not repairing kit now! All best.

[@thizizliz]

Quite clever. I expected you to create a bag for the pegs and extra cordage too - but the way you did it, they were fine. I really like your sewing videos - well organized and easy to understand.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you! 😁

[@justythrasher]

Well done man, i am in new zealand and bought one of these for 10nzd and a uk army bivvy bag from 1997 and have found them to be absolutely perfect together even in torrential rain. I arrange the setup nth south down a slight grade and trench around just inside the outline of the ipk and as long as i set it up as you did but a bit closer to the ground, it stays dry. Thanks for the vid. Oh, i havent done any reinforcing as I bought 8 tarp clips that I use. They have interlocking grooves and a built in eye. They look quite like big plastic toenail clippers and have a winding so you can just fold the tarp where you intend to fasten them and wind them up tight. I like these because you can position them anywhere and they are good for clothes pegs etc as well.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Great idea with the tarp clips -I’m going to look out for some of those. 👍 Cheers Nick

[@markmullins3432]

Very good... you speak and explain in a very succinct way. I always like your instructional videos. I use to sew limo & hearse interiors that had pad tacked to the cloth. Just let the glue get almost dry to the touch before sticking the two pieces together.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thanks Mark. I’ve recently been converting my old Land Rover into a sort of bug out vehicle/camper sort of deal - been using a spray glue to fix the upholstery - I guess it is similar - spray both surfaces, wIt til they tack off then stick - great stuff!

[@trekkingturtle4157]

Nice piece of sewing, as usual. That would also make a nice windbreak while sitting around the campfire.

[@nightwalker5278]

Great upload..... I've been looking at the IPK's I inherited from my time in the forces not knowing what to do what th them. Great idea and thanks for sharing.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Nightwalker527 - Cheers! Some people also make basha end panels with them, which look like a good idea for a bit of wind protection. I'd suggest hemming the ipk too, the one I did has frayed very slightly. Atb, Simon.

[@johantimmer3467]

About webbing : for the 5 cm widths I most often use discarded safety belts which our garage is happy to give me rather than chuck them away. Good as well to attach young trees to support posts rather than buying expensive special straps in gardening shops.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Good tips - both of them. I love to recycle where ever I can (and not just because I’m a cheap skate!!) 😁

[@DannyWalker1949]

Nice work making this into a Great Piece of a Kit. Thanks, for this Excellent Idea. ; )

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

+Danny Walker - Cheers Danny! In a world of expensive stuff, it's nice to be able to make something practical that doesn't cost too much! Atb, Simon.

[@DannyWalker1949]

Yes Sir, You're so right on All this "Expensive Stuff" now-a-day's.

[@TOM_OUTDOORS]

nice one mate, gonna look for IPKs now. wish my sewing skills were as good as yours though, i eventually got banned from using the sewing machines in textiles class at school because i broke so many! not deliberately, just useless at using them lol one day i'll master it. cheers again mate, very useful as always.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thanks mate - yeah, I’ve got a pretty good needle count going on too!! (I buy in bulk!!) 😂

[@TOM_OUTDOORS]

@@simonablokeinthewoods haha I think I broke the actual machines though somehow lol.

[@WarrenKimpel]

another nice video THANKS

[@chowell191]

Wow amazing thank you Simon

[@precisionshooters]

You're in the wrong business. You should be designing and producing outdoor gear and clothing. Love the things you make!

[@jliquorish]

The IPK looks a bit antiquated! Our hoochie is our (Australia) mainstay shelter already set up like your mod but also with the ability to clip ends together to make a quick whether shelter around you for a kip or with our old slr's or branches as a stretcher.

[@GavTatu]

the stakes make some nice wind chimes too, lol !

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Hahaha - tactical wind chimes!

[@bathcolin]

Neat Simon, another interesting video mate!

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thanks Colin! Atb, Simon.

[@jeremynorman5329]

Another brilliant ''make it'' video. I may think about overlapping and (gluing plus ) stitching two together to give 9' x10' ish for £16 or so. Wonder if a Singer hand machine will take the thickness of the material.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Nice idea! You can buy seam tape too for the seam. In hindsight, I wish I’d hemmed all around the edges. The fabric isn’t very thick, so I’m sure a handcranked machine would be fine - masking tape along the sew line helps the machine to pull the fabric through. Good luck!

[@jeremynorman5329]

@@simonablokeinthewoods Cheers Simon. May well be worth the effort as age means there will not be hundreds of night under it.

[@mlovmo]

What kind of thread quality did you use?

[@barlscharkley5411]

Very clever use of the IPK. And isn't always more enjoyable to use a piece of kit you've made yourself? Do you think it would enhance the strength of the tabs at all to place one end of the webbing on the top and the other on the bottom, so that you're sewing the tarp between the ends of the webbing?

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Barls Charkley - Thanks, glad you enjoyed! Sewing the loops on as you suggest would definitely be stronger - like you say, trapping the fabric between. What I like about the IPK is that it is slightly stretchy too, so should absorb some of the shock on the corners in strong winds - that's the theory anyway!! Lol! Atb, Simon.

[@kellyp2863]

Trying to get ideas for a old tent that i had been given with no poles etc

[@MrRamyourcar]

Nice machine work.....

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Haha - cheers Tim - speed sewing! Atb, Simon

[@MrRamyourcar]

Yup I'm gonna have to invest in a machine.hand sewing sucks and I suck at it.gonna try to put zips on my lavvu x2.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Definitely worth getting a machine - I got mine second hand and very cheap! Makes things a lot easier!

[@Chris-Caddy]

Pure genius! Is that sewing machine heavy duty in anyway shape or form? I already have a sewing machine but it's nothing special I wonder if it would be tough enough to do the same job....? Love the channel Simon fair play to you for taking the jump to put your stuff online I have been thinking about making my own you tube videos for about 12 months now ....! I need a decent camera and hope to join you soon! I like yourself have basically all of the kit that MCQ does and have LK35 and moded it with side pouches but I'm looking for some thing for a kidney belt. Where did you get the belt you used in your video ? Hope to see more from you soon! All the best mate Chris

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

+MCQ PLEASE PICK ME ! PRETTY PLEASE PICK ME ! - Thanks Chris, glad you enjoyed! My machine is only an old domestic Jones machine, struggles a bit through the thick webbing, but manages!! The belt I used on my LK35 is a blast belt made by MilTec, I got it on eBay. I'd say go for it with the videos mate! I used my phone for my first few, including editing! Good luck and all the best, Simon..

[@Chris-Caddy]

On the subject of that lk35 what thread did you use for stitching the pouches on? The 0.75 leather stitching thread that MCQ uses seems a bit over kill I have just got some to stitch them on and surly there is a thread thinner that's more than strong enough ! Keep up the good work Simon

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

I used a Gutermann polyester thread, not sure of the actual weight/gauge but it is the thicker stuff on a green spool, rather than the usual cream one! Most sewing/fabric shops stock it. I thought that thread Mike used was a bit overkill too! Atb, Simon.

[@Chris-Caddy]

Thanks Simon greatly appreciated

[@Chris-Caddy]

Simon, a bloke in the woods- I found some thread in dunelm reduced to 50p which looks ideal! So I bought a few reels ready to make a tarp also well chuffed :-) Did you stitch your pouches on by hand and if so what stitch did you use ? Sorry for all the questions Simon I hope you don't mind you have been very helpful :-)

[@dpax100]

Hey Simon, creative as always just love how you put your hand to anything. What type of thread are you using?

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you! It’s just standard general purpose polyester Gutermann thread. 👍

[@1967AJB]

Afternoon Sir, not knowing anything about sewing machines, how easy would it be to sew two IPKs together down the long edge to create an almost 10’ square tarp? Would the sewn joint be strong enough? Nice film, have you considered a sewing tutorial?

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

That would work fine, but I’d consider doubling the stitching. Or, better still, if you sew the two sheets together so that they are end to end (both the right way up) with a 10mm overlap, you can then fold the seam over, enclosing the first stitch line altogether, run a line of stitching along each edge of the fold and it’s all neat and tidy, plus triple stitched!! If that makes any sense?! I’ll send you a diagram on messenger mate, if that isn’t very clear- difficult to describe in words (Well, it is me me anyway!!) cheers, Simon.

[@1967AJB]

Simon, a bloke in the woods Thank you, don’t worry at the moment, as yet no sewing machine, but ...

[@ferjanyen]

@@simonablokeinthewoods hi Simon, just read your comment about stiching two sheets together to make one large tarp. Could you please send me a sketch by email? [e-mail] I being watching all your videos and they are all great in particular during this corona virus period of isolation. Thanks again and stay safe. Fernando G0VUF

[@Esthlosian]

Something I like to do if I'm ever sowing two surfaces together is to first glue them in place with some contact adhesive first. It's only 2 or 3 euro a tube and not only makes the final product a lot stronger but also makes your life a lot easier while sowing. Obviously you could hold the piece in place while sowing with pins, but that's not really ideal for waterproof fabrics or leather. ps. I don't find the font/type you're using in the text on the video the easiest to make out, especially if the camera is moving.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Dan - Thanks Dan, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the feedback about the font, I'll play around with some others to see if anything works better! Glue seems like a good idea, do you find it effects the sewing at all? Doesn't gum up the needle? Atb, Simon.

[@Esthlosian]

I've been doing everything by hand so I couldn't really say if it's an issue for the machine. any gumming up of the thread is an added waterproofing bonus for me. ;) You'ld have to play with it and find out if it's a problem, but I imagine you could just avoid glueing the seams themselves and still get most of the benefits if it is the case.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Dan - I'll give it a try, thank you my friend!

[@davidwilliams8630]

Hi Simon, great instructional video as usual thanks for posting. Could I ask your opinion please. Is the IPK fully waterproof? Do you think it would be possible to repurpose one into a ground sheet for a small backpacking tent? My tent doesn't have a ready made ground sheet so I'm currently using a piece of tarp cut to size but I'm looking for something lighter and quieter! Thanks,Dave.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Hi David, thanks! Yes, they are waterproof - they have a kind of rubberised coating on them so would be ideal as a groundsheet I think. You would probably be better off hemming the edges - I didn’t on my tarp, but I wish I had as it is fraying slightly in places. I can’t vouch for how long the material will last, but as long as it is cleaned and dried after each use should last long enough - they were designed as disposable items really - use once to make a shelter and then abandon as general battlefield detritus!! Good luck with the project! Atb and a happy new year! Simon.

[@davidwilliams8630]

Thanks Simon, really appreciate the advice. Dave

[@generationyoutube7104]

KIP sheet simon. Kit individual protection.

[@bigjohnsbushcraft3540]

Simon what is the sewing machine you use? Atb john

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Big John's Bushcraft - Hi John, It’s an old Jones machine - only a domestic one from the 1970s. Can’t remember the model number, but it cost me about £25 off eBay! Singers are also good machines. Tbh, anything would do the job - I just like old machines - they are heavier and made of metal rather than the modern ones which are made of cheese! 👍

[@bigjohnsbushcraft3540]

Simon, a bloke in the woods. I'm going to look at a singer one today it's been converted to electric but would it sew thin leather donyiu know? Atb John

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Big John's Bushcraft - I reckon it will- the singers - especially the older ones were tough machines - I used to have an old singer industrial machine that would sew two bits of 3mm veg tan leather together without breaking a sweat! Thin leather will be fine even in a smaller domestic machine. 👍

[@bigjohnsbushcraft3540]

Simon, a bloke in the woods ok pal well we will see as if bought it lol atb john

[@sanctuarywoods7748]

Hi, where do you get the IPK ?

[@PeterPeadar]

I'm a late arrival to this video. Before your modification, what was the original design intent of the cord and stakes?? Draping? It doens't seem to be useful wihtout your loops.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

It was designed to make a Fox hole sort of shelter - dig a hole, lace the cord across the hole (a bit like shoe laces, from one side to the other), lay the sheet over and cover with earth, leaf litter etc.

[@badhat3051]

great tip but Simon you forgot to backstitch

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Thank you! I do use a backstitch at the start and end of each run generally, unless I’m then ovetstitching, in which case I don’t bother. 👍

[@wjheald]

Looking for a tough thread? For hand sewing dental floss is pretty good, but I'm not sure how well it would go through a machine. Also great for getting those annoying bits of bacon out of your teeth for a mid-morning snack.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

Good idea!! Never thought about floss! 👍

[@simonoutdoors8761]

I love banjo music especially in the woods I can let my hillbilly side come out and no it's nothing like the film Deliverance hahaha are you going to go into production then selling these tarps.

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

+Simon outdoors - Thanks for watching Simon. There might just be a market for cheap tarps, they cost a lot from the well known companies! Atb, Simon.

[@beetooex]

You can tap a 5mm roll pin through the holes in the pegs to make a 'T' shape which stops the guy ropes slipping off. It's a shame the cord is polyester and needs commercial dyes to make it camo. Not worth the money. Nylon cord would dye with materials you can forage for free.

[@kapegede]

A little template or ... a tent plate. :-)

[@simonablokeinthewoods]

I like that!! 😂😂😁

[@kapegede]

@@simonablokeinthewoods When you're the 10th mate and you camp late you'll need a tent plate as a template, mate.

[@Garywxm1]

Can you alter my jeans 😉