My Winter Anorak

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JRB said:
Awesome work. I love the idea of having two separate layers. With that in mind, I'd almost rather have a full button front on the outer layer if I were to make one for myself. Being able to fully open up the front of an outer layer for me is a great asset to body temp regulation. It would be a lot more work to make, but I've always preferred button front to a pullover. Either way, I you've come up with a terrific design.
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Very nice work. I have used a wool pull over shirt made from a blanket, no collar, then a slightly oversized capote with longer sleeves folded back and a hood that will fold around the face like a snorkle. Although mine goes to just below my knees I can fold it under and cinch it up wit the belt. Have thought of some buttons on the inside to fold it up like jacket size. What I liked about the open front, mine being a little large, I got 2 layers across the front. I could open it for ventilation and throw it over or under me for sleeping blanket pad. Nice work. Wool is great. It's nice to have options with your gear. Keep experimenting. Each time a new skill is learned. Thanks for sharing.
 
I noticed the latest Sportmans Guide has the big heavy Italian Army wool blankets for 12$. Used to be 19ish--KV
 
Rick, did you do anything to the material before making your anorak? I've read that boiling the wool (prior to sewing the garment) makes it denser, more windproof and shed rain better at the expense of shrinking the blanket and losing a bit of flexibility. I'd like to try to make one of these but was thinking of going the boiled wool route at least for the outer layer material. Any thoughts on this?
 
This density seems to work well in the environments I frequent but yes I have heard about boiling wool.... it sort of "felts" it a bit.... which is basically the same process, I believe. I have treated the blankets in 100% lanolin oil..... it restores the natural oils in the wool, repels water better, and strengthens the fibres.
 
Man...I want one. Just a thought, but couldnt you add cuffs to the internal layer with buttons, so that you could trap that extra heat on your arms..I know you dont lose much heat in the wrists..but its a bit more comfortable when they are toasty. Also, sorry if its already been asked, did you add a protective layer under the side slits..so that you dont get a draft?
Awesome design, I drew something up similar to this years ago, I then found a really tough fleece lined, heavy nylon shelled parka for cheap money, and never went ahead with the design...I still have the Parka, but never use it..its overbuilt. The shell is almost the thickness of Cordora Nylon!!
Gene
 
Magnussen, would it be possible for you to post your source for the wool blankets and also maybe how you treated them with lanolin??

Thanks,
SDS
 
I am also very interested in how they were treated. Is it just a soak in the bath tub with a mixute of lanolin?
 
Where did you get your blankets from? Unless I can find them in person I'm afraid I'm going to end up with those cheap, loose knit wool blankets.

SDS
 
See post #42 for good blanket source. Ive got one. They're very heavy and dense--KV
 
SDS..... get the German, Swiss, and "heavy" Italian army blankets for the thick stuff... or the US army blankets are good for a lighter weight version. (thats what I used)

DO NOT USED DISASTER RELIEF BLANKETS!!! they are felted from a loose weave and are basically disposable emergency blankets.

If you are only paying $7-$15 for a blanket... it is probably the wrong kind..... unless you are buying in bulk. All the good quality surplus balnkets will run $20-$40.... but there are some killer deals out there......
 
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Thanks guys. For around here I think the US blankets would probably suffice. I'm going to have to start looking for some.

Thanks again,
SDS
 
SDS....
If you are a big guy, you may find the US blankets a little short in the arms.... this is actually why I prefer them..... I like 3/4(more like 7/8) sleaves.
 
I'm certainly not what you'd call a lil guy. I have one US blanket that I've used for camping for a long time. I'll check the size of that one to see if it will work for me. I would like for the sleeves to be about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way down my forearms.

Did you use a cheaper material to make a test piece first? I think I'll buy some cheap muslin or something to try out the sizing before I go cutting up a good wool blanket.

I'm looking forward to doing this.

SDS
 
Just stitch/pin it together to get your sizing. Then cut the excess under the arms off. I'll draw up a pattern for this last one and post it tonight. okay?
 
Sounds good. I could probably figure it out but it might cost me several blankets. I'd sure appreciate the patterns

Thank you,
SDS
 
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