DIY Ghillie

Ghillie suits and apparel are renowned for their ability to seemingly make the wearer disappear into the natural, wooded environment. The suits, also called gillies, have been a reliable source of camouflage for covert military operatives, recreational paintball players and big-game hunters for years. Commercially made ghillie suits are often expensive. Some sports enthusiasts produce suits of equal performance using common household elements and do-it-yourself know-how.

Things You'll Need

  • Dark-colored clothing (coveralls or hunting clothing suggested)
  • Nylon mesh
  • Scissors or knife
  • Spool of jute rope
  • Black, brown, and dark green dyes
  • Plastic buckets
  • Fishing line
  • Heavy-gauge needles
  • Industrial-strength adhesive gel
  • Foliage
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spread your garment out on a flat work surface. Use your hands to smooth out wrinkles. Lay the sheet of nylon mesh over the garment. Use the scissors or a knife to cut a shape of the garment, creating a mesh pattern of your clothes. Set aside.

    • 2

      Cut the jute into several pieces, about lengths of 18 to 24 inches. Prepare each dye in the buckets according to the directions on the dye packaging. Divide the amount of jute lengths into equal amounts. Dye each amount in the dye buckets. Remove the jute from the buckets. Allow them to dry.

    • 3

      Thread the fishing line through the heavy-gauge needle. Sew the corners of the mesh to the garment. Sew each corner of each mesh square onto the garment, effectively creating pockets. Apply small amounts of adhesive gel to the sewn corners to add extra strength.

    • 4

      Tie one to two pieces of jute to each sewn-on mesh square. Tie them at varying lengths to avoid creating a uniform pattern, thus breaking up the natural outline of the garment. Pack each pocket with dried and fresh leaves, twigs and brush from the surrounding environment to complete the suit.