Community Maker Challenge Winners

Maker: Craig Bush

Project: Wacky Inflatable Tube

Problem:

Build enthusiasm for the senior class.

Project:

Construct a wacky inflatable tube man with students to use at school events.

Materials/Components: 

17 yards of 1.1 oz Silnylon

Maker: Francesca Hall

Project: Rain Jackets

Problem:

During monsoon season in the Utah mountains, storms often blow through quickly bringing a heavy but short rainfall in the afternoons, often coupled with lightning and thunder. These quick storms render a full blown heavy duty rain jacket not entirely necessary, and at 9+ oz, a lot of extra weight to carry.

Project:

I made two ultralight rain jackets for me and my partner. Mine weighs 3.25oz and his weights 3.6oz. These weigh less than 1/3 of our 3-layer RTW shells. I made mine using 1.1 oz silnylon, and his using 1.1oz eco silpoly. Both feature a cinch-cord at the hood, waterproof main body zippers, two hand pockets reinforced with grosgrain to prevent snagging the fabric in the zipper, 1oz monolite mesh armpit gussets to eliminate the bulk of pit zips while enabling some airflow in these otherwise unbreathable jackets, and elastic cuffs. The hood brims are stiffened with 420D robic ripstop nylon. The jackets stuff into the hand pocket for maximum packability. While perfect for hiking in monsoon season, the lightweight and high packability means they're perfect for any scenario where a quick passing storm may occur (such as summer outdoor concerts) and function as a great windbreaker & lightweight layer for travel as well.

Materials/Components:

1.1oz Silnylon; 1.1 oz ECO Silpoly; 1.0 oz MONOLITE, 420D ROBIC Ripstop Nylon, Anchorable Cordlock; YKK #3 URETEK Separating Zipper - 32"; 1/16" shock cord; 3/8" MIL-SPEC Nylon Grosgrain Ribbon

Maker:Greg Murray

Project: Husky Floof Insulated Jacket 

Problem:

I'm Greg from South Africa. It's not so much a problem as an experiment - I have a husky which sheds an enormous amount of fluff. I also like making camping gear to keep warm like down jackets, waterproof jackets and down sleeping bags (mostly using your fabrics). So I decided I want to try and make a jacket using Zuko's fur as the insulation.

Project:

I've made a husky fluff jacket. And it's warm. (ish)

Materials/Components:

1.9 oz Ripstop Nylon (Khaki) / 1.9 oz Ripstop Nylon (Dark Gray) / Gutermann MARA 70 thread / Zuko's fur (collected from brushing. Washed and bleached)

Maker: Max Slifka

Project: Dog Pack

Problem:

To make a dog pack with removable saddle bags to be more multi use on trail instead of carrying a pack and harness. And lighten up Buddy’s base weight.

Project:

I made a harness with removable saddle bags on slik clips.
 

Materials/Components:

Challenge ECOPAK™ EPX200 in army olive, 1/4” 3D spacer mesh, 1/2” mil-spec webbing in Swiss red, X-Pac® VX15 in swiss red, slik clips, Gutermann Mara 70 thread in olive green

Maker:Sue Holbrook

Project:Dog Food Bag

Problem:

We needed a better option than a zip lock bag to take dry dog food when we go camping. Zip locks can tear, the zips quit working, and they don't have a handle.

Project:

I created a roll-top bag made from tear-proof material. The roll top allows the bag to be adjusted to the amount of dog food needed for the trip and provides a nice handle. Cordura provides a tough abrasion-resistant bottom and the HyperD works well for the roll top. The bag in the photos has about 5 lbs of dog food (12 cups) and would hold more.

Materials/Components:

HyperD 300 Blaze Orange, 1000D Cordura Smoke Ripstop by the Roll 3.4 oz Pocket Mesh Webbing Binding Plastic Buckle repurposed from an old strap Thread Cork Fabric for Label

Maker: Lisa Cross

Project:It's a Load of Crap 

Problem:

Easily carrying multiple bags of dog poop while walking my two dogs.

Project:

I have created a bag designed to carry multiple bags of poop when out on dog walks. It is lightweight and worn around the waist, complete with adjustable waist strap and it moves with the body but does not bounce. It can be worn in the front or back. The slip pocket is intended to store poop bags and has a grommet to easily remove the bags when needed. The lining of the main bag can be pulled out while remaining attached to the top of the bag for easy cleaning. The bottom of the bag is reinforced and shaped with 3mm foam. The closure on the top is a metal internal flex frame for ease of access and no need to manipulate snaps or velcro. I have put 5 bags of poop in the bag (yes five! all on one walk!) with enough room for the top close easily.

Materials/Components:

The bag is made with X-Pac® VX21 Bahama blue with a front slip pocket of Challenge ECOPAK™ EPX200, wolf grey. The sides are HyperD™ 300, blaze orange just for a pop of color. The bag is lined with 1.6 oz Silpoly and seams on the lining have been sealed with Sil Net Silicone Seam Sealer.

Maker:James Pardo

Project: Can Holder

Problem:

I want to be able to do the things I love while sipping a cold, bubbly beverage— but my hands get all tied up. I want to free the hand!

Project:

I created the Can Holder! It’s essentially a downsized stem bag meant to hold a single beer, seltzer, soda or other similarly sized bubbly bev. The purpose is to allow the drinker to free up their hands for whatever activity they’re doing. Whether it’s fishing, rafting, skiing, or dancing, the Can Holder keeps the beverage secure and the hands free. It uses standard webbing to attach to a horizontal strap like a belt or backpack chest strap. It also has Velcro wrap to attach to a vertical strap like a PFD shoulder strap. Overall it works really well and they’re pretty dang stylish I think!

Materials/Solution:

I’ve made a few of them using a variety of materials. The main body is constructed from a tougher and thicker material like Gridstop or Cordura, and the cinch at the top is from a lighter material such as HyperD. Then there’s some straps, shock cord and hardware.

Maker: Carol Hall

Project: Prym1 Wallet

Problem:

I needed a non-bulky, waterproof wallet that would hold my cell phone, credit cards and cash and fit into my feedbag on my bike.

Project:

All of the above and more!! Thinking through things I decided I needed a zipper pocket to hold change and keys so I added a waterproof zipper as well as a grosgrain loop inside the pocket with an option to attach a mini s-biner to the loop (so that I could attach the keys within the pocket). I also wanted a loop of grosgrain for a wrist strap for when my hands are full. And it needed to look cool! This wallet is WAY better than my old leather wallet (which I did love at one time): no bulk, silky smooth fabric with some nice color punch – very cool! There is ample space in the zipper pocket for securing change and keys. The cell phone pocket is slightly deeper than the pocket for bills and the whole thing folds up like a letter and snaps closed so cards and bills don’t fall out. It weighs in at 33 grams. It fits in my feedbag with plenty of room to spare which wasn't the case with my old wallet. I did make two, as you’ll see, one with the outside gray, the other with mahi on the outside. Card pockets are made of Airwave, cell phone pocket/divider is HyperD 300 as I found that the Airwave didn't have enough stiffness. I’ll continue to play with this design and next plan on trying 1.6 HyperD for the card pockets instead of Airwave. Besides being a small easy to do project, using HyperD 300 gave me a chance to see if I liked working with the fabric for a big project I was planning, detailed in a separate entry! I really like working with HyperD 300 and everyone asks about the fabric when they see it as no one has seen it before. So you guys keep getting business from me as I spread the word! I love this wallet and have a few folks that want me to make one for them!

Materials/Components:

HyperD 300 - Prym1 Camo Mahi and charcoal gray Airwave 1.8 oz Ripstop Nylon – Moroccan Blue HHH waterproof coil zipper #3 and HHH #3 reverse mount coil slider Gutterman Mara thread (70 and 100) KAM snap size 20

Maker: Tara Hagen

Project: Accordion Bike Bag

Problem:

Transporting stuff on a bike.

Project:

I have created folding bike “truck” bag. When not in use the bag folds into a small compact shape. The trunk expands to fit a half load or full load. It can hold all your bike touring camping gear, your work computer and lunch, or two grocery bags of food. The bag is easily removable (Just unclip the two bottom buckles and pull on the handle) so you can take your cargo with you once you arrive at your destination.

Materials/Components:

2 yards Tyvek® - White 1 KAM Snaps - Green 4 UL Kitty Clip 1 Venom™ UHMWPE Ultralight Webbing 2 Gutermann MARA 70 Thread - black & white 1 Schmetz Sharp/Microtex Machine Needle KAM Snaps - Plier Kit

non ripstop items: Twinwall Plastic Sheet galvanized steel wire White duck tape Black silk screen ink

Maker: Logan Crouse

Project: Ice Cream Carrie

Problem:

Taking ice cream on all your adventures

Project:

A soft cooler tailored to fit a pint of ice cream. There is a small, mesh, zippered pocket on the bottom to hold dry ice. The outside has two layers of insulation and a clip to fasten the cooler to any backpack etc. There is also a spoon holder on the outside. The pint fits neatly inside and you roll the top down and clip it shut, which acts as a handle to carry it. When you're ready to eat your delicious ice cream, you unroll it and turn it half way inside out to reveal a handle so you can keep your ice cream tucked inside as you enjoy it.

Materials/Components:

HyperD 300 is used on the inside and the outside. The mesh in the ice pocket is 3.4oz pocket mesh. I used 1" Polyester webbing and plastic buckles for the closure and handle. The extra loop for clipping to other bags is made of Sterling 2.75 rope. Other ripstop items used are: flat elastic, YKK zipper, Gutermann thread

Maker: Keller

Project: Big Ass Fanny Pack

Problem:

My usual backpacking MO is to set up camp and do day hikes from there. I don't really like having to carry a huge pack just for a day hike, and I have shoulder pain that makes it painful to wear any backpack that doesn't have a full hipbelt and harness, so those tiny packable backpacks are out. So I need a lightweight, packable daypack that doesn't put weight on my shoulders.

Project:

I made a Giant-Ass Fanny Pack, modeled after my dad's mountainsmith bag that's probably older than I am. It's lightweight (9.5 oz), packs down to a small size, and holds everything I need for a day hike (capacity of main pocket is 9.5L). The "load lifter" straps on the sides hold it close to the body so it doesn't jostle around while hiking. It leaves my torso free and doesn't put any weight on my shoulders. 

Materials/Components:

1.0 oz HyperD (except the white, which is 1.6 oz HyperD), 6 3/4'' ladder loc adjusters, 3/4'' polyester webbing, 1/8'' shock cord, 3 mini cordlocks, 1/8'' spacer mesh, and pocket mesh, all from RSBTR. 1/8'' foam of some sort, 2 #3 zippers, fold over elastic, 7/8'' grosgrain ribbon, 2'' grosgrain ribbon, 7/8'' decorative ribbon, 2'' webbing, coats & clark all purpose thread, all from Joann's. 2'' dual-adjustable buckle, from amazon. Grommets from my box that has a bunch of grommets in it.

Carter's Choice

Maker: Zepher Potrafka

Project: Air Cannon

Problem:

I design and fabricate museum exhibits. Our vortex generators have either been underwhelming or fragile because durable materials don't produce as good of an effect as more flexible delicate materials. Up until now, we have relied on a thick rubber membrane that visitors tap on to move a small volume of air, or overly complicated mechanical systems to move a larger volume with a rigid piston.

Project:

I used 1.43 oz Dyneema Composite Fabric as an air compression membrane on a drum shell, layered with a very tough nylon net. The netting absorbs most of the force of museum visitors constantly firing the vortex generator, while the DCF is flexible enough to move a large quantity of air quickly, and rugged enough to withstand tens of thousands of uses before needing replacement. The result is one of the best air cannon/vortex generators available in a public setting.

Materials/Components:

1.43 oz Dyneema Composite Fabric

Problem:

I recently moved to France from the US. I had planned to get into camping in France, as there are lots of nice campsites where they bring you croissants or pain au chocolat in the morning. I made a down quilt in advance of moving, but after my first trip (to the Crozon peninsula), I found that the quilt was too warm for the sort of camping I want to do. I think I made a 40-degree quilt and really I need 50 or even a bit higher. I would also like to lighten my pack. It's already pretty light (13.2 lbs total weight; 10 lbs base weight) but I find that my pack is a lot more comfortable at 8 lbs than 10, especially in the summer, so I'm gradually working on refining my gear by making my own. I have been sewing clothing, including drafting my own patterns, for a long time, so I have the skillset to design and make the specific gear that I want.

Project:

I made a two-piece alternative to a quilt, specifically a down jacket plus a half sleeping bag that goes up to mid-chest. I took the Montbell Plasma 1000 jacket as a starting place in design for the jacket, but replaced the zipper with lightweight shell buttons with elastic loops as closures. I also used slightly lighter fabric than they did, and omitted the collar. The result was that my jacket is 2.4 oz to their 4.1 oz, plus another tenth of an ounce for the stuff sack. Theirs is going to be a bit warmer, but I finished the jacket in time to wear it on cool mornings, and I think it will meet my needs well. I have a neck gaiter to add if I need extra warmth. This jacket will allow me to leave my 11-oz fleece at home, saving me over half a pound in total weight. I modified the pattern that I had previously drafted to make the fleece. The main difference is that fleece is a bit stretchy and the membrane fabrics are not, so I needed to add fabric across the upper back so that I could have good range of motion of my arms. That meant adding darts to taper down the back waist. In the end I was happy with the fit and range of motion. I am told that half sleeping bags exist commercially as "pied d'elephant" or half sleeping bags. But I haven't seen any that are nearly as light as what I want. I was going for 1/2 to 3/4 inches of down thickness for both pieces. I also wanted to tailor it to my body, so that I would have enough room to cross/uncross my legs, and to bend my knees to curl up, as I am a rotisserie sleeper. I brought some fabric and down with me from the US, but I didn't bring my sewing machine as the electricity is different. So I sewed it all by hand, with a running stitch for the sewn-through baffles (2" spacing) and a backstitch for the places that needed more strength. I made French seams, which means that the inside looks very neat, and the material doesn't fray. I had to piece the sleeping bag at the knees, in order to fit the pieces onto the two yards of fabric that I brought with me. This also helps keep the down from shifting, so it's not bad. I didn't make a stuff sack because it fits nicely into a quart-sized ziploc sandwich bag. Final weight is 3.2 oz, so both pieces are 5.6 oz together, and will allow me to take over a pound off my total weight when I'm camping in warmish weather. I just finished the half bag and have only tried sleeping with it indoors with the window open and fan on. It's not the same as camping but I was more warm than I needed to be in the test, so I think it will be fine for my upcoming trip to the channel islands in early July. The fitted design and elastic around the top do seem to do a surprisingly good job at holding in body heat, and because it goes up to mid-chest, most of my torso is in the bag. Overall, I'm really happy with the solution, and I look forward to making more ultralight gear when I'm back in the US and can stock up on fabric.

Materials/Components:

2 yards 0.66 oz membrane 10, calendared, black, from RBTR for the half sleeping bag 2.5 yards 0.56 oz membrane 7, calendared, black, from RBTR for the jacket shell buttons black thread, polyester Thin black elastic for the button loops, cuffs, and top of the half sleeping bag 1000 fill power down from Loose Goose Down Supply, somewhere between 2 and 3 oz. 

Problem:

I wanted to make my own tent that was custom to my needs.

Project:

With my limited newbie sewing skills, I created my tent. I learned a lot about sewing and tent construction. My project was challenging at times, but the process was enjoyable and I am happy with the results. I am going to the BWCA and am eager to see how it performs.

Materials/Components:

Materials purchased from Ripstop were my birthday present from my family

Maker:Tim Martino

Project:MONOLITE Hat

Problem:

My trail hat is skunked and its too hot to be outside without a featherweight, highly breathable cap. 🥵

Project:

I made a new hat! Its incredibly airy and weights only 0.54oz (16g). Patterned from scratch and used materials on hand for this one. It solves my problem of providing some sun protection from my face and head while allowing maximum heat venting.

Materials/Components:

Main fabrics are HyperD 1.6 and Monolite 1.0 Mesh. The brim is 3mm EVA foam and interior sweat band is DriFit athletic mesh, easily recycled from old running shirts. The adjuster in back is a ladder lock and some narrow nylon wide webbing. I made the 2022 "MYOG" label as well using heat transfer vinyl and grosgrain ribbon.

Problem:

My tarp setup requires me to put my trekking poles upside down, with the tips in grommets and the tops of the handles on the ground. I don’t like how dirty the handles get.

Project:

I made mini shower caps for my trekking pole handles! They’re just circles of Tyvek with thin bungie threaded around the edges. This way, my trekking pole handles stay cleaner, and I have an ultralight solution for my clean-freak heart.

Materials/Components:

Tyvek and 1/16” black shock cord