Daniel Vogel-Essex: Papoose Backpack

Papoose is a backpack designed for "sport" style rock climbing. Sport climbing has a specific set of needs which differ from other types of climbing, and this backpack addresses those needs specifically. The project was presented the Director's Choice award during the 2007 senior showcase at DAAP. It also won an award from IDSA. Please visit www.dvedesign.com for more details.

The prototypes were made exclusively with fabric from OWF. The people at OWF are always super helpful and of course have excellent products. Its hard to find technical fabric intended for outdoor products, and OWF has an excellent selection. I recommend keeping a complete set of samples from OWF on hand when working on any project; it will serve as inspiration!

Michael: Tipi

I want to thank you for all the help you gave me when ordering the fabric and extra's. I ordered 1.1oz Silnylon 2nd', in blue/gray a few months ago.

I made the pattern and cut out the fabric. The lady that was going to sew it up got really sick and couldn't sew, so I bought a $100. Kenmore sewing machine and thought I would try it. This is my 1st sewing project and came out better than I thought. the Tipi is 7'4" with a 12' octagon base. The tipi weights 2lb's 4 oz. netting is 10 oz when needed, pole is 14oz, stakes are 5 oz.

Again, I just want to thank you for all your help while ordering everything I needed and getting advice. I sent a few pic's of your fabric at work.

Frank E.Perron, Jr.
Polar Research Solutions, LLC
8597 Pomfret Road
North Pomfret, VT  05053
(802) 457-3402

I bought a lot of material from your company last year and I finally have some photos for your web site.

The bags were made to ship and handle drill string (extensions) for polar snow core drilling and collecting.  The windscreens I designed, developed, and manufactured are to shield the drillers from the constant winds that blow on the polar ice sheets.  The white one is set up in my yard, the red ones pictured were used in Antarctica this last winter (summer for them).

Thanks again for all of your help last summer.

Matt Gilbert: Ultralight Backpack
mttgilbert@gmail.com

The pictures show the ultralight backpack I made. It was inspired by the Gossamer Gear G4 pack, but was designed to be simpler, lighter, and more compact. 

The pack is made from 1.1oz Ripstop sil-nylon, uncoated 1.3oz Ripstop nylon, and heavier Cordura in high wear and reinforced areas. Overall the pack weighs 8.5 ounces and will hold approximately 30 liters of gear. This pack was designed to be part of a backpacking setup that has a base weight of about 6 pounds. The pack uses a Thermarest Z-Lite as the frame; there is a pocket on the inside of the bag to accommodate the pad. There is an extra loop and pocket to hold a water reservoir against the frame compartment.  The shoulder straps and waist belt have compartments that accept extra socks, underwear, or other garments to provide the padding. There are three external pockets used primarily for rain gear and water bottles. The whole pack is encompassed by a unified compression binding to help hold smaller loads. The shoulder straps have small mesh pockets to hold bars, goos, or a compass as necessary.

I hope you can use this!

Dennis Waite, Ed.D.
Director, Phoenix Consultation
www.phoenixconsultation.com

Hi folks,

Just thought I'd send a few photos of some projects made from materials ordered from OWF over the last few years.

1) Sledbag for an 8' bed cargo dogsled
2) Winter tent with wood stove jack made of silnylon - super light!

Sharon Landrum: Backyard Canopy

My backyard canopy is holding up great! The kids love sitting under it when there is a breeze, it fills up like a parachute. At night my deck light lights it up. 

Here is how I made the canopy:

Using coated 1.9oz Nylon ripstop,  My deck is 19 x 19 feet so I bought wholesale and owfinc cut the lengths for me.  They were VERY helpful. I sewed the 60" strips together making a big square using polyester thread, sealed the seams put aside to dry.  Installed six hooks. Three in brick wall and one atop each wooden post that I cemented in the center and two ends of deck.  I then took the square out and marked where I would put the 6 Grommets (1 in each corner and center of poll and opposite side). I did not put support on all sides due to rain runoff, (I have no gutters) this keeps it from puddling on canopy.   I reinforced the ripstop with  6 inch x 6 inch canvas squares on both sides of material where I was placing the grommets for strength.   Once I got the grommets in I put them over the hooks to check the fit. Now only thing left is to hem the canopy.  For the center support I use an extension pole placed in table instead of the umbrella.

Make your own and then enjoy!

Swift Industries
Martina Brimmer & Jason Goodman
Seattle WA 
http://builtbyswift.com

Hello Lynn and Dale and OWF!
I have been meaning to write to you folks for so long to thank you for helping us get our business started. I'm inspired, having read your 'history' page on the (wonderful new) website, to let you know that your company's vision to enable small companies and hobbie outdoor gear makers lives on.
We have a three person pannier company in Seattle, and we started right in our living room too. It would have been impossible to get our small business off the ground without your supplies and pricing.In this economy of large distributers you've made it possible to grow steadily and confidently over the past three years. Thank you!

Swift Industries is a small bicycle pannier company based in Seattle Washington. Born from a love of making our own gear and our obsession with the bicycle, Swift Industries has been creating custom bike bags for over three years. We owe special thanks for Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics for offering small crafters like us the opportunity to pursue our creative endeavors!