How to make a camouflage net?

How to make a military camouflage net: all the tips for making one

Today, in the face of the technological evolution of weapons and military equipment, making a camouflage net is an essential task. It is therefore imperative to know how to build an efficient camouflage net that can blend perfectly into its environment. In this article, discover how to make a military camouflage net with all the tips and tricks necessary for a successful setup!

To make a camouflage net, you will need:

1. Camouflage material suitable for the environment in which you want to use the net (for example, green for the forest, sand for the desert, etc.). You can buy camouflage fabric or use branches, leaves, and other natural materials to create a homemade net.

2. Scissors to cut the fabric or branches and leaves.

3. String or wire to hold the net in place.

Here are the steps to follow to make a camouflage net:

1. Decide on the size and shape you want to give your net. Depending on the intended use, you can opt for a small, light net or a larger, more robust one.

2. Cut the camouflage fabric or branches and leaves into pieces of the desired size and shape.

3. Arrange the camouflage pieces to cover the desired surface. You can use random patterns or follow a specific scheme according to your preferences.

4. Attach the camouflage pieces together using string or wire to hold the net in place. You can use knots or staples to secure the net.

5. If desired, you can add accessories such as branches, leaves, or flowers to enhance the camouflage effect.

It is important to note that the camouflage net should not be used to intentionally hide your presence in a place where you are not supposed to be. It is mainly used for concealment during hunting, hiking, or other outdoor activities.

 

What is a camouflage net?

A camouflage net is a fabric used to camouflage the environment. It is used for military purposes but can also be an interesting decoration for your patio, garden, or terrace. It can be installed on a wall or a pergola, offering an original touch to your exterior. There are several types of camouflage nets available on the market with various designs that can adapt to different uses.

START WITH THE NET

The net is the foundation of this project, and it must be of good quality. If you live in a region where commercial fishing is important, you might be able to get leftover nets for free. And if you're not near the sea, go to a craft store and buy a decorative fishing net. These nets are generally large enough to make a decent fishing net, of appropriate color (i.e., dark), and reasonably priced. You can also weave your own net if you have the time and a lot of fine rope.

Anyone familiar with the art of camouflage probably knows about camouflage suits. These are garments covered with shredded fabrics, rags, and/or natural materials that provide excellent camouflage due to their colors, textures, patterns, shapes, and natural fuzzy edges. Full suits, often used by military snipers, take a long time to make, but a quicker version can be assembled from a net and the same raw materials. This net can be used as a cover for people and equipment, and it easily adapts to different environments. A hunting net is also the perfect complement to your spring hunter's outfit.

ORIGINS OF THE CAMOUFLAGE SUIT

 

Anyone familiar with the art of camouflage knows about camouflage suits. These are garments covered with shredded fabrics, rags, and/or natural materials that offer excellent camouflage thanks to their colors, textures, patterns, shapes, and natural fuzzy edges. Full suits, often used by military snipers, take a long time to make, but a quicker version can be assembled from a net and the same raw materials. This net can be used as a cover for people and equipment, and it easily adapts to different environments. A hunting net is also the perfect complement to your spring hunter's outfit. To stay hidden from animals and poachers, hunters would cover themselves with the natural-colored plaid patterns of their traditional kilts, sometimes covered with additional vegetation. These kilts were likely the first camouflage fabric garments in the world, which eventually gave us the ghillie suit. The kilt of each family or clan had its own colors and patterns, produced from natural plant and mineral dyes. These classic irregular plaid patterns, composed of blue, green, yellow, brown, and black threads, were woven into the kilt fabric, creating camouflaged "covers" dyed with the colors of the native vegetation.

START WITH THE NET

The net is the basis of this project, and it must be of good quality. If you live in a region where commercial fishing is important, you might be able to get leftover netting for free. And if you are not near the sea, go to a craft store and buy a decorative fishing net. These nets are generally large enough to make a decent fishing net, of appropriate color (i.e., dark) and reasonably priced. You can also weave your own net if you have the time and a lot of fine string.

CUT THE STRIPS

While you are in the craft store, you can also buy burlap. The undyed light brown color is perfect, but the store may offer a choice of colors. Choose several meters of fabric matching the colors of the environment where you will use the camouflage. Other fabrics can also be used, but burlap can be shredded to produce a remarkable visual effect. For a camouflage net to use in snowy conditions, use an old white sheet or several white t-shirts. Cut the burlap or other fabric into strips one foot wide and 2 to 3 inches long.

KNOT

Tie the knot
Once you have your strips, attach them to the net every two inches in all directions. Make a flat knot and simply tie one end of each strip to the net. The burlap strips can be separated and shredded to achieve an even fuzzier look. If you are attaching leaves, use a strong dark thread to attach the stem of each leaf to the net. This advice is probably obvious, but you only need to attach your materials to one side of the net, as the other side will be hidden. You can also add some string to two of the corners of the net, which can be tied together so that the net can be worn as a cape. You can also sew a zippered pouch to serve as a pocket. If you are concerned about odors, keep your net in a bin of dirt and dry leaves so it can absorb these natural odors as a cover scent. You can also use an odor-eliminating spray.

ADD NATURAL MATERIALS

The soft and flexible inner bark strips of trees (butterfly, tulip poplar, cedar, and many others) can replace burlap strips, but for best results, use them in addition to burlap. As I live in the Eastern forests, I am also a big fan of sturdy dead leaves. Collect them in the fall or winter, before they decompose too much. As mentioned previously, the leaves must be attached to the net with wire in the net. If your net is to be used in grassy areas, you can also add raffia, which is durable and resembles strands of dead grass. Keep a spool of wire in the pocket you sewed onto the net so you can quickly add additional material in the field. The only thing preventing you from making your net perfectly matched is your attention to detail. Pay special attention to the colors, textures, and shapes that surround you.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2015201503repair.JPG
Repair any tear
The wire you keep to attach additional material can also come to your rescue for repairs. Use square knots and good solid ties to join cut or torn sections of the net, or to join two nets together for larger camouflage panels.

USING THE NET

The easiest is to use the anti-escape net. Just throw it over a box of equipment, like here on a shiny black plastic bin. You can also drape it around your shoulders when stalking, or place it on your lap when waiting for a turkey. There are many uses, and the net outperforms anything I've ever used. Once, while teaching a survival course, I lay down in a low spot and covered myself with a well-made ghillie net. My friend told a young man to come find me and pointed his finger at my exact hiding spot. The young man saw nothing but a small pile of leaves on the forest floor, which he began to hit. To our mutual surprise, he kicked me in the top of my head while I was lying down. I jumped up (as if I had sprung from the flat ground) with a loud shout, and the young man nearly wet himself. There are a number of shaggy-edged and blurry-contoured camouflage garments on the market today, but few garments can rival the shapes, patterns, and blurry edges of a good homemade camouflage net.
There are many camouflage products for sale on the market, but few garments can rival a good homemade ghillie suit.

 

How to choose a good fabric for your project?

When choosing a camouflage net, make sure the fabric is of high quality. Most often, the camouflaged net is made from a special weather-resistant polyester. Some fabrics are designed to be soft and supple to withstand strong winds and rain. Colors and patterns are also very important: subtly nuanced tones and blends are preferred for good quality camouflage.

 

What is the optimal size of a camouflage net?

The ideal size of a camouflage net will depend on the intended use. For example, a net for the garden will be smaller than a net for an army, while measurements tailored to each environment will ensure the best possible result. It is important to consider the available space and the specific characteristics of the materials used; for example, you may need a special cut or multiple sides to properly secure the net to its support.

 

What are the best installation methods?

There are different possibilities for installing a camouflage net, depending on its destination (indoor or outdoor) and the accessories you have. For indoor use, a thick and strong cord is the appropriate fastening; outdoors, clips and ropes are more suitable. In all cases, for optimal installation, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Once the net has been secured with suitable material, it is time to ensure that it does not move or tear in case of strong winds.

 

How to make a camouflage net?

To make a durable camouflage net, it is best to take a strong fishing net and a durable fabric and attach them securely together using cable ties or steel crimping. The camouflage net is an excellent way to conceal specific surroundings and give an original touch to your outdoor space. To achieve the best result, you must choose a good material, suited to the destination and local weather conditions. Finally, a correct installation using the indicated fastenings will ensure that your camouflage net stays in place and provides optimum protection for the environment you need. At Le Filet de Camouflage we offer camouflage nets that can be used as soon as they are received.