First step towards a more period sleep system. I encountered a major problem while water proofing. Learn from my mistakes!
This is not 100% historically accurate, but it is historically inspired and meant to function, not just be a prop. I’ll be testing this bedroll in many camps and larps, to see how it does in “medieval” adventuring scenarios.
Townsends “Commoner’s Blanket” (Non affiliate)”
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The sound is a little wonky int this video, I apologize. We've had 20 mph winds the last few days, I did the best I could to mitigate it.
I did almost the exact same thing for a bedroll, except I used riveted snaps as I was going for a 20's-30's "period homage" bushcraft setup.
For water proofing, I mixed silicon caulking with mineral spirits just as you showed, but mine worked out.
When I waterproofed my cotton tarp (a king sized bed sheet from the Salvation Army Store,) I used the same method, but supplemented it with the silicone spray. FWIW, the spray and the DIY solution smell exactly the same.
Another concern for waterproofing is if the product you are using contains toxic PFAS chemicals.
I carry a bedroll with 2 slightly smaller but thick wool blankets that weighs at least 10 pounds
stunned by the cost of a wool blanket when I can buy one for £3-4 in a charity shop here in Wales and often find them ready felted and extra thick cos some idiot has washed them too hot. I suspect for your price I could buy a second hand Melin Tregwynt origininal. Surely canvass can be bought most cheaply from a ships chandelers at the thickness required by the metre ?
Canvas drop cloth fabric will tighten up (and shrink) a bit on washing, and it takes dye well (should be 100% cotton). I've successfully made clothes from it, the only thing you need to be aware of it that it will require every single seam to be neatened, as it does fray badly. If you are not so worried about absolute authenticity, only visual 'looks the part', then putting a waterproof lining inside the canvas between it and the blanket might be a help, just on the part that will touch the ground. Also construction such that you can take the canvas cover off and wash it separately.
I've looked at, but never tried, traditional oilcloth, so using linseed oil on a (probably closer woven than drop cloth) canvas base may work? Linseed oil makes a good waterproof finish on wood, it does take quite a bit of 'curing' time, but it's cheap and might be worth experimenting with.
LMAO!!!" If you are sleeping in a puddle you've done something wrong." REALY? ask some one who set up camp in a dry creek bed late in the day. LOL yes I did and before a thunder storm came in. really big "something wrong". live and learn right?
You bout to wake up with bugs if you ain't using a hammock m8.
Great video 🙂
you made all the right choices here, if you had waterproofed it with painted-on silicone liquid you would essentially have been making a cheap amazon bivy bag, I have used one and I threw it away, it has no breath-ability so you wake up wet in the morning on a warm night, or wet and cold in the middle of a cold night, I have no experience sleeping in period kit (something I have wanted to change for years) but given that waxed canvas and linseed oilcloth also do not breath, you would have had the same problem with them
Because the waterproof spray will have gaps in (loose weave) it will breath but water should bead on it so hopefully your blanket won't get wet from dew and should be protected from rain on the trail, however if the ground is slightly damp (like when canvas tents leak if you touch the sides) water will soak through from underneath because of the pressure of your weight, so I would strongly recommend getting a thin and light piece of waxed tarp the same size as your bedroll to use like a tent footprint, there are a few Etsy sellers who make waxed canvas bush-craft gear who would probably be happy to do this as a commission and because it's relatively small it shouldn't be too expensive, I don't know if he still makes ground tarps but PNWBushcraft use a really nice lightweight waterproof fabric that I would recommend, it wouldn't add much weight to your bedroll
apologies for the long comment
i love your videos
I've seen a few old Swedish canvas sleeping bags/bedrolls for sale, sadly non have been long enough for me but they look the part.
Absolutely critical piece of an adventurer's kit. This connects you to our medieval forefathers/mothers in a major way. With a bed roll, you can look up at the very same night sky, suspended above the very same Earth, on basically the very same cushioning and waterproofing materials.
There is also a visceral, spiritual, existential quality to it, for me. There are some things that our primitive ancestors did terribly wrong (hygiene and sanitation, anyone?). But this is something that they did extremely well. It blew the lid off my modernist smugness the first night I spent in one. It impressed me with our ancestors' wisdom and expertise, from so many centuries ago. And by skipping as many modern amenities as is safe and practical, it bridges the time gap between us and them.
I can see why you opted for the expensive waterproofing method first. It was because you were looking for a more permanent solution.
Some of this stuff you almost have to be an alchemist to read and understand what's in the product you're using.
Some of this stuff you almost have to be an alchemist to read and understand what's in the product you're using.
Yeah, the only things about crafting stuff myself that's always a plus is the ability to say, "I made this." And it being custoade, at least that I have found. Lol
Cool project, looks like you learned a lot and have a really good skill of generalising those lessons.
You will definitely benefit when you do future DIY.
I think your bed roll is cool and your audience will learn a lot from your mistakes.
I live in Australia where there are a lot of options fof canvas bedrolls that we refer to as swags.
As a hiker however i've alwaus found them ridiculously bulky and heavy compared to modern materials.
I would like to have a historical bedroll though.
Not sure if you did it but just add another layer of waterproofing on the rectangular area that will be contacting the ground👌
Nice job✌
Any recommendations for substitutions for those of us extrememly allergic to wool?
Townsends is a great channel.
I e always been curious just how good a wool blanket and waxed canvas tarp are
At Walmart I got a 6 x 9 thick sturdy canvas drop cloth for $10. A lot more tightly woven and thicker than the one in this video. If you want to be more historically accurate and don’t want to mess with linseed oil then use beeswax. Townsends use iron oxide powder to make a paint because it closes up the gaps in the canvas but beeswax should do that too
"Camping, if you are sleeping in a puddle you've done something wrong." Just picturing a gaming related graphic on a t shirt and… gimmie
I’m terrible at sewing, I spend more money replacing fabric on failed projects than I would have just buying readymade or having made for me. I pretty much ignore reenactors who tell me to make something myself.
Longtime reenactor and new LARPer here with a shared interest in historical/fantasy trekking. Keep making the kind of content you're making, my friend, I am a huge fan and I am constantly linking your videos to my friends to try and convince them to come on adventures with me! <3
This is a swag in Australia. You can get some fancy ones nowadays.
Great video!
Nighthawk in light: "waterproofing"