How to Make a Homemade Hunting Bow Bag
A hunting bow is a sensitive instrument, one you don't want to expose to unnecessary bumps and bangs. Why not carry it in a bag to protect it and keep it in perfect shape for the hunt? Store-bought bags are expensive, but a homemade bag will do the job without putting a dent in your wallet.
Things You'll Need
- Camouflage nylon fabric
- Zipper (length about 3 to 4 feet)
- Sewing machine
- Foam or plastic inserts (optional)
- Polyester strap lengths
Instructions
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1
Cut a large swatch of nylon fabric, preferably camouflage fabric, which is available at most sewing supply and hunting supply stores. Green canvas is yet another option but should be treated with waterproofing if used.
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2
Lay the fabric on the table. Place your bow on top of the fabric. Make a mark about three inches above the tip and three inches below the bottom of the bow. Fold the fabric over so it amply covers the entire bow. Make a mark about five inches beyond the strings on the bow on both the under layer and upper layer you just folded over on the same side as your first mark.
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3
Take the bow off the fabric and use a pencil or marker to trace out a rough shape of the bag using the marks you made in step two. Refine the shape as needed as you make the final shape symmetric on both sides.
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4
Cut out this shape using shears. Be careful to cut the lines as straight and as even as possible. You can trim them as needed after you stitch the bag together.
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5
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise. Stitch the eight inches together or up until the widest section of the bow.
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6
Measure a length of a zipper from the bottom of the bow bag where the stitching begins, to the top. Stitch the zipper to the bag. Repeat this process for the other side and mating portion of zipper length.
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7
Create the handles using lengths of polyester strapping. Cut two 1-foot-long strips of polyester strap material. Fold the ends over (take 1 inch of fabric from each end of each strap and fold them back) then stitch this folded over portion to the strap using an "X" stitch pattern, which will help make the ends stronger and more durable.
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8
Attach one of the straps to one side of the bag. Lay one of the straps 2 inches from the exact center and 3 inches from the outer edge of one side of the bag horizontally across the bag. Stitch it to the bag, so about 3 inches of the strap is stitched to the bag material. Loop the remaining length around and stitch it 2 inches from the center of the bag in the other direction. It will be four inches away from the first stitched end. Stitch it to the bag. You just created a loop handle. Repeat for the other side of the bag to create another handle.
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9
To pad the bag, stitch in light 1/2-inch foam or plastic sheets. This prevents nicks and scratches.
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