Sew and save outdoor kit-sets

Press, 6 May 1981, Page 18

Sew and save outdoor kit-sets

With a smattering of snow on the mountains and crisp, clear days forecasting the early beginnings of winter, the month of May is an ideal time to sit down and do some sewing. One of the latest options available to home sewers of outdoor clothing gear is the kit-set, manufactured by Mike and Sue Clemens of Southern Alps Equipment Limited, Springston. Southern Alps sew and save kits (available by mail-

order) offer sewers all the cost-saving advantages of “doing it yourself” without all the time consuming features that normally accompany projects of this nature. The concept of the sew-it-yourself short-cut kit is that there are no patterns. All cloth parts are pre-cut for easy construction and the kits come with everything you need — thick insulation, zips, cottons, illustrated instructions — to put togethei

the finest clothing on thv market. You save up to 50 per-cent over the ready made price of each item of a range which includes: ski-jackets, alpine jackets, bib overalls, vests, powder ski-ing shirts, parkas and mittens. All you need is a home sewing machine to make good quality specialist clothing at a reasonable price. Most of the kit-set materials are imported from Japan, the United States and Australia. The fabrics used are either a thick, all purpose nylon or mountain cloth (a water resistant polyester cotton blend). Combined with optional thicknesses of insulation the materials are guaranteed for their durability, quality and value. ’.. ‘Each ki' 'omes in a variety of su. s from small through to extra large for men and women and in sizes, four to six, eight to ten and twelve to fourteen for children. Colours available this year include slate blue, rust, camel, light blue and navy blue. Apart from the bibs, waistcoats and ski-jackets that can be ordered, the latest Southern Alps Equipment catalogue includes a few new designs developed by the Clemen's. The pullover wind-breaker :hirt made from mountain cloth features a knit’waist, .cnit cuffs and a knit collar, a short front zip and a kangaroo pouch pocket. The design is particularly suited, to fine weather ski-ing, golfing, bicycling and tramping. The Yoke jacket is another ' lew style and looks like a modified version of the , Christie jacket, its difference ■ being in the insulation. The southern fill high loft insulation is very light and fluffy', and its continuous filament X makes it easier to sew and gives the finished product a lighter appearance. Southern fill high loft insulation can also be incorporated into the making of quilted vests or Alpine jackets. Since the business was established three seasons ago, Mike and Sue Clemens have received orders on a regular basis from throughout New Zealand and some, from Aus-* tralia. The mailing address for a free catalogue, order and* inquiries is Mike and Sue Clemens, P. 0. Box 2, Lincoln (Canterbury). Southern Alps kit-sets arej: dispatched directly to the-' customer two days after an order has been received. All ' kit-sets are marketed complete with a direction booklet with step-by-step illustrated and easy to follow instructions. With an increase in orders and improved efficiency, the Clemens have managed to keep the price structure, at virtually the same level* as last year. The only marked increse they have been unable to absorb has been in the increased postage charges.