Remember Frostline kits? My first down jacket was made from a Frostline kit. I loved that jacket. I was feeling nostaligic for it the other morning while walking Cammy. It was a nice sunny morning, cold but not bone-chilling. Perfect for my Frostline jacket.
Anyway, that’s me at 18 or 19 in the jacket … and Frye boots. What I wouldn’t give to have those boots back. My sister kept hers and her daughter has adopted them for her own. Putting them on and taking them off was torture, but what a look, hey?
Who would have imagined the ’70s would come back in style? At the time, the general consensus was that it was a real dog of a decade. In my experience, the worst thing about the ’70s was having to endure all the whining by people who came of age in the ’60s and hated hated hated the ’70s.
I don’t actually own a down jacket any more. If I could get a Frostline kit, I would make one. Sadly, they are no longer in business.
I still have the sleeping bag I made over 30 years ago, and the vest. Too bad they went out of business.
I still have the jackets and tent I made from these kits. LH in Kansas
Oh how sad. I have been sorting through a long forgotten closet this afternoon, and came across 2 Frostline down jackets I made in the late 70’s. It was great fun making them for my husband and me. We recently moved to Colorado from Ohio, so we used them for skiing. Now we live in Texas, and looking at them today, I am amazed at the quality of materials and the the strong construction. They really look like new! Wow! But I guess we can get our ski jackets made in China now. So these two jackets will go back into my closet and some other year I will pull them out again and sigh.
Beverly from Texas
I made a Trail Ridge tent in the late 70’s. It was a sad day a few years ago when I unpacked it and set it up. The urethane was peeling like a bad sunburn and the whole thing smelled like rancid onions. Before Frostline went out of business, they were selling their patterns. I picked up a mountain parka and hiking short pattern.
I still have my Frostline goose down sleeping bag that a good friend made for me in 1974. I’ve always stored it uncompressed (except when traveling/backpacking), and therefore it is still serves me well.
I made the same jacket, and I still have it, and wear it. I wish my brother kept the vest I made for him.
Are you still hankering for a Frostline backpackers jacket? I recently found a full kit in my late mother’s sewing closet. It is a ladies small in rust. I have no idea what to do with it!
I’ll take it. I may have to lose a little weight but worth it!
Seriously, how much do you want for it? Please email me at helen at yellowhousemedia dot com if you come back this way.
I made a number of jackets and soft luggage pieces in the 1970's. One jacket I made for my boy was goose down made with blue material that was reflective, a great safety feature. Great memories.