Manufacturing Ghillie Suits Since 1999
GhillieSuits.com · Our manufacturing history
Our experience making ghillie suits began in 1999 with founder Todd preparing jute thread and tying it onto netting by hand. These original photographs from our company archive document the materials, workers, and equipment behind that early manufacturing process.
From the first spools in the workshop to contracted textile production in Colorado, this is the story of how we made our early jute ghillie suits.
1999: From jute spools to hand-tied suits
In 1999, Todd purchased large spools of jute thread, unwound the thread, cut it into usable lengths, and hand-tied it onto netting. Preparing thread this way was an important part of building the three-dimensional camouflage covering of a traditional ghillie suit.
The work began on a small scale. Every stage, from handling the raw thread to tying the camouflage material to its netted foundation, required hands-on work.
2001: Contracted manufacturing in Colorado
As the business grew, we contracted Rocky Mountain Textile Group in Colorado to cut and dye our jute and manufacture complete ghillie suits, including hand-tying the thread onto netting.
The company already worked with jute to make barrier carpets used along highways. Its textile workers and equipment helped us prepare material in larger quantities and assemble our suits. Rocky Mountain Textile Group was an independent contracted manufacturer; the Colorado facility was not owned by GhillieSuits.com.
January 2001: Dyeing and drying the jute
Before assembly, jute was dyed and spread out to dry. Our January 3, 2001 photograph shows rows of dyed thread in several camouflage shades at the Colorado operation.
Preparing the material was part of the manufacturing process: the thread had to be cut, dyed, and dried before workers could use it to build the camouflage covering.
Hand-tying jute onto netting
The next photograph shows the construction work itself. Workers tied individual lengths of jute onto netting held on frames at their workstations. The hanging thread formed the three-dimensional covering used in our early jute ghillie suits.
This detailed manual work was central to the finished suits. Rocky Mountain Textile Group handled complete suit assembly for us as well as preparing the jute.
September 2001: Preparing jute on a larger scale
Our September 17, 2001 photograph shows large spools mounted on industrial textile racks, with many strands running toward the processing area. This unspooling arrangement supported preparation of jute in larger quantities for cutting and subsequent suit assembly.
Alongside the 1999 workshop photograph, it records the expansion from our early hands-on operation to the larger textile-processing equipment used by our contracted Colorado manufacturer.
Two patented designs
Our ghillie suit manufacturing history includes two patented designs developed by founder Todd A. Muirhead.
Manufacturing experience behind today's range
Those early years gave us firsthand experience with jute preparation and hand-tied ghillie suit construction. Our range has since grown to include traditional jute, synthetic thread, BDU-based clothing, leafy camouflage, and materials for customers building their own concealment gear.
These photographs document our early production methods. Materials and construction vary across today's products; see the individual product details for current specifications.
- Compare ghillie and leafy suit styles to choose coverage and materials for your use.
- Learn how to build a ghillie suit and explore the construction process.
- Explore camouflage color options for different surroundings.
- Read more about our family business and its beginnings.
Have a question about our history or choosing a suit? Contact the GhillieSuits.com team.
Historical account supplied by founder Todd. All four photographs are original images from the GhillieSuits.com archive; the dates shown in the photographs have been preserved.