We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Scott Hines a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Scott, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

How did you learn to do what you do?
I studied Industrial Design at the Art Institute of Seattle and Portland as well as the school of design at The University of Oregon. I was leaning towards the outdoor industry and I took a soft goods class to understand how to sew and pattern with different materials. I really enjoyed learning how bags and cloths were constructed and all about the materials and processes used. I learned how to deconstruct clothes and bags and make improvements and changes to the patterns. I learned how to draw patterns and then how to sew them together. It was that class that sparked my interest in soft goods and gear design. I got an F in that class however because I didn’t like all of the writing but I did well at the cutting and sewing. I liked figuring out how things were made and how to choose the best materials and methods of construction for the products. I enjoyed solving problems and helping people achieve their goals with specialized gear and clothing. I used my GI Bill money to buy a refurbished industrial walking foot sewing machine and I started watching YouTube videos to learn more about sewing and how to fix the machines. I still use that machine everyday and it is my main workhorse. I learned most of what I know about sewing from watching videos on YouTube and visiting the local quilt shops and talking to anyone that knew how to sew. I learn more every day and every project is a lesson learned and a result of those lessons. I draw on my experience from my time as an Infantry Soldier in the Army and as a Park Ranger for the National Park Service to inform my design decisions. I have spent a lot of time outside carrying a backpack and relying on what I could fit inside it so I know what works and what doesn’t.
Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?
I didn’t take a soft goods class until my last year of college so I wish I would have taken related classes sooner. It took me a lot of experimenting with different mediums and methods like CAD, sculpting and woodworking before I got to sewing.
I was using the sewing machines at school for my class projects and didn’t buy my machine until after I was finished with school and I should have bought the machine at the beginning of the course. That would have allowed me more time at home to experiment and learn. I am an introvert and I learn better when I can have spontaneous and unlimited access to the equipment. I know that I am a tactile and audiovisual learner so I think using those strengths as early as possible can help me learn faster.

What skills do you think were most essential?
I use many different skills when I am working. I get to use those skills to take my ideas from my head to paper, to fabric and then a finished, sewn product like a duffel bag or a hoodie. Knowing how to sketch and draft is crucial and I have always been good at drawing. Learning how to make a pattern with seam allowances and complex shapes just from a 2d sketch is a skill that takes time and practice and it is what was the hardest for me to learn. I spend a lot of time sewing so I had to learn how to use an industrial sewing machine. I started with a single needle walking foot machine and now I had several other machines, each with a specific function. I learned how to maintain and fix those machines and I think that helps me be a better sewer knowing how they work and how keep them going. I learned about fabrics and thread and heat sealing and many other methods of constructing soft goods. Knowing what materials to use for the best result is a skill that I use everyday .
What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
One of the biggest issues I face with learning more, especially about industrial sewing machines, is that there are not very many people that work on them or make accessories for them. I have been on the phone for hours with septuagenarians in small shops on the east coast talking about binding attachments for cylinder arm machines. I have tried finding videos on YouTube or calling local shops to learn how to fix tension issues or how to replace a motor. What’s a bobbin? How do I pronounce Juki? How do you thread this serger? There is lot of stuff to learn at first but I figured most of it out and now it’s muscle memory to thread my machines or cut out a pattern.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Scott Hines and I am an Outdoor Product Designer. I am based in the western foothills of the cascade mountains, south east of Portland, Oregon.
I spent 14 years in the Army, first serving in an Arctic Infantry unit in Alaska and then later as a Drill Sgt and instructor. I was wounded in Afghanistan in 2010 while serving as a Combat Advisor for the Afghan National Army. I was medically separated from the Army in 2015. I went to school at Northern Arizona University to become a Law Enforcement Park Ranger for the National Park Service and I worked as a seasonal Parker ranger at 4 different parks in Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Nevada. I was married and had 2 small kids while I was starting my career as a Park Ranger and it was challenging to balance work and family life. I had to move twice a year and try to get work at any park that was hiring every season as they don’t let you work year round until you get permanent status. I decided to leave the Park Service so my kids could have more stability so I started working part time at Cabela’s and going to Art School.
I had been to college earlier and learned graphic design and Recreation Leadership and this time I was majoring in Industrial Design. I grew up in Michigan and my Dad worked for Chrysler so I was interested in transportation design. I knew I wanted to work in the outdoor industry since I have spent so much time in the wilderness and backcountry and that’s what I enjoy. I decided to specialize in soft goods after I was done with school and I have been working in that field since 2018. I worked briefly for a canvas and sail shop learning how to create patterns with CAD and cutting and sewing big industrial projects. I like being more creative with my work so I started my own business and now I work for myself at my home studio and shop. My business is called Gearsquatch Outdoors and I make custom outdoor products. I specialize in soft goods using nylon, canvas, leather and different types of hard wear to create custom, hand made products. I use a lot of military surplus to repurpose the materials and create something unique and useful. I make dog collars out of surplus hospital straps and parachute buckles. I use old duffle bags and other military goods that would otherwise be sitting in the back of your closet to make messenger bags and cross body slings. I also use the latest technologies and materials to make new products that require the best performance. I designed and made a durable dog suit with a detachable mosquito head net for a dog that was going on expeditions in the Arctic circle and needed protection form the elements. I make products for people that can’t find their solution at a retail store. I designed a cargo net system with detachable bags that mounts to the hood and sides of an overland vehicle so the client could carry extra gear that they could not fit inside. I call it the Hood Ruck! I worked with Military and Law Enforcement professionals to design a rifle sling that is self stowing and can quickly be deployed. I have a patent pending on this sling!
I have a Service dog for PTS and I have made products to solve problems I was having in everyday life while handling a large dog in public. I designed a leash system that is strong and durable that allows for quick detaching from the collar in case the dog gets hung up or needs to be released fast. I designed a portable water or food bowl that folds flat and carries in you pocket. I call it the PawKit Bowl.
I am proud of the fact that I decided to work for myself and forge my own path. What I decide to do for work makes me happy and luckily what makes me happy is being challenged and solving everyday problems with my designs and products.
I hope to have more collaborations with other designers and companies and to use my skill set and background to add value to others.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think what more people in society need to realize is that everything we interact with was designed. A creative person designed and made everything we own. The industrialization of manufacturing has distanced us from the creative process but it is still there. Try drawing a picture of your vacuum or your clothes. You will see quickly that they were designed, not just made. Your backpack straps took a long time to get right. You can tell what is comfortable and what is not and see the difference in them by their shape, texture and materials. The size of your steering wheel and shift knobs are designed with decades of experience so that most people can use them effectively. There is art in everything and that is the creative sprit of humans. I appreciate that and try to see it in everything that I do. I think that being aware of that would help people appreciate artists and creative people a lot more.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I have always wanted to be able to make art my job. I also wanted to be in the Army and be a Park Ranger and live in another country and be a husband and a Dad. I managed to do all of those things and now because of that I can finally make art my job! I was severely wounded in Afghanistan in 2010 while serving in the Army. I have PTS and other health problems that make life challenging. I got a service dog to help with my PTS about 7 years ago. She is a German Shepherd and she has made my life better in every way. I don’t have nightmares when she sleeps next to me and I have a constant companion and responsibility to lessen the symptoms of stress and anxiety. I have been able to start a business and work from home with motivation because of what she provides me. My mental and physical health are much better because of her. I have designed several products that help me in handling her and supporting her needs on a daily basis. I want to help everyone that lives with a dog have better gear that will help them support their companions. I want to help other Veterans and people suffering from trauma find a dog that is trained to help them and bring them out pain and despair.
I also think it is important to reuse and repurpose the military surplus materials that are just sitting a warehouse somewhere. I strip them down to the components and then use them to make something new and more useful. It’s a bonus that they look cool.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Gearsquatchoutdoors.com
• Instagram: @gearsquatch
• Facebook: @gearsquatch
• Twitter: Gearsquatch @sewcoolbus
• Youtube: Gearsquatch

Image Credits

Chad Brown