VICO Outfitters, Tent & Awning

VICO Outfitters, Tent & Awning Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from VICO Outfitters, Tent & Awning, Outdoor & Sporting Goods Company, 1027 Sarena Court, Richmond, TX.

We're a source for Living History and Reenacting reproduction and original pieces of material culture focusing on civilian camping impressions of the Classic Camping period 1890-1939.

OK---light at the end of the tunnel for the first batch of the VICO Replacement Covers for the Preston Mess Kit. All the...
03/01/2026

OK---light at the end of the tunnel for the first batch of the VICO Replacement Covers for the Preston Mess Kit. All the sewing is done on 18 covers. what remains is a final ironing to remove all construction marks (I use a heat soluble ink that disappears when under heat), then add the snaps and they're in the mail.

If you ordered before February 4, your order will be in the mail by the end of the week. Orders received after that date will mail about 2 weeks after that. If you want one to be included in that batch, order now.

We're waiting on hardware to make shoulder straps and those will be listed on the website when they're done.

We also made one of those Living History Experimental Archeology discoveries while doing test fits, etc. during construction. If you look closely at the original Preston Kit cover, it was designed in such a way that drinking should be done with the cover ON because if you want to take the canteen out of the cover to drink from, as you would with an Army canteen, then the plate, fry, pan, and cup has to be removed at the same time. This makes belt carry a bit of a bother. With this Replacement Cover, you CAN withdraw the canteen from the cover but you have to pack the frypan and plate separately and pack only the canteen and cup in the cover. this allows you to pull the canteen from the cover the same way that you can an Army canteen.

So, while we're working on the next batch, we're going to prototype another cover that will include a separate sleeve for the plate and fry pan to go into. Also playing with a few other ideas to maximize the utility of such an arrangement.

9PM Sunday, and we've reached the point where there are more canteen covers in the left-hand pile than on the right-hand...
02/23/2026

9PM Sunday, and we've reached the point where there are more canteen covers in the left-hand pile than on the right-hand pile. The stack on the left is how one half of each cover looks after this step and the stack on the right is how they look after I've located each piece prior to sewing.

This step in the process is the most tedious of all. Step one is cutting the fabric. Step 2 is rolling a hem in the canvas and sewing the hem to trap the felt inside. We're in the middle of Step 3 which is sewing the D Rings and its one of those things that is mind numbingly tedious as its all in short lengths of stitching with a lot of turning the flywheel by hand to maintain control, and lifting the foot to turn the work to sew the box "X" pattern. Step 4 is stitching the two halves together and that's the one I look forward to the most as I can get all 19 (yes, 19---I miscounted when I said 18) done in about 10 minutes. Step 5 is cutting the box corners, Step 6 is final sewing, and the final step is installing the snaps on the closure strap and front of the bag.

Folks, stuff like this is the reason I prefer doing custom work to order rather than sew to build up a stock. If I do it that way, I'm working on something different every hour of every day. Doing 20 at a time means I have to do the same thing over and over again all day long for a couple of days running.

I start a new drafting job tomorrow, so I won't be able to work on these until after supper, but we're still on track to start shipping at the beginning of March.

No, that's not a high fiber sammich. Its the basic parts for 18 Replacement Covers for the Preston Mess Kit. Now to sew ...
02/21/2026

No, that's not a high fiber sammich. Its the basic parts for 18 Replacement Covers for the Preston Mess Kit. Now to sew on 36 D Rings and 18 closure straps, then install 18 male snaps and 18 female snaps.

OK---the shrinkage and stitch testing is experiencing a bit of delay, but its not the bad kind of delay.After 21 hours w...
02/17/2026

OK---the shrinkage and stitch testing is experiencing a bit of delay, but its not the bad kind of delay.

After 21 hours with a full canteen, all the stitching is holding so we're good there (although I admit this a static test not a dynamic one since I have no way to replicate constant swinging back and forth).
The delay is testing shrinkage, but the reason has turned out to be a feature, not a bug. After 21 hours the cover is still soaking wet. Its not dripping anymore, but if you squeeze it, a drop or two will appear. That means that evaporative cooling of the canteen will go on for quite a long time.

Final prototype using the 7 ounce canvas for the outer shell. Only thing that needs changing is that I have to remember ...
02/16/2026

Final prototype using the 7 ounce canvas for the outer shell. Only thing that needs changing is that I have to remember that the closure strap has to be sewn on the same side as the D rings.

Hung from the backyard clothesline using our belt hanger (sold separately), the final test is a strength and shrinkage test. We've filled the canteen and completely soaked that cover just as you would in a lake or stream to keep the contents cool. We'll check it later to see if the cover becomes too tight or the snap can't snap---and how well the stitching on the D rings hold up.

Now, on to the adjustable shoulder strap (sold separately). It will be 2" wide dark brown and will also be offered as an option for the duffels, haversacks, etc.

OK---noodled around doing this while I should have been doing something else. Sewing a utensil pocket into the Preston K...
02/13/2026

OK---noodled around doing this while I should have been doing something else.

Sewing a utensil pocket into the Preston Kit cover wasn't in the original design and I couldn't figure out how to add one without changing the design, which would have increased the price. So I did a utensil pocket that fits in the cover, but can be used separately. It will be added to the accessories that will be offered separately. So we'll have the pocket, with or without utensils, belt hanger, belt adapter for the hanger, and adjustable shoulder strap.

The utensils had to be placed in the pocket diagonally, mainly because the knife is too long to stand up straight. This allowed us to add a small pocket for toothpicks or matches. This is the second prototype. The production version will be in a fabric that matches the cover and the ties will be longer.

OK. Final design, one more test.Dimensionally we're good with one exception (bet you can see which one is a bit off).But...
02/12/2026

OK. Final design, one more test.
Dimensionally we're good with one exception (bet you can see which one is a bit off).

But it doesn't look "dumpy" anymore. Nice and form fitting but with enough room for utensils (we'll be making a slip in pouch for utensils sold separately with or without our utensils). Good kit retention with the double strap. Shown with our belt hanger strap, and I'll be making one that will let it hang a bit higher up closer to the belt as another option.

Next step is to make one out of the 7 oz canvas and do a water soak test to see if it shrinks more than just a tiny bit, then we start full scale production. I doubt there will be any problem.

After filling a couple orders for sleeping pads and duffels, we're back to finalizing the design of the Replacement Cove...
02/12/2026

After filling a couple orders for sleeping pads and duffels, we're back to finalizing the design of the Replacement Cover for the upcoming release of Shawn Dyer's Preston Mess Kit. The first tweak needed to be made was make the fit of the kit into the bag more snug for a better appearance and reduce the possibility of it falling out should the snap open unexpectedly. This involves making incremental dimensional changes to the fabric cutting template, then cutting fabric and sewing to see if it works.

First pic is of the first working prototype showing how much room there was. Second pic shows we're nearly there. We've tweaked the template once again and the next step will be to cut the fabric and assemble an example with the straps and D rings in place. One of the things we'll test once that one is done is to see if we can fit utensils inside.

But we're on schedule to start shipping pre-orders starting near the end of the month. They'll be shipped in waves of about 10 each until each order is filled. Please remember that what you will get is the bag only and will need to add a shoulder strap or belt hanger, both of which will be available on the website, or you can use one of your own.

Moral dilemma time.I ordered 15 yards of blue bed ticking from amazon.I got a delivery notice and this picture.The packa...
02/04/2026

Moral dilemma time.
I ordered 15 yards of blue bed ticking from amazon.
I got a delivery notice and this picture.
The package contained one yard.

IO can actually use that one yard right away, but, gee, I'd like to get the remaining 14, ya know?

So I go to my account, go to the order to report the sitchamation and the only option that was available was for me to return the item I have and when they get it they send me a receipt=---but there was no return postage sticker like the other packages I get from Amazon.

So I go to the chat function foolishly thinking I'd be able to talk to a sentient being. The same options existed there, but another box wanted to talk about what was in the package, so I went there. There was an option for "missing parts" thinking I could get the missing 14 yards that way. So I tried that aaaaand--got the same thing about sending it back and getting a refund.

Then I noticed the button for "empty package". By this time I had gotten over trying to sort this out the intelligent and adult way by saying something to somebody that sounds like "Just send me the 14 yards that is missing and we're good." When I hit that button, the only option they gave me was a full refund. So---I got a yard of fabric for free-----

Address

1027 Sarena Court
Richmond, TX
77406

Telephone

+12819954877

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when VICO Outfitters, Tent & Awning posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to VICO Outfitters, Tent & Awning:

Shortcuts

Share

Category