Not just repair, but creating new stuff out of fabric...I'm starting to think its a good skill to know

I am just decent enough to sew rough repairs. I can't know everything so I work on skills that appear to me to have a bigger potential payoff. One of the reasons I can get away with that is that my wife is an accomplished seamstress. If she were not I'd likely want someone in my household to learn it.

I'll have to ask the wife,think she has 5-6 machines,treadle to serger.

http://www.target.com/p/hello-kitty-sewing-machine-green-11706/-/A-10094055?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=|10094055&CPNG=Appliances&kpid=10094055&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=10094055
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Hello Kitty Janome sewing machine....119.00 Dollars

All kidding aside,this is a good machine,she bought many for gifts when a store folded years back for like 50 dollars each.Its a Janome and actually a capable machine.


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Enjoy creative stitching with the Hello Kitty Janome sewing machine. It has an easy stitch selector dial with 6 built-in stitches and buttonholes to create various designs that suit your needs. Its arm-free design gives you good control over the fabric and makes it easy to sew hard to reach areas like cuffs and collars. The buttonhole stitch function has a reverse stitch with lever to reinforce the seams of your clothing. Its 4-point feed-dog system ensures the fabric does not twist or run backward. The sewing machines easy lay-in threading function offers fail-proof needle insertion. Its snap-on foot system allows convenient operation. This free-arm sewing machine comes with a carry case with a handle for easy carrying. Plus, the sewing machine comes with needles, bobbins, a spool holder, a ripper and extra presser feet.

Adorable compact sewing machine—perfect for Hello Kitty fans —with 6 built-in stitches plus buttonhole
Features reverse stitch for reinforcing seams, easy lay-in threading system and 4-point feed-dog system to keep fabric feeding straight
Has a free-arm design for sewing hard-to-reach areas, a handle for simple moving from room to room and a snap-on foot system
Made of high-impact ABS resin; UL listed
10Hx5.62Wx12.75L"
Features: Heavy-Duty Metal Frame, Free Arm, Portable, Built-In Thread Cutter, Reverse Stitch, Built-In Storage, De-Clutch Bobbin Winder, Built-In Light, Quilting
Includes: Spool Holder, Needles, Extra Presser Feet, Carrying Case/Cover, Owner's Manual, Seam Ripper, Bobbins
Stitch Types: Buttonhole stitch
Number of Stitch Patterns: 8
Bobbin Type: Front Load
Buttonhole Steps: 4 Step
Presser Feet Included: Buttonhole Foot, Zig Zag Foot
Dimensions: 10.0 " H x 12.75 " W x 5.62 " D
Weight: 11.0 Lb.
Warranty Description: 5 Year Limited Warranty

guest rating
overall 4.5 of 5 stars
Easy to Use 5 of 5 stars
Quality 5 of 5 stars
Value 5 of 5 stars

Of course the BEST deals are thrift stores,can get awesome machines for 10 bucks and up.Her Husqvarna is a thrift store special,very nice.

Sewing is extremely useful and surprisingly easy. I started using Frostline kits, which were developed with the novice seamstress/seamster in mind. I later sewed up some items from scratch - bivy sack, caving pack, FAK bag (which I am still using), small back pack. A sewing awl is great for minor mods and repairs, as well as stitching heavy fabrics (like leather).

It's a good skill to have if you want to be a seamstress. I have no desire for that. If it comes down to me having to make my own clothes, duct tape will just have to do.

Sewing is very useful. I hardly know jack about the specifics, but if you can whip stitch, you can sew on a button, and do some basic mending and joining. If you know another kind of stitch (I don't know the name), even if it isn't a really consistent stitch, you can mend, repair, and create in many fabrics (assuming it's not a knit or something that needs special stitching or cutting according to something called a bias).

Right now I actually have a small project in progress: My girlfriend bought a small crossbow pistol for some back yard target shooting, and she needs a way to carry the bolts. I happen to have a worn out pair of jeans, so I'm making the end of a leg into a divided pouch with a button closure and strap loops to accommodate different types of slings or belt mounts.

Two kinds of stitches.

It's an excellent skill to have. I grew up very poor and had to repair my own clothing and gear, plus surplus items I bought. When I got into martial arts I made a lot of my own gear. I still use sew to this day. Just keep at it until you get good and the stitching doesn't look like it's on frankenstiens monster. Good luck!

When we joined Scouts, and started earning crests and badges, I rediscovered my ability to sew and, surprisingly (for a woman who hated Girl Guides when she was a kid, in part because we had to learn to sew) my enjoyment of it.

It's not pretty but I can fix stuff to make it last longer, alter stuff to make it better, and make stuff when I can't afford to buy it.

Sadly, I am only a hand sewer. The advanced technology of the sewing machine seems beyond me, as it was when I failed home ec in middle school.

Get a decent sewing machine, it's awesome. I've repaired lots of stuff that would otherwise be pain in the butt to do manually if even possible, plus every stitch is a lock stitch so even better.

Sewing, at any level, is always useful. My mother made sure that all of us kids (three girls and four boys) knew how to wash clothes (cold water for safety of colors and whites), had basic cooking skills, could iron clothes, and do basic sewing. All of us have benefited because of it. So, YES, sewing is a great skill.

When we were newlyweds (won't say how LONG ago that was!) the wife bought a sewing machine. Pretty expensive one IMHO, but it came with several nights of sewing classes included. I went with her. So I learned how to work the machine, what each of it's bazillions of different stiches was used for, and how to get thread on the bobbin and run the thread through all the little levers and holes and springy things inside the machine (which is not a trivial task for the uninitiated!)

But, being an engineer, creative sewing was not for me. I did make several things though. "Engineered" things, not pretty things. Like a cover for the birdcage - which is basically a bottomless cube with a slit going up one side and over the top. Right up an engineer's alley. Of course, to show off my newly learned sewing skills, I made it lined with black fabric with a flashy floral pattern on the outside, and used not only straight stitches, but zigzag (to prevent fraying), bar-tacking (to reinforce), and a nice hem at the bottom.

But when I realized (in horror) what I had been doing, I quickly grabbed my Man Card, drank a beer, spit, farted, scratched my crotch, and plopped down in front of the TV. Man, I barely escaped what could have been a really awkward lifestyle for a guy.

That's the problem - sewing is seen as a girlie pastime. I compensated by mostly sewing only manly things - climbing slings, packs (really tough packs) and the like. And I stayed away from those complex machines with computerized programs for elaborate stitches - give me a treadle operated straight stitcher any day.

And I did all teh things you listed, Haertig. That always helps....

Fear not, men.

I have an oooold camping book that includes a chapter on gear making. The author mentions that men should not hesitate to master skills such as cooking and sewing "...lest women become indespensible for reasons other than nature intended."

Yes, it is.

They say the old time sailor men ("ships of wood and men of iron" and all that) were supurb at sewing. The sail maker was the specialist, but any old salt could take a scrap of sail cloth and make himself a beautiful sea bag. It was said that when a sailor sewed on a button, it was there for the life of the garment.

Of course, I wasn't a squid, rather I served in the Marine Corps, so like Haertig:

Of course, I wasn't a squid, rather I served in the Marine Corps,
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Jarhead.

yes it is.
I wish I knew it :-)

Pete2

Alright, how can I learn to sew or use a sewing machine? I've been just making it up as I go along. But it sounds like there are things to be learned!

I think there are community education classes held through the local school systems. Also, the chain fabric stores (Jo-Ann Fabrics is one) have classes/lessons also.

Standard Disclaimer

My $.02

I also made Frostline kits when I was a kid. From 7th or 8th grade all through high school and into college.

Lets see, I made a few day packs, a full backpack, a foam pad (cover), insulated booties, a non-insulated jacket, a thin down insulated coat, a super thick down insulated parka, a down sleeping bag, and a 2-person tent. I still have most of it, though they haven't been used lately.

Sewing is a great skill, but designing good gear on one's own would be pretty tough. I sure wish Frostline was still in existence.

The very best Frostline kit I sewed was a light down jacket with reversible capabilities. One side was a nice quiet loden green, and the other was screaming bright International Orange, hot enough to melt lead. Just the thing for all occasions. I lost it when some creep stole my SAR pack from my pickup.

This thread reminds me that I need to add a sewing kit to my new pack. I blew a shoulder strap in the spring but it was on the hike home. Would have really sucked at the start of a trip.

[img][IMG]http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h351/backpackjac/IMG_0201.jpg[/img][/img]


Lesson number one - check your gear before you leave on a trip

Lesson number two - especially if you fail to follow lesson number one, bring a repair kit.

Thinking about the original question ...

There is a big difference between the skills it takes to making clothing and other gear - planning, cutting, pinning, sewing, ...


... and the skills it takes to do hand-sewn repairs.

Quite frankly I think sewing with a machine is far easier than making a nice-looking strong repair.

I can do a great job with a sewing machine, but hand me a needle and thread and I struggle to do hand sewing. Does anyone know of a good online how-to and that subject?

Somewhere around the house I have a Speedy Stitcher Sewing Awl that is made for doing heavy duty repairs. They never seem to look very nice.

OMG!!! They let squids and jarheads in here?! The horror... Lol

Agreed. I am pretty good at simple repairs and basic stitching , but for the life me 8 just can-t get the hang of the sewing machine. making something from scratch is a much bigger prospect!

Had an Aunt who was a seamstress for High end lady dresses,when she would visit she repaired our things,wow,she could repair very bad tears and wear outs almost to the point couldnt be seen,some couldnt,and hem stuff FAST,all by hand.

She was skilled for sure.