Gear Repair - Needle and Thread

[Zornt]

I am ever so grateful for my parents for teaching me different skills.
Dad taught me the guy stuff use of tools, hunting , fishing , etc.
Mom taught me sewing, cooking , laundry, crocheting,etc.
They did the same for my sister too. Chris could swing a hammer with the best of them, and I can sew buttond and hems. To top it off I make a mean chicken pie with home made noodles.
Thanks for the thread and thanks to mom and dad for the foresite to teach these skills!

[battle.munky]

I learned most of my current sewing skills in the Marines.....ironing too.

[Pappy Frank]

My mother insisted that her boys learn to sew and cook. I remember dragging a chair in front of the stove to be able to reach it and cook. Sewing was the same (no chair dragging) we had to know it. Now I can out sew and out cook most women, even my wife (if I want her to know I said that, I will tell her myself). There is nothing wrong with anyone sewing or cooking. They are both fun, and profitable.

[SwissArmyKnife]

I've gotten a few odd looks when I show someone my sewing kit. I always have one of the pocket kits that you get on a military base in my pack. That, combined with a sew all needle with a handle, and paracord, has saved alot of gear from the trash. I upgraded my rucksack in the Army with fastex buckles. I modified a canvas buttpack with a drawcord on the weather liner, side pouches for extra storage, and modern nylon straps and buckles, I used this for years as a field medical bag. Last year I had a pair of 5-11 shoes blowout the top seams overseas. I got some paracord guts and my swallow and repaired them stronger than new, they lased me the rest of the year trekking through several countries working in some arduous conditions.
I taught all of my soldiers that sewing is a useful and vital skill. I will teach my son's someday as well.

[rdec]

Hand sewing in the field can indeed be a vital, life-saving skill. Torn trousers or a blown-out zipper in subzero cold can kill you. (That is why the army usually has clothing and gear with heavy zippers AND snaps. Most army trousers have button flys, buttons are field repairable, zippers usually are not.)

The melamine buttons used on army clothing are the toughest I have ever seen. Army laundrys are not gentle. I have seen hundreds of turned in field uniforms worn to shreds but have never seen a broken melamine button. Most look brand new on even the most abused uniforms.

[TopherBean]

These are all fantastic examples and some good tips too. Thanks to everyone for sharing!

[NJWHN95]

I am just getting into sewing more, could someone suggest a type of thread to use. When ever I needed a tougher piece of cord (for example I made a very rough knife sheath, but it worked) I just use the inner strands of 550 cord. But now I am thinking I would like to get a thread for the actual purpose of sewing. I have been thinking artificial sinew just cause I like the look and it seems pretty tough for the size. Would that work and are there any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[SwissArmyKnife]

Simple thread will do for most clothes stitching. I like to take paracord guts and unravel them. That gives me a nice heavy sewing thread that I can use with a normal needle. If I'm taking the time on my sewing machine I'll invest in better quality thread than what comes in my pocket kits. Search around for sewing shops or groups in your area. Alas, gone are the days of the small walmart with a large sewing table and a nice helpful and knowledgeable seamstress in the craft section.

[Seeker]

Alas, gone are the days of the small walmart with a large sewing table and a
nice helpful and knowledgeable seamstress in the craft section.

i still have that... guess i'm lucky. gotta drive to get there, but 1 of the 2 in the area is like that, and still has a huge fabric section. in the smaller store it's gone.

[shoogai]

That's a nice repair job. I can put thread through cloth & buttons but nobody would call my work "sewing". I would like to learn some proper stitches & finishing knots. Knitting would be a nice skill to learn as well for scarves, hats etc. Good job & thanks for sharing.