Men’s Day-To-Day Sewing Tips Survival Guide

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Saddle seam: This vertical joint is stronger, more waterproof and lasts longer than a butt seam.
Saddle seam: This vertical joint is stronger, more waterproof and lasts longer than a butt seam.
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Types Of Seams: For all practical purposes there are only three major types of seams found in garments and footwear. Types Of Stitches: It stands to reason you can't be too fancy when you're using a big needle and heavy thread. These four, basic, simple stitches are all you'll need.Butt seam: Two pieces of material meet head-on.
Types Of Seams: For all practical purposes there are only three major types of seams found in garments and footwear. Types Of Stitches: It stands to reason you can't be too fancy when you're using a big needle and heavy thread. These four, basic, simple stitches are all you'll need.Butt seam: Two pieces of material meet head-on.
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The five essential sewing needles for sewing survival: bookbinders needle, packing needle, carpet needle, sailmakers needle, and curved needle. 
The five essential sewing needles for sewing survival: bookbinders needle, packing needle, carpet needle, sailmakers needle, and curved needle. 
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Lap seam: In fabric, two pieces of cloth merely overlap. For footwear, the overlapping pieces of leather are often tapered for a better-looking fit.
Lap seam: In fabric, two pieces of cloth merely overlap. For footwear, the overlapping pieces of leather are often tapered for a better-looking fit.
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Crossover stitch: Simplest stitch of all and useful in any recycling sewing.
Crossover stitch: Simplest stitch of all and useful in any recycling sewing.
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Straight stitch: Suitable only for lightweight fabrics, this stitch is fairly weak and not very permanent.
Straight stitch: Suitable only for lightweight fabrics, this stitch is fairly weak and not very permanent.
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Cross stitch: Good for light leather and virtually any fabric. Great holding strength.
Cross stitch: Good for light leather and virtually any fabric. Great holding strength.
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Blanket stitch: Each stitch is
Blanket stitch: Each stitch is "locked" by a semi-knot. Thus, the seam can break or come apart only one stitch at a time. An excellent stitch for any material
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Parts of a shoe, areas for repair using specialized sewing needles.
Parts of a shoe, areas for repair using specialized sewing needles.
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Step-by-step instructions on constructing an awl.
Step-by-step instructions on constructing an awl.
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A step-by-step method for sewing on new leather half-soles.
A step-by-step method for sewing on new leather half-soles.

Possibly the greatest “tool” buy in the world today is an old-timey bargain package of five strange-looking needles. You can find this packet in most dime or drug stores–Singer calls the assortment their “5 hand sewing needles”–and it sells for just thirty cents.

These man-sized instruments (at 3 to 4 inches in length, they’re twice the size of regular sewing needles) can make virtually anyone an expert in the repair and recycling of worn and discarded gloves, shoes, jackets, blankets, mats, belts, knapsacks, heavy pants and shirts.

The kit contains (according to Singer) a bookbinder’s needle, packing needle, carpet needle, sailmakers needle and curved needle. Armed with this assortment and the proper thread, any man should be capable of repairing and recycling a good 90% or more of any damaged, worn or weatherbeaten leather and heavy fabric goods that he’ll ever own.

You’ll also find that trashmongering takes on another wonderful dimension once you’ve mastered these five needles. Suddenly, you’re able to resew and reuse all those discarded leather and heavy fabric items–even odd gloves, shoes and boots–that you’ve been passing by.

Basic survival sewing, as I practice it, breaks down into three classifications: [I] Items in which a needle can make new holes (lighter leathers, fabrics, vinyls, etc.), [2] Items in which the needle uses holes already made (heavy fabrics, heavy leather and shoes) and [3] Items in which new holes are made with an awl (some fabrics, leathers and many types of shoe repair).

  • Published on Jul 1, 1971
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