Dec212011
Sewing for Survival: Here’s what you’ll need
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- image by Claudia*~Assad
Until recently, I had no idea how rare my sewing skills were, but I should have been clued in by the median age of the women buying fabric at the local craft store! Most are in their 50′s and 60′s. A few days ago, one of my readers, Janice, told me about stocking up sewing supplies and treadle machines. She explained, “Someday if times get really bad, I’ll be able to earn extra money by sewing clothes for people.” I think that’s a brilliant plan.
Even if you have no idea how to sew, you should still begin stocking up on supplies. Hemming a pair of pants and sewing up a rip can be learned in just a few minutes, but if you don’t have the supplies, you’ll be left tracking down a Janet in your neighborhood! To get started, here is a list of essential supplies. Be sure to utilize Craigslist, Freecycle, and garage/estate sales.
- good scissors which will only be used for cutting fabric
- quality sewing machine needles in sizes 10, 12, and at least one set of denim needles
- a rotary cutter and extra blades, useful in quilting
- rotary cutting mat
- quality hand sewing needles
- embroidery scissors
- a variety of zippers, in different sizes and colors. Neutral colors are best.
- a variety of buttons, snaps, and hook & eye closures. Whenever you are throwing out old clothes cut off the buttons and zippers.
- safety pins in various sizes
- straight pins
- iron-on patches
- fusible iron-on fabric, such as Steam-a-Seam or Stitch Witchery
- elastic in different widths
- thimbles
- measuring tape
- Velcro
- fabric glue
- ribbon
- bobbins
- thread: all-purpose and quilting. Quality thread is worth paying a bit extra for. Stock up on mostly neutral colors
- polar fleece by the yard, when it’s on sale. This can be used for blankets and for sewing cold-weather clothing, but be aware that it is flammable and shouldn’t be used for children’s clothing.
- patterns for simple, basic clothing
- batting. Even if you’ve never made a quilt in your life, a supply of batting will allow you to add padding to clothing and other sewing projects.
- other sewing notions not listed here
- at least one good sewing how-to book
© 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.
(17) Readers Comments
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Thanks, PJ! There are so many great people in this community. Lots o
An Interview with Professional Survival Mom Suzanne
The shop looks great. Going to get the book now. Thanks!!
My Story: Surviving a flood and planning for long-term survival
I've never been in a flood before. Where I'm at in the Northwest they'
Schatzie Ohio
Good list. I would add interfacing and tracing pellon to copy multi size patterns with out cutting them.
Dagny
Those preparing for TEOTWAWKI should also look at getting a spinning wheel to make yarn. Dog hair, especially the undercoat of certain northern breeds (Samoyeds the prime example), makes beautiful and exceptionally warm and resilient yarn for use in making hats, scarves, sweaters, coats, gloves and socks. Samoyed hair is so warm that it is often blended 50-50 with merino to "cool" it down. Here's a link to information on processing dog hair and many photos of finished products and skeins of Samoyed yarn: http://www.potomacvalleysams.com/FiberArts.html
Dawn
http://content.janome.com/index.cfm/Machines/Spec…
Stealth Spaniel
What public school moron decided that teaching kids life skills-such as sewing, cooking, and shop -was out dated and useless? In California we spend a fortune making kids as dumb as possible. Thank God, all of the women in my family valued sewing and passed it on. Remember- you can never have too many needles, straight pins, bobbins, or too much thread! Beyond clothing, there is the ability to create warm quilts, comforters, pillows, and black out curtains. The after Christmas sales should be great this year, Even if you have no use now, you will probably find a place for that 2 yards of cotton end piece for 98 cents. Also, when you sew, you can "re-purpose" other clothing or home supplies. Re-purposed good quality but out of date thrift store stuff is all the rage now. Spending $5 beats spending $100.
totempole
A bit of skill in working with garment leather might be useful…don't forget buttonhole thread and gloving needles. I don't know what the shelf life of leather adhesive is.
Andrea
Save old jeans, they can be used for patching, the zippers can be reused as well as the buttons. Check out fabric at Savers, Good Will, Thrift shops or the close out sales at fabric stores. Check out your local quilt shop for quilting and sewing classes. I just purchased a beautiful, restored 7 drawer Singer 1916 (66) treadle for a song. A woman in my area of AZ has a hobby. She collects, refurbishes and sells at a song. I'll bring this one back north and have another one waiting for me to pick up and that one will head north with me the following year.
RightWingMom
Good article. I think many of us underestimate the value of a skill like sewing.
Glad I took home ec (while it was available) in high school. Also, my mom is a master seamstress and many of her skills were pased on to me. I'll never be the master that she is, but having the basics is a skills that may serve me, and my family well, in a SHTF world. Even if I never barter, I can keep our clothes mended. I also enjoy quilting. My DH has encouraged me to have supplies on hand to work on projects when times get tough. I have plans for a HANDMADE king sized quilt. Something to keep my hands busy in the evenings.
Jan
I have been slowly learning to sew over the past few years. I can make basic things like pajamas and blankets and plan to branch out to other patterns after the holidays. I have been finding amazing deals on sewing supplies at estate sales and thrift stores. A friend of mine has been teaching sewing classes to ladies at church and friends of her friends. She isn't advertising it, its all word of mouth. She has full classes each month. Its a good way for her to bring in some extra money for her family each month. She is a stay at home mom of 5 kids.
TheSurvivalMom
Sewing is definitely worth learning, and it isn't that hard. Most of the very simple patterns are easy to follow, and there are YouTube videos that will teach any beginner how to sew.
Jan
I have been using youtube! Works great. I am currently working on a ruffle apron and the you tube videos are the only thing getting me through it!
Lisa
Did you know that Janome makes a treadle sewing machine that you can get (made for the Amish in mind)? You'll need to buy an 'old fashioned' treadle table and belt for it, but that doesn't seem to be a problem with Craigslist. The brand name you can google is Janome Treadle Powered Sewing Machine 712T. I've got it on my wish list!
Liz Long
They have those on eBay. How cool! Thanks.
LizLong
I have bought a lot of sewing notions at Tuesday Morning. My Fiskars scissors have skull and crossbones all over them (no clue why they thought it was a good idea), but they cut just dandy and only cost $2. I have pins, needles, seamstress' chalk, a wrist-band pin cushion, thimble, several widths of elastic, etc etc etc that I have found on sale there.
Karen Hillman
Very good information. I was taught growing up to save everything like you talked about with zippers and buttons. I inherited my grandmother’s collection of both and I use them and add to them. Thank you so much for sharing.
Gerda
Hauntingly true advice.
My grandmother, along with many from her village had been rounded up and placed in work camps. She often told the story of her neighbor, who had been mending earlier that fateful day. Sadie had absently stuck the needle into the front of her shirt, expecting to return to her task.
In a setting where your only belongings are the clothers on your back, that hidden needle became a treasures resource.
NancyB
I have a working treadle machine which is a duplicate of the one I learned to sew on. My mother did not have an electric sewing machine until after I started college in 1969. Even then, a treadle machine was seen as a dinosaur, but I really love the fact that it is made from metal parts, not plastic, and I can oil and adjust the machine myself.
For someone putting together a basic sewing kit, sign up for the coupon newsletters with Hobby Lobby and JoAnn Fabrics. Hobby Lobby sends out a 40% off any regular priced (not sale priced) item. I use them to buy a spool of thread, a zipper, or a pattern. The prices of sewing notions has really gone up in the last few years. That 40% off coupon can also be used for fabric. JoAnn’s has similar coupons.
I realized sticker shock when I went to buy buttons for a shirt I made my husband. I needed 11 matching buttons and they came to over $8.00. I went to Goodwill and bought a flannel-type shirt for $3.00 and cut the buttons off. I then used the shirt material to make covers for my Swiffer.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to stockpile blue cotton workshirt material and flannel, either. We’ll always need basic shirts and pajamas.
Charlee
I collect sewing machines, and have 9 “people powered” machines…8 treadles and 1 handcrank. The remainder of my 28 machines are pre-1960 electric machines. They all work, and I use them all. I figure that when SHTF, especially in an EMP event, those treadles will be very valuable!