So many people are not aware of how to effect a stitched repair, and that's pretty sad. Thanks for explaining and demonstrating the basics for folks.👍 Personally, I learned to do stitched repairs when I was 8 years old. I'm 74 now, and still mending things.😅 What I've used for ages is something I started to carry with my gear for fast repair. I have 2 harness needles and a box of dental floss Ranger banded together. The floss is waxed, and is easy to pull theough canvas, punched leather, and cotton or nylon webgear. A very compact and useful combination that is always within reach. In the years I was a working cowboy, a Ranger in the army, peace officer, Scoutmaster, and now retired old man living in the woods, this simple system has been used considerably. In my car's trunk, it's in a plastic tub containing needed emergency gear. Also my Maxpedition mini pouch I carry, and at home in my "go-to" box of needed gear. 😏
I too learned the sewing basics from my Mom and Grandma. I'm 69 grew up in the Cowboy trade, Marines, 2 seasons as a Wilderness Ranger in Eastern Oregon and spending time in the Idaho backcountry gave me plenty of opportunities to use my "skills". Compared to the women in my life I'm a rank amateur.
Saddler here - a proper saddle stitch requires 2 needles, one on each side of whatever you're sewing, then each passing to the opposite side of the material through the same hole. And saddler's lace - "tiger tail' - is a great thread to use for outdoor stuff. Exceptionally strong synthetic.
Is that an actual thread or strips of leather? I'm looking up saddlers lace and keep seeing the strips of leather called leather lace and when I look for tiger tail I find nylon coated stainless wire.
I live these basic technique vids. Please do more, as in todays disposable society we no longer know these basics. It’s just chuck it and buy a new one. So sad.
After you thread your needle, put both ends together, roll them in your fingers, then slid it off your fingers making a knot. This keeps your thread from coming out and gives you double the thread/strength in your stitches. You can thank my now deceased southern Appalachian grandmother for this. She would’ve been at least in her 90’s if not older by now. Also the only person I know that actually used to cook and eat Polk salad for what it’s worth lol
Once you got those down, the blanket and back stiches are handy to have. Blanket is good for edges, gives them a cool look and a bit more strength. Back stich is kind of like a cheater version of a saddle stich, by mixing it with a running stich.
One of the strongest stitchings is the preferred shoemakers choice with yarn (linen), that was repeatedly pulled through a block of beeswax to impregnate it. You missed mentioning it. As a rule of thumb you should use thread from the same material as the fabric, so under stress they can work hand in hand and not interfere with each other - sewing Nylon, Nylon thread would be pick#1, not polyester. According to the eye of the needle, you missed to mention, that there a several different types of needles, regular sewing needles with a sharp point and a small eye, darning needles with a big eye and a blunt tip, canvas/sail-needles with a thick, sturdy body, semi-blunt tip and a big eye etc. For heavy-duty repairs a canvas-needle is advantageous - its semi-blunt tip slides between the threads of the fabric rather than hurting them and they come with a hidden feature, the lenght of the right needle for the used thread makes up for seven stitches. Why don't you make both ends of the whip-stitch the same? Sorry, but your 'saddle-stitch' is sloppy 'false double-stitch' - a real saddle-stitch is a true double-stitch and is used with one needle at each end, running through the same hole from opposite sides at the same time, thus preventing the second needle to poke through the first thread and making the stitches more even, strong (and nicer looking). With a 'false double-stitch' it's hard to achieve an even stitching line, because you have to get the tension right at the first run and get the same tension when sewing backwards. For rips a third stitch is required - the 'boatswain's seam'. You don't pull the edges together and create a new stress-point with it. Sail repairs were quite common in former times and the 'boatswain's seam' is the strongest and most durable solution - similar to repair a ripped tarp, hammock or tent. Although a complete 'boatswain's seam' uses two additional patches, it can now be replaced by the seam itself and two strips of duct tape.
Glad to see this. I'm familiar with the stitches but needed to see how to finish both of them. Now....whar's mah needle? Thanks a bunch, Dan. You da man.
One more good cloth mending technique is seam tape. It's basically thin flattened strips of hot melt glue that you put between two pieces of fabric and then press with a hot iron. In the woods you substitute a hot rock for the iron. Sometimes you can do the same with a 1/4" glue stick. Melt the end of the glue stick and smear it into a thin coat on one piece of fabric, lay the other fabric on top and then press together with a hot rock, remelting the glue into that second piece of fabric as well. It works well!
There is an art form that I learned in Junior High School called "stitchery". It's a lot like embroidery, except that you use thick treads and thin yarns and about 25 different stitches to create pictures on a piece of tightly woven burlap. You can get kits in some hobby stores and they are a great way to learn real stitching skills and they are fun. I've been repairing my own ripped clothing since I was a kid and was proud that I knew how to do so. In a survival situation or just as an emergency repair, it's amazing what you can do with one of those tiny desk drawer staplers. Many times I've repaired the ripped liner of a pocket at work with a small stapler that I kept in my tool box for those type of emergencies. Nothing is worse than finding your pliers or screwdriver is now sliding down the back of your leg through a hole in your back pocket. The staples can just be run end to end,one after the other, much the same as the running and saddle stitch shown here. Holds up for a lot longer than you might imagine.
When Mom taught me to sew, she had me double the thread and the the ends together with an overhand knot. Start the stitch until the end is near the fabric, then tuck the needle through the loop to start the thread and hold it in place. Then at the end of the stitching, turn the end of the thread back to the last stitch and use the needle to the off the thread with two half hitches. Yes, it does use more thread, but I'd like to know what you think, Dan.
I was thrown in the deep end in boot camp with buttons. I had watched my mom when I was younger, and now my wife, 72 here. Sometimes a little instruction rather than watching only is a great thing. Thanks for showing us the simple things that can be overlooked. Keep up these great instructional videos. Looking for the next one!
Thanks for the video. I prefer a saddle stitch with waxed cotton thread for most things. Holds real well and has the same effect when you burn the tails.
Wow!! Absolutely love your technique!! Much better than the way my grandmother showed me!! She had me double up on everything including the knots!! Thank you so much!! Dan.
That is good timing lol. I just finished sewing dummy loops into my possibles bag. I prefer braided flat leather crafting thread. Stronger and thicker than standard clothing thread. But I carry an all too lol.
Leaning how to sew and repair gear in the field is a valuable skill to have. I have those hand forged 3 pointed needles from England and also those S needles from Tandy leather in my repair kit.
Thank you for making this. A lot of very useful info. My only question would be how to lock a thread if you weren’t using polyester thread, but that’s outside the survival theme.
I've seen my mom make her own clothes and repair mine for the first 10 years of my life and I have made/modified/repaired my gear without failure. This is the most expedient video on this subject while still being clear, exact and well explained. One difference: I like to stop my running stitches the same way I do whip stitches, just go around the last one 3-4 times and then around the thread and through itself a couple of times. Never comes off and, if it has to, it will fail next to the repair, just like a healed broken bone.
Excellent information .sewing is one of the essential skills i took from scouts. I usually do a variation of the whip stitch . i’ll try saddle stitch to hemmed my pants. I like to use braided fishing line , its extra strong and dual use which helps on a hiking or canoe trip, also dental floss is also very effective and dual use . Thanks :)
Clear, simple, and short! The best bushcraft channel. Some other channels just show for a full hour someone camping for a night, and then they say: it was nice. That will help a lot!
I run a modded saddle stitch that uses the whip stitch in it. I also tie the eye of the needle with the thread and use a tied loop to start the stitch. Mine is stronger but requires that you pay attention to what you are doing. I also tie off the end of the thread at the end of the stitching and then melt it if it is the polyester thread or nylon thread.
This is great,younger generations really need to tune in and learn the skills of sewing. My mom taught me the basics when I was younger so I do the knot at the end but I definitely like your technique with burning it to make it more secure. Can't wait to get back to the Appalachian Bushman school id be there tomorrow if I could lol.Another awesome video as always brother 👍 💪
Thanks, Dan, for another excellent practical video! I like to have upholstery and Kevlar thread, along with common polyester thread, in my kits, to have some super strong options. Paracord kernel threads can also be used in a pinch, and having a variety of needles, especially ones with large eyes, I find helpful. Looking forward to your next video! 👊 😊
Dan, when I work on my canvas pack I generally start with a saddle stitch 1/4 inch in from the opening then finish with a whip stitch to be cautious and safe in the field. Do you recommend that or do you have an alternative?
Pull it through all the way and double it. Unless you are doing fancy leather work its the best way. Our grandmas all did this! Start wand finish with half hitches, not knots....
We need to bring back home ec and woodshop to schools. Basic skills matter.
So many people are not aware of how to effect a stitched repair, and that's pretty sad. Thanks for explaining and demonstrating the basics for folks.👍
Personally, I learned to do stitched repairs when I was 8 years old. I'm 74 now, and still mending things.😅
What I've used for ages is something I started to carry with my gear for fast repair. I have 2 harness needles and a box of dental floss Ranger banded together. The floss is waxed, and is easy to pull theough canvas, punched leather, and cotton or nylon webgear. A very compact and useful combination that is always within reach.
In the years I was a working cowboy, a Ranger in the army, peace officer, Scoutmaster, and now retired old man living in the woods, this simple system has been used considerably.
In my car's trunk, it's in a plastic tub containing needed emergency gear. Also my Maxpedition mini pouch I carry, and at home in my "go-to" box of needed gear. 😏
I too learned the sewing basics from my Mom and Grandma. I'm 69 grew up in the Cowboy trade, Marines, 2 seasons as a Wilderness Ranger in Eastern Oregon and spending time in the Idaho backcountry gave me plenty of opportunities to use my "skills". Compared to the women in my life I'm a rank amateur.
Hilarious.
I was raised in a household full of quilters and your preaching to the choir.
Now I want a bushcraft sock darning tutorial! 😆 such a basic skill so many people just don’t have anymore
Saddler here - a proper saddle stitch requires 2 needles, one on each side of whatever you're sewing, then each passing to the opposite side of the material through the same hole. And saddler's lace - "tiger tail' - is a great thread to use for outdoor stuff. Exceptionally strong synthetic.
Is that an actual thread or strips of leather? I'm looking up saddlers lace and keep seeing the strips of leather called leather lace and when I look for tiger tail I find nylon coated stainless wire.
That's the way I learned from a quilter! also I use tiger tail to re string beaded jewelery as well.
I live these basic technique vids. Please do more, as in todays disposable society we no longer know these basics. It’s just chuck it and buy a new one. So sad.
After you thread your needle, put both ends together, roll them in your fingers, then slid it off your fingers making a knot. This keeps your thread from coming out and gives you double the thread/strength in your stitches. You can thank my now deceased southern Appalachian grandmother for this. She would’ve been at least in her 90’s if not older by now. Also the only person I know that actually used to cook and eat Polk salad for what it’s worth lol
Once you got those down, the blanket and back stiches are handy to have.
Blanket is good for edges, gives them a cool look and a bit more strength.
Back stich is kind of like a cheater version of a saddle stich, by mixing it with a running stich.
I was taught to hand sew and stitch by my Mother and older sisters, it has come in real handy throughout my life.
Dan, you are a sewing machine! 😮
One of the strongest stitchings is the preferred shoemakers choice with yarn (linen), that was repeatedly pulled through a block of beeswax to impregnate it. You missed mentioning it.
As a rule of thumb you should use thread from the same material as the fabric, so under stress they can work hand in hand and not interfere with each other - sewing Nylon, Nylon thread would be pick#1, not polyester.
According to the eye of the needle, you missed to mention, that there a several different types of needles, regular sewing needles with a sharp point and a small eye, darning needles with a big eye and a blunt tip, canvas/sail-needles with a thick, sturdy body, semi-blunt tip and a big eye etc. For heavy-duty repairs a canvas-needle is advantageous - its semi-blunt tip slides between the threads of the fabric rather than hurting them and they come with a hidden feature, the lenght of the right needle for the used thread makes up for seven stitches.
Why don't you make both ends of the whip-stitch the same?
Sorry, but your 'saddle-stitch' is sloppy 'false double-stitch' - a real saddle-stitch is a true double-stitch and is used with one needle at each end, running through the same hole from opposite sides at the same time, thus preventing the second needle to poke through the first thread and making the stitches more even, strong (and nicer looking).
With a 'false double-stitch' it's hard to achieve an even stitching line, because you have to get the tension right at the first run and get the same tension when sewing backwards.
For rips a third stitch is required - the 'boatswain's seam'. You don't pull the edges together and create a new stress-point with it. Sail repairs were quite common in former times and the 'boatswain's seam' is the strongest and most durable solution - similar to repair a ripped tarp, hammock or tent. Although a complete 'boatswain's seam' uses two additional patches, it can now be replaced by the seam itself and two strips of duct tape.
Glad to see this. I'm familiar with the stitches but needed to see how to finish both of them. Now....whar's mah needle?
Thanks a bunch, Dan. You da man.
One more good cloth mending technique is seam tape. It's basically thin flattened strips of hot melt glue that you put between two pieces of fabric and then press with a hot iron. In the woods you substitute a hot rock for the iron. Sometimes you can do the same with a 1/4" glue stick. Melt the end of the glue stick and smear it into a thin coat on one piece of fabric, lay the other fabric on top and then press together with a hot rock, remelting the glue into that second piece of fabric as well. It works well!
Upholstery thread for the win!
There is an art form that I learned in Junior High School called "stitchery". It's a lot like embroidery, except that you use thick treads and thin yarns and about 25 different stitches to create pictures on a piece of tightly woven burlap. You can get kits in some hobby stores and they are a great way to learn real stitching skills and they are fun. I've been repairing my own ripped clothing since I was a kid and was proud that I knew how to do so.
In a survival situation or just as an emergency repair, it's amazing what you can do with one of those tiny desk drawer staplers. Many times I've repaired the ripped liner of a pocket at work with a small stapler that I kept in my tool box for those type of emergencies. Nothing is worse than finding your pliers or screwdriver is now sliding down the back of your leg through a hole in your back pocket. The staples can just be run end to end,one after the other, much the same as the running and saddle stitch shown here. Holds up for a lot longer than you might imagine.
Holy crap Batman! He did it again! Just when I thought he peaked he took it to another level. Well done Dan.
When Mom taught me to sew, she had me double the thread and the the ends together with an overhand knot. Start the stitch until the end is near the fabric, then tuck the needle through the loop to start the thread and hold it in place. Then at the end of the stitching, turn the end of the thread back to the last stitch and use the needle to the off the thread with two half hitches. Yes, it does use more thread, but I'd like to know what you think, Dan.
Good reminder of the importance of this skill. Think I will get some practice in before I head out to the woods again.
I was thrown in the deep end in boot camp with buttons. I had watched my mom when I was younger, and now my wife, 72 here. Sometimes a little instruction rather than watching only is a great thing. Thanks for showing us the simple things that can be overlooked. Keep up these great instructional videos. Looking for the next one!
My Dad and ALL my uncles were All taught how to COOK CLEAN AND SEW!
In Boot camp, they made a killing, so I was told!
Thanks for the video. I prefer a saddle stitch with waxed cotton thread for most things. Holds real well and has the same effect when you burn the tails.
Helpful tips - thanks!
BTW, dental floss also works well as a thread.
Yes, I always have floss in my camp kit, not often but have repaired tent seam with it. Pretty strong.
I miss my grandma! The things she witnessed in her lifetime from 1892 to 1981. WOW!
Yap! She went from horse and wagon to man on the moon!
Thanks Dan
Hey Dan, would you be willing to demonstrate how to install a draw string on a pouch to close it shut?
Now that is an interesting idea!
Former parachute rigger says 👍👍.
I love that blanket!
I'm kid and love this survival
Wow!! Absolutely love your technique!! Much better than the way my grandmother showed me!! She had me double up on everything including the knots!! Thank you so much!! Dan.
Thanks Dan I learned something I use spider line for sewing gear and some clothing
Very GOOD info! Not a sexy prep, but very real world! Thank you!
That is good timing lol. I just finished sewing dummy loops into my possibles bag. I prefer braided flat leather crafting thread. Stronger and thicker than standard clothing thread. But I carry an all too lol.
Leaning how to sew and repair gear in the field is a valuable skill to have. I have those hand forged 3 pointed needles from England and also those S needles from Tandy leather in my repair kit.
Thank you for making this. A lot of very useful info.
My only question would be how to lock a thread if you weren’t using polyester thread, but that’s outside the survival theme.
I've seen my mom make her own clothes and repair mine for the first 10 years of my life and I have made/modified/repaired my gear without failure. This is the most expedient video on this subject while still being clear, exact and well explained.
One difference: I like to stop my running stitches the same way I do whip stitches, just go around the last one 3-4 times and then around the thread and through itself a couple of times. Never comes off and, if it has to, it will fail next to the repair, just like a healed broken bone.
hey Dan on starting the whip stitch put a double or triple loop like you ended it but run the needle through the loop it'll hold on it's own
Excellent information .sewing is one of the essential skills i took from scouts. I usually do a variation of the whip stitch . i’ll try saddle stitch to hemmed my pants.
I like to use braided fishing line , its extra strong and dual use which helps on a hiking or canoe trip, also dental floss is also very effective and dual use .
Thanks :)
Clear, simple, and short! The best bushcraft channel. Some other channels just show for a full hour someone camping for a night, and then they say: it was nice. That will help a lot!
I run a modded saddle stitch that uses the whip stitch in it. I also tie the eye of the needle with the thread and use a tied loop to start the stitch. Mine is stronger but requires that you pay attention to what you are doing. I also tie off the end of the thread at the end of the stitching and then melt it if it is the polyester thread or nylon thread.
Best sewing lesson I’ve had in a long, long time!! Cheers!!
I will give up my speedy-stitcher when they pry it from my cold, dead hands. I even made a mini version out of an exacto knife and bungee ball.
Another good one, thanks.
An important skill often forgotten till needed
This is great,younger generations really need to tune in and learn the skills of sewing. My mom taught me the basics when I was younger so I do the knot at the end but I definitely like your technique with burning it to make it more secure. Can't wait to get back to the Appalachian Bushman school id be there tomorrow if I could lol.Another awesome video as always brother 👍 💪
Love your work
Thanks, Dan, for another excellent practical video! I like to have upholstery and Kevlar thread, along with common polyester thread, in my kits, to have some super strong options. Paracord kernel threads can also be used in a pinch, and having a variety of needles, especially ones with large eyes, I find helpful. Looking forward to your next video! 👊 😊
Good morning sir;
I've been subbed along time to your channel.
I appreciate your efforts
Thanks, from the coastal mountains of Oregon.👍🇺🇸
Great job 👏 👍
COOL ! THANKS
Hi Dan thanks for this it's reminded me I need to do some sewing😊
Very helpful video Dan. Thanks
Good video
I don't know If you are aware or not, but you almost did what it's called an overlock stitch. I did that for one of my shirt and it looks so pretty.
I could have used this yesterday when I was fixing a couple of pairs of pants.
awesome video!
Ace watch dude great tips
Nice
I use Bankline as thread, strong
Dan, when I work on my canvas pack I generally start with a saddle stitch 1/4 inch in from the opening then finish with a whip stitch to be cautious and safe in the field. Do you recommend that or do you have an alternative?
So many young people will say,"What's a needle?" 😂😂😂
That's easy: it's Aria's sword ...
Or,,,, they’ll think it’s for injecting crap into their bodies.
Yes they would lol
Depends, did the older generation teach them...
Most of them are scared of needles 💉
Would fishing line work for sewing? What would be a good test?
I learned from my grandma too.
Still looking for proper S needles.
And my wool blankets shrinked. 😶
What's a needle?
DENTAL FLOSS!
"A bit sloppy"
I've seen worse, and it still works fine.
Pull it through all the way and double it. Unless you are doing fancy leather work its the best way. Our grandmas all did this! Start wand finish with half hitches, not knots....
I use upholstery thread, usually used for repairing/sewing furniture. It's strong but still slim.