A little ingenuity and a well-stocked repair
kit can prevent a broken ski tip or a flattened mountain bike
tire from becoming a serious problem deep in the bush. To
assemble your own wilderness repair kit, review the suggestions
below, customizing them to meet the space, weight, and repair
needs of your outdoor adventure.
Developed during WW II, duct tape is at
the top of everyone's list. Its innumerable applications include
sealing a leaky tent seam, mending a torn rainsuit, or reattaching
a delaminated boot sole. Splinting a broken arm or a busted
ski is easier with duct tape too. Hikers use it on their feet
to prevent blisters. Cross-country skiers with a broken binding
have avoided spending a long, cold night in the woods by simply
taping their ski boot to the offending ski. To carry, wind
a piece around a pencil or ski pole. Or better yet, pick up
a pocket-sized, 5-yard roll of 3M Scotch No. 127 "Cloth
or Duct" tape at Wal-Mart.
With their pliers, screw drivers, files,
knife blades, scissors, tweezers, and awls, a Swiss Army knife
and a Leatherman or Gerber multi-tool are essential tools
in the outdoors. While both sport plenty of tools, neither
one alone will allow you to simultaneously secure the head
of a screw AND twist loose a stubborn nut at the other end.
A short section of a coarse-tooth hacksaw blade can also be
useful.
Whether you need to simply replace a button
or reattach an all-important shoulder strap to your rucksack,
a good sewing kit is a must. It should include a couple buttons,
small squares of fabric, and some mosquito netting. For sewing,
include 2 fine needles with a length of light nylon thread,
2 heavy-duty needles with some carpet-grade nylon thread (use
dental floss in a pinch), and a couple of 3-sided, large-eyed
leather needles with a piece of heavy-duty, waxed nylon thread.
A leather or metal finger thimble is essential for hand-sewing
with a large needle. If an extra three ounces is not a problem,
carry a "Speedy Stitcher" sewing awl instead of
the leather needles for demanding repairs. At only $7 (Campmor
no. 21788), they're a real bargain, and a spool of thread
and extra needles store conveniently in the wooden handle.
A 50-foot chunk of 1/8-inch, braided nylon
cordage has dozens of uses including lashing a broken paddle
shaft together, rigging a tarp, replacing a boot lace, and
improvising a traditional snowshoe binding to replace a broken
"high-tech" one. A 12-foot length of bailing wire
is equally handy.
Include a piece of a hot-glue stick, adjustable-flame
lighter, matches, and maybe even a couple of small hose clamps.
Four large blanket safety pins and a 6-inch-long piece of
wide, sticky-back Velcro can quickly take the place of a blown
zipper on your parka or sleeping bag.
While you're at it, add a few activity-specific
repair items to your repair kit. For example, cross-country
skiers will want to carry a spare ski tip, extra screws to
replace a binding, and perhaps even a hard-to-find, no. 3
pozidrive-type screwdriver (Tognar Toolworks no. SVT-THD).
Fishers should be prepared to repair a damaged rod or a sluggish
reel. Backpackers will need items to repair a clogged stove
or a leaky inflatable sleeping pad. Mountain bikers will want
to pack a spoke wrench, Allen wrenches, chain tool, adjustable
wrench, tire repair kit, tire irons, spare tube, and an air
pump.
To learn more about assembling an all-purpose
repair kit as well as how to make field-expedient repairs
to tent zippers, neoprene gear, cook stoves, optics, skis,
snowshoes, canoe hulls, paddles, and lots of other gear, read
"The Essential Outdoor Gear Manual: Equipment Care and
Repair for Outdoorspeople," by Annie Getchell (Ragged
Mountain Press, 1995, ISBN 0-07-023169-9, 1-800-822-8158).
Your local hardware store, backpacking outlet, ski shop, Campmor
(www.campmor.com, 1-800-230-2153), and Tognar Toolworks (ski
tools, www.tognar.com, 1-800-926-9904) are excellent places
to purchase items for a repair kit.
To make sure your next wilderness adventure
comes off without a hitch, stow a compact repair kit in your
rucksack today. See you in the bush.
After years and years of fabricating my
own gear as well as retroing and repairing commercially made
gear, I've learned what sewing techniques work best for gear
that sees tough, month-after-month service under harsh, wilderness
conditions. To make your gear last longer, consider the following
construction techniques when fabricating or repairing your
wilderness gear:
- When sewing clothing for the wilderness,
always make sure the finished size of the garment will be
cut large enough to allow for maximum layering and freedom
of movement later. Several loose-fitting layers are the
warmest and most versatile in the bush.
- Sew with non-cotton thread, either nylon
or polyester, as cotton rots too easily in wet environs.
- All fabric edges--even those with waterproof
coatings--should be bound to prevent unraveling later. Either
zigzag stitch the edge or bind it with one-inch-wide grosgrain
ribbon. Hot cutting or flame sealing the fabric edge is
also a good idea, but in time, it too will unravel unless
it's backed up with hemming or binding.
- To prevent seams from tearing out under
stress, never sew closer than 3/8 of an inch from the edge
of fabric. Staying 1/2 of an inch away would be the best
for long-term, trouble-free use.
- To prevent perforating a fabric with
closely placed needle holes and having the fabric fail along
the stitch line, always choose the longest stitch length.
Eight to ten stitch holes per inch is best.
- On Velcro, stay 1/4 of an inch away
from the edge to prevent unraveling later.
A to Z outdoor
fabric directory
http://www.backpacker.com/fabric
Great place to learn more about individual
fabrics
Backpacker Magazine gear repair
page
http://www.backpacker.com/repairs
Learn how to repair your gear
Chet Fromm's Backpacker Guide--Gear
Repair
http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/1140/supplies.html
Fashion sewing Internet connectons
by Sheree McKee
http://pages.prodigy.net/shereemckee/fashion.htm
Over 300 sewing-related links
Lily Abello's Sewing Resource Guide
http://www.lilyabello.com/sewdir.htm
100's of sewing-related links
Make your own backpacking equipment
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html
Message Forum--Sewing backpacking gear
http://www.backpacking.net/cgi-bin/forum/make/config.pl
Product knowledge center--backpacking
http://www.fabriclink.com/pk/c-index.html
Great place to learn
more about individual fabrics
Sewing your own gear
by Seth Meisel
http://www.wta.org/~wta/cgi-bin/web10.pl?Signpost+sp+da+may976+sx
Sew something exciting
by Sheree McKee
http://pages.prodigy.net/shereemckee/sewsomething.htm
General sewing info
Tips and Techniques For Sewing
Your Own Outdoor Gear
by Penny
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/tips.htm
Wilderness Wear
http://www.adventurenetwork.com/
Select "camping and hiking," then
"clothing and fabrics"
Budget Backpacker--How to Select
or Make, Maintain, and Repair You Own Lightweight Backpacking
and Camping Equipment, by L. A. Zakreski (Winchester
Press, 1977)
Building Outdoor Gear--The First
Do-It-Yourself Outdoorsman, by Gil Gilpatrick (Gil
Gilpatrick, 1999)
** Essential Outdoor Gear Manual--Equipment
Care & Repair for Outdoors People, by Annie Getchell
(Ragged Mountain Press, 1995). See pages 1 through 77 for
an excellent primer on sewing wilderness gear.
For Campers Only--Sewing and Cooking,
by Cameron Yerian and Margaret Yerian (Children's Press, 1975)
General Repair of Tents, Canvas,
and Webbing, Field Manual, FM 10-16 (Department of
the Army, 1974)
How to Make Your Own Camping and
Hiking Gear, by Duncan S. Blackwell (Tab, 1981)
Lightweight Camping Equipment and
How to Make It, by Gerry Cunningham and Meg Hansson
(Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976)
Made for the Outdoors--Over 40 Do-it-Yourself
Projects for the Great Outdoors, by Len McDougall
(The Lyons Press, 1995)
Make It and Take It--Homemade Gear
for Camp and Trail, by Russ Mohney (Pacific Search
Press, 1977)
Make Your Own Backpack and Other
Wilderness Campgear, by Hugh Nelson (Swallow Press,
1981)
Make Your Own Camping Equipment,
by Robert Sumner (Drake Publishers, 1976)
Making Camping and Outdoor Gear,
by David Platten (David and Charles, 1981)
Mountain Man Crafts and Skills,
by David Montgomery (Horizon, 1980)
Outdoor Gear You Can Make Yourself,
by Marcia Lamoreaux and Bob Lamoreaux (Stackpole Books, 1976)
Outdoorsman's Fix-it Book,
by Monte Burch (Harper and Row, 1971)
Secrets of Eskimo Skin Sewing,
by Edna Wilder (Alaska Northwest Publishing, 1976)
** Sew and Repair Your Outdoor Gear,
by Louise Lindgren Sumner (Mountaineers Books, 1988)
Sew for Snow, by Renee C.
Schulz (Stackpole Books, 1980)
Sewing for the Outdoors--A Seamster's
Guide, by Hal Zina Bennett (Clarkson N. Potter, Inc.
Publishers, 1980)
Sewing Outdoor Gear--Easy Techniques
for Outerwear that Works, by Rochelle Harper (Taunton
Press, Inc., 2001)
Sewing Packs, Pouches, Seats, and
Sacks, by Betty Oppenheimer (Storey Books, 1998)
Taking Care of Outdoor Gear,
by Rich Kline (Stackpole Books, 1983)
Wilderness Gear You Can Make Yourself,
by Bradford Angier (Collier, 1973)
Adventure With Polarfleece--A Sewing
Expedition, by Nancy Cornwell (Krause Publications,
1998)
Complete Book of Sewing,
by Deni Bown (Dorling-Kindersley, 1996). A great sourcebook
for beginners and professionals alike.
Complete
Guide to Sewing--Step-By-Step Techniques for Making Clothes
(Reader's Digest, 1995). Regarded by some as "the bible
of sewing," and "the best all-around handbook."
Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Home
Sewing, by Jeanne Argent (Chilton Book Co., 1990)
Experts Book of Sewing Tips and Techniques--From
the Sewing Stars--Hundreds of Ways to Sew Better, Faster,
Easier, by Marya Kissinger Amig (Editor), Stacey L.
Klaman, Karen Kunkel (Editor) (Rodale Press, 1995)
Fieldbook (Boy Scouts
of America, 1984)
Idiot's Guide to Sewing,
by Lydia Wills (Alpha Books, 2000)
More Polarfleece Adventures,
by Nancy Cronwell (Krause Publications, 1999). Covers techniques
for sewing with fleece.
Okpik--Cold-Weather Camping
(Boy Scouts of America, 1995). Lots of good info on making
cold-weather camping gear.
Sew the New Fleece--Techniques With
Synthetic Fleece and Pile, by Rochelle Harper (Taunton
Press, 1997)
Sewing Activewear, by Singer
(Cy DeCosse Inc., 1986)
Sewing Essentials, by Singer
(Cy DeCosse Inc., 1984). A great book for beginners.
Sewing for Dummies, by Jan
Saunders (IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., 1999). Good basic manual.
Sewing Made Easy, 5th edition,
by Dorothy Sara (Overlook Press, 1985)
Sewing with an Overlock,
by Singer (Creative Publishing International, 1989). Covers
sewing with a serger.
Arrowhead Fabric Company
1-218-727-3121
http://www.arrowheadfabric.com
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
Atlanta Thread and Supply Co. (ATS)
1-800-847-1001
Commercial-grade sewing supplies
Beacon Fabric and Notions
1-800-713-8157
http://www.beaconfabric.com
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
Big Daddy's Gypsy Caravan
1-425-753-1971
http://www.bigdaddygypsy.com/
Online fabric store, renaissance fabric,
vestment brocade supplier.
**Cloth Spot, Inc.
1-800-734-0062
http://www.theclothspot.com
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
Clotilde
1-800-545-4002
http://www.clotilde.com
Lots of sewing notions
Denver Fabrics
1-866-996-4573
http://www.denverfabrics.com
Dharma Trading Company
1-800-542-5227
http://www.dharmatrading.com
Fabrics, fabric paints & dyes, etc.
Dollar Fabric
http://www.dollarfabric.com/
Discount fabric outlet
Fabric Depot, Inc.
1-800-392-3376
http://www.fabricdepot.com/
General sewing supplies
Fabric Direct
1-845-247-9094
http://www.fabricdirect.com/
General sewing supplies
Fabrics.net
http://www.fabrics.net
Great search engine for finding all things
fabric.
Frostline Kits
1-800-548-7872
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
Green Pepper Patterns
1-800-767-5684
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
G Street Fabrics
1-800-333-9191
http://www.gstreetfabrics.com/
General sewing supplies
Malden Mills Retail Store
1-877-289-7652
http://www.maldenmillsstore.com/
Good deals on Polartec material
Nancy's Notion's
1-800-833-0690
http:www.nancysnotions.com
General sewing supplies
**Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics
Inc.
1-800-693-7467
http://www.owfinc.com
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
**Quest Outfitters
1-800-359-6931
http://www.questoutfitters.com
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
Ragged Mountain Equipment
1-603-356-3042
http://www.raggedmt.com/
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
**RainShed Inc.
1-541-753-8900
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
RCT Fabrics (Rose City Textiles, Inc.)
1-800-482-4990
http://www.rctfabrics.com/
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
RJR Fashion Fabrics
1-800-422-5426
http://www.rjrfabrics.com
General sewing supplies
Rockywoods Outdoor Fabrics
1-907-663-6163
http://www.rockywoods.com
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
Seattle Fabrics, Inc.
1-206-525-0670
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
Steinlauf and Stoller, Inc.
1-877-869-0321
http://www.steinlaufandstoller.com
General sewing supplies
Textile Outfitters
1-403-543-7676
http://www.justmakeit.com/
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
Timmel Fabrics
1-877-825-9048
http://www.timmelfabrics.com
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
Wy'East Fabrics
1-503-364-8419
http://www.wyeastfabrics.com/
Outdoor-related sewing supplies
For additional vendors of fabrics, patterns,
and notions visit these Web sites:
Fashion
sewing Internet connectons
http://pages.prodigy.net/shereemckee/fashion.htm
Over 300 sewing-related links
Fabrics.net
http://www.fabrics.net
Great search engine for finding fabric suppliers.
On-line Fabric Directory
http://www.fabdir.com
Use this directory to find a fabric retailer
near you
Yahoo!
http://www.yahoo.com
(search for "fabrics")
Lots of general fabric listings.
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