An often overlooked area of preparedness and self-reliance is garment making and repair, otherwise known as sewing and mending. One of a human beings most basic need is clothing. So as part of preparedness, keeping the family clothed shouldn’t be overlooked.
Flannel Shirt Under Construction Using Treadle Machine
Is Sewing Really that Important?
Given the abundance of clothing available in North America from department stores, on-line, second hand shops, yard sales and garage sales, most of us take clothes for granted and don’t give any of it a second thought. But what if supplies were to run low or there were shortages. Then what?
The effect on the family wardrobe wouldn’t be felt immediately. But at some point the kids outgrow their clothes or garments simply wear out. Arming yourself with basic sewing supplies and skills will go a long way to keeping your family clothed.
It’s not necessary to be a tailor or a professional seamstress. Sewing doesn’t even have to be something you enjoy. Rather it may be a task requiring grudging perseverance, but it’s one more skill to add to your survival basket.
Growing up, my mom made a lot of my clothes. When I was about 11 years old, at my request, she taught me how to sew. She had an electric Singer sewing machine that made a basic stitch, nothing fancy. That’s the machine I used until I started homesteading 37 years ago.
Because I’ve lived off-grid for all of those 37 years, I’ve used a non-electric antique treadle sewing machine and have made everything from men’s shirts and trousers to women’s nightgowns, dresses, skirts and pants. Using this machine, I’ve patched and repaired the inevitable rips, tears and torn seams as well as replaced countless zippers in jackets and pants. I’m a quilter too and have made many intricately pieced projects with the treadle machine.
Finished Shirt
My point is it’s not necessary to have the most fancy, expensive, modern sewing machine ever manufactured to keep your family clothed. You most certainly do not need a computerized sewing machine. A machine that’s over 100 years old and which does nothing but sew a plain stitch is satisfactory.
Knowing any machine’s basic operation is all that’s required – how to wind a bobbin, thread the machine and make tension adjustments in case the stitches aren’t formed properly are all that’s needed.
Believe it or not the bobbin winding and threading operation on my vintage machine is quite similar to the electric machine on which I learned even though the electric version was made 45 to 50 years later, so making the switch to a treadle machine wasn’t a hardship with a big learning curve.
Getting Started
If you’ve never done much sewing before but think it’s something you want to try, my advice is to start with something simple. The first thing I ever made at age 11 was a poncho which consisted of 2 rectangles sewn together. How simple was that? But it was perfect for teaching me the basics of reading a pattern, properly cutting out the pieces, learning how to operate the machine, then sew the pieces together to create something I could and did wear.
So pick something easy: a wrap around skirt, an A-line skirt with elastic waist, shorts or pants with elastic waist or maybe a nightgown. None of these items have zippers. They are relatively straight forward and easy to construct. While anyone capable of reading and following directions can sew, I definitely wouldn’t try making a wedding gown as a first project!
Practice Makes Perfect
If you’re new to sewing or feel rusty, you may want to practice using the machine first by taking a piece of lined paper such as notebook paper and try “sewing” on the lines of the paper. Don’t thread the machine or use a full bobbin. Just use the unthreaded needle and practice keeping the needle on the lines.
Also be sure to use the machine at various speeds while at the same time staying on the lines. Of particular importance is getting the machine to go from a dead stop without it blasting off like a rocket. If you’ve ever learned how to drive a stick shift you’ll remember the hardest part to get a feel for is going from a dead stop to getting the vehicle to go without stalling it out or jerking the thing to death. Starting an electric sewing machine is similar to this.
Once you feel proficient and on friendly terms with your machine, you’re ready for the next step, actually making a garment. You may want to “practice” using a cheap piece of junk fabric such as utility muslin, an old sheet that’s ready for the rag bag or a piece of cheap material from a fabric store.
Every fabric shop I’ve ever been in has a bargain area, usually at the back of the store where you’ll find some of the ugliest stuff you can imagine, but it’s cheap. Perfect for practicing and honing your sewing skills.
Ready, Set, Let’s Sew!
Once you’ve perfected your technique using the waste fabric, you can progress to your nice fabric to sew your creation. Even with all my years of sewing experience, if I’m trying a new pattern for the first time and I’m not sure what the fit of the finished garment will be, I stitch up a sample out of some junk material. That way I can make adjustments or alterations to the pattern before I cut the pieces out of my good material. The old adage “measure twice, cut once” applies to sewing too!
Being prepared for whatever the future holds can take many guises. Being knowledgeable in sewing basics and having a supply of fabrics and sewing notions such as buttons, threads, zippers, snaps, hooks/eyes etc on hand ensures you and your family won’t have to resort to fig leaves and animal skins if the worst should ever occur.
Until next time, keep the dream alive! We wish you a great day!
Ron and Johanna
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