Sewing isn’t just for grandmas. Although it might be a dying art, fewer children are learning how to sew in schools or from parents. Older generations aren’t passing down their knowledge because there isn’t a critical need for it.
Because sewing is slowing disappearing, there will be an even greater need for it when an emergency crisis happens. People won’t have access to clothing businesses and will have to rely on their skills alone.
No matter your age or gender, sewing is a critical skill to learn and maintain. By the end of this article, preppers will understand sewing basics and will also know where to go to find more information.
Why Prepper’s Need to Learn Sewing
Sewing isn’t just a useful skill for creating new clothes. Below are a few scenarios where sewing skills could come in handy:
- If someone has an open wound, a sterilized needle and thread can stitch them back up.
- Used blankets and sleeping bags easily wear and tear. Sewing skills preserve bedding and keeps it warm.
- Sewing skills can fix a tent or shelter if it rips. Stitching helps a shelter to stay shut during stormy weather and prevents leaks.
- There will always be a need for mending material. Seamstresses can barter their sewing skills for other supplies or money.
- Sewing enables clothing to last twice as long. Holes or tears can be easily mended.
Essential Sewing Supplies
Don’t worry about putting an entire fabric shop together. Here are the basic supplies that should be included in a sewing kit:
- 5–10 different colors of thread
- 5–10 needles that vary in length
- Thimble
- Buttons
- 10 safety pins
- 5–10 straight pins
- Scissors or a tool to cut thread (most multi-tools include a scissors function)
Hand Sewing or Machine Sewing?
Knowing how to hand sew is required of any serious prepper, but what about knowing how to work a sewing machine? A sewing machine is more time-efficient and requires less effort than trying to hand stitch everything. We strongly suggest that you own a non-electric, manual sewing machine.
Sewing machines can work with tougher materials and produce gloves, hats, and other useful supplies. Additionally, if you do want to use sewing as a source of income, you’ll need one to work quickly on various mending jobs.
Learn How to Sew
If you don’t know how to sew or work a sewing machine, you can always learn. Although sewing is considered a dying art, there are plenty of resources you can turn to. We suggest you learn from one of the following places:
- Sewing classes are sometimes offered at fabric and craft stores. Check with your local craft store to see if you could enroll in a course.
- Find a local seamstress and ask her to give you some pointers.
- Watch online sewing tutorials. Search “how to sew” on YouTube and Google to find courses.
- Search for books on sewing at your local library.
- Ask a neighbor, grandmother, aunt, or friend to teach you.
Don’t Procrastinate Your Sewing Skills
Sewing isn’t just for your grandmother. If you take the time to learn how to sew, your skills will become an invaluable asset to you in the future.
For more survival tips, check out Prepper’s Base.