Every Survival Kit Needs Some Sewing Items

Monofilament can be used for sewing skin.

 

Yes! Those all have multiple uses in a kit!

 

Every survival kit needs compact sewing items, and my go-to is the Mil-Tec Sewing Kit: it packs needles, 6-color threads, folding scissors, and a thimble into a 12cm waterproof pouch. For emergency repairs on gear or clothing mid-trip, it’s an EDC staple

 

Sounds very reasonable — I’ve also been thinking lately that a sewing kit is something worth adding to my EDC, but I kept putting it off for “later.” This Mil-Tec one looks pretty practical — how durable are the components, like the thread or scissors?

 

To be honest? I don't think I've had the opportunity to use them that much. I've sewn up my shirt a few times as I got stuck in the bushes, and I think I've sewn up the zipper on my sleeping bag once because I have too much strength.... and it broke one morning

 

if you don't know it - just about every sewing needle and stick pin is imported - the last US manufacture ended decades ago >>> takes specific engineered machine tools to produce sewing needles - doubt if there's a single machine in the US ......

got packs of assorted size needles for possible trade - about a penny each

 

I made my own suture needles.

 

Absolutely agree - a good sewing kit is one of those underrated essentials that can save the day in so many ways. Beyond just patching up torn gear, it’s surprising how often strong thread and a needle come in handy for improvising shelter ties, fishing lures, or even stitching a wound in an emergency. For a solid survival sewing kit, I’d recommend:
Heavy-duty nylon thread (like upholstery or dental floss) for durability.
Multiple needles (including a curved one for tough repairs).
Buttons, safety pins, and a small awl for thicker materials.
A bit of beeswax to waterproof stitches and reduce tangling.
Ever used fishing line as improvised thread? Works great for high-tension repairs. And if you’re really minimalist, a ‘needle’ can be fashioned from a thorn or sharpened bone.

 

Long ago learned that sewing up a 1 in hole in a shirt or pants or darning a hole in a pair of socks can double the life of the clothes. Do nothing and a couple washings later, you throw out the clothes with a 12 in rip or big hole. Could make your life much more comfortable in a survival situation. I think that some laundry soap, a bucket, clothes line and a toilet plunger would be essential in a survival situation. Not only clean clothes as a health factor, but extend their useful life. I would add some sort of water proofing as a leaking seam in a tent can get really uncomfortable.

 

this place is awesome for inexpensive med kits and supply's,,, but they will not ship to ak.

76-pc. Advanced Surgical First Aid Kit

staplers, bag valve masks, chest seals,,, all the good stuff. il make a order, ship to cali, then flate rate box to here.
lots of complete kits so one pkg has all you need for the job. some cheap throw away, some high quality,,, some vet, some human.

 

Good catch kmb. Like what I saw.

 

Gave our granddaughter a couple of buckets, toilet plunger and a washboard. Showed her how to us them to wash clothes. Her and her younger brother have a blast when mom lets them wash some of their clothes. Teach them young!

 

When a fabric begins to "thread out", weak sewing points in a quick fix I use super glue to secure the threads.
I do this on backpacks and jeans pockets.

 

Super glue works in a pinch, but for a longer-term fix, heavy-duty needles and waxed thread can make repairs bombproof. Ever tried stitching with curved needles on awkward seams?

 

I bought several military surplus sewing kits which are still fairly cheap and stashed them in bug-out bags, vehicle kits and for normal home use if needed. My grandmother used to make clothes for my dad and his brothers when they were kids, and for me and the other grandchildren when we were young.

 

My grandmother also sewed many things. There was a time when it was easier to get fabric than a ready-made item. Now everything is available in shops, and sewing skills are being lost.

 

I remember flour sack clothes.

 

I also have leather working tools in my sewing kit. I have an early version of the speedy sticher, my grandfather used it and my great grand father may have as well. Grandad used it with tanned deer hides to make both mocks and shirts , bags, ect. In softer leather you can use it to punch the hole as well. In shoe soles, harness work, and saddles he punched the holes first. Speedy sticher.



You are going to need awls to poke holes in heavy leather in order to stich it. Here are some.



And now a quick look at several additional tools. I got some from my grand dad and bought about $200 worth at a garage sale along with a couple hundred dollars worth of leather and thread for $20. An old lady died and her grand daughter had a yard sale and got rid of all her old craft supplies. They were wrapped in cloth and stored in a box for the tools and just thrown loose in another box, plastic with lids, for their supplies. She had no interest and just wanted to get rid of the stuff. Given the need to make or repair leather, being able yo make or repair leather goods, even more valuable if you can tan hides,
make a good SHTF occupation for an old fart like me.



If nothing else it will give you a chance to see some of the tools at yard sales and have an idea of what they can do and their value. Old US made are good but some of the early imports from Germany and Finland are actually better.

 

Whole different view of leather work. Use of hole punches, stitching horse and multiple punches changes it from a method of repair to a way to make a living'. It would be best to have a sewing machine for leather, they are neither common or cheap, so having access to a method to fairly quickly make a good looking stitch would be valuable.



While you can do it wit the stitching awl, you can also do it quickly and with quite a bit more skill with two needles.



Here is a video of an inexpensive stitching pony and if you are handy you could make it easily.





If you get interested, there a lot more craft type videos that teach a lot of skill for little money.