Where to get a heavy duty sewing kit?

[Cpl Punishment]

Title says it.
Where to get a heavy duty sewing kit?

One for being able to sew canvas, cordura, etc. Most kits I see have crappy thread that breaks if you sneeze hard near it.

 

[Flotsam]

For a simple solution, get upholstery needles & thread (which is about the same durability of #69 thread used in military packs/gear). A large sewing machine needle (#20 or greater) can be used as an awl for heavy cloth (I use an Exacto knife handle to hold it), or you can pick up one of the various sewing awls that are available.

 

[koyote]

I'm not much on the sewing awls, myself- but the upholstery needles and trhead are a good idea. What I use is waxed stitching thread for leather - if there's not a place to get it locally, tracy mickley over at midwest knifemakers supply has it. I carry glover's needles in size 0 and 3 in most of my kits. Tracy doesn't carry those, unfortunately. I do also sometimes use Sail makers needles.

the kevlar thread that you can get works great, too. I like the waxed stitching thread for various reasons.

 

[hushnel]

I use Osborne leather harness stitching awls, I use a piece of antler as the handle. I stitch with harness needles. I use synthetic sinew and 5 cord linen for all my stitching.

There are plenty of other products that are very good, the artificial sinew is handy since it can easily be divided into thinner threads.

I should put some kits together, these can be very handy.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

At Wal*Mart they sell some heavy outdoor-use thread, albeit in spools that annoy me, but the thread is great.

 

[baldtaco-II]

Kevlar thread - mind if you snap that not to get it in a finger crease.

Scale up

 

[koyote]

Hey Hushnel- do you order direct from osborne? I find I need more awl blades... Koyote Girl does, anyhow.

 

[hushnel]

I usually order from Campbell-Bosworth Machinery Company but the links to their awls are coming up as no item available. I haven’t tried to order from Osborne, Tandy carries their needles but not the awls.

I also use these blades to make mini swords like those plastic cocktail olive skewers. I use them with iron rings as kilt pins or hat pins similar to the old style kilt pins.

 

[The Ice Bear]

I too use upholstery thread and some big mansized needles. I even use it on clothes, there can never be too much strength in a stitch I think.

 

[hushnel]

there can never be too much strength in a stitch I think.

Actually there can be. If the thread is too abrasive or substantially stronger than the material you’re stitching it can work it’s way through it, you ever see old leather that has unzipped along the stitch line. Conversely the same is true if the thread is substantially weaker than the material. I would not recomend Kevlar with leather, except in emergency situations, the Kevlar will quickly saw through the leather.

Back in the 18th and 19th century the thread used in the Colonies was cotton, linen was too expensive and a lot of work to process, it’s the reason so much fringe was used in buckskins and other garment, the cotton thread would rot away too quickly in the outdoors, the purpose of the fringe was to wick away moisture from the seams allowing the cotton thread to dry out faster.

 

[Kismet]

Wal-Mart fabric/sewing section. Usually kit includesneedles for canvas, long straight, couple of curved thick, and smaller large eyed needles. Under $4 as I recall.

 

[mckrob]

Speedy Stitcher, I've had mine for years...

 

[koyote]

I usually order from Campbell-Bosworth Machinery Company but the links to their awls are coming up as no item available. I haven’t tried to order for Osborne, Tandy carries their needles but not the awls.

I also use these blades to make mini swords like those plastic cocktail olive skewers. I use them with iron rings as kilt pins or hat pins similar to the old style kilt pins.

They appear to be out of only two sizes right now. and the size 0 needles.... and the blades I need for my strap cutter.... but nice site, thanks from both of us!

Tandy carries one osborne awl model, premounted on a handle. *shrug*

 

[hushnel]

I use these guys frequently, they have decent prices on Osborne tools.

I snapped a couple of pictures of the Hors d'Oeuvres picks. One is wrapped with sterling wire the other has an ebony handle. You’ll like my new knife in the background

 

[koyote]

oooh, fancy bocote!

The swords are awesome. Be a bit hard to use in a sewing kit, but I could make it work

 

[BarberFobic1992]

on most of my gear, I like a rugged look. I guess my sewing kit reflects that. I simply carry a spool of artificial sinew and a stout needle ( i don' t know the exact type). I has sone everyhtin gi have needed it to do.

 

[Ramm9]

I think you have to assemble your own kit to have anything worth while.

There's a Tandy store near me so I buy sinew, waxed thread, and harness needles from them. Tandy has a lot of sub-dealers that carry their merchandise, usually craft shops of some type so for hands on check the web site. A good fabric store would have most anything else.

I carry a few fabric and harness needles in my PSK along with the usual thread, wire, floss, and fishing line.

 

[DWK2]

Another thumbs up for the Speedy Stitcher. You can get a variety of needles, some of which are quite heavy duty. A couple thicknesses of thread are available for heavy work.

DancesWithKnives

 

[Battlesword]

Believe it or not waxed dental floss works well for heavy duty sewing.I've used it to repair or make sheaths,packs and other leatherwork.I generally double and twist the thread.Its a cheap expedient strong thread.

 

[AlexN]

Another + vote for the Speedy Stitcher. Just another good solid piece of gear that quietly keeps right on doing it's job,year after year.