I guess the mother's-in-law wern't such great teachers. What do you expect from a mother-in-law I guess?

To All: I realize some of you may not have heard of Barge Cement. It's rubber glue, and it's been around forever, and most hardware stores are unwilling to stock it because the stuff is extremely flamnable and costs extra to ship. I get mine from the local fly-fishing store. It's the best thing ever for fixing waders and rubber boots; it can glue leather, and if your scope is slipping in the rings put a little on them and it will stop slipping. Also, you can start a fire with it.

I am a gear junkie, and a broke-a** tightwad...thus I fix everything.
The bulk of my most severe needs afield have been at fire camps and out on the fireline... and let me tell you something, being on a fire with bum gear or missing what you need can be far worse than most hunting camps. I actually make a lot of my own gear, or modify existing gear to suit, so I do a lot of sewing and tinkering to make my equipment work for me... for instance I built some of my own line gear- pack accessories, pouches, knife sheaths, sleeping bag liners- etc. I made my own slip over bow quiver for my recurve for a matter of a few bucks~ as opposed to the $75-100+ for the comercial units available- it works great, and it does not look too bad either...if I had spent a little more time "dolling it up" it would look every bit as good as the pro models. I want to make a pair of gators for stalking during bow season next- I figured a few coyote hides would do- to keep the noise down from walking in dry grass an brush- I have been meaning to post some of my projects on reader tips... maybe someday soon...
I guess growing up in one of the most isolated towns in the lower 48 made a big impression on me- you couldn't get much of what you needed, so you either went without or built it yourself! Happy stitching Dave!

I look forward to the fall for two reasons and they are almost equal in desire - hunting and cooler weather. Note that I did not say cold weather, as here in Alabama, we are usually still wearing shorts into December. The heat index here today is approaching 105. Good day to stay inside and check through the gear for the fall.

Fall? Did someone say Fall?

I think my neck is beginning to swell!

WMH

For medium to heavy duty sewing on dog collars, bridles, rifle slings,knife sheaths, etc., the old hand awl with the little spool of thread in the hollow handle is hard to beat. A little slow, but it'll make a lock stitch that will not fail. Don't forget the revolving wheel hole puncher, leather shoestrings, and copper rivets and washers.

I've been sewing up holes in my hunting pants.

WOW that reminds me!

My camo pants and jacket need a few large patchs thinking about it.

And look at that I didn't read WA Mtn..'s post fully. There is an exception to every rule isn't there.

Now if you'd only learn to cook... I have a hunting pouch that is beyond useless. Two of the three zippers are trashed, it is at least fifteen years old, but it is like an old friend and is the only thing I have taken needle and thread to in my life. I bought it when I got into muzzleloaders but now I have to have it to carry my rubber gloves, treestand attatchments, Buck zipper, flashlights, spare ammo and snacks. Stitching it up has become a yearly routine. I'll have to try that Barge Cement on an old pair of Rockies I still love.

Tore into my first aid pack after a friend got stung by wasps, just to remember I had used up the Benadryl. Later went through it and found the tooth repair filling had dried out and the magnifying lens had rubbed itself opaque. Pulled out some of the previous year's handwarmers on the coldest day in the field just to find they were shot. Nothing like the pride of having something when it is needed, followed by the disappointment of it being missing or unusable.

I'll try to locate some Barge Cement. Dave, do we dare ask how you know it can start fires?

Thanks Dave, I remember my old waders got a hole last fall, and as I bought another pair, if I didn't have the reminder, the old set would sit and get ready to leak again. Think I'll try the Barge solution. Another important one to remember is the EMT gel for the dogs in your field kit. My Lab has an off-season habit of getting into the re-cycle bin and cutting his gums on tuna cans, so we go through the stuff. Not having it in the field for paw cuts isn't good, and I just remembered to get some more.
Thanks!

By the way, there used to be and may still be a product that you could use to extend the life of running shoes. It was a rubber product that you used to re-sole the whole tread. If it still exists, it would be great for repairing waders and boots. I don't remember it getting brittle, and once it cured, lasted a long time as a shoe sole.

Since few of us like sewing or even know how to go about it, maybe this would be a good time for somebody to try the MIGHTY MEND IT and report back to us on how well it really works. This is kind of a joke, but seriously, somebody should try it and let me know because sewing is a downer.

corn

A Petzal custom rifle- 6lbs, .75moa, $4000
A reader's humble Savage- 6.5lbs, .95moa, $400.
10% of cost, 100% of performance necessary for any hunt, any shot.
Form follows function, Mr. Petzal's wallet follows form.
Buy 9 Savages and pay the local tailor to do your sewing. Or take in other's knitting to finance the next custom.

Back in the old days, Vibram soles were attached under the boot toes with little screws. Replacable (remember that word?) Little stainless steel screws from the hardware store are still available and they still do just as good a job compensating for modern manufacturing glue defects. I got another 5 seasons out of those boots.

Being that I'm 6' 1" and 350 Lbs finding hunting clothes that fit is a challenge, I usually end up making my own hunting outfits, have been for years, need to get a new pair of Camo pants before next season. The last pair of pants have survived about 6 seasons, with major patching last year, so possibly they will survive one more season, but it's not real likely.
Worst part is as someone else said, as soon as the kids know you can sew they all seem to become crippled and unable to do it themselves, even though they took the mandatory Home Ec classes in HS which included sewing!

As a believer in 'pure research' I have, on many occasions, tested Herr Petzal's recommendation to 'do it' before you put it away at season end. Based on the theory that things that need doing will, perhaps, take care of themselves if given enough time I have delayed until the item was needed again so see if that theory, in fact, worked.
To date, conclusive evidence in the form or 100% reliability, with no room for error, has show that theory is totally full of b...s... I have yet to see any improvement from 'overwintering' the need for repairs.

I can change the batteries in the flashlight, sure. Maybe even patch up some boots, but I never could sew... not because I did not want to but I tried and was horrible at it. I came out with my hunting gear sewed to the jeans I was wearing... a look that I was quite embarassed about and not because it wasn't color coordinated either.

I make most of my own gear and reccomend the good old "Speedy Stiching Awl". As far as Barge Cement goes it is great stuff but don't buy it in a tube unless you want some in your pack with you. Get it in the can with the brush in the lid. Yeah the threads in the screw cap gum up after time but it keeps better and you get more.

Douglas, The thing your calling a "Housewife" Is still sold in Military Clothing sales stores,I had one in my footlockers in the old days as they were an item for inspection (something they don't do as much of now). (Went out with 1/2 day duty on Saturday in peacetime) I never did use it though there were generally were some people around that would do the work for a bottle of "adult libation" .