Sew and Repair Your Outdoor Gear by Louise Lindgren
November 26th, 2007
I really wish I had ran into this book before I purchased my "utility" sewing machine. I got a no frills home machine with a few stitches. It was a floor model, but I would have been better to spend the money on a light weight industrial sewing machine with only a straight stitch. Louise was talking about me when she mentioned those who buy a machine with all of these cool stitches. They play with these stitches for a month and then only sew straight seams. I now wish I had a machine that just sews straight seams like a champ. I'm glad I got my machine pretty cheap, as I'll most likely upgrade now that I am having fun making stuff. 
(I'll eventually be loading on the page describing my bicycle panniers that I sewed using this book.)
This book is a great read for anyone who wants to build or maintain gear. The opening of the book goes something like: This is the book I wish I had when I started sewing and repairing outdoor gear many years ago. I am glad I did have it. It explains many things that I have always wondered about. I didn't know if heat sealing and edge was better or worse than serging. She explains the reasons why most garments you purchase have certain seams. It is usually because that is the fastest seam to sew that is "good enough" for the application. If you take a little time at your home machine, you can make seams that rival commercially produced sewing.
As of writing this review, I have finished one pannier, using many of the techniques described in the book. I'm looking forward to a few more projects, including a couple from patterns in this book. There is a stuff bag pattern that is a simple rectangle of fabric sized based on the width and circumference of the equipment you want to stuff. I makes a square bottom and is much easier to make than the typical round bottom stuff bags.
All in all, if you are thinking about sewing outdoor gear, it is worth the $17 and your time to read through this book. Take a look inside with Google Books.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:01 am
[...] patterns and fabrics. I would recommend anyone starting out making outdoor equipment to pick up Sew and Repair Your Outdoor Gear. I ordered it along with my fabric from the Rain Shed and it was easily worth the $17. It is [...]
July 21st, 2009 at 9:30 am
I took my first sewing class this Sunday and I’m hooked. I’m not ready to run out a buy a sewing machine yet, but I am researching. You intimated in the blog that you would purchase a lightweight indutrial machine over a home machine because of the stitch quality. Any other reasons why I should consider and industrial machine over a home one?
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:21 pm
When dealing with heavier fabrics, a cheap home machine can’t cut it. Also, a commercial machine have fewer stitches and does them better. Control on tension is better as well. This might not be true when you get above a couple hundred dollars in home machines.