Does anyone know of a book or internet site that I can get my hands on, so that I can learn (and hopefully get more confidence with) some sewing techniques? I know there are probably a ton of things out there, but with as many sewers as we have on here, somebody's gotta know something. Thanks guys!

Two (of no doubt a great many) web sites with information about techniques for sewing gear can be found at:

Henry Shire's directions for making a tarptent --

http://www.tarptent.com/projects/tarpdesign.html

and sewing tips at Ray Jardine's Adventure website --

http://www.rayjardine.com/papers/sewing-tips/index.htm

Ray Jardine's out-of-print book "Beyond Backpacking" has a section for DIY gear, too. As described at his home page, Ray Jardine has written a new book ("Trail Life" just this month being released) that perhaps does include info for making backpacking gear since he describes the new book as "the same book" as "Beyond Backpacking" --

"presented in a whole new way" and including "the same detailed information" but "a thousand times better."

http://www.rayjardine.com/news/index.htm

JRS

Got my copy of "Trail Life" a couple of days ago, and am still reading it. I took a quick glance at the index, and it does have a section at the back of the book on sewing your own gear. Another quick glance at that section shows that it starts off by saying that if you are new to sewing, you should get someone to show you how to handle your machine, so I don't think it's going to start off with teaching you the mechanics of sewing 101, but does appear to give good info on sewing projects of interest to hikers. But I haven't got that far in the book yet....

I suppose a lot depends on what you are planning to make; clothing, tarps, sleeping bag, Pack?

If you have never sewn anything; try the stuff sack kit from thru-hiker.com; it has all parts and instructions- and you get to experience silnylon. hmm maybe not the best thing to begin on.

I am also in a historical recreation group- here is a site on basic clothing construction:

http://alina.wasteofbandwidth.info/begsew.html

but their focus is on natural fibers not technical. Still, the techniques of assembly once learned can be easily transferred.

a google search on "sewing introduction beginner"
will likely yeild more than you can begin to imagine.
HTH Betsy

ps try this also:
Singer's Sewing Essentials book from your local fabric/craft/dept store

Edited by beamarshall on 12/27/2008 09:45:55 MST.

There is a whole series on you tube, from expert village I think. 12 part series on making a dress shirt and the like.