Jess👾The stage of life where you have Opinions on which of the reusable grocery store tote bags you own are the best.
Sadly, my most favorite bag finally had a handle come partially unstitched, so I can't trust it with anything more than really lightweight stuff now. It's probably time to say goodbye but it's a nice one, made out of canvas, the right size, all of that.
Irene Zhang@JessTheUnstill Fix it!!!!
@irene I don't have any canvas sewing needles, and it feels a waste to buy a whole new needle just for one bag...
@JessTheUnstill Maybe there is somewhere you can borrow one? I think the Seattle tool library has sewing machines and a variety of needles so maybe some place like that?
lapt0r@irene @JessTheUnstill or one of the many sewing outfits near JBLM. I'm sure every proprietor has a beefy canvas-capable machine for all those uniform patches.
@JessTheUnstill @lapt0r oooo yesss. I just love being able to fix and continue to use things that I love. I have sentimental attachments to things that I feel like have served been well and been there with me. And I think that is a great thing in a time when we are too eager to treat things as disposable. That’s why I love the Japanese art of fixing things with gold. If it works, have them use a happy colored thread! 😍
@JessTheUnstill @lapt0r oh ew, never mind 😂
@irene @JessTheUnstill spend a couple extra bucks to have a patch sewn over the logo
@JessTheUnstill @irene it's worth a try. I have a DEFCON bag that yeeted half a strap stitch a while back from being overloaded but it's inside the seam so it's likely gonna need to be partially resewn.
There's a seamstress near me who does a brisk trade with enlisted folks and she's been there for like, fifty years. I am hoping she can save my bag.
AI6YR Ben@JessTheUnstill @lapt0r @irene Find someone with a vintage Singer sewing machine, maybe? My 1950's one does canvas and leather, easy!!
@ai6yr @JessTheUnstill @lapt0r whoaaaa. Maybe this is what I need. I’ve been wanting to get a little bit into leather work.
@ai6yr @JessTheUnstill @lapt0r ok so actually, I have this purse from the Chanel data center collection that I got I good deal on but I need to rip open a seam and possibly do some soldering. I haven’t wanted to do it because I know that I won’t be able to stitch it back up.
@irene @ai6yr @JessTheUnstill find you a grandma who has been putting uniforms back together longer than you've been alive, she'll sort you out
@irene @JessTheUnstill @lapt0r Most of those Singer sewing machines (1940's through 1960's) are pretty much bullet proof. There are a lot of us out here on the Fediverse who fix and use them. Usually, need some oiling, but the wiring does need to be checked on them (mostly for old wires, cracks, etc.). They go for $20-50 here in my area... so many of them that just need minor maintenance and will run for another 100 years.
@ai6yr @irene @JessTheUnstill I have passed on one or two at goodwill because I didn't know what I was looking at. What's the idiot's guide to "good Singer"
Fragarach@JessTheUnstill
My late wife's favourite shopping bag had a handle come unstitched, and one of her craft group has mended it for me.
It's not canvas, but plastic coated material, with water-skiing Westies on it.
So I can keep using it, going to the shops she used.
My late wife's favourite shopping bag had a handle come unstitched, and one of her craft group has mended it for me.
It's not canvas, but plastic coated material, with water-skiing Westies on it.
So I can keep using it, going to the shops she used.
Reed@JessTheUnstill I have a bag like that, that I love. I'm going to attempt to repurpose it and test my heavy-duty sewing needles for the first time.
ಚಿರಾಗ್ 🌹✊🏾Ⓥ🌱🇵🇸 (he/him)
Alex M. Dunne (he/him)PRO-TIP - when those reusable bags are no longer good for groceries they can become reusable recycling bags...
Jeremy Mallin@JessTheUnstill
We even have different ones for different functions. Well… mostly just big or small. Small ones for simple paper products or toiletries; larger ones for groceries. 😆
And cheapo flimsy ones to basically never use unless we absolutely have to—so, never.