[.ca] Sew and Repair Your Outdoor Gear (ISBN 0898860571)

Somewhat helpful book:
This book did give me information about sewing that was helpful (i.e. the info on French-felled seams I had not seen elsewhere), but I found the author's approach limiting. For example she suggests that sewers purchase industrial sewing machines and sergers - not an option for me anyway. In general the approach is for sewing heavy-duty gear. If you want to sew to produce lightweight hiking gear, this is probably not the book for you.

Great practical advice about how to make your gear last:
I just had this book out from the library and found that it is absolutely indespensible for sewing camping gear. It has saved me much of the learning curve for creating durable items. The tips presented in the book also enable you to go out and dream up new items and make them work. I just got back from camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and am happy to report that all 3 items made with the help of the book passed the wilderness test.

An overview of how to sew and repair outdoor gear:
This book gives an excellent overview of the available material and techniques used to sew unusual fabrics for unusual projects, such as a backpack or tents. Repairs of outdoor gear are presented as well. Every chapter is devoted to a different theme and the book is simply but neatly written. She provides the reader with some projects and outlines the facts that not everybody needs the top of the line fabric to practise outdoor activities. So don't be afraid to try some of her projects, you won't be anxious to have spent a huge amount of money and be unsure of the results

A helpful book for the do it yourself outdoors person.:
Although I had never used a sewing machine and knew almost nothing about fabrics, this book got me started custom sewing for the out doors. It covers the basics of thread, needles, fabric types, seam construction, and zippers. Instructions for several basic projects are included. As I have sewn my way through a backpack, sleeping quilt, pants, coats, and a tent, I have constantly gone back to this book for advice on both design and technical details.