Notes from Munice's Old Sow N Sews Custom Sewing N Repairs, Timely Tips for Purchasing Bags

One thing I have found after becoming a civilian and living here in Muncie Indiana is that many folks bring their children’s back packs in for repair… normally its for their zipper pull not working and we can fix those simply enough if the metal is not too fatigued, or the zipper pull has come off and we can sometimes remount them if the teeth and pull are intact.  Then there are the times we have to replace a zipper altogether and or reattach the shoulder straps or replace snaps or buckles that have been damaged or come loose.

But the one thing I have seen most often is the introduction of a form of pre-built-in obsolescence that masquerades’ as a decent quality back pack, but is in fact a very low quality bag, of decent design and features, but of low quality materials.  Most notably is the material the bag is made from… often it is a lower density nylon with a heavy vinyl coated backing that makes the bag material “feel” thicker or heavier duty then it really is.  The shortcomings of the bag shows up soon enough when the design weight is exceeded or the user attempts to “Stuff” it putting greater stress on the sewn seams and they break loose, or the strap attachment points tear out from wrong handling.

Parents or interested folks who are helping in some of the back to school bag helps areas should understand that many of the lower costing bags made of nylon outer material is less durable and less able to handle average school weights then say a heavy 22 oz Cotton Canvas or 1000 denier Cordura ® Nylon bag with a heavy Polyurethane waterproof backing and durable water repellant outer finish.  Such bags made from the heavier materials will generally outlast and out perform the lighter weight bag materials by several school years.  The better ones will serve the student the entire time of their Junior or senior school years and maybe even collage.

In book bags, and backpacks / school backpacks, you really don’t always get what you pay for, in as much if you don’t know what to look for, you can over pay and under receive what you think is a decent bag.  Then occasionally I get parents who expect to replace book bags yearly or have children/students who don’t really care how they handle their purchases and won’t exercise care and proper handling to make them last as long as they could.  But then again I do get quite a few that do… it is not uncommon to see families bring the students in and have me explain what it takes to make a purchase last longer.

Another thing I am seeing more often this past three to four years is parents and even students themselves finding bags at yard, garage, or rummage sales and bringing them in for repairs to return them to serviceable use.  That is quite a savings, when someone has a $70.00 bag that only needs a $5.00-10.00 repair to make it fully usable once again.  Thank you for those that recycle this way.

Another thing I am seeing in the Ministry of Helps area are folks helping with coats that need repairs, and we are doing more zipper, hook/loop (Velcro®) or snap repairs and replacement to make an otherwise decent coat, jacket, parka, or storm suit useable once again, or to pass on to the next person who needs one inside the family or a friend or simply a person in need.

So I would like to thank the residents of Muncie and surrounding communities for bringing us their sewing needs, and remind those can remember that we do such things to “tell” their friends about us and our sewing N Repairs operations and send them our way if they have need.

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Sow N Sews Custom Sewing N Repairs is located inside the Rigger's Hut of the Army Navy Surplus of Muncie, located at 1810 East Jackson St. Muncie, IN. 47305     OPEN 10:30 to 5:30 Tuesday through Saturday  Closed: Sundays and Mondays   Other days and hours by Appointment.  Discover, Check-Debit, Master and Visa Cards and cash accepted  Call for information on stock or just for questions: 765-281-8804 Shop    or   765-747-1934 Ministry  after 9:00 A.M. and before 10:00 P.M.  Thank You

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