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Post by strop2 on May 13, 2015 12:26:30 GMT 8
Living off the grid requires initiative and imagination to repair items that are damaged. The older generation have skills and through necessity, are hoarders of material that might be useful.
Repairing all kinds of footwear is essential and a good skill to have. Even some knowledge is better than none. Vietnamese people will make footwear last. It will be worn down, repaired and broken again, then used as door stops or patch ups for something else. One of my sister-in-laws made shoes for her job using large industrial machines and I have a nephew-in-law who will soon finish an industrial machinery course. Most industrial machines can be motorized or pedal driven.
The photos below are of a repair my mother-in-law made in April 2015.
Photo 1 - Thread is a nylon cotton mix. The small nick in the needle grabs the thread as it is pulled through. The thread on the sole is contoured with the grid lines of the footwear. 
Photo 2 - A look at the other side. 
Photo 3 - Finished product. 
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Post by strop2 on Jul 14, 2015 14:03:07 GMT 8
I wear short pants that don't have pockets.
Actually, I spend my money so fast that the money, phone, passport waist bag is always in a state of repair. The small sewing device cost $1AUD from Australia eBay in Jan 2015 (I bought two). I used nylon thread that my Mother-In-Law got from the local market, very cheap.
Photo 4: This needle has a cut near its tip that allows the take up of thread. Works OK and gets the job done. Just work the needle back and forth to feed the thread.
Photo 5: The hidden inside look. I stitch one or two times, tie off, and burn. It is highly unlikely that all the threads would break, and I hate losing money.
Photo 6: The Waist Bag is hidden under my shirt but it does look reasonably neat and I colour the thread with a permanent marker to help hide mistakes.
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Post by strop2 on Jul 14, 2015 14:15:50 GMT 8
95% of the time as I pass through HCMC Airport, my suitcases are damaged (broken handles, small tears, scratches, dents etc). I then started buying plastic boxes or cardboard boxes and lined them with bubble wrap or soft foam to stop damage to personal items. Every box is damaged and then repaired. Repaired boxes in Vietnam aren't used again except for storage. Photo 7: Use glue gun outside of box to create a seal. Note: I could melt down the glue sticks with a flame or burn other plastic and drip over the damaged area.  Photo 8: Use glue gun and bits from a previously smashed box. I strengthen the box by gluing plastic over the break.  Photo 9: End result. It is now a large toy box.  |
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Post by strop2 on Jul 14, 2015 14:18:07 GMT 8
Another broken box that now houses footballs.
Photo 10: When travelling, I tape paper inside of clear boxes to stop prying eyes. 
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