resew Haversack strap

[PetePaolillo]

Hey Pards. I have a tarred fed issue good quality Haversack and I want to cut, shorten and resew my strap. I dont have a sewing machine. Can anybody give me some hints on a good way of doing this without ruining my Haversack?

[Ephraim_Zook]

A sewing machine may well have a hard time getting through the strap without breaking the needle unless you have a shoemaker's type machine.

Rather than cut and re-sew to shorten, consider folding a part of the strap over on itself, zig-zag fashion, and sewing it that way. Then if you ever have reason to lengthen it again, the original length will still be there.

Best way to sew heavy straps is to make holes with an awl, then pass the needle through the holes. You won't need pliers, break needles or puncture your fingers with the eye end of the needle that way.

good luck

[Yellowhammer Rebel]

Sir,
Another reason that I would recommend not cutting the haversack is if you would ever want to resell it, it cuts down on the people interested in your item. I recently bought a haversack that had been folded and sewn. If it had been cut I would not have bothered looking at it twice because I would not have known (without seeing it) if it would fit me or not.

[1stTexas]

Unless youl live in Rooster Pooch, West Virginia , a shoe repair shop can handle that little chore while you wait.

I had two heavy canvas cartridge box straps sewn together to make one strap 10" longer in order to make my cartridge box hang at my waist. A shoe repair shop stitched the straps together and he charged me $10 or it will not cost anything if you can get a brother-in-law price. The standard length for accutrement shoulder straps is 72" and a portly person like myself needs an 82" strap so the accutrement will hang as my waist. A 10" longer strap will lower the haversack, canteen or cartridge box 5". I also lengthened a leather cartridge box strap the same way. Unfortunately I had to use two straps to make one longer strap in order to retain the ends.

To shorten your tarred strap, cut the amount to be shortened out of the strap at the top of your shoulder and have a shoe repair shop sew the strap back together using black thread. The most particular stitch counter will barely notice it or maybe not at all.

[Harold Adams]

Pete;
Hold on a second there!!!;-) Wait till you get your CRRC2 in the mail from me before doing such. It has a nice article in there about shortening the straps on your traps.
Cheers!

[PetePaolillo]

Thanks guys I appreciate all of the ideas!!! ........Harold I will take that advice!!!;)

[Sharpshot]

Hey Pete,
What size do you need. I have a nice fed haversack that has a short strap and I was thinking to cut it and sew a piece onto it and make it longer. Maybe we can swap. I am 6ft 180lbs and this comes to just under my arm pit. Bought it on this site, it is a good quality one . Let me know.

John Neugebauer

[Nick61stnewyork]

Hey
What I did with my old haversack was I folded it. O folded the strap and got some hemp twine and tied it so it obvisiouly wont unfold.

Nick

[PetePaolillo]

Hey Pete,
What size do you need. I have a nice fed haversack that has a short strap and I was thinking to cut it and sew a piece onto it and make it longer. Maybe we can swap. I am 6ft 180lbs and this comes to just under my arm pit. Bought it on this site, it is a good quality one . Let me know.

John Neugebauer

John, the strap on mine now is 43" which is according to QM specs. I probably only need to shorten it by about 6-8 inches. It should sit so the bottom of the Haversack is about even with the wasist belt or where it is comfortable for you. There is nothing I hate more than having your traps bounce around while on the March. How long is the strap on yours? It sounds as though it might be a little too short for me even though I am about 5'8". Thanks though.

[Sharpshot]

Hey pete,

My strap measures 37.5" and comes about 6" below my arm pit. Sounds like it is too small for you too. Oh Well just a thought. Good luck and thanks for the reply.

John

[Michael Dec]

On my havesacks, I shortened the straps by folding them on themselves and sewing the sides and bottom. This leaves the top open which creates a pocket that a pencil, toothbrush, pipe, etc can be placed. I have this fold on the front, about a third of the way up across the chest.

Michael Dec

[lincolnsguard]

I guess a fold, a needle and some thread are out of the question? How about a knot?

What ever is the easiest way for you, some guy in 186x thought of first. And those boys weren't professional taylors either.

[PetePaolillo]

Thanks for all of the great ideas. I will let you all know what I come up with and I will share some photos when I am done.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Whichever way you decide, I'd highly recommend sewing it completely down, particularly if you just fold it over and sew around the edges. If you leave it loose or open especially in front of you, even though it may form a handy pocket, it will also catch on everything like the hammer of your musket, branches, etc. I found out the hard way once on that.

[PetePaolillo]

A sewing machine may well have a hard time getting through the strap without breaking the needle unless you have a shoemaker's type machine.

Rather than cut and re-sew to shorten, consider folding a part of the strap over on itself, zig-zag fashion, and sewing it that way. Then if you ever have reason to lengthen it again, the original length will still be there.

Best way to sew heavy straps is to make holes with an awl, then pass the needle through the holes. You won't need pliers, break needles or puncture your fingers with the eye end of the needle that way.

good luck

Ron, I took your suggestion and it came out great. Thanks

[Ephraim_Zook]

Pete,

Glad it worked out for you.

Ron

[flattop32355]

Pete,
Glad it worked out for you.
Ron

Ron, now that you've handled that issue, could you explain magnetism to me?
:)

[Ephraim_Zook]

Bernie, it's when a man and a woman... er, never mind. I was thinking of animal magnetism.

Ron