I have heard of people throwing away perfectly good garments because of a sagging hem or a missing button, but I really wanted to believe those were just made up stories Old People like to tell to emphasize how stupid young people are these days, as opposed to how brilliant THEY (the OPs) were at that age. :-( Good grief! Sewing on a button is about the easiest thing in the world, as is stitching up a hem! And I’ve repaired holes in work jeans too, though I like iron on patches best for that (though yeah, you do need electricity and a machine (the iron) for them.
No electricity needed. Old fashioned flat irons are for sale cheap in every *antique* store.
1) build fire inside stove
2) place flat iron on stove
3) wait
4) while waiting find something to use as a hot pad
5) set up a flat surface to use as an ironing board.
6) cover flat surface with something like a sheet
7) if you still have iron-on patches, remove them from the package. (In a real SHTF emergency, they might not be available at all)
8) test iron for sufficient heat
9) position patch over hole
10) using hot pad, press patch over hole
You know, it is faster and easier to just thread a needle, sit down and sew the rip closed, the sew on a reinforcing patch. Needles, thread and straight pins are important survival tools and the skill is elementary and easy to learn.
Those same antique stores often have usable treadle sewing machines, as well.
Like you, I patch and hem and sew when necessary. I actually hate the chore, but that isn’t the point.
