The Energy Crisis As It Pertains To Sewing
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In fall of 2026, The United States declared a state of emergency because of an energy crisis. The state of emergency was declared for two reasons. First, the electrical grid is super old and being challenged by modern demands. Modern demands include an increase in data centers, electrical vehicles, and even digital currency. Since new technologies tax the aging US power grid, it’s more vulnerable to failure.
Secondly, there have been multiple terrorist threats to the US power grid. All threats must be taken very seriously because food, fuel, and emergency services are all tied to the grid. When the state of emergency was declared, experts warned the entire US could face a power outage lasting up to 18 months. This sort of power outage would be life altering because so much infrastructure is reliant on electricity.
Why is a sewing platform speaking about the energy crisis?
Sewing is important, especially in an emergency situation like a long term power outage. Sewing is important because it allows one to mend garments or to even make quilts for keeping people warm when there is no electricity to provide heat. Sewing doesn’t just provide clothing and warmth, but a way to get necessities. In spite of a power outage, bills will still arrive. When all else fails, it is possible to break out a sewing machine and sew up things to earn money or even barter for the things you need. In short, we aren’t discussing grid down sewing for leisure. We are discussing grid down sewing as a means of survival.
How To Power Your Machine
You need a solar panel and batter bank for creating power of the grid. My recommendation is to go for a many panels as you can afford along with a portable battery bank with a LifePo battery of at least 500 watts to ensure you have enough backup power to sew for some time without recharging.
For those who cannot afford a portable battery bank, the next best thing is to go for a standard stand alone battery. A lifePo battery is going to last longer and be more expensive. But, a standard lead acid lawn mower battery will do. For those who opt for a a 12 volt lead acid battery, its best to get 2 of them for safe measure. Then, pick up as cheap of solar panels as you can afford to purchase. CLO Education Tv has a wonderful video about how to string together many cheap solar panels to make one large panel. With the standalone battery option, there are a few other supplies you will need to make the setup work. I have listed the options below:
- LifePo Battery | Lead Acid battery
- Charge Controller
- Wires to connect panels to battery & inverter
- Inverter
- Solar panel
Electricity Free Options
The next option is to lean into not having an electricity. In order to operate without electricity at all, you will need to have a hand crank sewing machine or a treadle to use as a backup. However, there are many who don’t want to use a hand crank or treadle machine because the overwhelming majority of those machines only have a straight stitch. In order to get around this problem, you can always purchase a hand crank attachment and modify it to fit your sewing machine. Or, you can keep a treadle base around that can easily be modified to run your existing multi-stitch sewing machine.
Y2K vs Reality
Many are old enough to remember the Y2K scare. Back then, people thought electricity would go out once the year reached January 1, 2000. As in decades ago, nobody knows if the electricity will fail. While nobody knows the future, it is important to prepare because the alternative is not having needed resources to survive in a grid down situation.
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