wrote in message
...

Last summer I had to sew a strap onto my canvas tent. It came off while
I was setting the tent up. I went and bought a pack of thick needles
made for leather or canvas, and some thick heavy duty thread.

After fighting with the needles, poking my finger till it bled (several
times), I got out plyers, and broke the needle, I got vice grips and
broke another needle, and so on....

About 15 years ago I bought a sailmaker's palm in case of a scenario like
yours. I haven't needed it yet but by jing it's there if I need it