All my scattering moments are taken up with my needle.  ~Ellen Birdseye Wheaton, 1851

Make Do and Mend

I have a love affair with socks... especially colorful socks.  One can never have enough socks; but when one wears a fave pair out... don't throw away - darn it!

Mending Socks

Darning socks is very difficult, especially if you want your socks to remain comfortable. Never ever start off with a knot on your thread.

Cotton thread works well for light and medium weight socks; embroidery thread works best.

For heavy wool socks, two strands of strong woolen yarn (or mending yarn or scrap yarn, as it's sometimes sold) work well because they stay in the wool fabric better.

First surround the weakened area to limit its expansion.

Use a horizontal running stitch to mark the area.

Then, fill in the surrounded area with a vertical, weaving-type running stitch.

If you have a gaping hole with no cloth grid, your horizontal lines will just be the thread, laying straight across the opening.

Make sure you aren't sewing the stitches too tightly. You can prevent this by putting your sock over a light bulb and pulling very slightly.

Continue weaving, up and back across the hole, keeping the stitches parallel.

Make the thread go in and out at the end and cut it. Do not tie a knot.

http://www.lonelysock.com/Mending.html

Mending is certainly a skill that comes in handy and you'll surprised by how quick and easy sock-mending is.  Tis a small, but satisfying act of rejuvenating a garment that would otherwise be thrown away.

:: Resources ::

Darning Tutorial

Daring Socks

"New" skirt, had to take it in at the waist since it was a wee bit too big at XL when I wear S-M

I’m wearing second hand hats
Second hand clothes
That’s why they call me
Second hand Rose
Even our piano in the parlor
Father bought for ten cents on the dollar
Second hand curls
I'm wearing second hand pearls
I never get a single thing that's new

While folks were unwrapping new clothes this weekend,  Sis and I were unwrapping a horse of a different color, so to speak.

Who needs "new"?  My new spring assemble has arrived!  Just what I wanted, only it was certainly a surprise. And it came in the most unexpected packaging. You see, every time we order  a new shipment of ollas, they come all wrapped in clean used clothing.  It is a great treat to receive the surprises we do get.

Three pretty skirts

This time, there were three lovely skirts and well-made men's shirts.  The trouble is in the sizing. A little too big at XL.   I plan on doing some simple alterations on the skirts to make them fit. As for the men's shirts, here are some ideas I plan to use.

Dress Shirt to Apron

Vintage Men's Shirt to Peasant Blouse

Peasant Top from Men's Button Up Shirt

In fact, we save all the clothes because when you order an olla, we'll recycle again and use the clothing for sending the ollas to you.     It really works out well.  Not only are clothes excellent packing material, you get ollas for your garden  and clothes for your yourself or your family.

As you can tell, I am a real "Second Hand Rose."  What about you?

P.S. If ya'll are waiting on the ollas, they are now in stock so order now. They sell out fast!

:: Resources ::

Restylistas

Recycled Fashions

Whilst on the subject of sewing check out "THE ART OF SEWING" DVD by The West Ladies

Expand your knowledge of sewing with the helpful and down-to-earth instruction The West Ladies are known for, and develop a wide assortment of useful skills that will assist in making wonderful sewing creations.

This program is full of useful sewing instruction and tips that will inspire and teach seamstresses of all levels. From pillow cases, to baby blankets, to blouses, skirts and rag quilts, viewers will learn a host of techniques. If you are just starting out, or expanding your skills with new tips and ideas, "THE ART OF SEWING" is the perfect tool.

Random.org picked comment 47 who will receive the Free Apron Pattern from our recent Giveaway.

Miss Antoinette

My mother and I use aprons all the time and sadly since packing all of our things away and moving in with grandpa, I have been missing my other aprons (only leaving out one) and wishing I had kept out another one. Sadly, I have not been able to find my pattern box in storage anywhere so winning an apron Pattern would be so wonderful right now and a blessing to both my mother and I!

have you made the Edwardian Apron from Sense and Sensibility patterns? That is my next project, if I can find the pattern that is, or I must find someone I know that I can borrow it from!

No more looking for your apron pattern dear!   To answer your question, no haven't made the Edwardian Apron yet.  I want too!  Also want to make Molly's Apron from Wives & Daughters.  You are soooo right, one can NEVER have enough aprons.

Sis & I truly enjoyed reading through all the wonderful comments and touching apron stories.  Aprons are not only functional they provide us with a sense of purpose and place.

"There’s something about aprons that really evoke a true pioneer urban homesteading spirit.

Aprons are very “eco conscious” if you think about it.  In the old days they couldn’t just up and throw their dirty clothes in a washing machine — it took hours to do the laundry, so aprons were a practical way to keep clothes clean, saving both time and water.   Saving water is a big deal these days, so who knew Grandma was such an eco chica.

Besides the their eco qualities, aprons are so very feminine!  And we gals certainly need a dose of femininity with chicken crap on our feet, flour dust in our hair and hands, well, hands that are on the “rough” side!"   --- Anais Dervaes

If you've been a long time reader, you know that Sis and I have a love affair with aprons.  'Tis the essential wardrobe of a modern homesteader.   I wouldn't think of doing chores without one.  Seems aprons aren't considered a fashion gaffe and are making a comeback.  Here is an interesting read about aprons making a huge comeback!   Aprons are now being touted as "sexy"!  (pfffft, maybe they should come out a muck out a chicken coop!) Of course, if you are BBC period piece watchers, apron clad ladies are everywhere!

And even more appropriately,  aprons even are having their own celebrated day - November 23 is"Tie One on Day"

“Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.” 

Participation is simple. On the day before Thanksgiving, November 23rd this year, pause in the preparation of your own meal, wrap a loaf of bread or other baked good in an apron, tuck a prayer or note of encouragement in the pocket, and tie one on…an apron, of course! And deliver the wrapped bundle to someone without your bounty… a neighbor, friend or family member in need of physical or spiritual sustenance, a bit of recognition or just a kind word.

"Aprons don't hold us back — they take us back," she added. "They honor women of an earlier generation. And those women were doing the best they could."

-- EllynAnne Geisel

Apron Pattern Giveaway!

To enter, share your apron string stories by commenting on this blog entry and you might just win yourself this darling apron pattern from the lovely Long sisters.

Winner will be picked at random.

Contest ends Tuesday, Nov 22 at midnight.

Happy Apron Day!

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. -- Doug Larson

Eulogy: In Loving Memory of Our Garden Shoes

Our mantra “make do, use up and wear it out” on the urban homestead is serious business.  Any item we use has to be ratted and tattered before it gets replaced.   This week, some  really old garden shoes finally died in their line of duty having served us well.   The “cheap” garden shoes had a good, long run – over 10 years or more, I can’t remember!   We had put off getting a new pair.

However,  the old garden shoes had split at the soles and finally had to be laid to rest in our trash can with our other rubbish. Since they were vinyl (egad!) I couldn't even put them in the recycle bin for a chance of an afterlife.  Hate throwing away something we have had for a long while, but it’s sure nice to be able to go into the mucky areas of the garden and not get socks wet!

We’ll see how long these babies last… hopefully, another 10 years or more!

Remember that old saying “They don’t make things like they used to"?  With our modern culture whose emphasis is on consumerism, " Planned Obsolescence" is the norm today.

What things do you  “make do, use up and wear out” ?

How's that - you wearing "jugs?"    Nope, but this shopping is the ultimate "going thriftin'" experience!

The ollas that are delivered to us are packed in second hand clothes  -- good clothes!   We are always picking out sweaters, shirts and sometimes we even hit the jackpot!    Justin snagged an "urban bee keeping outfit" -- aka Nike running suit.   Doesn't he look snazzy!

Just Do It! Urban beekeeper "olla outfit"

After we unpacked the ollas and sort through the clothes, we recycle the clothing again -- as packing material, shipping out the orders from our online store.

Here's an email from a customer who received her order:

".... our package of ollas and things came last week and the "new" clothes that my kids got were such a treat.  My youngest got a little wool sweater, red and tan, that she finally took off over the weekend, only because it was in the 80s.  The ollas are in the ground with tomatoes and it looks so lovely that we sat around them last night just visiting and enjoying it all." --  Sally

Justin models another "olla outfit" while wrapping an olla in a colorful sweater for shipping

Have you received clothing as packing material?   Care to show off your new duds or tell us how you recycled the recycled packing material!

At the urban homestead it's all about - repurposing, reusing and recycling!

Perhaps the next time you  place an order, you never know, you might just end up  with a new outfit!

Sorry, we aren't able to take clothing requests or sizes.

"Red Heads"  we gals show off our aprons and the now growing "red" cabbages from the garden

Awhile back I posted about our urban homestead wardrobe and how aprons ( our "domestic armor") were vital apparel.  Not only are the feminine but they help with the dirty work that needs to be done here on the urban homestead - protecting our clothes from splatters from canning, dirt from the veggies, exploding ginger soda and more!   Aprons are pretty and practical - saving us loads of laundry!

"There’s something about aprons that really evoke a true pioneer urban homesteading spirit.

Aprons are very “eco conscious” if you think about it.  In the old days they couldn’t just up and throw their dirty clothes in a washing machine — it took hours to do the laundry, so aprons were a practical way to keep clothes clean, saving both time and water.   Saving water is a big deal these days, so who knew Grandma was such an eco chica

Besides the their eco qualities, aprons are so very feminine!  And we gals certainly need a dose of femininity with chicken crap on our feet, flour dust in our hair and hands, well, hands that are on the “rough” side!"   --- LHITC

Our local paper did a feature on aprons this week, thought I'd share.

Aprons: Go ahead and tie one on {LA TIMES}

The garment no longer symbolizes women's relegation to the kitchen but their delight in being there.

Author and apron archaeologist EllynAnne Geisel...  is dedicated to celebrating aprons, kitchen linens and the women who used them, sees the renewed interest in aprons as something that goes deeper, something spiritual. Something that allows us to make peace with the past.

"It's a connector, it's one item that ties us to women everywhere, across time," says Geisel....

"Aprons don't hold us back — they take us back," she added. "They honor women of an earlier generation. And those women were doing the best they could."

Read full article

The History of 'APRONS'

You do not want to miss it, even those of you who are too young to have experienced it.
I don't think our kids know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids..
And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folks knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love...

So all you urban homestead gals out there - have you "tied one on" lately?  Care to share what aprons have meant for you?

An urban homesteaders wardrobe is not complete without aprons (ok, I am speaking for us females!)

There's something about aprons that really evoke a true pioneer urban homesteading spirit.

Aprons are very "eco conscious" if you think about it.  In the old days they couldn't just up and throw their dirty clothes in a washing machine -- it took hours to do the laundry, so aprons were a practical way to keep clothes clean, saving both time and water.   Saving water is a big deal these days, so who knew Grandma was such an eco chica

Besides the their eco qualities, aprons are so very feminine!  And we gals certainly need a dose of femininity with chicken crap on our feet, flour dust in our hair and hands, well, hands that are on the "rough" side!

My sister and I are suckers for aprons and these two beauties are the newest in our collection.   I have to be honest, we didn't make them but they are handmade (from a guy in Italy - more on that later, oh, and there's no wedding bells if that's where your mind is going)  These new "LHITC signature" aprons will be our "going out" aprons as we wouldn't want to spoil 'em with tomato splatters!

Speaking of an urban homesteaders wardrobe, seems like the urban homesteading craze has caught the eye of fashion world - seems like nothing escapes these people (sheesh)

Tips for Greener Clothing and Laundry (via treehugger)

My notations are in bold!

1. Choose apparel in muted shades that won't readily show dirt or stains (check - Justin and his Farmer duds aka military camouflage hides the dirt, he says, and, don't forget, for us gals - the handy aprons!)
2. Select textured fabrics over flat weaves for the same reason
3. Read care labels before you make a purchase (check)
4. Don't buy clothes that need dry cleaning  (check - never been to a dry cleaner)
5. Don't buy clothing that must be hot washed (check - we do all our laundry in cold water)
6. Wash on cold cycle, preferably with a front load washing machine  (check - have front load washer)
7. Line or air dry, instead of using tumble driers  (check - never owned a dryer use a simple piece of string -- aka "sun dryer" )
8. Fold clothes straight off the line, so they don't need ironing (check - rarely use an iron)

I'd also like to add that sometimes we go days/a week wearing the same outfit.  Our motto is "Why wash it if it ain't dirty!"

Urban Homestead Outfitters

Flannels, overalls, aprons wearers, granny boots unite!

In what ways have you "greened" your wardrobe?  Actually, I hate using the word "green" with all the greenwashing going on, so how about suggesting another word - like simplifying or ???????

Care to share/post a link to your favorite modern pioneer apparel?

I think my favorite image of an urban homesteader is Barbara Good's patchwork skirt - or how about her half jean half orange trousers? Oh and for those who haven't a clue who on earth I am talking about then you are missing out on some hilariously retro urban homesteading entertainment.

What about you?

I have shoes under my bed that are nearly 10 years old or more - talk about "wearing out." I'm far from going around shoeless (well, I do go barefoot a lot!) but when I do decided to "go into town for a pair of shoes" I'll feel like my beloved pioneer counterpart, Laura Ingalls, going into town to visit the general store.

Matter of fact, I'm not the only one in the family who's not into buying personal stuff for stuff's sake. Justin informed me that he literally has only three pairs of shoes to his name.... what a simple guy!

So the point of this post? No point really.

Just sharing how growing up in a family where the value of living simply was practiced. "Making use and wearing out" are even more essential these modern times which are full of excessive, compulsive buying and commercialization.

Growing up in a simplistic family, we "young-ins" have, over time, built up resistance - resistance against wanting/acquiring more than is necessary for a good life. We all need stuff, but it's about making a conscious choice of the "stuff" that you buy. We each have our vices - we are human after all. Mine for instance -- I am easily tempted by yarn, fabrics. Solution, don't open any yarn catalogs or go into any craft stores till I use what I already have. Good advice, huh?

Any of you have similar experiences... care to share?

Guerrilla farmer in an urban jungle

Urban Camo

If you have noticed, in many photos taken of urban farmer, Justin, he's wearing camouflaged pants and shirts.   It's not that he has eyes on the latest fashion (what's in style anyway) or that he's joined some underground militia movement. We can't afford organic hemp or cotton clothes, and sometimes the local second hand stores are unreliable, especially in the men's clothing department. So Justin purchases his work clothes in bulk from an online Army supply store. His outfit saves energy and water. How so? Burly, straight-razor-shaving Justin figured since he's always dirty (planting, digging, sawing, etc.), such clothes would camouflage the dirt so that he can wear the pants and shirts longer than if they were a plain color. Meaning, less water and energy to wash clothes. A pretty efficient urban farmer/homesteader wardrobe, wouldn't you say?

Fall roses bloom on the urban homestead

Summer Visits Again

Last week it was overcast, chilly, even drizzly and downright fall like. This week, temperatures are expected to soar into the triple digits (red flag warning issued as fires burn). Talk about whiplash. At least we can remove clothing layers; the goats aren't so fortunate. Having grown a layer of soft down under their coats for the winter, the goats are finding these warm days quite uncomfortable and are taking refugee in the shade.   Blackberry (being black) spends the hottest part of the afternoon pouting in the corner of the animal enclosure in the shade.

From The Inbox

Good Morning Dervaes Family,

This is just a quick note to thank you for sharing your experiences on your website. It's an inspiration to see a family listening to their own common sense in a world that's not necessarily operating in the same way.

....Anyway, we're doing what we can when we can, and trying to keep at it and keep our heads up. It's just encouraging to see folks that have made it as far along as yourselves, so back to the original point of this e-mail. Thank you for sharing so much of your experiences, I happened to find your site about a year ago and have checked in periodically. It's re-assuring and offers hope to someone like myself that it might just be possible to shake free of the foolish mistakes that our intelligent minds can clearly see the folly of. And to see you approaching it with an attitude that's a positive example of what you've been able to do right now, as opposed to just a venting rail against all that's wrong with the world as we find so many other places, it's just been very reassuring to see that. Sincerely,Jack MDad, Citizen of the Human Race, Aspiring Environmental Steward.

Plug less appliances.

Unplugged Kitchen

A step backwards is progress

You'll not find the latest eco green home gadgets here on the urban homestead. What we've done instead to turn our home to be a more sustainable, low impact household is opt to power down.    The kitchen, for example, runs only one electrical appliance and that's the energy efficient refrigerator.   Thanks to a rebate provided by the City of Pasadena, we were able to dump our second hand fridge and cut our energy nearly in half.

You'll not find any other electrical appliance or gadgets plugged into wall outlets sucking power. Instead you'll find plug less gadgets like a hand operated blender, food processor, juicer and more.   Just like unplugged music, which is stripped and low tech, so it is in the urban homestead's kitchen. On this power down path to reduce our consumption of wasteful products over the past 10 years, Justin has been shaving with a straight razor.

It's quite a fine art shaving your face with such a menacing looking object. Thankfully, we gals have learned to reject the use of shavers. (Living in California where anything goes certainly helps!)Since I am on the subject of basic hygiene, many years ago we also taught ourselves to cut our own hair. Learning how to DIY saves us money, which can be put to better use elsewhere. (Around here basic men's hair cuts go for about $30!) The more you can do for yourself, the better off you are, both in acquiring a new skill and in saving yourself money

. BOOKMARKS

Are Our Kids the Sickest Generation? {MSN}

More kids than ever before are diagnosed with bipolar, ADHD, allergies, and asthma. Why, and what does it mean for your child?
read more

Biotech foods are still hard to swallow {LA Times}

Hypoallergenic peanuts? Vitamin-rich rice? Calcium-filled potatoes? Biotech companies are working on the next wave of genetically engineered foods, but not without challenges.
read more

Rising seas threaten 21 mega-cities {Yahoo}

Of the 33 cities predicted to have at least 8 million people by 2015, at least 21 are highly vulnerable, says the Worldwatch Institute.They include Dhaka, Bangladesh; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Shanghai and Tianjin in China; Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt; Mumbai and Kolkata in India; Jakarta, Indonesia; Tokyo and Osaka-Kobe in Japan; Lagos, Nigeria; Karachi, Pakistan; Bangkok, Thailand, and New York and Los Angeles in the United States, according to studies by the United Nations and others.
read more

'Lights Out' Conservation Effort Fails in SoCal {ABC 7}

A late start to publicizing last night's Lights Out LA event may have dimmed participation in the citywide energy conservation effort.
read more

Too bad, that's LA for you.   We did and do our part, every night is lights out here on the urban homestead.