"Patternless" Patterns Links

   So sorry for only getting one post in this last week. We are starting to get things rolling with gathering things for our home birth and having more running around to do. I have also been playing with my newly transformed Singer treadle. I'll have to get a picture up for you soon- Its quite a monster of a thing as we took the iron base and slipped it up underneath the cabinet that the machine was originally in. It *just* fit. It certainly won't be winning any aesthetic awards, but it is functional, practical and my son can't jerk it off the table and onto the floor by tripping over the cords (I've lost three machines that way). 

   So as I promised, I have several links for patterns that you might find interesting and useful.

Here is a neat LINK for making different kinds of underwear. Patterns are free and may be printed out. Basic sewing knowledge is required. It says on the front page that it is underwear for men, but obviously this is a language translation mistake, as most of the patterns are for women. This is a lovely set of instructions from an Asian lady.

• CLASSIC BOXERS 
• LADIES BIKINIS  
• CHILD'S BOXERS 
• TODDLER UNDERWEAR (BOYS)
• TODDLER/ YOUNG GIRL PANTIES

She even includes a pattern for a simple BRASSIERE for those who are able to wear smaller sizes (not much support needed), and a CAMISOLE.

Another link hub for FREE CLOTHES PATTERNS  includes these items of interest:

• HALF SLIP PDF
• T-SHIRT UNDERWEAR
• LADIES UNDERWEAR (muliple sizes) with pattern-maker free download
• BUTCHER STYLE APRON
• APRON/SHAWL INSTRUCTIONS (this one looks very interesting!)
• MEN'S TIES
• DESIGN YOUR OWN PEASANT BLOUSE (download)

I'm a sucker for historical clothing. My husband would flip if started wearing these full time (though some day I'd like to make a set for me and my girls to have fun with). Here is a neat set of instructions for a CIVIL WAR ERA SKIRT  and project instructions for DRAWERS made from pillow cases. I do wear petticoats all the time, as I can't abide the feel of synthetic slips. Another neat set of simple instructions for a PETTICOAT made from a dust ruffle for $1.00. 

I may go ahead and keep adding patterns to this page and to the tab at the top of the page as I come upon them. Obviously I'll probably pass on things that I myself could in good conciensousness wear (with the exception of the mens underwear and ties!), but there are many more links on some of the hub pages that might interest those with differing style opinions.

Hope you enjoy- and happy sewing!

Sewing- Electrical Alternative

Singer 15-90 Electric With Knee Kicker Pedal

   My husband surprised me last year with a 1948 Singer 15-90 in the original cabinet. The lady that had it took very good care of it and used it regularly. It even has the original seat with it. Ever since having my own spinning wheel Ive loved the treadling action, and it has once again struck with this Singer. 

Singer ZigZag Attachment

   In the interest of converting it I have located a treadle base at a local pawn shop for 35 bucks (can we say hugely ecstatic grin?!). Also for the last couple of days Ive been perusing the best buys on the internet for a zigzag attachments and buttonhole attachments. Ive secured a buttonholer which should be here sometime mid-week, and am waiting for results of a bid for a zigzag attachment on Ebay sometime Tuesday. Depending on how much money I have left I might get a spoked wheel although I got a tip from MalePatternBoldness that it really isn't critical to have a spoked wheel, as the drive belt leather will fit in the groove used by the motor belt. I've also been thinking about using a rubber belt instead of leather as I'm told they don't stretch or slip like the leather ones do. 

Singer Vintage Buttonhole Attachment

   Among the many other great things Ive found for the 15-90's and other vintage and antique sewing machines my heart throbs for the "Black Penguin" walking foot put out by Singer. However for the price range it might have to wait for an extended period of time. Seriously considering a newer version that meets April 1930's standards at a much more affordable price. For a great selection of attachments and parts check out April 1930's.

Rubber Drive Belt

I can't say that these preparations are more or even less important than say food storage, but having a larger family makes it among the necessities. In the event of trade relations going south (already happening) and the availability of cheap imported clothing (on the backs of child and forced labor) going with it, I doubt I would be able to find any modest clothing for my children (especially my girls). Obtaining a variety of patterns is also on my list and I plan a post here very soon about links to useful patterns such as no-pattern patterns, undergarments and such- something that will be very useful when Walmart is no longer importing these items.

Spoked Hand Wheel

  As my friend Staci suggested it's just as important to learn thriving skills as well as survival skills. Survival skills will get you by in the event of emergencies and disasters, but there comes a time when you need to look beyond the immediate and start living again. This is one of my "normalizing" steps- keeping up with seasons and the needs of growing children.
Be looking for the next post on patterns. Hope you have a great day!

-Jamie

Plantain

Plantago major

   Plantain is a gem of a "weed" that is so commonly available that everyone should be aware of it. The power of this little gardeners nuisance is strong enough to treat snake bites, bee stings, spider bites and even severe blood poisoning. Our experience with this herb has been mainly with stings and bites, but also with a case of blood poisoning in my youngest daughter when she had just turned 2. 

   Children can be taught easily to identify this plant and shown how to use it in the case of bug bites and stings. When no mortar and pestle are available, mashing between two clean rocks works, as well as chewing some in the mouth and applying it to the bite work equally as well.

   Mainly used as a poultice, but also as tincture, or tea, plantain is otherwise know as ribwort.

Here is the excerpt from Dr. Christophers School of Natural Healing:

  Both the roots and leaves have moderately diffuse and stimulating alterative effects for the circulatory system. They also assist the glandular system, healing the lymph and epidermal areas in scrofulous and skin diseases. Plantain is an excellent remedy for kidney and bladder troubles. It is an effective remedy for poisonous bites and stings, since the poison of fresh stings is extracted rapidly, often within an hour's time.

  It is the best herb for blood poisoning: reducing the swelling and completely healing a limb where poisoning has made amputation imminent. Finally, it is very useful for easing pain and healing problems in the lower intestinal tract. This valuable "weed" is often found in soils close to most habitations, in parks, sports fields, etc.

Plantago lanceolata

    When our daughter started complaining of her owie when I'd bump her toes putting her socks on or just padding around the house I chalked it up to exaggerating. She did have the remains of a split underneath her toe where the skin had stretch so far as to pop open. Those can be pretty sore and irritating, I know! But everything looked OK, a little pink where the new skin had healed over, but otherwise fine. 

   About 3 to 4 days after she started complaining I looked (yet again) to see if I had missed anything, perhaps a splinter or something, and saw the tell tale streak of red running from the previously injured toe up the top of her foot. Sure enough the whole toe was swollen, as the wound had healed from the skin down instead of from the inside out, and blood poisoning had started making itself known. Three hours after applying a simple Plantain poultice (mashed up leaves) the red streak was almost completely gone. I renewed it for overnight and all redness was gone by morning. It was still swollen pretty well and I percieved that there was a good deal of infection still left. So we used some of the Black Ointment to draw it out. By afternoon the goo had all but completely drained from around the toe and healthy flesh and skin was visible. We went ahead and did another plantain poultice for extra measure and then used a comfrey ointment as the wound healed up the second time. 

   Can you imagine the cost we avoided by taking care of this at home? I'd wager several hundred dollars. Not to mention the damage to her liver and glands with all the antibiotics we would have been prescribed. Add to that the follow-up visits, the cost in time from my husbands work schedule and the resulting loss of pay.  All completely avoided because of this God-given herb that so many try to eradicating from their lawns with all sorts of chemicals!

   Plantain has two familiar forms- Plantago major, or broad leaved plantain with its familiar seed spikes (picture #1) and Plantago lanceolata which has a small flower spike with little ray like petals (picture #2). Both are equal in medicinal potency. Although easily identifiable, make sure there are prominent veins or ribs on the back of the plants leaves (which also makes it easy to identify in the dark!)

   In any case make yourself aware of this useful herb and remember to rinse and dry some for winter use as well.

--Jamie

Home Made Cream Soups Recipe

Found this recipe at Day to Day Adventures and asked to include it here. A real meal and space saver for the prepared homemaker. Found it also at Food.com (formerly RecipeZaar.com) with several variations. I believe I will try looking for the Herb-Ox brand of bouillon cubes to use in mine as they are MSG free.

 

2 c. dry milk powder

3/4 c. cornstarch 

1/4 c. reduced sodium chx or beef bouillon granules

1/2 t. dried  thyme

1/2 t. dried basil

1/4 t. black or white pepper

Mix dry ingredients and store in an air tight container.

To prepare as a substitute to 1 can store-bought use 

1/3 c. of dry mix and 

1 1/4 c. water in a bowl or saucepan. Warm in the microwave (stirring every 30 seconds for 2 minutes) or heat on the stove.

1 recipe equals 9 cans of store-bought cream of soups.

Kim recommends using chicken broth for cream of chicken soup instead of the water. Other additions may include cooked celery and broth for the water substitute, chopped mushrooms and the water from the can as partial substitute for the water, chopped broccoli etc.

Thanks so much Kim! :-)