Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

Sewing machine & more

Thank you for the suggestions.  I  called White and got the information that I needed.  I then was able to find a place that may have the bobbin case that it needs.  Once it is fully functioning, I am going to start collecting the parts to convert it to a treadle machine.  I am looking forward to having a treadle.  I learned to sew on one and I also love the thought of being able to sew on a non-electric machine.  Yes, I could sew by hand, but with the amount of sewing that I do, it would take forever.

Slowly, I am getting my homemaking tasks adjusted to being able to do nearly all without the use of electricity.  I am really happy about that.  When we are able, we will be converting our home to a wind powered system and I want to be able to manage with using as little as possible from the system.  We will still be on-grid which means that the electric company would pay us for any surplus energy that we produce above the amount we use ourselves.  I also am enjoying knowing that if we have a power outage, I can still do all the tasks that I do now.  The lack of electricity really would only affect one area - our refrigerator. Other than that, we have light, heat in the winter, a wood cookstove for meal preparation, and laundry can be done by hand.  It feels great not being as dependent on electricity.  We will never be fully without it, but I feel good about the fact that I can do so much and not have to use it.

I am working on the kids' winter clothing today.  I am cutting out & pinning together a stack of pants & knickers.  It may take a day ot two to get them all cut & pinned.  After I get all of the pants & knickers ready, I will spend a day sewing them all at the same time.  Doing the clothing in stages like this makes the job go faster.  The cutting and pinning stage takes the longest.  I am also going to cut out and pin Abbie's hooded fleece scarves.  Those will take only a few minutes to make since the fleece doesn't need to be hemmed.

I have been thinking ahead towards the holidays.  I am wanting to make the ornaments and decorations.  If we have a tree, it will be a small one on top of a table or something.  With small rooms and 2 little ones, a large tree just isn't practical.  I am hoping to make the ornaments in a homespun style.

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11:26, Wednesday, August 20, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427

I am glad you were able to find a place to get this!!! I would love to see before and after pictures of your sewing machine project!!!!

I am blessed to have my grandmother's old singer treadel sewing machine. I learned how to sew on this machine, and grandma left it to me when she died. I didn't have a place to put it (since we were in a small apartment) for years but was able to bring it home to stay last year. It sits now as a reminder of the wonderful times I had when I was little helping grandma make quilt blocks and making homemade little purses from the scraps. My brother offered me a pretty penny for it because he is collecting antiques from the family, but I said there was no way I would give this one piece up!!! (He offered me $1000!!! And I said no!)

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

Sewing and more

05:11, Thursday, August 21, 2008 .. Posted by backtotheland

Paula, I'm so happy you found the information on the machine. I have a Singer treadle that I have yet to use but that is something I will work with this winter. I'm in the process of making skirts and dresses and if I can find a pattern head coverings because, like you, I've made to decision to get rid of the jeans. I've found it so much easier to do by barn chores in a skirt or dress.

Sewing and more........

05:16, Thursday, August 21, 2008 .. Posted by backtotheland

I should have continued this in the last post but I was so intent on the sewing I just put "post comment". Sorry.

I think it is wonderful that you are going to use wind power. I'm trying desperately to find a way to convert to solar. Of course, I would have to stay hooked to the grid because of the fact I work for a local hospital doing medical transcription from home and I don't think they would be too keen on me going totally solar. I'm doing the best I can now but can only use my oil lamps at night. I would love a wood stove, I have a pellet stove now but that requires electricity, but to have a chimney put in would cost close to $3,000. Sometimes it's not so good to be single women homesteader. I know if it is meant to be Our Heavenly Father will lead me to the way to have it happen.

Blessings to you and yours