Adventures On a Rural Homestead

Sewing Masks

The CDC now recommends that everyone wears a mask in public. I've been fretting about getting a mask sewn for Nick, but didn't think I had any thin elastic. His sweet aunt Karen sent us some elastic, fabric loops, and a complete mask! Nick is the only one of us that goes out, he picks up our milk delivery weekly and delivers my parents milk and eggs. But we decided we should all have masks, in case something comes up and we need to go out. We'll also have our real estate settlement on the land we're buying in two weeks, and we will need masks for that. 

Alex and I used the free pattern on JoAnne Fabric's website to sew easy pleated masks. He did most of them~ ironed the fabric, cut out the fabric and interfacing, and did all the sewing. I pinned the pleats, and he sewed around the masks for the final step. 

We were pleased with how the masks turned out, and that it was a team project. I am so proud of Alex's good sewing skills! 

 

Zero Waste Projects

I used this simple tutorial to sew draw-string produce bags with French seams a few weeks ago. I made them in a few different sizes, and use them for everything from bulk mushrooms to apples and oranges. The red floral fabric came from the auction of our first house, it was a tablecloth, and the other fabric was given to me by a local mom that wasn't going to use it. 

I'm hoping to start a zero waste group here, where people gather to work on projects together. I have a couple friends that are interested, and when one came over this fall we made beeswax food wraps and cut out some little sewing projects, then had potluck lunch. I'm hoping to work on things in a group like making soap (I'm taking a workshop with the local homesteading group next weekend, I'm excited!), making lip balm, making toothpaste, sewing produce bags, sewing napkins, making beeswax wraps, sewing roll-up shopping bags, felting wool dryer balls, and more. I hope that not only will this offer people a chance to learn zero waste skills, but will also be a good way to meet friends. 

More Bags

My smart sister-in-law told me that she sewed roll up shopping bags using the tutorial I shared recently, but instead of ties she used a hair band. It was such a good idea that I needed to sew two more bags to try it out. I used the tutorial from Needle and Spatula again, it really is so easy, and makes a bag with nice gussets on the sides. It all rolls up nicely and fits in the door pocket in my car. It's a perfect sewing project to have bags in your car or purse, to make going plastic and waste-free easier! 

 

 

 

Sewing

A sewer that I follow on Instagram recently shared beautiful roll up shopping bags. She sells them, and I thought about buying one...then remembered all the fabric stored under my bed. I found an easy sewing pattern and made two of my own. They are easy to make, and have side gussets so they will hold a lot. I plan to keep them in my car or purse so I'm never without my own bag. We've been working to reduce the waste we generate, and are being careful not to get plastic bags in stores. I was pleased with this little sewing project. 

We've been blowing (haha) through our stash of cloth handkerchiefs with this recent bout of colds, and have been doing laundry every day. I was going to buy some new ones, then again remembered my fabric stash. I used a perfectly soft madras skirt from my mom's fabric and fabric I got from a local friend to sew 16 cloth hankies for us. Again, this was a very simple, but fulfilling project. I love having fabric on hand to whip up simple projects like these, to cut back on waste and save money! 

Mending

While the boys work on morning lesson I like to have something to keep my hands busy while I sit with them. Often it's a simple project like knitting little square wash cloths for Eli, or drawing in my sketch pad. Today's project was mending the holes in the knees of Alex's jeans. 

I keep jeans that Alex has outgrown that are too worn/stained to hand down to Eli, and I use those for patch material. It's such a satisfying project, to take something ripped and torn and make it nice again! 

Spring Sewing

We read about birds, eggs and nests last week, then sewed little felt birds. The boys were delighted to have them as a baby for the big stuffed chickens I sewed them for Christmas. Alex sewed his using a simple stitch, and I helped Eli with his. We stuffed them with a bit of wool, and Alex wants to add eyes next. This was a perfect project for little hands. 

We're going to celebrate the first day of spring today with some more spring sewing and a special bread baking project~cinnamon twists from the latest issue of Taproot. Happy spring! 

(Another) Grey Day

We're in the second week of grey, dreary weather here in PA, and the lack of sun and cold temperatures is starting to get me down in the dumps. We built a fire this morning in the wood stove, and I decided I needed a project to help cheer me up. So after morning lesson I let the boys each pick out fabric from my stash and I sewed them summer sleep shorts. 

Eli chose Richard Scarry firefighter fabric, Alex chose bird fabric. The shorts go together quickly and fit perfectly, success! Alex said "We can't buy shorts like this in a store, they have our favorite things on them!" A simple sewing project and sweet comments like that sure do brighten up my day, even if the weather outside is still cold and grey. (Come on back, sun!) 

 

Easy Drawstring Backpack

I started a rewilding/foraging class on Saturday that will meet once a month at a local land preserve through November. I realized I would need something to carry my keys, notebook & camera. We have a hiking backpack, but I wanted something small and lightweight, so I sewed this easy lined backpack. 

I used this free tutorial, and made mine smaller, 14" x 12", and added a pocket to the front. I'm pleased with the fabrics, and it's just the right size! 

Sewing~A New Purse

I've been wishing for a new purse lately, something smaller for when I run errands by myself, or don't need to carry a lot for the boys. I found a great (free!) purse tutorial and sewed it this weekend. I added a small pocket to the inside lining to hold my cell phone and chap stick. It's just the right size, and I love the color combination of the bird fabric on the grey. 

(When the boys saw my purse Alex said "Oh cool!" and Eli exclaimed "I want one! Make one for me too?" Then they both asked for me to sew them a bag with bird fabric, haha.)

Alex is between jean sizes, and he's frustrated that the size he has are several inches too long (the next size down is much too short) and don't stay up. I found this kid's pant pattern with pockets and even knee patches, so my next sewing project is to make some pants for Alex this week. 

Sewing~ Dresses

I've sewed 6 dresses and 2 skirts in the past few weeks. Some have been more successful than others, and now I'm trying to decide what new dress pattern to try next. This soft dress with a tie belt is one of my favorites:

I've sewed two of these jumpers so far, and have soft brown linen to make another one. This one is made from black linen, and should be nice and cool for summer.