My response isn't tents, but related in trying to keep warm on cold nights without a heat source beyond your body and insulation.
Even here in Southern California, Riverside and San Bernardino counties can see some pretty cold winter nights. When I was single, I had 2 body pillows plus several regular pillows. I also had a couple of the heavy blankets with images like wildlife or floral print, often found (here at least) at flea markets or swap meets. I arranged my body pillows on either side of where I slept and one near my feet. Then I covered them with one heavy blanket creating a nest, and a second heavy blanket to go over me.
Going to bed a bit early so my body would heat my nest, and when I went to sleep I'd cover my head and allow my breath to assist in further warming the space, leaving a strategically placed small opening for fresh air. Once my feet were warmed I could sleep.
I like the idea of an indoor tent for the bed. I will consider trying it for my West Virginia winters.
gene gapsis wrote:I am definitely interested. I was just wondering what to do with a bin of old jeans I saved for painting or grub use.
Gene- turn those jeans into 1 inch strips going lengthwise up the legs. I'm assuming you have a twining loom and know how to join strips without a knot. There are a few good youtube videos on how to do it all. I watched several before making my 1st loom, and again to pick up the finer points of including the metal rods in the weaving and the knotless joining of strips, and tightening the warp as a part 2 of warping.
Jay Angler wrote:
Carla Burke's "baking them" idea could be done with a sun-solarization system, but I'm always concerned that the solarization system can kill all the good guys along with the bad, so I'd want to choose the location carefully.
When I read about this just now I envisioned a solar oven set up for just the fleece to kill the weed seeds. Then you don't risk killing good soil critters etc.
My 2 cents. Wish someone would gift me some alpaca fleece! Have fun!
My favorite part of making most of the things I make is watching the colors unfold. I get bored doing a single color item. So I find I prefer to use yarns that have color changes, or swap colors as I work through the item.
I hope to one day have a large loom like r has. Even if it were a table-sized rather than floor-sized! And there is so much more to do and equipment to have to do the job justice. Very unlike the pin-type looms I'm currently working with. These only use the tools I already have; besides the shaped loom (square, triangle, hexagon and a new jewel-shaped ) I only need a long yarn needle and/or a crochet hook.
Personally, I would mostly stick with what I've been working on - finding patterns that are largely based on rectangles and adapting them to fit me. Learning to use gussets to replace complicated shapes that are integral with single pattern pieces, or simply being prepared to "piece" fabric like they did in the past to make better use of a yard of material. Our current sewing/clothing industry is based on cheap material and cheap labor and has resulted in tremendous pollution and waste. The fact that the OP is at least thinking about that issue and suggesting an alternative, is worthy!
Jay, I think you have the right idea of working with squares and rectangles. Especially when trying to create a denser fabric than what I can get with crochet. (I don't knit. And while I have a couple of knitting looms, I've not yet worked with them.)
In a SHTF scenario, knowing how to get fibers to become cloth to become clothing is, IMHO, an extremely important skill set. And I've been interested in how this happens since I was probably about 10 and attended my first Renaissance Faire with my mom.
Thank you everyone for the input and ideas.
Carla Burke wrote:Dorothy, I absolutely LOVE that your group calls itself a "support group", lol - because fiber work/play/art really DOES become an addiction!
Do you have any personal experience with the Pampa loom?
Be forewarned we do a lot of enabling in the group also... No personal experience with them but I have seen projects from them posted in the group. Grin I am still collecting pin looms from different makers. And the makers are still developing different looms based on pin spacing, shape etc. Bluebonnet Crafts developed a hexagon and has now a whole line of sizes, pin spacing, and elongated hexagons you can get. Wunderwag looms is now adding a line of looms with wider spacing almost like the Blue Butterfly looms. Um yeah I love my pin looms because they are so portable mine are mostly squared but range from 1 inch to 6 inch squares and rectangles.
I've joined the support group and everyone is very supportive! I've purchased a 4" square pin loom called the Zoom Loom and woven over 50 little squares just playing with yarn weight and color changes. They worked up fast and it's quite portable. But I don't relish joining so many tiny pieces to create a much larger whole.
There are many sizes and shapes available in pin looms, from several reputable makers. My 2nd pinloom is a 2 foot triangle. It takes me a couple hours to complete one. Two of these joined along the hypotenuse will make a square of approximately 17" (called a 2 foot loom based on the length of the hypotenuse- or longest edge). I am working towards making a piece of clothing with these triangle-shaped bits of woven cloth, using 2 strands held together while weaving in what's called continuous strand weaving.
Lavender flowers, whole calendula flowers, chamomile flowers, comfrey leaf and root, orris root, in a 50:50 or 75:25 of virgin olive and safflower oil to get the infusion. (Different oils have different properties. ) I used to do this part like sun tea, several weeks in the hot Southern California summer, strain and repeat for a double strength brew. But I add essential oils as well to further boost the effectiveness. Lavender, tea tree, cedarwood essential oils. Sweet almond oil and a high count vitamin E. Then the beeswax and into jars. I don't use metal when making this or storing it. Glass and wood (wooden spoon to stir a bit).///Amendment; no metal touches this brew. Don't know that it makes a difference, but I don't allow contact with metal.///
I now do a double boiler sort of method. And I make it by the gallon, which can be done in a weekend. The essential oils and orris root help preserve the ointment for a couple years.
Did this ever happen? I like all your fabrics together. I try to balance the placement of darks and lights within the piece. If doing a flower type of effect, alternate center and petals, or petals 1/2 dark &1/2 light. So much can be done.
Once you have the shapes you can play with how it ends up getting constructed. Having a large table to lay them on helps as you get them sewn together.
If you are a fan already then you may have seen this. Shane Kilcher built one for he and his wife... Season 5, Episode 8, right about 24 minutes 35 seconds !!! Olden days, Olden ways
Night blooming jasmine for me right now. And I'm surprised by the scent of the pumpkin flowers! My black locust is done for the year but it smells lovely from 50 feet away!
I used to have some heirloom roses that were like smelling a spicy honey! And I am told the wv property is covered in honeysuckle!
I've made a few quilts in my time. Started with a baby size and simple squares. I've never taken a class or studied anything, just did it. Of course I made mistakes that had to be fixed, or they were small enough to leave. Most I've simply tied knots every several inches all over, but I've found those often hurt the finished product upon many washings, pulling through the outer layer and leaving a hole.
Relatively recently (4-5 years ago now), I began hand stitching the layers. Yes, it takes forever, even for a slightly larger than twin but smaller than full sized. I did use a huge embroidery hoop which both helped (keeping the layers together tightly and framed) and hindered (difficult to position the wad of the rest of the blanket, can't use my hands the same way as without it, etc) my progress.
I've also rolled one side and stuffed it under my machine's arm to use the sewing machine to do the simplest of quilting, straight lines from one end to the other. I remember using large plastic squeeze clamps to hold that roll together, found in the tool section of a large hardware and lumber store (Lowes). I have never basted before quilting and the finished blanket showed that in bunching up the last bit during machine quilting. Ugh!
I've read alot about QAYG or quilt as you go. I've not tried it. Basically you create your pieced square (or whatever basic shape) and add the other layers to it, quilting that much smaller piece that is easier to handle, then put them all together already quilted. There is tons of info out there to be found, and just knowing about its existence helps to formulate the terms to use to find it online. Or in a library. Or here is a little quick blurb
Ultimately I think what method you use will depend on many things, such as skills already acquired, tools available, your body's abilities to work the necessary repetitive motions, and just how daring you feel at the time. I know that there are times I don't feel mentally up to the job. For me that is just as important to attempting the work as all the rest.
I look forward to seeing what choices you make and how it all comes together for you R. Good luck! (And shame on them for laughing at you and moving along to other tasks. I might be just offended enough to tell them thanks for nothing and never returning.)
Wild strawberries are probably my favorite as my cousins and I discovered them on my great grandparent's farm one summer and they were oh so sweet! When I moved here I discovered it growing on the roadbank and in the woods . Of course I've helped it naturalize over the entire property over the years and with every sweet berry I think back to that summer.
I will be doing much the same if there are that many wild strawberries where I am landing in WV, above Huntington. My daughter is already discovering what is on their 40 acres.
Toko Aakster - welcome to this crazy wonderful place called permies! I'm still carrying around amaryllis bulbs from 30 years ago that I know as pink ladies. http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/9/2/0/5/8/5/webimg/544516197_o.jpg I love that you are keeping memories alive in the form of generational plants.
Dorothy Pohorelow wrote:Grin I believe you are thinking of something like a Pampa loom. https://www.pampaloom.com/en/
I have seen them and things made from them posted in the pin loom weaving group I am https://www.facebook.com/groups/pinloomweaving However most of us seem to just make squares, rectangles, hexagons (the turtle looms) and related shapes then sew them together to make clothing, etc.
I've found that "the woolery" carries many looms, including the pampa! $350 for the 3 piece set, available to do 5 size options each, small, medium or large. https://woolery.com/pampa-loom-vesto-kit.html It gives me hope that if I can find the right fabric pattern I might be able to eventually create the set of looms. I don't see this happening in the next year or two because of the cross country move we are facing and the settling in once we get there.
I've purchased alpaca yarn from this company and was quite pleased. Now I want alpacas!
There are so many ways to weave different useful items. I hope to be able to learn several more ways before I get too old. At nearly 60 now, I've managed to learn 2 in the last couple years. Rug twining, and now a zoom loom 4" square. I've done under 100 4" squares and I find I'm almost bored. My rug looms never have left me bored.
First thing I think I need to do is find a pattern that works well for me with fewer pieces.
I "think" what you're implying here is that you want to make fewer, "shaped looms" as from what I understand from this whole thread, is that you need a shaped loom for each piece - although technically pattern pieces that say, "cut two" you could use the same loom, but work on the "top side" and then work on the "bottom side".
To my mind, it's a balance. Having a bunch of narrow pieces of weaving allow you to shape the finished garment without cutting or adding thickness with darts. If I was going to do this much work, I'd want something that really suits my figure and fits well, and fewer pieces could defeat that goal.
My lizard brain is saying, "be careful what you wish for" - and I really want you to tackle this project *and* be pleased with the results, so please consider at least doing a scrap fabric mock-up of the pattern you decide on. My lizard brain isn't always on the right track and it may be misinterpreting what you're thinking - there's a place for simplicity but there's also a place for "well-tailored"!
Thank you for your lizard brain suggestions. More that I hadn't thought of to figure in. I'm not a slave to fashion, so anything comfortable and sturdy fits my style. This trait drove my mother nuts, and I had threats of having my favorite pieces of clothing burned until I was 20.
The mock up idea is best for me. I tend to lose interest if it takes too long or becomes more difficult than I am prepared for. I will keep this thread updated as I get steps done. All while packing for the move, working, living, etc!
Sometimes the tissue paper pattern pieces for tops have 2 pieces for fronts or backs. First thing I think I need to do is find a pattern that works well for me with fewer pieces. Then experiment with the cross-set of cardboard, perhaps as a small loom just as the test of strength. And learning how to finish off those kinds of edges. I'm very new to weaving and so far have only worked with a pinloom and my twined rugs.
I have been using knitting looms for over 20 years. I have 2 of these Marth Stewart kits. You could conceivably make up the front and back of an item, say a pillow, int his case, and package those with directions on how to use the woven heart shapes, sewing together, stuffing.
That's great. I have a sock loom I've yet to try.
I think you have missed my point. I'm not knitting or looking to knit anything by this post. The weaving loom is different, even the Martha Stewart one. Woven fabric doesn't seem to have as much stretch and give as knit and crochet. The Pampas loom for the vest is the kind of thing I was seeking, just not a vest necessarily. And I'd like a less pricey option.
I've kept my eyes open looking for other alternatives and have only just recently realized that the thing I seek can be made cheaply in cardboard. I don't know quite how many pieces can be made on one before degradation begins. As a big woman I would need a refrigerator box for the looms to make the fabric pattern pieces for a specific item of clothing.
I'm happy for you to have found a workable answer to your limitations. I am feeling considerable stiffness in my hands on cold days, and occasional pain in some joints now and then, so I know my time to work these ideas may have a time limit. Brightest Blessings to you, and thank you for your input.
Pearl Sutton wrote:When you are pulling weeds and feel the burn of light contact dermatitis...
So you go in, wash up. All better!
Go back out to work....
So.
I wonder what I was reacting to? Was it this one? (Rub a bit on my arm.) Nope. How about this? Nope.
Experiments!! Not always involved with common sense.
Never did figure it out.
Rubbed all kinds of stuff on myself.
:D
Speaking of experiments;
While living in Florida I ran the mower through a sand pile, walking barefoot behind it. Fire ants were all over my feet inflicting pinpoints of pain. Days later I had tiny pimple spots all over my feet. My brain said "hmm. wonder if it's from the ants? Let's experiment and find out."
I allowed some other ants to bite my feet, and again there were the tiny pustules on my feet. I proclaimed it a successful experiment.
Not sure if that qualifies as knowing you are a permie when... but it is similar to Pearl's blurb!
Lori Lusk wrote:I’ve been thinking a lot about linen since I visited Colonial Williamsburg last Sept. snd heard how awesome linen is!
I’m in North Carolina so I think it’s too hot here …. Though there is an old shut down textile mill I fantasize about reopening with locally grown texts…. Bamboo maybe better but processing bamboo is quite a chemical process..
Are there more heat tolerant fiber linen seeds?
Flax likes early spring here in Southern California. By the time days are hitting in the 80's its winding down. I plan on growing it in West Virginia in another year or two after I get settled there.
Cristo Balete wrote:So are you growing these pumpkins to store over the winter so you can cook them as you go? Or are you planning to cook and can them once they have matured and not store them at all?
Sounds like if it's a matter of storage, which for over-wintering pumpkins would required a cool, dry, dark place like a shed that doesn't store gasoline (for fumes) or machinery with stinky tires, or a generator that would put off exhaust. Be sure they don't touch each other in storage, and if you can put each one up on a couple of bricks a couple inches apart, or cement blocks with the spaces up, for air flow underneath they will last longer.
I used to grow the biggest pumpkin up in a wheelbarrow, then it was easier to move it at the end of the season. But that was just one pumpkin. That was the year we had a Christmas pumpkin, and carved trees, stars, candy canes on it. Kinda fun.
Cristo, I'm growing these simply because I can. Early next year we will be moving across country to start a new life working towards off grid living at age 60! We are moving to live with my youngest daughter, helping her and her family to get 40 acres producing lots of food before we get too old and need help taking care of ourselves without assistance.
I initially intend to collect the seeds to plant after we get settled. I'm thinking to give away the rest to neighbors. Then I thought maybe we will have space to bring a few along. I've also thought to dehydrate the flesh, making it compact and lightweight for packing. Ultimately I really don't know what I will do with whatever makes it to harvest, beyond seed saving.
I've seen at least 2 places (think natural nurseries) out there in youtubeland that are built entirely on just such wood chips. Incredible gardens supporting an incredible variety of plant, food bearing and otherwise. Justin Rhodes did the interview on the one in a more tropical, southern location than where I'm at currently. ( southern California) The other one I can't recall the name of is in NY.
They certainly convinced me of the value of growing in deep wood chips. I think it is a crash course style hugelkultur.
I've got a raised hugel bed that sees lots of sun on its southern flank most of the day and its northern side gets the late hours from perhaps 3 or 4 p.m. til sunset. Mine is arranged with squash at the southeast quadrant, cucumbers at northeast and tomatoes running the full western section. I've erected some lattice along the southern side of the squash to break up the hottest part of our summer days and give them the break they'll need when it finally arrives.
Not sure just how much my planting its first year to alfalfa, flax and garlic contributes to what I'm seeing it support this year. There is alot going on.
Background on the bed; was a partially sunken fish pond with 2 distinct depths that I didn't alter much after removing fish, water and liner before loading the layers. I did leave the wood aboveground frame of about 6 foot by 4 foot and perhaps 18 inches all above ground level, so it is also a raised bed. Once built, I seeded alfalfa and flax. I allowed anything to grow that would and saw a few wild sunflowers, wild lettuce and dandelions.
Before planting it this year I did what I could to swish it around and help things settle before adding additional soil to the top. Fill in some depth where needed in order to be relatively level.
In February I planted the seeds for the small tomatoes, a few cucumbers and 6 of the recently market harvested medium sized, blue-gray skinned "heirloom" pumpkin. I paid about $8 for it. It said jarrahdale. I looked that up in Suzanne Ashworth 's Seed To Seed. It's a maxima, but was only about 12 dense pounds of deep orange, sweet meat! Of those 6, 5 came up and reached the hugel bed. I've since pinched out the 3rd wheel of 1 group.
We ( the seedlings and I) endured several harsh overnight lows for this area and for the babies as well. I resorted to plastic gallon jugs with caps on and 2 layers of shade cloth to keep the frost off. I didn't cover my bananas as well as I could have and really should have because the frosts did enough damage to cause the next in line to flower to do so without leaves or any warmer temperatures to support it. But I digress.
4 squash plants placed over the deepest end of the pond. I have identified no less than 10 females in various stages, the oldest about a week after hand pollination is still not larger than a baseball. I'm certain I've also identified where lateral vines are beginning to sprout that I see have some of those females.
My quandary is do I go for maximum numbers and only interfere by gentle direction and a pinched umbrella-sized leaf now and then? Or would I be better served by pinching laterals and thinning fruit to some imposed maximum limit of fruits per plant? Sort of like thinning tree fruit to gain size and quality.
I have an idea of what kind of monster this may be allowing to go completely untamed. I've grown Big Max before, 3 plants took over an entire large corner of a large yard giving me 7 or 8 fruits weighing in between 25 and 65 pounds each.
All my children and several husbands have been threatened with death and dismemberment if they ever use my fabric scissors for anything but fabric. Plus they would have to buy a new pair to replace what they destroyed! I wore that pair out after 20 years, and replaced them with ones that cut many layers.
You can convince a family member to try a hugelkultur bed, and they are convinced it is the right way to proceed based on 1 flimsily built short hugel-like bed for tomatoes that did better than anything else planted that year!!
