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Skills from 100 years ago - Page 4

post #61 of 126
2/20/09 at 4:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by smeisnotapirate View Post
FTR, I do to. Always have. This is just a checklist, and not a commentary on how ......... whatever......... today's society is.
very very way off topic but the link to your baby laughing and splashing hysterically in the pool is SO funny. I about peed my pants! So sweet.

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post #62 of 126
2/20/09 at 5:09pm
@Baking bread:

How do you bake bread if your oven doesn't work? Does anyone know how to build a traditional stone oven?
post #63 of 126
2/20/09 at 5:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by justmama View Post
very very way off topic but the link to your baby laughing and splashing hysterically in the pool is SO funny. I about peed my pants! So sweet.
Aww, thanks.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonnenwende View Post
@Baking bread:

How do you bake bread if your oven doesn't work? Does anyone know how to build a traditional stone oven?
You can bake bread in a dutch oven placed in a fireplace or campfire, or you can try to construct something out of bricks.
post #64 of 126
2/20/09 at 5:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by smeisnotapirate View Post
Aww, thanks.



You can bake bread in a dutch oven placed in a fireplace or campfire, or you can try to construct something out of bricks.
Thanks, I'll have to look into it.
post #65 of 126
2/20/09 at 5:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Llyra View Post
Sometimes I think I'm the last person on earth who knows how to darn a sock. Or darn anything. I know plenty of people who can sew on a patch or hem something or sew on a button, but darning is definitely a lost art.
I can darn! I don't bother darning socks, but I do darn sweaters.
post #66 of 126
2/20/09 at 5:40pm
Quote:
Learning how to store vegetables properly without refrigeration, eg. don't store potatoes w/onions, that type of thing.
Ok, how do you do that?

Quote:
Knowledge of how to treat without pharmaceuticals is another biggie. Homeopathy, essential oils, herbs, medicinal foods, etc...
I'm in the midst of a community college class on all of that. It's called "Holistic Healing."
post #67 of 126
2/20/09 at 6:03pm
You can also make a solar oven, which in some climates works only part of the year but it's worthwhile.
post #68 of 126
2/20/09 at 7:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tamagotchi View Post
Of course I know how to do basic things like those on the OP's list... but I'd love some more book recommendations on self-sufficiency topics I've got some books already but would love to know what other people like the most!
DH was recently given the book "Country Wisdom and Know-How". Very cool book. It's huge, so I have yet to read the whole thing. But anyway, it covers gardening, preserving food, animal care, butchering, and probably lots more that I have yet to skim.
post #69 of 126
2/20/09 at 8:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Llyra View Post
Sometimes I think I'm the last person on earth who knows how to darn a sock. Or darn anything. I know plenty of people who can sew on a patch or hem something or sew on a button, but darning is definitely a lost art.
YouTube Video - How To Darn A Sock

Now you can learn how! Oh, and I've never seen a darning egg or mushroom; everyone I've watched darn (no, I've never done it myself....I usually turn sock with holes into rags, but I know how in case I ever need the info) has used a lightbulb.
post #70 of 126
2/20/09 at 8:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Jessica* View Post
YouTube Video - How To Darn A Sock

Now you can learn how! Oh, and I've never seen a darning egg or mushroom; everyone I've watched darn (no, I've never done it myself....I usually turn sock with holes into rags, but I know how in case I ever need the info) has used a lightbulb.


I seriously just left this thread and watched that very video, d/t my sudden embarrassment at realizing I did not know how!
post #71 of 126
2/20/09 at 8:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Jessica* View Post
YouTube Video - How To Darn A Sock

Now you can learn how! Oh, and I've never seen a darning egg or mushroom; everyone I've watched darn (no, I've never done it myself....I usually turn sock with holes into rags, but I know how in case I ever need the info) has used a lightbulb.
I have my Grandmothers. I have no idea how old this is.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ary2009005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ary2009006.jpg
post #72 of 126
2/20/09 at 8:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KatWrangler View Post
I would love to have something like that of my grandmother's! Maybe I should ask her to leave me her darning light bulb in her will?
post #73 of 126
2/20/09 at 8:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KatWrangler View Post
Oh wow! My grandma had one of those too and I never could figure out what it was for. Huh. That is pretty cool.
post #74 of 126
2/20/09 at 9:00pm
I wouldn't darn a hand knit sock, I'd knit in a new heel or toe . The darned spots don't ever fit right. A re-heeled sock is like brand new.
post #75 of 126
2/20/09 at 9:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Jessica* View Post
I would love to have something like that of my grandmother's! Maybe I should ask her to leave me her darning light bulb in her will?
I also have her 1916 Singer push pedal sewing machine (we think this is the date. I need to verify with Singer and have been wanting to do this.) The belt for it is leather and needs to be repaired.
post #76 of 126
2/20/09 at 9:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by honeydee View Post
Oh wow! My grandma had one of those too and I never could figure out what it was for. Huh. That is pretty cool.
By the condition its in, its well used.
post #77 of 126
2/20/09 at 9:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KatWrangler View Post
I also have her 1916 Singer push pedal sewing machine (we think this is the date. I need to verify with Singer and have been wanting to do this.) The belt for it is leather and needs to be repaired.
That is cool. My grandma has one in her basement right now that was my great-great grandmother's. I think it is circa 1890? It is in good condition and I will be getting it this spring. There is a guy in my town that does leatherwork so I am pretty sure I will be able to have the belt either fixed or replaced.
post #78 of 126
2/20/09 at 9:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KatWrangler View Post
I also have her 1916 Singer push pedal sewing machine (we think this is the date. I need to verify with Singer and have been wanting to do this.) The belt for it is leather and needs to be repaired.
My dad is a quilter and collects old Singer machines. I don't know if any of his are push pedal, though. I think they are all electric except for the toy machines which are hand-crank.
post #79 of 126
2/21/09 at 1:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by choli View Post
But that doesn't mean that your mother and your neighbor CAN'T cook or mend, it means they choose not to. It's not like cooking and mending are lost skills.
I can only mend, because being broke forced me to it. I'm not good at it. I'm 40.

My mom hated sewing, and when I was resistant to learning how, she didn't push it. I took industrial education (metalworking, woodworking, basic drafting and electronics) in high school, so that I didn't have to take Home Ec...and that was solely because I didn't want to sew. I have several friends who have never picked up a needle and thread, to the best of my knowledge.
post #80 of 126
2/21/09 at 1:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lolar2 View Post
If they can't be bothered, that implies that they could manage to do it if they had to. Likewise if they can sew a button, they probably could manage to figure out how to sew a hem. This still is about inclination rather than ability.
Oh, I can't do hems. I have absolutely no clue how...but I don't throw stuff out. I just wear it with fallen hems...

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