I don't really know how many days we've been in quarantine. Here in Washington, that still means a lot of regulation. What this time has provided me (besides a beautiful excuse to have a free calendar) is plenty of time to reconsider what was once normal. (Surely, I'm not alone in this). What has surprised me about this additional-time-spent-thinking is where, ultimately, I landed.
To give you a hint, I spent twenty minutes last night watching a YouTube video on sewing historical dresses.
While it may be a little while yet before I throw on Victorian garb, I still have found myself longing for the non-disposable in many forms. Because trips to town have been less frequent (and as much as I'm thankful for it, the thought of constantly buying things online and having them shipped here is not my favorite idea either), I landed somewhere odd.
Somewhere between Tasha Tudor and Clair Fraser.
Somewhere where I'm drawn to quality. Somewhere where things aren't thrown away after a single use. Somewhere where local farmers, community, and fellowship have intense value. Somewhere where items are valued and cherished and cared for from generation to generation. Somewhere were the clothes on my body cast a vote for the right things and play to my feminine nature.
So here's where I am. I'm DONE with the disposable.
Especially clothing.
Have we got this area of our culture totally wrong?
This clothing/fashion exploration is currently a battleground in my brain. With uncertainty on the horizon, and much (if not all) of it out of my control, I have spent the last few months digging deep into the farm and vegetable gardens. By eliminating my social calendar, and spending my days toiling in the soil, I found myself being drawn towards old-world-dress. For the farm, it's extremely practical and comfortable.
My mind skips around the idea of natural fabrics in between planting my radishes and endive. Staring at my hair sheep, I contemplated bringing in some fiber sheep to the farm as well (what would Stuart say!). Wool – what an incredibly rich natural resource right at our fingertips. How hard could it be to sheer a sheep? Is there a YouTube video on that? I bet I could learn. In the midst of all of this, I restocked my yarn supply (teaching Georgia to crochet was part of our quarantine activity) and fell back in love with naturally-dyed fibers from alpacas and sheep. Amazing fibers dyed with mushrooms, flowers, herbs, and leaves.
But my new view of fabrics doesn't stop at wool – it spirals further into hemp, linen, flax, silk, and cotton. Fibers that are renewable, compostable, and made to last far longer than their synthetic counterparts. Isn't it weird to think the clothing most of us are wearing is made with at least some percentage of plastic? Plastics that are created from fossil fuels? What a strange idea.
I need my vote to be for BETTER. Not more.
Yes, even with clothing.
I won't pretend like I've figured this out – I'm still very much trying to figure out what this means for the future of fashion and dress (especially in this house where I at least have some say still).
But here's what I do know: much like “fast food” or “cheap food” being a fake reality, “cheap clothing” is much in the same line. Those cheap clothes are built on someone's back. Someone paid the price. Who? How?
I want to be a champion for the right things and while fashion or dress may seem insignificant, the affect cheap clothing is having on our environment and (ironically) wallets is not. We pay more for clothing now than we ever have because we're constantly having to replace (or choosing to replace) what deteriorates, unravels, or is “out” of fashion.
What if that wasn't the case?
What if our closet had a few high-quality pieces that fit us well. Served us well. Could we learn to be okay with less? With fewer options? With breaking the buying habit?
Could you?
This isn't the type of lifestyle-shift that happens over night. Our dressers are full of clothes and I'm grateful for that. But as we look to bring new clothing pieces into our home, I'm determined to put my dollars in the right place.
I'm awaiting my first shipment of dresses: I chose three (and a petticoat to wear under them in the winter). Tasha Tudor would be proud.
(And hey – the bonus is, they're made to fit me and flatter my body! Imagine!)
I don't know exactly where I'm going with this. But I'm going somewhere.
What say you?
sally
Yes! Definitely! Take it even further and read/follow Fibershed by Rebecca Burgess.
Judi
I repurpose lots of my clothes.
For instance a friend gave me a cherry patterned apron and I only used it a handful of times. So I cut it up…made a Christmas stocking for my youngest daughter and then made present bags with the remainder. I used the straps, as tabs, for a fabric wall hanging and the pockets to insert onto a fabric bag…complete repurposing!
I’ve made tea towels into shoe bags (which are less bulky and keep shoes dust free!)
I’ve patched my jeans when they’ve worn thin on the upper inside leg. I’ve gotten a few more months out of them that way..
I mend my clothes, all the time and when an old tee has finally given up the ghost, my husband has used them as cloths, to wax his upcycled wooden furniture pieces and carvings.
My youngest uses all sorts of fabric odds and ends, to make her Cos Play outfits for Cons and bags etc….she is ethically minded and hates fast fashion. Fair play. She’s 17!
We buy a lot of clothes from the second hand store and replace ugly buttons, or add embellishments, to give them new life.
Have you heard of the English artist, Winifred Knights?….she was big into long lasting garments, made from natural fibres like linen, cotton etc….ones you could wash and wear over and over again. I used to wear a lot of linen….before it became too expensive for my meagre clothes budget!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts…inspirational!
J
Megan
Shaye- I must know. Where did you order the three dresses from?
Julie
Your thoughts regarding clothing reflects my thoughts. Getting back to quality not quantity. The classic, basics are timeless.
Would you be willing to share your dress source?
Thank you for continuing to share your beautiful thoughts!
Julie
Meagan Albritton
How funny that you would post this today. You’ve been a big inspiration to me, a fellow homeschooling, homesteading, homemaking, entrepreneurial momma. I posted about our journey and my thoughts on sustainability just this morning. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and how you are choosing to vote with your dollars. Whether you meant to or not, I think you’ve become a leader and a voice in simple and sustainable living.
Jennie
I’d love to know the name of the company where you ordered your dresses.
Delores J Murray
I have been following you for years, and love every bit, from when you lived in the south and moved to Washington (we lived in Washington and loved it but work moved us). Anyway, totally agree with you, I too have decided it was time to quit the dress code rat race and buy what is good for me, and what is versatile. I have started following Jennifer L Scott – Author, she has the Chic minimalist wardrobe. I like her ideas. Keep on posting and best to you, God Bless
Courtney
Where did you find your naturally dyed yarn?
Holly
I’d love to know where you found your 3 new dresses and petticoat! I’m right there with you….. 🙂
Kimberly O'Connor
SAME!
Tiffany
I’m also excited to know where your dresses are coming from. Beautiful dresses are my love language.
Kristi Elston
Me too!!
Jen
I agree! I’d love to know where you got them too and please share them with us when they arrive 💜💜
Ginger
I am with you also and have the same question as Holly…where did you find the 3 new dresses and petticoat?
Tabitha
Right!!!! I think we need a fashion show when she gets them!!!! Can’t wait to see!
Penny
You are talking about the consequences of Fast Fashion, an industry of waste and abuse that consumers are just learning about. I recommend that you seek out fashion designer Justine Leconte on YouTube to learn more. In addition to creating public awareness regarding the ethics of clothing manufacturing, in an effort to educate consumers and change buying habits, she produces incredible content related to fashion and creativity.
Laura
Same! Love this post. It’s been heavy on my mind as well.
Jenny
Please share where you found the clothes you ordered. Thank you!!
Crystal Jolley
I have been on the same venture and convictions lately! I’ve actually been shopping for good dresses and materials recently, but can’t find what I want for what I can afford with dresses (for around the home and farm). I may just try to start making my own! I, too would love to know where you found yours. Looking forward to following this journey of yours!
Aislinn
Yes, I agree with Holly! Where did you order the dresses? I love wearing dresses, and my clothing tends to be fairly seasonal, living in the PNW. I have found I wear items for 3-5 years, sometimes close to 10 years that way, but often have those one season items that don’t hold up to farm life. I would love to find a source for well made, natural fabrics that last!
Jenn
I’m with you Shaye. A friend of mine on Insta makes linen clothes. I have four lovely skirts and an apron that I’ve had for a few years. I just purchased a very versatile dress that can be worn all year long and it’s reversible 🤯 so even better!! I cannot wait for that goodness to be made and in my mailbox. I love supporting small businesses and buying sustainable pieces all at the same time.
rebecca anderson
Please share where your dresses are coming from! I’m right there with you- looking carefully for a few custom dresses as I’m tall and usually sew my own from the hinterland dress pattern. I’d love to buy maybe 2 as well though.
McKayla Bernard
Love love love this! Having fewer clothes that you actually wear is so nice! Quality is something I’ve been getting more into as of recent, but what I did last summer was find a shirt that I liked, bought the same shirt in maybe 7-9 different colors and got rid of most of my other shirts. A little different than this blog post, but same concept of having things you like, only what you need, and wearing it for a lot longer than most store bought clothes. More minimalism style.
That being said, I do miss having a few different “pieces” instead of the same shirt, but maybe next time I buys something I’ll look more into where it’s coming from 🙂
Jennifer
I have been having the same thoughts. I love the feel and durability of linen fabrics. I would love to find some dresses like that. Everything I find online is imported from China and I refuse to purchase for several reasons, sweat shops being one of them.
Dewena
“What if that wasn’t the case?” Most exciting sentence I’ve read all day! And life changing if applied to so many things. If others are feeling the way I am having read this post, you have many others feeling excited about this new direction you’re headed. I can’t wait!
That green dress is gorgeous! It reminds me of a green velvet dress my mother made for me many years ago that I wore my senior year to a Sweetheart Banquet. She was an amazing tailor and the fitted dress had tiny buttons all down the back and at the cuffs of the long sleeves. All were covered in the velvet too. How I wish I still had it, even though I could never fit into it now.
Anita
I see you moving toward a more European slow lifestyle and I too want to be more slow with life, including food and fashion. Thanks for this encouraging post.
Kristi
Agreed. I’ve never felt the need to follow fashion trends. I do like to look my best but I found I need very few clothes to achieve that. Mix and match quality made and natural fabrics for the win!
Alycia
I had this same thought last year… My husband is always very supportive of my thoughts and “ideas”, but this one had him looking a bit glazed over. I’m so glad you’re such a good writer and able to express the thoughts better than I could. Thankfully, my husband enjoys reading, so I can not present him with this and say, “See! I’m not alone!!”
Rachel O
This is why I learned to sew. I can create a garment that fits me perfectly and will last a lifetime, and if it needs altered, I know how it was made and can fix it.
Kay Raykiewicz
I love this idea! I’ve actually been dressing this way for years. I have a few favorite retailers that revel in the old fashioned way and I’ve been supporting them since my teens. As a woman who’s been wearing dresses since childhood by choice, I’ve learned a thing or two about what’s comfortable for farm work and active work. Layers are your friend, and so is cotton. I’m so glad to see someone else make the switch!
sharon tree
sewing is addictive and linen plentiful
Peggy
Tune in to my younger friend (41 yo) who grew up in Yakima, but now lives on the remote Dutch island of Saba. She repurposes all clothing and sources fabrics from sustainable/fair trade/organic sources. Meghan Halfmoon ( yes! Her real name) can be found @halfmoonetalier.
Debbie Hosaflook
I love everything about this article and I have been enjoying seeing you wear your dresses in your videos while puttering about in your gardens, with your boots too :).
I too would love to know where you found your dresses and petticoat. Looking forward to following you on this journey and joining in.
With love from Virginia.
Debbie
Louise B
I am a quilter and I also sew one outfit for myself each year as a reminder of what it takes to make s garment. Increasingly am shopping more with ethical brands and when not officially ethical or sustainable enough try and but best quality and read about the company. It’s fraught but have a definite list of no go shops / stores. Will no longer buy cheap cheap clothes as someone who made them is paying the cost.
Alicia
Totally agree, please tell us more about your findings 🙂
Ashley Pullen
Yes! When I was in college, I was an interior design major for a time. One of my professors told us that part of being a designer was being RESPONSIBLE. Quality and sustainability were important. That thought has stuck with me and transferred to every avenue of my life. I’ve been back into cheap fashion because my hormones bottomed out and I packed on over 40 pounds in just a few years. Being forced to buy new clothes so frequently has been so frustrating for me.
Traci
I’m curious where you bought from, too! I agree wholeheartedly but I don’t have a clue where to start.
Peggy Innamorato
I also would love a link to wear you got your 3 dresses, I agree with you, today we live in a disposable society and it is really sad. Quantity over quality, it should be the other way around, always enjoy reading and watching your channel have a great day :0)
Susan Hemann
I have been on the anti-clothing movement for a long time. I have a stock uniform.
I have been buying over the years 100% cotton sweater sets. They never go out of fashion. I have denim jeans and white cotton t-shirts. I have a 3 pr of dress pants, all cotton. I dress it up or down with my jewelry. I do not wear costume jewelry.
My closet is practically bare lol. Thing is I never have those tantrums, I have nothing to wear anymore. I dress things up or down with scarves and shawls. Very easy.
I buy quality because I cannot afford cheap. I have been this way since I was in my teens.
I just wish I could find supportive bras!! The bra industry is terrible! Ugh
Robin
Love it! You might want to check out https://www.sensibility.com/blog/category/Blog and https://www.edelweisspatterns.com/dresses.php for fun. 🙂
marisha
er ma gsh…….i think im on board sis
marisha
check out piper footwer ….seaside tones…..christy dawn
do share your finds!!
Peggy Meyer
You might watch a recent video by Justine Leconte who explains the disastrous effects of :fast fashion’ to understand how important the shift you are planning to make actually is.
Brittany
Yes, yes, yes. I just finished the last podcast while I was working outside and you had me PUMPED UP about digging into this next season with y’all.
Paula
Yes, please! A link to where you bought your 3 dresses and petticoat. I used to sew myself – made my own wedding dress. But, a husband, 2 kids, homeschooling, and a full-time work-from-home job leaves no time for sewing! 🙂
Rebecca
Oh yes i completely agree! We at our home watch Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and TONS of Little House on the Prarie. I say the exact same thing about our attire. Living intentionally, more aware, and more sustainably has become important in my house. I can remember my grandma’s wardrobe being of higher end clothing and she wore the same clothes for gosh well for my whole life and they still looked brand new when she passed away. Quality speaks more than quantity! Please let us know where you ordered your dresses from bc im in the same boat!
lyn
Along those same lines, I’ve decided to “ditch the dye” – hair dye that is. Check out the hashtags silver sisters, grombre, ditch the dye, etc. Very inspiring. I always thought gray = old. What a myth! This might make a great blog topic that is in line with the jist of this one……Regarding clothing, another way to make an impact is to buy second hand clothing. Once you know what size you wear in your favorite upscale brands (which tend to be higher quality construction and materials), it’s pretty easy to find those garments “preowned” on ebay. This was a thoughtful insightful article. Thanks!
Elisabeth
I am a huge fan of second hand!! Inexpensive and stylish! I love thrift stores!!
Charlotte
Yes the dyes and bleach we put on our heads is slowly killing us as we start it very early and do it for years. Why not have the color that God gave us. What could be better for us???
Becca
With the others, I’d like to know where found the dresses you’ve ordered and look forward to an update to find out about the quality when thet arrive. Timely thoughts. Timely post.
Maggie
I love to wear skirts around the house and the garden. I feel more relaxed and comfortable, but I need some dresses and yours look very nice to use in the house and garden. Were can I find them? Love your house.
Loriana
I’ve been contemplating growing flax and cotton for a long time and have almost decided on a flax patch for next year! Wool sheep has also been in my mind … but it’s not an option right now as we still live in a rental house. Also sheep are a lot more work than plants … maybe a couple angora rabbits.
Kristina
This is timely! I can echo your thoughts on pretty much everything! Since lockdown, we’ve poured ourselves into homestead projects more than ever before, pulled away from the media, and, especially, enjoyed the time with our family with few distractions. And I’m thrilled to say that so much blessing has come from all of it, in a myriad of ways. “Working with our hands” (1 Thess. 4:11) has never been more relevant.
Oh, and I’d love to know where you got your dresses, too! (Maybe it’s time to dust off the sewing machine?) 😊
Elisabeth
I have dramatically reduced my wardrobe in the last few years. I try to wear things until they are worn beyond repair and have tried to buy as much second hand clothing as possible. Two things have happened – 1. I have saved enormous amounts of money! 2. I have become satisfied with what I own.
I have been hugely influenced by Jennifer Scott’s 10 item wardrobe and her book Madame Chic.
The other issue is the actual human cost of fast fashion. Any research into the lives that have been lost to make cheap clothing sends me into fits of rage/shame. I am still learning about responsible ways to purchase clothing that doesn’t require poor folks to die. There is not near enough discussion of this in our society.
I am excited to follow you in this journey! xoxo
Katheryn
I’m with you! I bought a cotton dress 2 years ago and besides a little fading from washing and sun drying It has outlasted most of my other clothing including jeans! I now wear cotton dresses most the week and have learned that they don’t need to be washed after each wear especially if I wear an apron over them. It’s way too hot down here in Florida for wool, but I used to dream of having fiber goats and sheep. I look forward to reading more about your transition to more natural and long lasting clothing!
Ellen
I say girl YES! Thank you for sharing. I’d love too see more of your journey with this.
Andrea
I very much agree. I have a fairly small wardrobe and yet more than I need. I prefer a classic fit and item that I can easily combine. I have not bought anything new in quite some time but eventually will need to add or replace a few things and the plan is to find good sewing patterns and make things myself. Starting with easy to make tops and go from there. Quality over quantity using plastic free fabrics. I already knit all my hats, mits, shawls, sweaters, cardigans and socks, so the idea of adding sheep for wool to your farm is sensible and appealing.
Heather
Yes! I love linen pieces! And yes you could totally shear your own animals. We have angora goats, babydoll sheep, and alpacas and learned with one you tube video how to go about shearing:).
Dessa
Fabulous, Shaye! Yes, please share your source!
Mary Gehling
I too love natural fibers and quality items that last. I’ve found great joy in sewing and knitting my own clothing. It fuels my creativity, supports small businesses (fabrics and yarn), and creates a wardrobe that I cherish and fits me well in just the right style or color. There is so much inspiration and support in the maker’s world on Instagram and Ravelry for example. Me Made May is just finishing up on Instagram.
Denise Watson
Tasha Tudor was my idol! I would love to know where you ordered your dress and petticoat from. I’m right with you on this thought line👍🏻👍🏻 I’ve never been one to conform to “ what’s in” as far as fashion and style and design and always admired people who didn’t as well! You could be my new Tasha idol! Lol
Diane R
Yes! I’m with the others! Please share what you found! I too, struggle with fashion, both in terms of quality and cheap labor concerns as well as longing for practical femininity!♥️
Sandra Grecki
I FREAKIN LOVE this post!!! I have done the 180 too, when it comes to clothing. Coming from working and living in London(UK) to now living and working on a farm in Upstate New York has done wonders in terms of the values in my mind – especially regarding clothing. I was all you described up there. Sometimes never having worn numerous items – but still they cluttered my closet while I bought more.
Now I look at Amish fabrics and I am amazed (then again, not really) how different the quality really is.
Like I said – I LOVE this post. And you wrote it for all the right reasons.
The fashion industry – much like the makeup and creams and potions and hair products …. all of that can be so much more mindful – and applied meaningful.
THANK YOU SHAYE!!!! ♥
Elizabeth Dwelley
I am with you Good Lady!
Denise M Leon
I really appreciate this post! I am so sick of our disposable world. I want to buy more american products but find them hard find. I would really like it if you could recommend some websites with american made practical items that look good and have a touch of style.
Laurie Streck
I, too, would love to know the source for the beautiful sounding clothes that You have purchased….I LOVE Tasha Tudor as well, along with everything I have read on Your cool, inspirational, down to earth and informative ideas, comments and references to Your beautiful little farm and family. God is good……God Bless all of You, as only He can……..Laurie
Alicia Taylor
Love this post! I’m definitely shifting in the same direction. We already buy second hand for most stuff. Just need better sources for new clothing.
gloria mulcahy
Tasha Tudor was also one of my favorite woman. I was fortunate enough to work at Sturbridge Village in Massachuetts where we gave demonstration on weaving fabric for clothing along with spinning and dyeing wool for socks and hats and gloves,etc. And yes, they held up to some intense you in the gardens and with daily chores.
It was my favorite job. Also know you will love Victoria Mackenzie-Child. The amount of her own style of clothing is incredible. Check her out ladies.
Julianne
Love your message. When I was in college I worked at Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum; it’s sort of like Williamsburg VA. I worked at Eagle Tavern and wore 1800 period clothing (my MIL was head of the period clothing department). It entailed a 3/4 length sleeved long dress, a petticoat, apron and bonnet . It was so comfortable. Cool in summer warm in winter. Not tight and binding at waist. I felt feminine even though it was a farm worker dress not fancy formal. I’d like to go back to wearing that for sure!
Brittany
Yes to all of it! I love to knit and am drooling over these beautiful natural skeins of yarn you have. I found a fantastic resource for yarn spun from naturally black sheep and that sparked a love for these naturally occurring wool colors. Oh and I have also spiraled into my usual out of control need for everything made from scratch and decided I need a sheep of my own to shear and a spinning wheel but luckily my husband sometimes corrals my crazy ideas. Oh and nothing makes me more excited for winter when spring and summer wane than hand knit clothing items. Love this post!
Joy Stott
Hi I love your reality check! Given this time with the pandemic we are given lots of time to contemplate, research, and realize where we have been, and where are we
going with all this reality check!
I too, am looking at my wardrobe, and realize in my golden years I don’t NEED a lot
of what I have. You come to realize your “favourites” that you wear time and time
again, they continue to serve you well, and then when you look at the labels…
well … they are made of cotton, wool, … wool and cotton together, no synthetics!
You may notice that the polyester and other materials are the flashy designs you were drawn to buy, (the “in” fashion). The cotton/linen were most likely the plainer solid colours, that don’t seem to fade. The wool had a calmer pattern if any.
So you go for it girl !
I too, as one reader put it, have been drawn back to the Amish/Mennonite, way of plain living. Their early morning rise, early to bed; grow your own, make your own,
share the harvest, simpler easy going/hard working, do without frills lifestyle; much like your homesteading! Growing up in rural Canada, near the Mennonite farming,
travelling and seeing the way the other half live, traveling across Canada, some of Europe and most of the U.S.A., (4 times to Amish country ! ) as years have gone by I am comfortable now with much less. I have come to realize, life is much better that way, for me. I love following you and your family. I follow Amish stories as well.
Please continue with sharing your family’s stories, your ups and downs of daily life, your tips on cooking, designing, refurbishing, gardening, raising your children, etc.
Love you and your family ! God Bless you !
Sarah
Part of me is saying “YES!” to quality over quantity, while the other part of me is like, “You are going to spin your own thread? No. Just put down the spindle, nice and slow like.”
Here are my two thoughts, each being worth one penny.
Two years ago, I ordered some clothes from eShakti, which is based in India. In fact, I’m actually wearing one of the tops right now. I love their product and quality; they are affordable, but not cheap; they wear very well (no fraying or seams coming apart) and they tailor-make it to your specs.
My other thought is about Mennonites (stay with me here). Last year, before we had our own powered gardening equipment, we hired a guy to do the mowing and such. It turned out he was Mennonite, which first became obvious when he brought his plain-dressed wife the second time to help in our garden beds. Her white cap was crisp, and her dress, which reached down to her bare feet, was obviously handmade and fitted amazingly. I wondered that she would wear such a gorgeous dress to dig in the dirt with! But after an entire afternoon of gardening, you couldn’t even tell that she had been outside, other than a pair of dirty hands and feet and a few strands of hair which had strayed from her still-immaculate head covering. Her dress (a light blue number with an empire waist, a slight satin finish, and deftly-placed pleats, in case you were wondering) was untouched by the world outside. To this day, I do not know how she did this.
Somehow, I’m going to work a point out of these anecdotes…
[Time elapsing]
Ok, I’m back. My point is, I think there’s a balance to be struck between quality, hand-made, affordability, and accessibility. I like the fact that I can support (in a very small way) an economy half a world away by purchasing from a reputable company.
I also like the fact that my Mennonite homegirl sewed her own dress with store-bought fabric.
I like the fact that some people do, in fact, raise their own animals, spin their own thread, weave their own fabric or knit there own clothing (though it makes me tired just thinking about that), and sustain themselves completely.
I do, however, think that self-sustainment can become another “thing” to attain, and therefore covet, which can throw one’s priorities completely out of whack. There is a wonderful, sharp-as-a-tack 90-year-old lady at our church, whose son (only 20 minutes away) rarely comes to visit her because he’s so entrenched in his “farming” and sustainability. But I say, if it keeps you from honoring your parent/s, or keeps you away from family to the degree that they miss you, then you should dial it back, Jack.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing where your fledgling ideas will take you. To the glory of God!
Blessings,
Sarah
Michele
What wonderful insight and food for thought; thank you.
Joyce Johnson
This is so my heart, always has been. My children have always blamed it on my “inner Hippie”, but they have always told me I have my own style, and have always had my own style. And that makes me happy. I have always preferred dresses, or tunics with tights or leggings ( a wonderful addend to my attire the last 10 years as leggings became more and more popular). Bare legged in the summer, which is a brief 8-10 weeks here. I garden, can, haul wood etc. as well as clean for a living and have always found it easier in a loose dress with leggings. We each have to find what we are comfortable with but I have saved so much money the last 20 years buying well made with a few exceptions, and wearing clothing until it wears out. And looking decidedly feminine. The journey is fun! Enjoy! just bought a scale to make your sour dough.
Aileen Rose
Check out knockknocklinen on etsy. I have about 6 of her outfits with aprons and LOVE them. They wear beautifully too!
Lady Locust
I prefer natural fibers. Went through my closet about 3 years ago and got rid of about half. I also changed to wooden hangers – as if it makes any difference, I like how they look better than the plastic also 🙂
Samantha
Do you ever have visitors on the homestead?
Let me know! It would be a pleasure and an honor to spend a week or two doing whatever needs doing and learning from the best. Extra hands!
Jana
Thank you Shaye to enrich and inspire so many lives. The Liziqi’s channel, which I’ve discovered recently, beautifully presents (among other things) many traditional ways of producing fabrics, tailoring and sewing clothes etc. See wool here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvmC-leoj9U&list=PLF-q-IGQQb1tXQ45-RsEnaXGP4u_dgcmW&index=6