Monday Message

"Recent surveys of Church members have shown a serious erosion in the number of families who have a year’s supply of life’s necessities. Most members plan to do it. Too few have begun . . . It is our sacred duty to care for our families, including our extended families." (President Thomas S. Monson- note: the italicized parts were italicized in his original talk)

Have you ever thought about this duty we have? No one wants to see anyone suffer.

Let's talk skill building…

Last week I talked about the prices of patterns and so I wanted to add some alternatives. In this post there's some oh so good ideas on repurposing t-shirts. I could see how easy it would be to use grown-up t-shirts to make little kid t-shirts. So work on building up those sewing skills!

I, myself, was just going to do this but ran across this great video.  The only thing on mine is that I plan to get wider at the bottom as my t-shirts tend to be loose everywhere but at the bottom. Being able to make what you like is wonderful. I like how he uses the tracing wheel to get the neck and armholes. Such a great video! The pic below is of a tracing wheel like the one in the video. I would add that you need to use a stretch stitch. Most machines made in the last thirty-five years should have this stitch read your manual.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+make+a+pattern+from+a+t+shirt&&view=detail&mid=88C876A60D0014D2389488C876A60D0014D23894&&FORM=VDRVRV - this is so good.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+make+a+pattern+from+a+t+shirt&&view=detail&mid=DBA82479843C0E0B2CF7DBA82479843C0E0B2CF7&rvsmid=88C876A60D0014D2389488C876A60D0014D23894&FORM=VDQVAP v-neck note from me to you, never sew over pins. Pull them out when you get to them.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+make+a+pattern+from+a+t+shirt&&view=detail&mid=DBA82479843C0E0B2CF7DBA82479843C0E0B2CF7&rvsmid=88C876A60D0014D2389488C876A60D0014D23894&FORM=VDQVAP - a neat way to change a round neck to a v-neck on t-shirts.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+make+a+pattern+from+a+t+shirt&&view=detail&mid=DBA82479843C0E0B2CF7DBA82479843C0E0B2CF7&rvsmid=88C876A60D0014D2389488C876A60D0014D23894&FORM=VDQVAP another version on how to make a t-shirt from ready wear.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+make+a+pattern+from+a+t+shirt&&view=detail&mid=DBA82479843C0E0B2CF7DBA82479843C0E0B2CF7&rvsmid=88C876A60D0014D2389488C876A60D0014D23894&FORM=VDQVAP - four ways to sew knit neckline with a bonus way at the end.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+make+a+pattern+from+a+t+shirt&&view=detail&mid=DBA82479843C0E0B2CF7DBA82479843C0E0B2CF7&rvsmid=88C876A60D0014D2389488C876A60D0014D23894&FORM=VDQVAP - stretch stitches.

http://thestitchingscientist.com/2013/09/free-vintage-shirt-pattern-and-tutorial.html - this is a free pattern.

I am trying to show you the many ways you can build your skills.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+sew+half+slips&qpvt=how+to+sew+half+slips&view=detail&mid=D0A44F18FDD25E3919CFD0A44F18FDD25E3919CF&&FORM=VRDGAR - how to make a half slip, you can find slip fabric for less.

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/panties-undergarments-patterns-2977352 - here are free patterns and a tutorial.

I wanted you to see that you could develop your sewing skills very frugally. I am working on my sewing skills right along with you. 

Keep putting in your storage. Remember to have hard copies of recipes just in case your computer goes down.

Don’t forget to store water.

Build your binder with "do it yourself" recipes, i.e. pumpkin pie spice, taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, etc.

This week I dried some baby spinach and put it in a pint jar to use in any soups, salads, breads, pasta, quiche,... anything.

I froze two lasagnas to save cottage cheese that was about to go bad.

I have found the t-shirt I want to make a pattern off of and have fabrics pulled to do some.

There are so many ways to save money. Sewing is one of them. So pull out your sewing machines and dust them off. 

Have a lemonade and relax while you read the manual. If you don’t have one you can one get online.

Just keep doing the best you can. Learn more ways to be frugal and share in the comments because we learn from each other.