Sustainability has become a focus over the years that I have been here, talking textiles. Especially mending and recycling. But like everything, it has become more of a trend in many cases, not going deep enough to make a real difference. It takes time to develop a skill, and it can be enjoyable as a hobby. But the real joy, for me, anyway, is when it becomes truly useful in terms of real life.
The first Dandelions have appeared. Free greens for now...
I am enjoying reading through today’s comments. I like the conversation today about huck cloth, and weaving, and especially mending.
So much mending to do. And weaving too, hopefully.
Hello! You can roast dandelion buds. It’s delicious. Or pickle them like capers.
Liebe Grüsse, Doris
Never tried that but I will!!!
I’d love to watch you mend your towel, or something else. I miss “seeing” you do things. I loved hearing about the huckweave, I was not familiar but have some of that cloth, just didn’t know the name. Thanks for always posting something to think about. Will you eat the dandelions in a salad or cook with them somehow?
💛
Yes, I must get back to video…I miss it.
I eat the greens in salad and also mix them with other greens cooked.
Lately, I have been repairing zippers for my family and friends. I have learned that the problem is usually with the slide. I have fixed numerous hoodies, ski jackets, totes, backpacks, tents, and now a bean bag chair
(a lot from damage caused by chewing doggies). Don’t be afraid to try it yourselves. Lots of good info on your tube.
zippers!
learning is good. much easier when you know how, right? and experience is key!
I think the title of the blog post i want to write tomorrow will be “everyday is earth day.” Hmm…I think I’ve done that already. 🙂
Ha, I feel the sense of your thoughts.
I’ve been fairly obsessed with mending lately, finally tackling some garments that have been in the mend pile for a year or more, taking solace in the darning of socks. It’s helped me think as well as get some favorite garments back in rotation. While visible mending certainly is trendy now, I’m hoping to teach some young people in my community how to do some simple, proper mends, replacing buttons, fixing hems, patching things. My hope is that just being exposed to the idea will motivate them to repair more things before replacing them, maybe a mending movement and less of a trend.
Yes, need can be a real reason, when we realize some true sense of logic in it.
I have one huck toweling piece that was my paternal grandmother’s. The tiny bit of embroidery on it is faded and half missing. It is so soft! I think I remember using Huck toweling in Girl Scouts for some of our sewing projects. I love knowing it was also called huckabach and learning how it was made. I love that. Thanks!
well you will like this too then…
The term “huckaback” for a specific weave pattern likely originated from “hucksters,” the peddlers who sold linens in markets, often carrying their wares on their backs.
I think you gave me a piece! I keep it wrapped around my spirit cloth scraps. 💙
Ha, 😃👍, my scraps get around!!!
💙 your scraps are special!
I think they enjoy being useful. And loved.
Yes they are loved!
I think I used half of my bundle last year. 💙
I enjoy mending; it’s one of the meditative arts.
My favorite wild green is miner’s lettuce, so tender and sweet.
Ha, I almost consider it a fact of life.
I’ll be on the lookout for more greens. I actually love the bitter stuff.
I see what you mean about trendy mending…but learning to mend may come in very handy with the state of things now…it may be necessary. We are such a wasteful society. Your mending, Jude, is Art for practicality’s sake!
I think it’s a great time to consider and frugal life. I’d get some chickens but I’m surrounded by farms. And the eggs are cheap and good.
I LOVE it when spring “explodes” in the garden !!! My Erythronium have just faded, they’re only there for a short while. I have (keep) some Dandelions and have also bear leek to cut from ! Mending to use again is so satisfying 🙂
I think I’ll gather the dandelion seeds and encourage them to grow right out side the door!
i get a little snarly when a way of living suddenly becomes chic. because then it’s a flash in the pan, it will pass and then what? a deep and really simple way of living simply (!) takes practice and as you say skill. and a willingness to let it be.
Yes, I am feeling a bit snarly too, I didn’t really want to offend anyone so I edited out the snarly parts. 😂
Huck weave, interesting!
I have some tiny dandelion greens outside my front door, so tiny. I’m watching them grow with anticipation.
Weave is so interesting to me.
They growing fast here, we had a 78 degree day and everything exploded. There are millions of trout lilies emerging, are you familiar with them?
My granddaughter’s social media name /profile pic is Troutlily……such a pretty little flower.
New for me, I see the leaves but can’t wait for the flowers!!!
Yes! I have trout lilies everywhere, too. Love them!
I was going to say “I love that beautiful candlewick cloth that your greens are spread on.” But I think it’s just a paper towel, isn’t it?
It is! Paper towels are often based on old weaves and textile textures!
I have seen some really bad mended items that are being passed off just to be part of the trend. I have some old textiles that were mended and you can tell that time and effort was taken to mend it properly as there may not have been easily obtained replacements.
Yes, unfortunately when things get trendy, quality suffers. It helps so much to understand the structure and nature of the item you are trying to save. And it takes time.
I love mending 💙 The insides of my jeans are a patchwork…more patch than jeans now! ☺️
I grew up watching, then helping, my Mam mend everything, and in the stables too…horses’ rugs, stirrup leathers, bridles. It was great.
I love your huck towels…learnt something new from you again 💙
Enjoy the free greens 💚
Nettle tops went into the latest soup 😋
I’ll try to weave some.
Greens are popping! So excited!
Hello, Jude. 🍀
👋