:: Flashback Fridays ::
Welcome to a series that will be posted on Fridays – taking a look back at some of the skills from the past that were used in daily life. Skills that aren’t common just one or two generations later. Feel free to chime in! – We love to learn from our readers… share your thoughts and any insight you have as we try to be mindful of the past and carry that resourcefulness with us into our futures!
Mending Until You Simply Couldn’t Mend Anymore
As a young adult I remember standing – paralyzed in amazement – with my jaw quite near the floor. It was a moment of epiphany for me to find out from my mother that my grandmother used to remove the collars of my grandfather’s worn work shirts and turn them around with the fresh fabric facing his skin and sewing it back into place.
Use it up / Wear it out / Make it do / Do without
It was something she did that represented their entire state and lifestyle for me. OK, it certainly wasn’t exactly an act of a heroine but to this day I remember how it struck me…. How far removed from that type of need I actually lived… How thankful I was that I didn’t HAVE TO do that… How intrigued I was at how she always seemed so content to me as a child – so happy – and that seemed to contradict the apparent facts of what she had to do to help her family get by. I’ve read of Depression Era women mending holes in socks with good patches from socks that were beyond repair! > Whoa.
Could I if I needed to? And what’s more… could I do it and be content? Absolutely. Many of those who not only survived but raised families during the Depression Era lived saturated in truth… While it wasn’t fun to be in such need, it had a way of turning them for the most part to a deeper sense of joy that didn’t originate from ‘things’. It pointed them toward a strength they had – and that you and I have as well.
Great Read!
A fabulous book by Amity Shlaes called The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression < this book highlights many stories of individuals from a hard working, resourceful, free market perspective. It has come to my mind countless times in our journey to become more self-sustaining on our little homestead and as we learn to do more and more for ourselves – things that just a generation ago were commonplace.
I was at Plimouth Plantation last year with my son’s class on a field trip. At PP they reinact what it was like living in the pilgrim’s village back in the 17th century. When I was there, I remember wondering how they lived like that.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…25 Gluten Free Snacks
It’s so fascinating to me Robin…what people were capable of! And I want to do what I can to preserve their learning and knowledge- as much as I’m able- and let it enrich my life. Thank you for sharing too!!!
It is sad how things like this have been forgotten. What was once a useful skill is now something few people actually know how to do.
Jenn (Sweet T Makes Three) recently posted…7 Tips for an Epic Picnic {$50 Visa Gift Card Giveaway #CleanItForward}
I agree… I have never ‘darned’ a sock or even thought about doing it. But maybe now’s a good time!
My grandmother still mends my grandpa’s socks. I think there’s a great lesson in using your things until they absolutely can’t be used any more!
Meagan recently posted…McDonald’s: Why My Kids Are Lovin’ It! #ImLovinIt
Absolutely Meagan! That’s so great she still mends his socks… maybe she could give me a lesson:)
It’s really humbling to think how different life was for our ancestors. I take much for granted.
Same here Angela. It’s good food for thought! Makes me so grateful!
This was an interesting article. Thanks for the memories! We do some darning on occasion depending on how much we liked the piece of clothing:)
Good point Charity! 😀 I was just talking to my husband tonight trying to figure out if a patch on the front of a pair of cargo shorts would be frowned on at his job… Some items just get turned into ‘chore’ clothes around here too.
Wow that is so neat, I love hearing stories like this! Makes me want to get creative myself and try new things!
Kelsey Apley recently posted…Create Personalized Baby Shower Invitations With Basic Invite!
Thanks Kelsey… good to hear from you!
Thanks for letting me know about the book! Looks like I need to add it to my summer reading list!
Brittany C. @ Mom. Wife. Busy Life. recently posted…Meet Chance, Our New Interactive Plush Pet! #TheHappys
It’s a pretty intense book, Brittany. Thanks for stopping by!
I always love hearing about how past generations lived. Now that you mentioned all of this,I remember my grandma was always making clothes for me when I was younger. It was just something that she always did.
That’s awesome Melissa. My mom used to say my grandmother could take newspaper and hold it up to her children, mark it, and make a pattern out of it for clothes. I.Can’t.Even. :/
Great post. I enjoyed reading it. I look forward to your flashback fridays. =)
Aw… thanks so much Bonnie! That was really encouraging!
What a great post. So many times I’ve patched holes in clothes or resewn buttons and my friends are surprised I just don’t buy another… but for us, we just never did. It’s not about the money (growing up we had plenty, now not so much)- but more of a choice. I like that I have memories of my clothes- and I’m not too crazy. When something is done, I recognize that, too- and am thankful for the option to toss something if I want.
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Thank you for your kind words regarding the post Chelley… I agree… so thankful to be able to toss something. Today we think recycling is a big deal. Back in that era they didn’t even consider another use for something unless it was irreparable! I can’t even imagine.
Mending is becoming a forgotten skill, and it’s too bad really. It requires dexterity, a keen eye, and a little creativity. Unfortunately, it also requires time. =(
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You’re so right Jennifer. I think as the economy shifts it’s always good to check ourselves – make sure what we’ve filled our time with is actually priority. Well, I guess that’s a good thing to do occasionally regardless of the economy!
i often wonder how resourceful i could be if put into certain situations. i can sew a button back on clothing if i need to or work a sewing machine. i wonder what else!?
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I’m sure you’d surprise yourself, Candice! 😀
I think it would serve humanity well to return to the days where each person did more for themselves.
Kimberly Grabinski recently posted…And so it begins – Kenpo runs in the family!
Boom! There it is! 😀 Well said Kimberly.
That sounds like a good read, that would be something that would definitely interest me.
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…Super Saturday Giveaway Link Up
It would be a phenomenal book club book – really. It’s fascinating to my husband and I.
This is so interesting. I cannot imagine what it was like to like back then.
It doesn’t take much time to remove us from previous generations and relating to their daily life. I’d love to collect some stories from people who were children then or descendants of pioneers.
I honestly hate mending. I actually hate sewing of any sort. I’d much rather buy new unless it is super easy.
Ellen Christian recently posted…Home Office Ideas in Small Spaces
I don’t find much enjoyment in it either, Ellen. 🙁
I am not sure if I could live like this, but I can say there are plenty of areas in my life where i could be more self sufficient.
Amy Desrosiers recently posted…Be Prepared for a Zombie Outbreak with the Zombie Annihilation Man Crate!
It really can get us thinking… that’s a good place to start. 🙂
My dad was born in the middle of The Great Depression. Hearing about it from his parents and his older siblings always made me wonder if I could have lived back then and been content. They certainly made it through alive, well, and happy!
That’s really such an incredible thing to me… I know some chose a less positive path, but so many set such an example of gratitude and resourcefulness in the face of such meagerness.
It is crazy how we have become a throw away generation. It is cheaper to replace things than to take the time to fix them. It is really sad actually!
Aimee Smith recently posted…Summer Style for Toddlers and Kids
We have almost complicated things by making strides in ‘progress’. At least in some ways:)
wow, what a way to fix the collar…
I think that most people aren’t even attempting mending things these days… just bin it and get a new one… so much easier, but it doesn’t mean batter…
agatapokutycka recently posted…Who / What Am I? 25/07
I think like anything it’s good to just be aware and alert to how we are going about things… our mindset and approach to what’s ‘worth’ our time 🙂
This sounds like a fantastic book. We are so lucky today, and it’s so easy to forget that. I think a book like this would be a good read for high school kids.
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You are absolutely right Mindy… it’s not a book that’s big on ‘big government’ for sure. It is presenting people that did for themselves when the government couldn’t../ But a lesson the next generation needs so badly.
Great Lesson, we are too quick to toss out, and buy anew.
good to hear from you Geanine! Thanks for the feedback.
I still mend! Not as often as I should though.
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Me too Marina!
That’s an interesting tidbit about the collars. My grandma used to wash clothes with her wringer washer, rinse them in the tub, and carry them outside to hang and dry. She wouldn’t take a washer and dryer from me when I grew up and offered to buy her one. She liked her system. 🙂
Rosey recently posted…Say What?!? Yesteryear Music
A woman that knows what she likes!!! I love it! 😀
Mending requires a lot of time, which I am not sure I have right now. It is a useful skill though.
That’s where so many of us are Mel… definitely! Good to hear from you 😀
Living in poverty in the Dominican Republic sounds similar to the Depression. Having perspective helps us be more grateful!
Elayna Fernandez ~ The Positive MOM recently posted…Embrace Mommy Guilt and Make It Your Friend
Absolutely!!!
Being self-sufficient in even the most basic of needs has been a godsend for me. I’m just glad that I can share my own past experiences with making due with what i with my own children. Mending or sewing are definitely a skill that I have though.
tonygreene113 @ 113tidbits recently posted…How to increase your car’s value in four common areas
That’s awesome! Good to hear many people are keeping these old skills alive!!!!
I do a lot of mending to our clothes. With 9 kids there isn’t a ton of clothes money laying around. I’m glad that I learned how and very happy when I can say ehh that’s too far gone and buy a new one!
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Bless you Erin… 9! That’s awesome! I can imagine it does feel great to go ‘buy a new one’!!!! 😀
I’ve never heard of that book before. I would love to read it. I’ll have to give it a try.
Good to hear from you Brett! Stop back by if you end up getting it!
Looks like an awesome read! I’d like to add this to my summer reading list.
Sarah @ Must Have Mom recently posted…Sunday Sweeps Giveaway Linky! 7/27/14 Edition!
Pretty intense Sarah… definitely a book that will leave you thinking….
I get caught up in our world sometimes. And then I hear something like this or something others do to get by. I really value the idea of using our stuff until it’s not usable anymore.
Emily recently posted…Tots Bots EasyFit V4 Cloth Diaper Review
It’s definitely not very popular… but maybe things will turn back that way again.
What a great post, I wish I could have learned a skill like this. Thanks for this, a great read.
Thank you for the positive feedback Nancy! Good to hear from you 🙂