Old Style

[itsybitsy]

I really fancy basket weaving too. And weaving - I think I'd be much better at stuff like that then tracking wild boar through the undergrowth!

[mikeandrod]

Weaving is something that I often think about - if there was a total society meltdown it wouldn't take long for people to run out of clothes suitable for all the work that will need to be done. There's a spinning wheel and a large table loom in my parents loft but last time I looked there were no sheep in there so would have to do a midnight raid on a wool shop if TSHTF.

[diamond lil]

You can collect wool from fences and bushes, and card it then spin it by hand using a spindle. You can buy carders and spindles as well as wheels. I can do it all but would go round the twist ( ) if I did it for long .

[itsybitsy]

You could actually unpick existing garments and reknit the wool into new garments, couldn't you?

Likewise with other materials to be rewoven I guess. You'd need to build a loom first though - no small feat!

[diamond lil]

If need be yes, unravel old woolies to make new ones. We'd have to turn-sides to-middle of sheets, and turn collars and cuffs. Gawd, it might not be worth surviving, with all that nitpicky work waiting for us !
If it was a full-on "Survivors" type thing then maybe we'd be in real trouble compared to the old days. They at least could weave & all wore wool. We all wear Taiwan/Chinese synthetics !

[itsybitsy]

If need be yes, unravel old woolies to make new ones. We'd have to turn-sides to-middle of sheets, and turn collars and cuffs. Gawd, it might not be worth surviving, with all that nitpicky work waiting for us !
If it was a full-on "Survivors" type thing then maybe we'd be in real trouble compared to the old days. They at least could weave & all wore wool. We all wear Taiwan/Chinese synthetics !

Woollen undewear would be a bit itchy!

[the-gnole]

Nice bit of Merino wool for underwear might be the answer, or even some nice bamboo

[Carrot Cruncher]

They were saying on the radio the other day that bamboo will be the natural fibre of choice in the future due to its quick growth and green credentials

[diamond lil]

It's nice to wear but bloody horrible to knit.

[Damkina]

I can make patchwork quilts... Even from the small scraps, I'm making a hand stitched one now from all the bits I've got left from over the years mixed with some new fabric. Bamboo quilt batting/wadding is also making an appearance for quilters, although I haven't used any yet to compare with the cotton.

I can also knit, but like yourselves would like to learn how to weave AND make baskets.