Handmade at Home: Keeping the Skills Alive

by Tsh on December 22, 2008

This post was first published on June 23, 2008.

There are times when getting something done involves doing it as quickly as possible. And there are times when it involves clearing off the table, and doing it from scratch.

The task might take more time, and even sometimes (but not often), it’s more expensive. But to do something yourself – to completely finish a task starting from scratch, embodies simplicity. After all, simplicity simply means “freedom from complexity,” and handmade pays homage to the craft and task of doing a skill well.

There are a number of skills that are a dying art. In a microwave culture, certain skills require crock pot patience, and not many home managers can afford such luxuries as time. But simple moms, home managers who yearn for simplicity in their lives, should take the time to learn a few.

I’d hate to see certain time-tested skills fade away with our grandparents’ generation. Let’s celebrate the beauty, the honor, and the tradition of managing a home and cultivating a family by learning the “tricks of the trade” the long way.

Fading Home Management Skills

1. Sewing

Why it’s useful: You can make your families’ clothes and tailor them specifically to size, color, and style; you can also custom-make your home textile furnishings. You can make purses, baby accessories, stuffed toys – the options are near endless.
Why it’s dying: It’s quicker, easier, and sometimes cheaper to go to your local store and buy it.
But it’s finding a resurgence because: Sewing is the latest knitting craze. The younger generation of home managers are finding reasons to use the skill, and fashionistas see the value that it adds to their creativity.
How I’m doing: Decently. I have a new-but-simple sewing machine, and I thoroughly enjoy sewing the basics. I just wish I had more time.
Useful sites to learn how you can keep it alive: Sew, Mama, Sew! • J Caroline Creative • The Sewing Republic • Chickpea Sewing Studio

Photo by Zeetz Jones

2. Gardening

Why it’s useful: You can nourish your family from your own plot of land, year after year. You’re eating locally, organically, and cheaply.
Why it’s dying: It’s quicker, easier, and sometimes cheaper to go to your local store and buy it.
But it’s finding a resurgence because: environmental issues no longer belong to just the minority folk, and gas prices mean a hike in groceries, too.
How I’m doing: Horribly. I seem to have a black thumb. Still, I’m trying.
Useful sites to learn how you can keep it alive: You Grow Girl • Backyard Gardener • Organic Gardening

3. Canning

Why it’s useful: You can extend the life of your garden’s crops and your farmer’s market purchases, and eat your homemade concoctions year-round. And it’s usually healthier than store-bought canned goods.
Why it’s dying: It’s quicker, easier, and sometimes cheaper to go to your local store and buy it.
How I’m doing: Nil. I haven’t started learning yet, but I’d like to.
Useful sites to learn how you can keep it alive: Canned Laughter • The Simple Woman’s Cannery

Photo by Luigi Anzivino

4. Cooking (from scratch)

Why it’s useful: You’re actually cooking food, instead of chemical-ridden boxed goods. It’s cheaper, it’s way healthier, and it’s a community ritual – you can cook together as a family and bond.
Why it’s dying: Fast food chains have large marketing budgets, and people simply aren’t aware how easy cooking from scratch really can be.
But it’s finding a resurgence because: the pitfalls of artificial food are becoming mainstream information.
How I’m doing: Well. I haven’t cooked boxed food in years.
Useful sites to learn how you can keep it alive: Tammy’s Recipes • All Recipes • Cooking Light

5. Knitting and Crocheting

Why it’s useful: You can keep your family snugly warm with personalized sweaters and accessories. The skill also provides great gifts.
Why it’s dying: It’s not exactly a necessity in climates that don’t demand it, and it requires quite a bit of patience.
But it’s finding a resurgence because: there’s simply something in people that yearns to create, and these skills provide a creative outlet while doing other things like watching tv or chatting with friends.
How I’m doing: Nil. I haven’t learned this yet, unless you count finger crocheting, which I learned in 5th grade study hall.
Useful sites to learn how you can keep it alive: Craftster • Mason Dixon Knitting

6. Hospitality

Why it’s useful: You provide warm food and a safe haven for countless friends and family, and you expand your community to more than just your immediate circle. And you’re giving your kids a good environment for practicing manners and serving others before being served themselves.
Why it’s dying: Crammed daytimers. Families don’t make the time to sit down over dinner together these days, much less with guests.
But it’s finding a resurgence because: people are getting tired of running around like headless chickens, and they want to know their neighbors.
How I’m doing: Fairly well. Then again, it’s a bit easier to make time for this in the non-American culture in which I live.
Useful sites to learn how you can keep it alive: Epicurious • That’s the Spirit • DIY

There’s plenty of other skills – composting, making household cleaners, felting, woodworking, making yogurt, various forms of artistry. What would you add to this list? Is there something you’re proud to know and do well? Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn how to do? I’d love to find more resources for learning important skills, so please share them if you know them!

Written by Tsh Oxenreider

Tsh is the editor and writer of this place, and is the founder of Simple Living Media, a little company with the mission to help people live simply. While she waits for her first book to show up in stores late 2010, she spends time drinking coffee, being mama to her two little ones, and eagerly awaiting the arrival of number 3, due this summer.

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Homelife 101 » Blog Archive: December 22, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Oh My Stinkin Heck » Blog Archive » Handmade at Home: Keeping the Skills Alive: December 23, 2008 at 7:29 am
HeartSongs » Surfer Sunday 102: December 28, 2008 at 4:52 am
Green SAHM » Blog Archive » Sunday Links 1-4-09: January 4, 2009 at 10:52 am
Becki’s Blog » Home Ec skills that are making a comeback: May 25, 2009 at 11:50 pm

{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Courtney December 22, 2008 at 12:12 pm

A lot of my friends don’t cook at all. And some of them think that I’m a food snob because I do. I only learned to cook through humiliation, but I’m glad I keep doing it. Is has helped me to provide hospitality and help to friends and neighbors through good times and bad.

I do wish I knew how to sew. I’m wearing a cardigan today that has two of six buttons remaining.

I know what you mean about lost art. I’m saddened that so many women don’t cook anymore and are content to feed their families cereal at night. Their kids are growing up with example.

Courtney´s last blog post…Cookies for breakfast