Textiles
instruction, regulation, insurance, safety, etc
“I noticed that he was freshly shaved, that all his buttons were firmly sewed on, and that his clothes were darned with that meticulous care which makes a mend invisible.”
-- Jean Giono, from “The Man Who Planted Trees” as we first encounter the hero, Elzéard Bouffier
Fast, disposable fashion is the antithesis of permaculture. Making, mending and caring for clothes is part of being a well-rounded permaculture homesteader.
Everything in this aspect requires natural materials preferring local/home-grown/harvested materials over anything purchased from a store. Natural fabrics or threads include cotton, wool, silk, linen/flax, and nettle. Natural materials for buttons or closures include mother-of-pearl, bone, horn, glass, metal, wood, and cloth. Synthetic materials are not allowed - even if they are recycled or repurposed.
The Sand and Straw levels of this badge are very similar to PEP. Wood level is quite different and there is no Iron badge. Unless otherwise specified, all these clothing items are at least sized for a small adult.
Sand badge
mend a hole - quick darning
sew a patch
make a small pillow
sew on a button
make a simple drop spindle
stickwork (pick one):
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knit or crochet a hot pad
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crochet or knit a dishcloth
Straw badge
start a button jar
harvest fabric scraps for future sewing projects
create a textile toolbox or hussif (sewing kit)
mend a hole - invisible mending (pick one)
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re-create knit fabric (possibly a sock) with knit-stitch darn
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reinforce woven fabric where it is thinning or weak (starting to make a hole)
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invisible mending a small hole or tear in the fabric
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add a patch to torn fabric so that it is invisible from the outside (kaketsugi)
sewing machine maintenance
make a small loom capable of weaving a belt
31 points required
Repairs list - complete at least 3 points:
patch or darn a blanket (prettily) - 1/2 point
mend a hole in a coat - 1 point
mend a hole in a shirt or sleeve - 1/2 point
mend hole in pants or skirt - 1/2 point
mend a hole in a pocket - 1/2 point
mend pinhole tears in fabric - 1/2 point
mend damaged lining fabric in a garment - 1/2 point
mend a hole in a quilt - 1/2 point
mend a hole in a blanket - 1/2 point
mend a hole in a sweater - 1/2 point
mend/darn a hole in a sock - 1/2 point
mend a hole in a shoe or slipper - 1/2 point
mend a hole in a hat - 1/2 point
mend a hole in a mitten or glove - 1/2 point
fix a worn buttonhole - 1/2 point
remove pills from clothes - 1/2 point
hem trousers or skirt - 1 point
turn trousers into shorts - 1 point
add pockets to skirt or pants - 1/2 point
replace the elastic or drawstring on the waistband of pants/skirt - 1 point
alter the waist on skirt or pants to fit - 1 point
replace the crotch in a pair of pants - 1.5 points
conceal a stain to make a garment look nice again - 1/2 point
add a gusset to a garment (eg underarms or crotch) to make it fit better - 1 point
add a panel a shirt or dress to make it bigger - 1 point
add a panel to trousers or a skirt to make it bigger - 1 point
take in a shirt or dress to make it smaller - 1 point
take in trousers or a skirt to make it smaller - 1 point
add belt loops or suspender buttons to a pair of pants/trousers - 1/2 point
remove damaged or unwanted embroidery from a garment without damaging the garment - 1/2 point
unravel old sweater into yarn for other projects - 1 point
hem drapes/curtains (so that both curtains are the same length) - 1 point
sew the handles back onto a cloth bag, reinforcing as necessary - 1/2 point
fix hole or stitching in leather gloves / mittens - 1 point
fix hole or stitching on leather shoes / sandals - 1 point
fix hole or stitching on a leather bag / briefcase / suitcase / laptop bag - 1 point
fix hole or stitching on a leather coat - 1 point
repair stitching on a leather belt - 1 point
full leather maintenance on shoes, boots, or sandals - 2 points
full leather maintenance for leather gloves / mittens - 1/2 point
full leather maintenance for leather bag / briefcase / suitcase / laptop bag - 1/2 point
full leather maintenance for leather coat - 1/2 point
Upholstery list - complete at least 2 points:
repair a small hole in a couch, love seat, or padded chair - 1 point
patch a hole in a couch, love seat, or padded chair - 1 point
repair a tear (over 2”) in a couch, love seat, or padded chair - 2 points
add new fabric over the worn fabric on a padded chair - 1 point
add a permanent upholstery cushion to a chair or stool - 2 points
repair a small hole in a fabric seat in a car - 1 point
patch a hole in a fabric seat in a car - 1 point
repair a tear (over 2”) in a fabric seat in a car - 2 points
Bedding list - complete at least 2 points:
sew two sheets and two pillowcases (for twin size bed or larger) - 1 point
duvet cover - 1 point
quilted pillowcase - 2 points
quilted baby blanket - 3 points
make a firm, four-button pillow - 2 points
make a bolster pillow - 2 points
make two pillows for sleeping (natural stuffing) - 3 points
Weaving list - complete at least 3 points:
weave a belt - 2.5 points
weave a leash for a dog, goat, or other animal - 2 points
weave a camera strap - 2 points
weave a cotton or linen hand towel - 4 points
weave a small bag or purse - 3 points
weave a baby blanket (30” x 30” or larger) - 4 points
weave a blanket for a twin size bed or larger (65” x 90” or larger) - 5 points
basket weaving - seedling protection basket - 2 points
basket weaving - trash basket - 2.5 points
basket weaving - grocery basket - 6 points
basket weaving - harvest basket - 5 points
repair caning on a chair (small repair) - 1 point
replace caning on a chair (pre-woven caning) - 3 points
cane a chair (not pre-woven caning) - 6 points
repair weaving on a chair - 1 point
weave the seat of a chair or stool - 6 points
Spinning list - complete at least 4 points:
prepare 8 ounces of wool - 3 points
prepare 4 ounces of cotton - 2.5 points
prepare 4 ounces of flax strick - 2.5 points
degum 100 silk cocoons and make hankies or caps - 4 points
reel silk from 100 cocoons - 4 points
spin 8 ounces into yarn (singles) - 2.5 points
spin 8 ounces into a plied yarn - 3 points
spin twine - 1 point
twist rope - 2 points
Stickwork list - complete at least 3 points:
knit or crochet:
a jayne cobb cunning hat - 2 points
an adult hat - 1 point
a scarf - 1 point
a pair of mittens - 2 points
a pair of gloves - 3 points
a pair of fingerless gloves - 2 points
a pair of socks (must be knit) - 4 points
a pair of slippers - 2 points
a (functional) grocery bag - 2 points
an adult size, long sleeve sweater - 9 points
a baby blanket (30” x 30" or larger) - 4 points
- cabling, colorwork, or other fancy stitches (not all garter stitch or stockinette stitch)
a blanket for a twin-size bed or larger - 5 points
- cabling, colorwork, fancy stitches, garter stitch, or stockinette stitch
Sewing list - complete at least 3 points:
sew a buttonhole - 1/2 point
sew a zokin (Japanese cleaning cloth with decorative stitching) - 1/2 point
three cloth masks - 1 point
a cloth diaper - 1/2 point
a cloth feminine pad - 1 point
four cloth grocery bags - 1 point
a pressing ham - 1 point
a tool roll to fit the tools - 2 points
a doll or stuffed animal - 1 point
full-bib apron - 2 points
quilt a Christmas stocking - 2.5 points
sew a simple circle or tube skirt - 2 points
5+ gore skirt (unlined) - 3 points
5+ gore skirt (lined) - 4 points
walking skirt with flat-lining - 5 points
simple pants - 2 points
jeans - 4 points
overalls - 5 points
simple shirt - 1.5 points
button-up shirt - 4 points
pair of panties/boxers/briefs - 1 point
a bra - 2 points
stays (pre-Victorian corset) - 15 points
an underbust corset - 20 points
an overbust corset - 25 points
bathrobe - 2 points
housecoat or dressing gown - 3 points
housecoat or dressing gown (quilted or lined) - 5 points
hip-length or longer coat or jacket (unlined) - 5 points
hip-length or longer coat or jacket (lined) - 7 points
quilt a garment (jacket, pants, or skirt) - 8 points
Wax or oilcloth list
create 3 wax or oilcloths for food storage - 1 point
create wax or oilcloth and use it to make a lunch bag - 1.5 points
transform 1 yard of fabric into oilcloth - 2 points
sew a shoulder bag from oilcloth - 2 points
sew a rucksack from oilcloth - 5 points
sew a poncho from oilcloth - 3 points
sew a raincoat from oilcloth - 8 points
Dye list
no-mordant dyeing - dye 2 lbs (dry weight) using no-mordant dyeing method - 2 points
natural mordant dyeing - dye 2 lbs (dry weight) using natural mordant dyeing method (alum okay) - 2.5 points
fermentation dyeing - dye 2 lbs (dry weight) using fermentation method - 4 points
Felt list
felt a pouch or purse - 2 points
needle felt a figure - plant, animal, mythical, etc. - 1 points
wet felt a scarf - 1 point
wet felt a hat - 2 points
wet felt 3 wool dryer balls - 1 point
Leatherwork and fur list
leather thimble - 0.5 point
leather belt - 1 point
wallet - 3 points
hatchet or ax head protector - 1.5 points
knife sheath - 1.5 points
work gloves - 5 points
apron - 2 points
watch strap - 1 point
simple leather-bound notebook - 2 points
pruning shears holster - 1.5 points
tool pouch or roll - 3 points
tool belt with two pockets - 3 points
simple soft-soled shoes/slippers - 3 points
handbag/satchel - 3 points
backpack - 6 points
camera bag - 5 points
cured fish skin wallet - 4 points
Wood badge
The Wood badge starts with the prepared fiber. You turn it into cloth/yarn and make the items. Store bought thread is allowed for sewing (not for turning into woven cloth).
Complete a wardrobe from raw materials
- All new projects (Straw BBs don't count here but these do count for Straw)
Sew long underwear (top and bottom or one-piece) for cold weather
Sew a long-sleeved woven shirt - button or pullover
Sew 2 short-sleeved shirts
Knit or crochet a sweater or cardigan
Sew 2 long pants, jeans, overalls, skirts, or dresses
Sew a winter coat (to keep you warm and dry all day at sub-freezing temperatures)
Knit eight pairs of socks
Foundation garments (pick one):
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Sew eight pairs of men’s underwear
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Sew two pairs of women's underwear and 1 support garment
- Panties and shift, drawers and chemise, or combinations
- Bra, stays, or a corset
Shoe list - complete 1:
hard-sole shoes
hard-sole boots
Towel list - complete 1:
make kitchen towels - 2 dish towels and 2 dishcloths
make bath towels - 1 towel and 1 washcloth
Housewares list - complete :
make a rug
make privacy drapes
make winter wool drapes
This BB is not required but can be done for the joy of proving it can be done:
sew a vegan winter coat and review your experience
- 4-hour stint outside at temperatures below freezing
No Iron badge at this time
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