Barbara Kerschner

I primarily knit socks. IMHO socks need to be knit on size 1 needles or smaller.  The sole needs to feel smooth which happens best with tiny tight stitches. Larger needles five you socks that feel lumpy like railroad tracks.

Home sewers tend to use a fusible interfacing to line bodices that need extra support or coverage. A lining can help a garment hold it shape better and last longer. Since most clothing is cheaply made from cheap fabrics they rarely hold up long. Somethings just need a lining like wool pants and jackets. It is challenging to match fabric content in a garment and it's lining. A poor match will shrink separately and make the garment bunch up and lose shape. While the designer may visualize and recommend a specific fabric, the manufacturer may choose a cheaper version to sell at Walmart and Target. Hence the glut of clothes in thrift shops and trash bins that no one wants.

It is the mordant that adheres to fiber. The dye adheres to the mordant. You maybe able 5o dye without the mordant but it likely will be fugitive.

I am an indifferent cook. My husband is an indifferent cleaner. He cooks and I clean. Because I worked part time and he worked full time, I also did everything else. And I mean everything! But we have made it work for 35 years.

I am going back to making my own clothes. Quality fabrics, made from sustainable sources are challenging to find and expensive. But I can make clothes that last for years and mend them as needed. I have made quilts for years and repaired them as the begin to all apart. I made a quilr.for my mother 50 years ago using an old wool blanket as the batting. I still use it on our guest bed when we have a friend sleeping over. I also weave our own towels and yes weaving cotton and wool are ridiculously expensive but the towels last for many many years. There is a reason people used to have only one shirt!

I find. Using very short needles is easier for me I use a size 11 between. Roxanne needles are best,, I think..
Jinny Beyer is an an amazing quilter who completely handsews all her quilts. She wrote a book about hand sewing techniques and while it is specific to quilts many of of her methods work for general sewing and mending. I used to use a product called thread heaven but it is no longer made. I use thread magic now. Not as good but better than beeswax
Also do not make your thread too long it is asking for trouble. I use silicone thimbles with metal tips. Leather ones wear out fast and all metal ones are stiff and clunky. But silicone conforms well to arthritic fingers. You need the metal tip unless you enjoy getting stabbed bu needle ends.

I am trying to find all natural fabrics (sustainably grown cotton, hemp, linen and wool) manufactured in this country. I want to make a capsule wardrobe as well. My other issue is patterns. I do not wear weirdly shaped clothing, ie asymmetrical hems, pocketless skinny dresses or items fit for a runway. I have clothes for mucking out chicken pens and digging in the dirt. I need more presentable clothing for going to town, meetings etc. Who wears this designer like stuff patern makers make? I want patterns for normal people!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TP9MVQ2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This Japanese sickle gets a lot of use
as does my hori hori knife

I have a tiny food forest and a tinier medicinal garden.  The idea of combining the two is fascinating. I am surprised the medicinal plants are not shaded out. I would like to read your book to discover how you manage the two together.