image by ines saraiva

Just a quick note to let you know about The American Preparedness Radio Net site.  It’s has a lot of great information, much of it fun to read, actually.  You’ll find a chat room, “For Ham Newbies”,  “How to articles”, plus a lot more.

If you have your license or are on your way, this might be a good resource as well as a connecting point with other preppers who are also amateur radio operators.  That’s a great combination!

© 2012, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

As a stay-at-home dad, occasionally I feel the need to reach beyond the realm of diapers and sippy-cups and remind myself of my ultimate survivability.  Last night’s meatloaf project is my latest excursion into super-masculinity (my wife gave me a few strange looks but I think she understands?)

1. I started with the drippings from my Top Secret Meatloaf Recipe.

2. We didn’t have any soup cans available, so I cut an aluminum soda can in half. *Note that the sharp edges are folded over.  A larger can would have been a big improvement but remember I was in “Cave-man improvise”mode.3. Next I filled my improvised metal container with drippings.4. I added wicking material – a piece of cotton or other flammable fabric would also have worked.5. I used a small piece of a skewer to hold the wick in place as the drippings hardened into tallow.6. The next morning I had an oil lamp!7. As Harry Potter would say, “Incendio!”  It works!

So I am feeling much more manly today.  If a tropical storm or hurricane knocks our power out, I will be able to change diapers by the light of my new improvised lamp.

**Update!!  In the spirit of “work smarter not harder,” I made the following discovery after Taco Night at our house:

For a small amount of drippings, a smaller aluminum can works just fine.  Note that the pop-top is just turned around to hold the wick (no need for a skewer or to wait for the tallow to harden.)  It also works!

© 2012, John A. Heatherly. All rights reserved.

image by Angela

I’m a mom and an Amateur Radio (also called Ham Radio) operator.  You may be wondering why in the world a mom of small children and in her right mind would choose to tackle the physics, algebra, wires and cables that make up a Ham Radio license.  Don’t we moms have enough going on just tackling homework, cooking, cleaning, and diapers?  Well, here are four reasons why I did it and why you may want to consider getting a ham radio license yourself.

1. It’s a social hobby. This is one you can do with your spouse or significant other.  If he gets involved in ham radio, at least he’ll know what to get you for Christmas!  Plus you’ll meet tons of other friendly folks at amateur radio club meetings and on the air.  And what mom couldn’t use a little more adult conversation in her day?
2. Communication in times of trouble.  If you’re in your car in a remote area and need some help, your cell phone may not work, but chances are there is a radio tower or frequency that you can call for help on.  In a large scale emergency, cell towers can be overloaded with folks trying to make calls.  As a ham radio operator, you have the option to make contact with your ham radio.
3. Be part of the solution, not part of the panic.  In an emergency, ham radio operators are often asked to help with communications.  It is a great service to others and if you’re able to transmit information from your location, you may be able to get help for those around you who need it.  Ham radio operators are a valuable asset to any community during an emergency.
4. Information.  Battery powered radios still work when the power is out, so even if you’re not joining in on the emergency communications you can listen in and be privy to some information you may not otherwise get.  And the more you know, the better decisions you can make for yourself and your family.

And don’t worry, algebra is only a small portion of the test and you don’t have to understand the whole radio world all at once.  It will take some time to get used to it all if you haven’t had an electronics hobby in the past.  Join up with your local amateur radio club and ask questions–there will be some experienced hams that will be willing to help you learn what you need to know to get on the air.  And remember to enjoy the challenge!

73′s all.  KF7JLZ

© 2012, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by Sugar Pond

In the prepper world, skills are just about everything, even surpassing buckets of beans in importance.  As one writer pointed out, what if everyone in your “survival group” is a computer programmer?  Yep, you’re pretty much zombie bait.

So during the last 12 months, what has been the most important and helpful skill you’ve learned?

Sewing?

Baking homemade bread?

Learning different ways to start a fire?

For me, it was re-learning camping skills that had become rusty over the years.  I think the most helpful thing we did as a family, was take a road trip through the northwest states, pitching our tent at a different location every night.  In just a matter of a few days we were pros at setting up and taking down camp, fixing outdoor meals, and enjoying a completely different lifestyle, albeit temporarily.  Now I know that our family is capable of living life unplugged from electronics, thinking on our feet, and quickly adapting to changes in weather, environment, and location.  We also learned to work together as a team.  Those are not only important survival skills, they’re also important attitudes.

How about you?  What was the most significant skill you learned last year?

© 2012, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by WBUR

This month’s Skill may take a bit longer to learn, so I’m posting it early in the year to give you (and me!) plenty of time.  Every mom I know is nearly surgically attached to her cell phone, and usually for good reason.  She wants to know where every member of her family is at any given moment, and if you’ve ever experienced not being able to get in touch with a child or spouse, you know how scary it can be.

Well, imagine a time when virtually all communication is shut down and you’ll know why huge numbers of Americans are getting their amateur (ham) radio licenses.  Not knowing where a family member is is bad enough, but not knowing what is going on outside your own neighborhood would be terrifying.

As Master Po describes in this article, becoming a licensed operator isn’t particularly difficult.  Even 11 and 12 year-old kids have passed the exam, so if they can do it, so can you!

Where to begin?

1. Read Po’s article to get a good overview of amateur radio and the steps involved in getting your license.
2. If you’re a self-starter and learn best on your own, begin studying online, check out a study book from the library, or buy one.
3. Check ARRL’s schedule of classes here to find one in your area if you learn best in a classroom setting.
4. Set a deadline for finishing your study and taking the test.
5. Become familiar with how amateur radio operates by listening in via a shortwave radio, also here.
6. Find a club in your area.  You’ll learn more than you ever wanted to know about amateur radio.  Trust me!

Once you get your license, there’s no need to break the bank with your radio purchase.  One long-time operator suggested buying online from Ham Radio Outlet.  A ‘Made in China’ model, costing around $100 or so, is a great place to start.

If you have questions about this skill, post them here, and Master Po or another ham operator will answer them.  Good luck, and when you pass the test, post your call sign here!

© 2012, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by ines saraiva

A lot of preppers are talking about Ham radio as a communications system during and after an SHTF event. The ability to listen and even talk with people vast distances away in real time is powerful tool.

For a very long time I’ve wanted to get an Amateur Radio license (“Ham”). For one reason or another I never undertook the study and the test. Until now. I have just passed my Technician’s license exam! (as of writing this) While it will still be a couple of weeks before I get my official station call sign, I’m very excited and already preparing for the next step of licensing. In this article I will walk you through the details of exactly how to get your first Ham radio license. It isn’t a hard process but can be a bit confusing and I didn’t find any one source that clearly listed it all.

Historical background

Amateur “Ham” radio is considered to have started when Guglielmo Marconi sent the first wireless transmission across the Atlantic in 1901 from his self-made radio station on Cape Cod.   Every year a memorial event is still held at that location on the Cap). The U.S. government issued the first amateur radio license in 1912. At the time, Ham radio was just using Morse Code, but by the 1920’s voice was added.

After World War 2 Ham radio grew even more popular resulting in the formation of the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) to regulate the ever-growing demand for radio frequencies between commercial, news, government and amateur radio users. In 1961 the first ham radio satellite named OSCAR-1 (Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio) was launched, and by the 1970’s a system of repeater transmitters began to dot the landscape.  In the 1980’s and 1990’s data transmission via ham radio also become popular.

image by Steven Polunsky

Today, internet, GPS, and even VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) is possible. As much as ham radio is for personal non-commercial use, Hams have also played a vital role in disaster communications assisting government and other rescue/relief efforts. Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES) and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) are two of the organizations that assist in disasters.

Several organizations have been formed to help promote amateur radio and help people get licensed. The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) is the best known, and there are hundreds if not thousands of local ham radio clubs all over the country and the world. Even though it’s called “amateur” radio, there’s nothing amateur about it.  The only requirement is that you can’t be paid for your radio use nor transmit (or re-transmit) commercial broadcasts . Otherwise, the licensing and regulations, technology, science, and capabilities are nearly the same as any commercial radio station.

Who can be a Ham?

There are few restrictions on who can be licensed as a ham by the FCC. You have to be an American citizen (there are provisions for resident aliens), and you have to have a functioning ability with the English language as that’s what the licensing exams are given in and is the common language used on the radio worldwide. Other than that, nothing else! No age restriction, no background check, no experience or education requirement, etc. Realistically however, you will have a much easier time of understanding the material and the technology if you already have some minimal measure of knowledge related to hobby-level electronics and circuits.  Also, if you have been a CB radio enthusiast at some point in life that will help too (although Ham and CB are more different than similar, a topic for another article).  Last, brush up on your basic High School level Algebra!

Ham license categories

At the time of this writing, the FCC issues 3 levels/classes of amateur radio licenses (from initial to highest):

1. Technician
2. General
3. Amateur Extra (also referred to as just Extra).

People who hold unexpired older classes of license are still valid and have been grand-fathered into the privileges surrounding one of these new 3 classes.

image by ac4lt

Basically, the fundamental differences between the classes is the range of bands and frequencies you are allowed to use and the power levels you are allowed to transmit at:

1. Technician – All VHF and UHF privileges, and some HF privileges (mostly using Morse Code).
2. General – All VHF and UHF privileges, most HF privileges (more HF voice frequencies).
3. Amateur Extra – All amateur frequency privileges (all voice, Morse, and data frequencies).

There are good color diagrams online you can print that visualize the bands and frequency privileges for each level of licensing that make it much easier to understand the differences.  All classes will definitely get you on the air and give you a good ranges of popular frequencies in the common communications modes:

• Phone (voice)
• Digital (like a chat room)
• Data
• Radio Teletype (RTTY)
• Single Side Band (SSB)
• Image (amateur TV!)
• CW (Morse code)

You can even try to communicate with the International Space Station! (There is an amateur station onboard the ISS and licensed astronauts do monitor it from time to time, depending on the crew.)

The main licensing difference is that as you move up the scale of licenses, the range of HF frequencies and bands available for use increases greatly.  Also, you are expected to know more electrical circuit construction and operation, antenna design, and band/frequency details. The exams become more technical and mathematical. Most hams seem to try for at least the General level. The Extra level is as much about learning more and most complete access privileges (as well as for bragging rights).

As of writing this, each licensing exam for each category consists as follows:

1. Technician – 35 questions (26 right is passing).
2. General – 35 questions (26 right is passing).
3. Amateur Extra – 50 (37 right is passing).

The licensing process

image by ac4lt

This part is pretty simple.  Study the material, pass the exam, and get on the radio, but the devil is in the details.

There is no single source for licensing exam study materials. Many places publish study manuals for the exams.  I used the one published by the ARRL itself (available from their website, Amazon, and many ham clubs). The book includes all the material, is well organized (I think), and it has a pool of exam questions for practice (including a CD-ROM version). But there are other publishers of study guides, including a Dummies book. These books are self-study and you take the exam when you feel you are ready for it.

There are also several online sources for information, including practice exams and online self-study. I especially recommend the online sample exams if you haven’t used the ARRL preparation book.  Most ham radio clubs offer classes leading up to the exam. Often the class is free though you pay for the study materials. Also, some libraries and community colleges offer a study class usually for a fee. I am very comfortable doing self-study but the choice is yours. I also attended some classes and was able to see examples and demonstrations of various ham devices, technologies, and procedures you don’t get form self-study. Which is best all depends on you.

Is Morse Code needed?

Back when I was a youngster amateur radio operators were required to learn Morse Code, as well as other technical information. The licensing exam including being able to understand a message sent in Morse.  As you moved up the licensing classes, you were expected to grow in Morse proficiency.

image by ac4lt

I’m not sure exactly when it happened, but some years ago the FCC created a new class of ham license that didn’t require knowing Morse, and beginning in February, 2007, the FCC no longer requires Morse Code for any of the three classes of amateur licensing.  Many good long distance contacts can be made using Morse Code at low power levels. So while Morse is no longer a requirement it’s a very good idea to learn it!

There are several software packages that will convert Morse into alphanumeric characters on a screen, and will allow you to type a message on a keyboard then convert it to Morse for transmission. While this is good technology, my recommendation is that you learn it the “old fashioned way” of DAH’s and DIT’s too.  At some point in life, you may not have access to a computer and need to send or receive a Morse code message!

There are many books and programs as well as websites (often free) to help you learn.

What’s on the licensing exam?

The exam itself is multiple choice questions, and there’s a very interesting aspect of this examination process: You actually get to see all the questions you might be asked in advance!

As of writing this article, the questions pool for the Technician license consists of 394 multiple choice questions covering a wide range of what they call “sub-elements” including Electrical Principles, Electrical Components, Operating Modes, Radio Waves, Station Equipment, FCC Regulations, Safety, etc.

The exam selects a certain number of questions randomly from these sub=elements. The exam is given on paper so each copy of the exam contains a different set of random questions. You could try to just memorize the answers to the question, but you would just be cheating yourself. While the questions and answers on the exam will be what you practiced with, they may change the order of the answers. Besides, you will need to know the material to be an effective ham operator.

The General and Extra license exams work the same way but with different sub-elements.

Finding where and when to take the exam

image by ac4lt

When you feel you’re ready to take the licensing exam, you have to find where and when it’s being given.  In the past, examinees had to go to an FCC office to take the exam. Fortunately, today the exam is given locally often at several locations around your area. Throughout the country there are Volunteer Examiner Coordinator (VEC) groups. These groups are approved by the FCC to train and certify local Volunteer Examiners (VE) – fellow ham operators of either General or Extra license class – to administer the licensing exams.

If you are taking a study course at a ham club, chances are the club has at least one VE who will administer the exam at the end of the course, but you aren’t required to be part of a club to take the exam or even if you are you can take the exam anywhere. The easiest way I think to find out where and when exams are given is to go to the ARRL website and under Licensing, Education & Training click on the link for Find An Exam Session. There you can search by location and/or date range for where exams are given (usually every month).

When you do find a location for taking the exam, I suggest contacting the VE (most VE’s can be contacted via email) listed to confirm:

1. The exam date & time
2. The exact address
3. If pre-registration is required (If it says “walk-ins allowed” usually there is no need for pre-registration, but check anyway.)
4. Any specific things you need to bring

Be sure to arrive on time! The exam will be graded right there when you are done.

What to bring with you to the exam

Taking the exam is a pretty straightforward process.  Check with the VE to see if you need anything else, but in most cases all you need to bring to the exam is:

1. A government issued photo ID (e.g. driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID, etc)  NOTE: Upgrade exams require 2 forms of ID and a copy of your current amateur license.
2. Your social security number or TIN (or FRN if you have it, see below)
3. Some #2 pencils (They may have them there but bring a few anyways.)
4. A calculator capable of doing Log mathematics (i.e. scientific calculator, though some non-scientific ones can also do Log)
5. The exam fee (cash is preferred)

image by ac4lt

To point #2, some people have privacy concerns and not without good reason.  Before you take the exam you can go to the FCC’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) web site  and register there (the ARRL website has a guide to registration). Once registered you will be mailed your Federal Registration Number (FRN). You can use your FRN instead of your social security number for the exam and all other documents and forms related to your amateur radio license. The ULS also allows you to maintain your licenses such as change your address and renewing your licenses. This pre-registration is optional however. If you choose not to register, the FCC will issue you a FRN when your license is issued.

To point #5, as of writing this the exam fee is $15 per session. That means you can take as many exams at the one session you want for that fee.  So you could take the Technician exam more than once the same day if you don’t pass the first time. Or, you can take the Technician exam then go on for the General exam too at the same time if you feel up to it.

You passed! Now what?

Congratulations you passed! Presuming this was your first exam for the Technician license, your question is, Now what?

Your VE will help you fill out two important forms (or they may fill it all out themselves, depends on the people). First is the ARRL’s Certificate of Successful Completion of Examination. This is basically a receipt confirming you took and passed the exam indicated. This document is important because if there should be a problem issuing your license (rare but happens) you have one year from the date of passing the exam to get it resolved and your license issued before you have to retake the exam.  Keep this certificate for your records.

image by ac4lt

Next, you will complete the NCVEC Quick-Form 605 Application For Amateur Operation/Primary Station License. This form is not an official FFC form! Do not mail it to the FCC! The form is from the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC) and is what the VEC uses to enter your information into the FCC system. (NOTE: You may be asked to fill out this form before taking the test instead).

After the VEC has processed the form, the FCC will mail your license that contains your official radio call sign that must be used for all communications.  It will also have your FRN if you haven’t applied for one already as described above. Your license is valid for 10 years and as long as you renew it in time (before expiration or within 2 years grace after it expires) you never have to retake the exam so be sure to renew it!

What if you don’t pass?

One of the nice aspects of the licensing process is that it is not out to “get you”. If you don’t pass the exam, you can usually retake the exam right away! You’ll get a different version of the exam with a new set of questions taken from the pool of questions and you can try again and so on.

So when can I get on the air?!

You only have to wait until your name appears in the FCC’s ULS database.  This means that the FCC has issued your call sign. You can check the call sign database from the ULS website.

Once you see your name and call sign on the database, you can get on the air before actually receiving your license in the mail. The official time frame is up to 15 days from when you take the test for your call sign to appear in the database, but it can be sooner. Mine was only 6 days. Just remember that being licensed for ham radio doesn’t mean being qualified for all aspects! Some things still have to be learned and will come over time, but that’s for another article.

About your call sign

Your call sign is unique among all ham operators in the world! Each nation has different letters and formats so learning those will help you quickly identify where someone is located. Hams enjoy contacting people far away so there’s little desire to be anonymous, and anonymity is against FCC rules. For a license issued in the U.S. your call sign will start with a K, N, or W followed by a single digit number and two or three letters. (Extra licensees may have a little different format, too detailed to go into here).

Call signs are assigned by availability of the letter/number combinations in your licensing region (there are 10 regions in the U.S.). So the rules for U.S. call sign formats aren’t set in stone but are usually true. You can request a “vanity” (select your own) call sign but there is no guarantee you’ll get it if someone else already is using it (either by their request or just random assignment). There is an additional fee for requesting a vanity call sign, whether you get it or not, and you will need the actual FCC 605 form to file for your license. It’s up to you if you want to try for it.

Conclusion

Ham radio is more involved than CB, FRS and other fixed-channel radio services, but with that involvement comes more options and opportunities. The wide variety of equipment and possibilities makes getting your first license a permit to learn more and develop. As a prepper, before undertaking a ham license decide what you really want to achieve and if ham radio is the best way to do it. But in general, amateur radio is fascinating and very enjoyable!

© 2012, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by Keene and Cheshire County (NH) Historical Photos

By John Heatherly

Preparing for an uncertain future when you have a family can be stressful and sometimes overwhelming.  While most of us have a desire for healthy self-reliance, it is also just as healthy to strive for a sense of community with like-minded people.

For example, even a “jack-of-all-trades” possesses a few skills that they excel at more than others.  One person might be good at clothing repair while another is good with firearms while yet another knows how to can or garden.  A knowledge and skill exchange can make everyone more capable and confident.

If you haven’t done so already, you might consider talking to your best friends or neighbors about their prepping ideas.  By starting the discussion now, you and your friends will have a headstart on dealing with an emergency or natural disaster.  If you’re hesitant about bringing up “prepping”, simply find out what skills and knowledge they have and ask if they’d be willing to share those with you and your family.

Another great online community is the The Survival Mom Forum.  A glance at the forum reveals discussion topics such as: “Oil Lamps”; “Organic vs. Other Foods for Storage”; “Has Anyone Spoken to their Church Community on Prepping”; and “Amount of Supplies Need for One Month,” just to name a few.

Again, self-reliance is empowering, and the creation of networks with like-minded people can be a force-multiplier for the self-reliant.

John Heatherly is the author of The Survival Template.

© 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

After a few years into the prepping mindset, I now see “preparedness” topics/situations in almost everything.  Frankly, I don’t know if that is a good thing or not.  On one hand it can be good because it shows that I have a desire to be prepared and to prepare those around me.  On the other, it’s not always good because my mind never seems to take a rest. You know what I mean, walking into a store to pick up a few items for the week and passing all the things that you think you should add to your food storage, first aid supplies or just fun tools. I recently had one of those good experiences as I accompanied a bunch of Kindergarten students on a field trip.

As a school administrator, I don’t necessarily tag along on field trips unless they are far away from the school or will be an all day trip. This one was both. It was also necessary that I go because the grade level had a bunch of ice coolers that wouldn’t have fit on the packed buses. They needed the back of my truck!

After getting everyone into the ranch that we were visiting, I took it upon myself to move the coolers to the pavilion where the students would be eating lunch. The facility had some older Red Flyer type wagons that were available for carrying bulky items back and forth since they wouldn’t allow vehicles inside. The only problem with the wagons were that the wheels were flat or busted. I finally found one that was smaller, but had decent wheels. I would have to make multiple trips.

On my first trip, I stacked the coolers and attempted to make the trek to the pavilion. The ground was not level, so I looked like an idiot every few feet when the coolers would fall off the wagon and crash on the ground.

On my second trip, I chose not to look like an idiot and only load two coolers. Doing a little math in my head, I realized that I would be doing this way more times than I would like…where were those volunteers? On my way back, I started humming the Macgyver tune in my head. I don’t know, just something about that tune gets my juices flowing.

When I arrived back to the truck, I remembered the bungee cords that my brother had given me one Christmas, pre-prepper era. It was a huge pack and had multiple length bungee cords. I was full blown singing out the Macgyver theme song now! I tied down the coolers, two up and hauled those coolers up to the pavilion with no thought of them falling to the ground…and looking like an idiot. Oh yeah, people were jealous and wanted to use my bungee cords!

Anyway, it got me thinking to how easy things are when you have the right tools or equipment with you. We can’t have every tool available, but it sure helps. As we add preps to our storage and use, tools are things that we should really take some time to think about and even plan to purchase. Of course, it would be good to focus on hand tools that don’t require electricity, but I plan on also adding to my battery powered tools since I have a set of solar panels that I can tie directly to an inverter and thus charge the batteries, no battery bank required (depending on who you talk to).

One other invaluable tool that I think might be necessary in a long-term survival or preparedness situation would be a nice sized pushcart. If supply lines go down and fuel isn’t available, it might be necessary to have a good pushcart to get bigger bulky items from one location to the other. There is only so much you can carry on your own. A pushcart will allow you to travel further with more.

Here are some whatif’s: taking fruit and vegetables to a barter location, bringing back firewood or game from your big hunt back to camp, moving dirt or good soil to your beds, carrying an injured person to someone who has medical experience, or having to bug out after you have bugged out.

Having a pushcart with some good oversized tires would be a great tool to have to move heavier items around. Even if you are only using it for firewood in the meantime, it is a back saver! Pushcarts can be purchased or even made very easily. You might even be able to find free materials on Craigslist. If you don’t get a pushcart, at least get a wheelbarrel.
Having the right tools makes life a little easier. There is no way that we can have every tool for every situation, but taking some time to think through which tools might be most valuable to you would be worthwhile.

Visit PrepperWebsite, a news aggregate that brings dozens of prepper stories together in one location, daily.

© 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by Claudia*~Assad

Until recently, I had no idea how rare my sewing skills were, but I should have been clued in by the median age of the women buying fabric at the local craft store!  Most are in their 50′s and 60′s.  A few days ago, one of my readers, Janice, told me about stocking up sewing supplies and treadle machines.  She explained, “Someday if times get really bad, I’ll be able to earn extra money by sewing clothes for people.”  I think that’s a brilliant plan.

Even if you have no idea how to sew, you should still begin stocking up on supplies.  Hemming a pair of pants and sewing up a rip can be learned in just a few minutes, but if you don’t have the supplies, you’ll be left tracking down a Janet in your neighborhood!  To get started, here is a list of essential supplies.  Be sure to utilize Craigslist, Freecycle, and garage/estate sales.

1. good scissors which will only be used for cutting fabric
2. quality sewing machine needles in sizes 10, 12, and at least one set of denim needles
3. a rotary cutter and extra blades, useful in quilting
4. rotary cutting mat
5. quality hand sewing needles
6. embroidery scissors
7. a variety of zippers, in different sizes and colors.  Neutral colors are best.
8. a variety of buttons, snaps, and hook & eye closures.  Whenever you are throwing out old clothes cut off the buttons and zippers.
9. safety pins in various sizes
10. straight pins
11. iron-on patches
12. fusible iron-on fabric, such as Steam-a-Seam or Stitch Witchery
13. elastic in different widths
14. thimbles
15. measuring tape
16. Velcro
17. fabric glue
18. ribbon
19. bobbins
20. thread:  all-purpose and quilting.  Quality thread is worth paying a bit extra for.  Stock up on mostly neutral colors
21. polar fleece by the yard, when it’s on sale.  This can be used for blankets and for sewing cold-weather clothing, but be aware that it is flammable and shouldn’t be used for children’s clothing.
22. patterns for simple, basic clothing
23. batting.  Even if you’ve never made a quilt in your life, a supply of batting will allow you to add padding to clothing and other sewing projects.
24. other sewing notions not listed here
25. at least one good sewing how-to book

© 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.

image by Playingwithbrushes

When I first heard about homemade laundry detergent, I pictured myself stirring a pot of laundry over an open fire using lye soap.  It wasn’t until I made my first batch that I realized how easy and effective it is.  The recipe I use couldn’t be simpler, although there are more complicated versions to be found online.

This month, try making 2 or 3 different detergent recipes, giving them a try, and deciding which you like best.  They won’t have the strong smell of commercial products, but my husband actually prefers it that way.

Post your findings here as a comment and share any good recipes you discover!  Here’s mine:

1 cup borax

1 cup washing soda

1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap

In a container with a lid, combine all three ingredients and mix well.  Use 1-2 tablespoons per load. I keep a small chunk of the Fels Naptha soap to pre-treat stains.  It works great.  If you don’t have or can’t find Fels Naptha, any bar soap that doesn’t contain added oils, moisturizers, or perfumes will work.

Here are some helpful resources:

How to Make Your Own Laundry Detergent

Making Homemade Laundry Soap

Instructables Homemade Laundry Detergent  (read the comments for more tips)

…and for a different version of the recipe in video:

© 2011, thesurvivalmom. All rights reserved.