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Conversation 20 comments by 7 users
  • CrookedTale
    +10

    A new pair of slops, sewing machine, and a dremel!

    • drunkenninja
      +9

      Sewing machine? What kind of things do you sew?

      • [Deleted Profile]

        [This comment was removed]

      • CrookedTale
        +7

        And the winner is...... Coat, vest, jacket pants, shirts and an outfit for the dog. We all need new coats and slops, the price is to high to keep buying them. I worked for the Woolworth corporation in the 80's and learned enough tailoring to be dangerous. My old sewing machine took a dump 4 years ago and I have just been patching things by hand. It's been a pain but with some new equipment I should be able to do much more. Now it may seem funny that a man knows how to sew but it is helpful to know a stitch or two.

        • Bastou
          +6

          Now it may seem funny that a man knows how to sew

          Back when I was in school, everyone had a mandatory sewing crash course, as part of a broader domestic tasks course (it was called "familial economy"). In this course, we also learnt the basics of cooking and how to do a family budget.

          I think having the basic knowledge to repair small tears in your clothes and adjust your pants' legs and bottoms of curtains is the bare minimum everyone should know, no matter their gender. And I say so as a man myself.

          • CrookedTale
            +4

            I believe there is a basic skill set that everyone should learn in their teens. Basic cooking, car maintenance, basic carpentry, basic wiring, and of course basic sewing. Things like sewing, carpentry, and wiring you probably wont use too often but they are useful at different points in your life. Basic cooking, or knowing how to cook a few good meals before you leave the house helps a lot. I think most schools still teach the basics but don't quote me on that. I hear we are a throwaway society here in the US but I am not sure if that is really true.

            • Bastou (edited 8 years ago)
              +6

              I'm not from the US, so I'll refrain from commenting on the situation over there, but where I'm from, they took out that "familial economy" class, as well as a general economy one (where one learnt the basics of interest calculations, inflation, and how the policy interest rate could influence the macro-economy) and one named "personal and social formation" which encompassed sexual education, among other useful relational abilities. All courses I had around two decades ago. I've put them in quotes because they're translations of the actual names.

              To the narrow-sighted dimwit, these sure look like useless classes, but all the maths in the world will not feed you when your mother kicks you out of the house.

              I think we should be asking ourselves what minimal basic knowledge we want all the population to have, no matter what they end up doing for work. That they will learn of their own will once they've chosen, anyway.

              They're doing a pilot project to re-introduce sexual education now, but today's youth are still 2.5 classes late on older people, let alone the ideal we should strive for as a society.

              Edit: I just saw it might not be completely clear that I agree wholeheartedly with your comment. ;-)

            • CrookedTale
              +5
              @Bastou -

              It's clear! I figured you weren't from the US and its good to know that basic skills are international.

        • CrookedTale
          +4

          Just for reference http://piratefashions.com/collections/pirate-frock-coats-jackets-n-doublets
          We have bought from this company before and they have a great midrange stage wear. These prices are also mid range. The better jackets can run from $600 - $1000+ but you get a better hem and more flourishes like fancy decorative stitches, brass buttons, and more available colors. Last year I added it up and I could make a standard "Johnny" coat for $45 worth of materials. That's about half the price plus the wearer can pick the material and color. I personally want a lighter weight double breasted frock coat in black and gold paisley. My current double breasted frock coat is wool and it gets sticky in the summer. Plus I paid a kings ransom for it and I am at the point of having to repair after years of heavy wear. Hopefully I can save us some money over the years. My wife is actually the first to get refitted, she would like a "Johnny" coat and matching slops.

          • Gozzin
            +6

            Sounds interesting. So,when you and your dog are dressed to kill,we'd all enjoy a pic.