Here is the basic (I mean really Basic) list that I came up with this morning.  Please do add some ideas.  Just add them to whichever category you want.  It might just be something that pops into your head or something that you have felt you needed to get.  To be honest I need to spend more time on it because it is really lacking in so many areas.  I couldn’t find the clothing list that Sister Lori sent before and I was trying to remember generally what she had on it.

 First I will start with some books that have been invaluable to us.  I have shelves full of BOOKS but these are the most used and complete:

Carla Emory’s Encyclopedia of Country Living ***** Excellent Resource

Reader’s Digest “Back to Basics”

Garden Way’s “The Joy of Gardening” by Dick Raymond

The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It by John Seymour

Kitchen –

 If you are going to use a woodstove then you will need cast iron cookware. The cast iron is also useful for a regular oven so you won’t be out anything if you end up not getting a woodstove.  You can get these anywhere but you will find them cheaper at flea markets and garage sales.  I would recommend:

Large Frying Skillet with lid

Camp Dutch Oven (Has legs)

Regular Dutch oven

A Griddle

You will also need:

 Lid lifters for the stove eyes,

A scraper for underneath the oven box

A Bellows is nice to have

As to other items for the kitchen –

Washpans

Loaf Pans for making bread

Stock pots for soups and stews

Water bath canner

Pressure Canner (extra rubber seals)

Canning Jars, Lids and Rings

Funnel, Jar Lifter

Large Strainer or Colander

Fruit Sieve

Cleaning –

If you are going to make your own soap like we do you will need a large iron pot.  I am always shocked at how many of these we see in people’s yards.  Just make sure that there are no cracks or holes or that they have not been painted with something.  Some rust is okay as you can just scrub that off. For soap you will need either glass or wood boxes to pour the soap in to set but that is something that can be made up when you are ready

If you are going to get rid of your washing machine you will need:

Two large washtubs – 1 for washing and 1 for rinsing

A wringer

A washboard

Obviously you would need a clothesline and pins but that is a minor thing that you can get anywhere

Clothing –

Sewing Machine – A NECESSITY FOR A PLAIN LIFESTYLE IN MY OPINION 

You can use an electric if your are going to have electricity but I recommend you get a machine that is heavy-duty but basic.  You do not need a fancy machine with lots of computer things in it to sew plain clothes.  They tear up and it is wasteful. 

A Treadle Machine – I have a treadle machine as well as an electric.  I prefer to use my treadle machine.  I actually found the machine at a garage sale and it was in a cabinet and had a motor on it.  I found the treadle cabinet at a thrift store.  Paul took the motor off the machine and put the machine in the treadle cabinet and it works wonderfully.  You have to get a machine that will work as a treadle.  They have a large flywheel on the right side end and you will be able to see what I am talking about there. I think the machine cost me $50 and the treadle cabinet was $40.

Fabric and Sewing items – Of course, in order to make plain clothing you will need basic sewing notions and fabric.  I purchase good heavy broadcloth/cotton fabric.  Paul’s broadfalls (pants) use 6 buttons each so we get lots of buttons.  The pattern I use for the broadfalls comes from Friends patterns and the plain dresses and aprons are just put together.  A basic costume pattern will work. 

Clothing:

Man or Boy – 1 Sunday set – Broadfalls, Shirt, Vest or Jacket

                      6 pair of work Broadfalls (pants)

                      6 shirts

                     Undergarments, Socks

                      2 Pajamas

                     2 pair of work shoes/boots – 1 pair of muck boots

                     1 Straw hat for summer – 1 felt hat for winter

                     Rain Gear

                     1 Wool Coat

Women or Girls – 1 Sunday dress and apron

                           3 headcoverings – 1 for Sunday and 2 for daily wear

                           5 dresses and aprons (not necessary to have this many)

                           Undergarments; including petticoats and socks/tights

                           2 Nightgowns

                           2 pair of work shoes – 1 pair of muck boots

                           1 outing bonnet

                           1 cardigan sweater or shawl

                          1 Wool cloak              

Lighting – Again, if you are going to use electricity then you will have lights, but we have:

Aladdin Lamps (with a mantle) for each room in our home

We have at least one oil lamp for each room

We also have lots of candles for when we don’t want a lot of light and just need to quickly light them. Whenever we are at yard sales or thrift store there are always bags of candles for sale.  Sarah makes hand dipped candles by melting down old candles and making brand new ones.

Firewood Harvesting –

Your husband will need:

 A Good Ax

A Maul

A Wedge

We also have a two man cross-cut saw for big logs

Gardening Tools –

You need to have good quality gardening tools – don’t waste money on cheap stuff – It will not last!

 A Hoe – a square hoe and a pointed hoe (my favorite)

Shovel – Rounded Shovel, Square Edge Shovel, Hand shovel

Metal Rake and Leaf Rake

Pitch Fork

Garden Hoses – get the commercial kind not the cheap ones – Unless you are going to irrigate with a stream or pond

A Large, Galvanized Watering Can

Seeds of course!!