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5 Frugal Tips from Ma Ingalls and the Pioneers

Crafts, Frugal Living, Homestead-Life

Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Regardless, I only link to products we use on our homestead or believe in.

Ma and Laura Ingalls didn't run to town to browse the shoe department or find just the right top for that weekend's barn raising. They didn't need to dedicate a day to their overflowing closet so they could declutter, donate and reorganize their clothing.

(Lest you think I'm being judgey, this is a confession sentence, but I did have a Ma Ingalls moment, keep reading, so it's a good thing) There was no need for shoe organizers.

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Learn these 5 frugal tips from Ma Ingalls and the pioneers. I love tip number 3 and 4. Great way to save money and be more self-sufficient for anyone!

This post is sponsored by Little House on the Prairie® Andover Fabric Collections

The pioneers usually had two pairs of shoes at most. One every day pair, but during summer months, shoes were optional. Actually, most little feet never touched a shoe during the summer, except for Sunday service.

When I was young I could run bare foot over the rocks and not wince… is it a sign of old age when one can no longer do this? Or a sign of not going bare foot enough? I like the second one better.

We tend to be a society who has too much and throws away too much. Which doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but we're constantly on a treadmill of wanting more, but never really being satisfied with the more, which is why we have to make room for the more by throwing out what we have.

I realize this isn't everyone, but I've fallen into this. When I was little, we didn't have a very much money and my mother made most of my clothes. Of course, I wanted to fit in with the rest of the kids and that meant store bought clothes.

From the time I was fourteen-years-old I started working and bought most of my own clothes. Because I used the money I had earned, I became an expert clearance rack and thrift store fashionista. 

However, this still resulted in too many clothes. So back to the thrift store many of them would go, and I'd go in to find more.

The pioneers, Ma and Laura Ingalls, only had a few items of clothing. You had your Sunday best, which was only worn for Sunday or a very special occasion, maybe two day dresses, and usually one chore dress.

Learn these 5 frugal tips from Ma Ingalls and the pioneers. I love tip number 3 and 4. Great way to save money and be more self-sufficient for anyone!

While most of us aren't going to only have a total of four outfits, we can learn a lot from them and put it into practice.

5 Frugal Tips from Ma Ingalls and the Pioneers

  1. Only keep what you wear. Sounds too simple, right? Really go through your closet and keep only what you wear on a consistent basis. I have one dress that I've worn twice in three years. Twice. We have a free clothing giveaway at our church twice a year and I put it into the bag.
    Now, if you're like me and you have seasons, I do pack away my summer clothes and bring them back out when summer hits (usually July 5th here in the Pacific Northwest).
  2. Re-purpose the clothing. This is where a pioneer minded person's list will differ. For those of us who are frugal minded, we know there's a lot we can do with an item other than its intended use. Fabric is expensive. Ma Ingalls knew she could take her dress and cut it down into a dress for one of her girls or cut up the parts of the dress that weren't too worn and put them in her scrap bag. (You do have a scrap bag of material, right?) I know it's old-fashioned, but I've had one since I was eight years old…. yes, I just confirmed I'm an old soul.Could you take that dress and turn it into a skirt? How about making those pants into a purse? What about cutting that shirt down into a dress for your daughter?Recently, I took two old sweaters and turned them into a hat, fingerless gloves, an infinity cowl scarf, and two sets of boot socks for myself and my daughter. (Ya know I've got the how-to for you 6 DIY Old Sweater Projects You Have to Make)
  3. Learn some basic mending/sewing skills. I am not a seamstress by any stretch of the imagination. But, I can sew a seam, gather fabric, and mend a hole. If you can sew a straight seam (confession: sometimes mine aren't all that straight, much to my mother's chagrin), you can do quite a bit.A straight basic stitch will allow you take hem a pair of pants or skirt. Are you  not wearing the item because it doesn't fit right? If you can gather fabric, you can bring in a waist line. Many times my kids will rip their pants on the seam and instead of tossing them out, I can sew it back up in a few minutes.
  4. Take quilting to a new level. Quilting is something the pioneers did because it allowed them to take smaller bits of fabric and turn into something both beautiful and useful. It was the original creativity outlet and artistry for the pioneer woman.She might not have been able to take art classes or decorate her home like we do now, but she could create practical beauty with her blankets.You might not have a lot of one pattern of fabric, but by piecing together different patterns, you can create a large piece.
    Learn these 5 frugal tips from Ma Ingalls and the pioneers. I love tip number 3 and 4. Great way to save money and be more self-sufficient for anyone!
    My mother helped me sew this dress for my daughter out of fat quarters I received for free from the new Little House on the Prairie® Andover Fabrics Collection.We pieced together the skirt by cutting strips from each quarter. We didn't have quite enough, so I went to my scrap bag (actually, it's a wicker basket) and found the bottom strip of fabric from my very first quilt project  when I was…. eight years old.You can use this same process to make a skirt,  a pillow, or of course, a quilt.
  5. Don't let fear or perfectionism stand in your way. I've had a a sweater and two shirts set aside to either re-purpose or alter for way longer than I care to admit (and see how I didn't actually admit to how many  months right there?) I was scared I'd totally mess it up.We only learn by doing.The seam ripper will be your friend! Apparently I thought my waist was way smaller than it is, because the first shirt I brought in wouldn't even button after I was done. So I got to rip out both seams and start over.That's okay! The second time, I measured wrong and my waist started an inch lower on one side. Third time was a charm.Usually, you can always take it out and start over. I leave plenty of extra fabric whenever I cut and don't trim it away until I know it's going to fit/look okay. I'm sure with time I'll get better at this, but we don't get better unless we're actually doing. 

Resources for 5 Frugal Tips from Ma Ingalls

Want your own  Little House on the Prairie® Andover Fabrics? Here's a store locator so you can find it near you –>http://www.andoverfabrics.com/LHOTP_Locator.php

While a sewing machine will allow you to sew faster and do more, just having a basic or beginners sewing kit will allow you to do quite a bit. Premium Beginners First Sewing Kit

Now, a sewing machine will let you do way more! It's why the pioneer women were so thrilled when the treadle machines first came out. This is an excellent brand. I have a forty-year-old used version of this. Brother's Sewing Machine, including quilting table and auto-sized buttonholes. 

Learn these 5 frugal tips from Ma Ingalls and the pioneers. I love tip number 3 and 4. Great way to save money and be more self-sufficient for anyone!

More Recipes and Tips to Live Like the Pioneers

  • Old Fashioned Ginger Water
  • Vinegar Pie – Old Fashioned Recipe From Ma Ingalls
  • Fried Apples & Onions Recipe Just Like Mrs. Wilder Used to Make
  • 9 Ways to Have a Frugal Pioneer Christmas like Laura Ingalls

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Melissa Norris

Melissa K. Norris inspires people's faith and pioneer roots with her books, podcast, and blog. Melissa lives with her husband and two children in their own little house in the big woods in the foothills of the North Cascade Mountains. When she's not wrangling chickens and cattle, you can find her stuffing Mason jars with homegrown food and playing with flour and sugar in the kitchen.

Read more about Melissa

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Comments:

  1. Dawn

    November 20, 2015 at 12:29 am

    My passion is the Fiber Arts, and a couple years ago I taught classes on frugality of fiber arts…we…

    1. Made crocheted and braided rugs out of old tattered sheets and cotton clothing.

    2. Made frames to weave on, out of old picture frames.

    3. Made mittens out of old wool sweaters that were stretched out of shape or picked up at the second hand store (patterns are free online).

    4. Took old sweaters that we liked the colors of the yarn, but maybe nothing else…and unwound them and made balls of yarn for other projects.

    5. Made knitting needles out of dowels.

    6. Made felted handbags out of fleece that others were throwing away.

    And

    7. Cut old jeans and flannel shirts into patchwork squares to make warm quilts.

    Just a thought.

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      7 years ago

      Dawn,

      This is awesome! Thanks so much for adding these suggestions and ideas. I love the flannel shirt idea, what a cozy quilt it would be.

      Reply
  2. Susan (5 Minutes for Mom)

    November 21, 2015 at 12:16 am

    What helpful tips… they sure knew how to make the most out of everything back then.

    And I LOVE the dress you made.

    My twin sister Janice used the Little House on the Prairie fabrics to make aprons for our girls. She created a free pattern and tutorial for it too.

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      November 21, 2015 at 12:52 am

      Susan,

      Thanks! I loved the dress, too. Could you send a link to the apron pattern and tutorial? A girl can never have too many ideas. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Claudine

    November 21, 2015 at 2:47 am

    Hi Melissa,
    I am also a HUGE fan of Little House on the Prairie, so I was so excited when I saw the title to this podcast. I really enjoyed this podcast and can’t believe how beautiful the dress is that you made your daughter..wow! Not to mention the great things you did by re purposing an old sweater…so awesome! Thanks for sharing……

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      November 21, 2015 at 3:38 am

      Claudine,

      Love meeting fellow Little House fans and so glad you enjoyed the podcast. I was so pleased with how it turned out, too.

      Reply
  4. Melissa Hostetter

    November 21, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    I luv reading your page. Keep it up! I also love Jesus,antiques and flowers and herbs.?

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      November 22, 2015 at 2:18 am

      Melissa,
      Thank you! We’re two peas in a pod… with the same first name.

      Reply
  5. Debra Wroblewski

    November 24, 2015 at 12:08 am

    Just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading your post! I’m not much on writing or commenting on things. But thank you so much! Have a very blessed Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      November 24, 2015 at 4:53 am

      Thank you, Debra! I hope your holidays are wonderful as well.

      Reply
  6. Cherri

    November 25, 2015 at 2:30 am

    Thank you so very much for all that you do for all of us out here that think like you. We are blessed to have you in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving.

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      November 26, 2015 at 3:53 am

      Cherri,

      Thank you so much, you made my heart warm!

      Reply
  7. Rebecca

    December 10, 2015 at 1:35 pm

    The dress is adorable. Did you use a pattern?

    Reply
    • Melissa Norris

      7 years ago

      Thanks, Rebecca.

      My mom had an old pattern for a size 2 dress (my daughter is in a size 6) so we just used the enlarged bodice part, all the rest we just made up. 🙂 I love how it turned out, too!

      Reply
  8. Jackie Young

    June 19, 2017 at 4:11 am

    You certainly know how to thrive. Good for you!!
    Jackie Young

    Reply

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Melissa K. Norris

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