Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Martin Kelley on 3rd mo. 8, 2009 at 12:10pm

Hi MJ, great idea. A few weeks ago I transferred my plain resources list to QuakerQuaker. Every so often I can go through whatever people recommend here and add it and/or point to this discussion.

Permalink Reply by MJ on 3rd mo. 8, 2009 at 4:11pm

Martin, I'm sorry, how did I miss your resource list? By the way, love the video of how to take the collar off men's shirts, and I have ordered two shirts for my husband from Blair as a surprise! He'll be thrilled, thanks!

Permalink Reply by MJ on 3rd mo. 8, 2009 at 4:14pm

I understand, but I think that we need to take things in stride when searching for resources. I love finding tips like this, and truly appreciate their sharing their expertise. I enjoyed reading the website, but do not fully agree with everything they say and don't agree with many of the websites I surf through.

I think that we are creating an incredible source right here! This is a blessings!

Permalink Reply by Martin Kelley on 3rd mo. 9, 2009 at 9:50am

Hi Heather: more or less thinking out loud, but I wonder if there are any opportunities for you to spend more time with the local Mennonites? As you have already noticed, they're not all that exotic. And while they'll disagree with your spirituality they're pretty clear about the love and charity part, especially one on one.

Last year we took a weekend family trip to see Strasburg, PA, the stream train capital of the world and stayed in a dairy farm B&B run a liberal Mennonite family ("normal" clothes, electricity but plain dress on some of the support staff). They were very friendly, of course. Turns out there the oddest part wasn't the spirituality or the dress but the diet. It was amazing food. The milk and yogurt came from the farm. The meat came from a free range farm on the other side of the hill. The husband is on the national board of Land-o-Lakes. My veganism was sorely tested that weekend and felt a bit legalistic given the beyond-wholesome sources!

Permalink Reply by MJ on 3rd mo. 10, 2009 at 8:46am

I've had similar experiences with Amish and Mennonite. I travel to Lancaster at least once a month, if not more, for my business. If I am in my "work" clothes consisting of denim jeans and a blouse (I dig through warehouses and it's easier to do in jeans in the winter), when I stop at a few places I'm treated like a tourist...they are friendly, but aloof. When I am there with my family on vacation and am dressed more modest and plain, I'm greeted with sincere smiles and understanding.

Once I asked an older Amish woman for some advice in her store....they had undergarments and some ready-made clothing. When I explained that I was a plain dressing Quaker, she was so kind and helpful and a bit curious, so we had a very nice conversation about what being plain meant to me as an Englisher. She even expressed concern that it must be hard for those of us in a modern world to find necessities for plain dressing, and I explained that's why I was shopping with her! LOL!

My heart and soul is in Lancaster, it has been like that for over ten years. I may physically live up here in Susquehanna County, but I feel so at home there, and I know it's because of my simplicity of living and longing to be near others who feel the same way.

Oh, and the food is just like my mother used to cook when we were small. I'm not a vegetarian (sorry), and I swear I gain a few pounds with each visit.

Martin, we're heading to Strasburg in May, we're big rail-fans in this house....my oldest is quite the train-buff at age six and we love it there! It's the most beautiful area of Lancaster County, in my opinion.

Permalink Reply by Paula Roberts on 5th mo. 17, 2010 at 9:28am

I've been acquiring a list myself.
1. I love Quaker Jane's website - it is chock full of information and resources http://quakerjane.com/.

2. I've purchased an apron, some simple skirts, slips, and a gathered cap from Katie's Mercantile http://www.katiesmercantile.com/index.html

3. and some excellent long modest skirts for going out into The World (of work, for example) from Shukr.com http://www.shukronline.com/womens-skirts.html Very sturdy stuff.

4. I also like Quaker Anne's site because she discusses basic home arts like cooking (Quaker Kitchen). I think I linked to that from here, but I forget http://www.quakeranne.com/


Most of these sites I linked to directly or indirectly from Quaker Jane's site.

Paula

Permalink Reply by Kristen McLewin on 4th mo. 17, 2012 at 4:59pm

I have a new resource to share...

I used to train horses and teach riding years ago.  I have not ridden since a while before becoming Plain.  Due to health issues, some riding therapy has been strongly recommended, especially since it is something familiar to my mind and body.  I felt very conflicted about what to wear!  I used to ride in jeans or breeches, and that feels far too revealing after several years of Plain.  I started to search for riding skirt patterns, but those seemed pretty involved or flappy (which can spook a horse).  I eventually found Simone at Happy Horse Riders   http://happyhorseriders.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=a...

She makes what she calls Saddle Skirts, which are sturdy skirts meant especially for riding (mainly to protect legs and saddle from foul weather).  She has two different models available and is willing to make skirts without the reflective stripe for Plain folks.  It's not long enough to wear around in general, but with leggings or breeches underneath I think it will serve just fine.  I'll just be wearing on the horse, and will be wearing my normal blouse and skirt the rest of the time. 

Simone was very understanding and accommodating, as well as a joy to work with.  I thought I'd let folks know in case anyone else ever has this dilemma.  :)   Also, the skirts are warm and provide water-resistant protection OVER a regular skirt/dress for things like sitting in outdoor bleachers, walking the dog, or gardening. 

Permalink Reply by G.H. on 5th mo. 5, 2012 at 10:49am

Hi I'm G. and I live in the midwest of the U.S. I've been a Mennonite by conviction for 25 years. I've dressed simply on and off for most of those years. Lately I've been feeling called to adopt this permanently. I don't wear a certain type of plain, as this could cause confusion to others because there are so many varieties of Amish and Mennonite people in our area. I wear dresses or skirts and I do cover, albeit just with a snood or wide head band. I've really been blessed with all your comments and learnings since I stumbled onto this site. I put this intro. in the resource section because I'm having a problem. I can't find good quality tights to wear under my dresses and skirts. Has any one found a store online or otherwise? Thanks so much.

Permalink Reply by Isabel Penraeth on 5th mo. 15, 2012 at 8:50am

I will tell thee G.H. that I have had no good look finding tights I like. I tried the ones at Gohn Bros and GVS (http://quakerjane.com/spirit.friends/plain_dress-plain.html#below) but they were the type that (on me) rolled at the waist. I did like that they were thick. I have tended to buy expensive designer-tagged tights at the end of the season (like in February) for considerably cheaper and been happier with those. But that is catch as catch can. So I have mostly switched to bloomers and knee socks. And yes, I even wear bloomers in the summer.

G.H. said:

Hi I'm G. and I live in the midwest of the U.S. I've been a Mennonite by conviction for 25 years. I've dressed simply on and off for most of those years. Lately I've been feeling called to adopt this permanently. I don't wear a certain type of plain, as this could cause confusion to others because there are so many varieties of Amish and Mennonite people in our area. I wear dresses or skirts and I do cover, albeit just with a snood or wide head band. I've really been blessed with all your comments and learnings since I stumbled onto this site. I put this intro. in the resource section because I'm having a problem. I can't find good quality tights to wear under my dresses and skirts. Has any one found a store online or otherwise? Thanks so much.

Permalink Reply by G.H. on 5th mo. 29, 2012 at 9:58am

Thank you Alice and Isabel for your welcome and responses. Right now the warm weather has solved my problem. I feel comfortable going without socks/tights as long as my skirt or dress is knee length or below.

Alice M Yaxley said:

G.H. said:

... I put this intro. in the resource section because I'm having a problem. I can't find good quality tights to wear under my dresses and skirts. Has any one found a store online or otherwise? Thanks so much.

Hello G. H. and welcome to the site. I apologize I'm not able to point out any good sites for buying tights. I don't tend to wear those myself - I wear over-knee leggings and longish socks instead, and tend to buy those from worldly places or have socks knitted by family or friends. I am just studying a course in sewing at the moment and I hope I may be able to make my own leggings in future, but can't help with tights. Hope someone else is able to suggest something.