Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Using it Up ~ Goat Coats


With all the kiddos home yesterday, and the outside temperatures chilly, I used up four apples that where getting too soft to enjoy.  



 




 

They worked wonderfully for a dish of baked apple-cinnamon oatmeal. 

I'm glad I had a good hearty brunch too.  I've been putting off sewing the goat coats.  I dug the sewing machine out, old sweatpants and some ripped pajamas from the kids.  

We have one dog coat we use every season.  I simply cut around it for the pattern, for both materials, and pinned them together.

 (Top of the goat coat).  The velcro I had on hand was thinner than I'd like, and I really wanted to put binding on this, but I used what I had.  I'm not an expert on sewing, so if you are and expert, look away now.  You'll be "tsk, tsking" me.  Sewing two stretchy materials together caused me to lose my composure in the process.   I do need to sew another one, so this was practice. 


(Underside, old sweat pants)

We'll have some zebra-striped kids running around the barnyard this spring.  I wonder what folks driving by will think, ha ha!   At least they'll be warm. 

My goal today is to at least take the time to cut another one and pin it.  Both ladies are due within a week of each other and we could get up to four or more kids.

I was up early today, but posting a bit later.  Oldest Daughter has been terribly sick since 1:00am.  She still can't keep anything down.  I actually got sleep from 2-5am.  Maybe I'll be tired enough to actually sleep the entire night tonight.

12 comments:

Carolyn said...

I LOVE the zebra print! You'll have to post pics of the kids in those :)
Which reminds me, I have to make more goat coats...better get on that.
Hope your daughter gets better quickly.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Carolyn, I'll try to remember to get some photos. My 18 year-old (goat keeper) approved them.

Amy Dingmann said...

Super awesome goat coats! And now I'm craving oatmeal for breakfast... :)

Mama Pea said...

I laughed the second I saw the "zebra" goat coat! How cute that is going to be on a baby goat. Have you seen the baby goat coats made from old sweatshirt sleeves? The cuff goes over the head, the rest of the sleeve goes over the back and belly with two holes simply cut in the material (on the bottom side) for the front legs. Just a tube with leg holes. Those would never rival the ones you're making but would be quicker and easier.

Hope your daughter doesn't share her germs with the rest of the family. There's been a lot of that yuck around here all winter, but (knock wood) we've stayed healthy.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thanks Amy!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Mama Pea, Thanks for that goat coat tip. I think Daughter got sick from going back to work and being around all those folks.

Rain said...

Reminds me of the winter coats I sewed for my now late pugs. It's very sweet and kind of you to take such good care of them :) We all need warmth in the cold weather!

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Rain, they do need a bit of extra warmth this time of year, and they are so little when they are born.

Sandra said...

Love the goat coats!
We are still waiting for ours to show signs of kidding. They should start this month.

Hope your daughter feels better soon.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Thanks Sandra!

RB said...

The coats are adorable and should do the trick nicely. I have to be honest though, I thought with all that sherpa/wool fur, that they'd be plenty warm enough, especially in a barn, but heck, what do I know about goats or goat kids. LOL I believe they're plenty lucky though, having a thoughtful talented human Mama (Grandma?) like you.

We once made coats for stray cats out of old stretched out tube socks, sweatshirt sleeves and sweatpant legs, just by cutting them the right length for the cat's body and then cutting holes in each side a few inches down from the cuff for their little legs to hang out. They worked great, and surprisingly, the cats tolerated them.

God bless.

RB
<><

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

RB, thanks. We've had to use goat coats every spring, but only for a few days. During the day the sun can warm them up pretty nicely.