MAKE A MILKWEED DOWN JACKET

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

The first step, of course, is to locate your foraging grounds. It should go without saying that you'll want to seek permis sion rather than trespass on anyone's property. (Most landowners will be all too glad to let you gather their milkweed ... if you've been courteous enough to ask).

Should you happen to remember any areas where milkweed grew in the past, you can pretty much count on finding the hearty plants still present. Of course, you might have to share your harvest with wide-food enthusiasts who rejoice in the asparaguslike flavor of the tender shoots or the okra-ish tang of the young green pods. Milkweed is far from an endangered species, though, so there'll likely be more than enough plants to go around.

You'll have to keep a close eye on your "hunting grounds" — beginning a few weeks before the projected frost date — in order to pick the pods while they're still moist and green but just on the verge of drying out. Gather about four grocery bags full of pods in order to be sure of having enough insulation for one jacket. (Use paper — rather than plastic—bags ... as the latter will trap moisture and, in a shot time, cause the milkweed to rot)

GETTIN' DOWN

It's best to she" the pods—and separate the seeds from their gossamer filaments—immediately after gathering. Simply hold a pod so that As central seam is on top and the narrow end is facing you. Split the shell along the seam and scoop out the contents, then hold the plumes between your thumb and forefinger and rub your other thumb over the seeds to break them away from the still-damp fluff.

You'll find that the kernels will fall off of green-pod filler easily, while older and drier "fruits" will have fluffed up enough to make seed removal less efficient. Fortunately, however, any seeds that you miss at this stage can be shaken down to the bottom of the bag which will hold your drying down ... and removed as you stuff your jacket, vest, mittens, or other warm snugglies.

A READY-MADE DOWN JACKET

Once the bagged down is fully dried and has developed As "loft" you'll be ready to start sewin' up a jacket. This part of the operation should be a snap for any experienced seamster or seamstress ... either working from scratch or using one of the parka kits that are commercially available.

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print