Okay, the extension service booklets and bulletins I have are "Clothing Repairs" which was issued in October 1965 and reprinted April 1070. It is noted that it supersedes Farmers' Bulletin 1925, "ABC's of Mending". It's 30 pages in length. The illustrations on darning are excellent in this booklet.
The clothing repair information came out in the 1980's as 4-page folder on individual subjects such as How to -- Replace Knit Collar and Cuffs on a Jacket, Elastic in Skirts or Pants, A Torn Loose Pocket, Make a New Hem, Patch Knees in Pants, Fix Torn Buttonholes, Torn Off Buttons, A Broken Fly Front Zipper, Elastic in Underpants, Half Slips and Pajama Bottoms, Replace a Jacket Zipper. These are basically what was in the Clothing Repairs booklet. I'm not sure if there are more of these or if I managed to grab all of them.
The other pamphlet is from Agricultural Extension Service--Iowa State College (now Iowa State University) dated December 1956. The title is "New Ways with Cast-A-Ways" it is 8 pages and covers preparing the fabric and shows how to cutout a Sunday School Suit for a little boy from a jacket and a skirt. A Coat for Best Wear for a little girl from an adult coat. A Busy Boy Snowsuit from two adult coats. A Little Miss Pink Coat from an adult coat. Tweed and Flannel Twosome with the jacket from a tweed coat and the gray flannel slacks from cut from adult slacks. Red Corduroy Jumper for a little girl made from an adult dress. Two cotton dresses from two adult dresses. A pleated skirt jumper from a ladies suit. Mom's old bathrobe into a child's bathrobe. Last garment is a Swishy Petticoat made from an old formal. This does not include patterns but does show how to layout commercial patterns to do each project. In our throwaway world today, few people could be bothered to do the work required to unpick and reuse fabric.
A clipping I saved from a monthly bulletin that I used to receive from a now defunct fabric store, tells how to make a girl's shirt from a man's shirt. Basically, you put the front pattern pieces upside down on the shirt front centered over the button placket so you can avoid sewing new buttons and buttonholes and the back is cut from the back of the shirt. There might be enough fabric to cut short sleeves and a collar depending on the size and condition of the shirt. Also, it might be fun to use two shirts and mix and match pieces for a unique look. I'm guessing that if you were making a boy's shirt you would put the pattern right side up so that it would button appropriately.
The Singer series of books includes Clothing Care & Repair my copy copyrighted in 1985. It has very good information with many illustrations and using more modern equipment although techniques are much the same. Any of the Singer books are good and I'm still hoping to find a 1950's Singer book that is an all-in-one book. There are many newer ones, but I'd like the older one.
Reader's Digest "Complete Guide to Sewing" is also an excellent source for complete sewing advice. My copy was published in 1978. Reader's Digest "Complete Guide to Needlework" is also another excellent source for information on embroidery, needlepoint, knitting, crochet etc. My copy is from 1979. Actually, any of the Reader's Digest "Complete Guide to ..." are worthwhile. I have Gardening, Back to Basics, Fix-It-Yourself and Practical Problem Solver. I've lucked out in finding mine used for $1 or less.
I think when building a prepper library that the "complete guide" type of books is a good place to start. You can then add individual books to enhance whatever special interest you have. Also, the Extension Service bulletins are a very low cost or even free if you print from the USDA website and especially for food preservation contain the most current and safest information. Lately I haven't looked at the entirety of what's available but in the past, I've found floorplans for homes, barns, sheds, chicken houses and bird houses as well as various project for animal feeders.
I'm still hoping for the 1930 or 1940 Home Ec books but have yet to find any. I did find one in the barn when we bought our acreage, but it was moldy and I'm deathly allergic to mold and had to toss it.
