Make Do and Mend

Sarahsaver · 23 March 2005 at 9:58AM

Just wondered if anyone will join me in this, starting on 1st April. Im going to see how long I can go without buying any clothing or footwear, not that I buy loads anyway. This will be for myself AND the kids. So, I will be making sure I get my shoes/boots mended, and get the sewing box out if anything needs a mend.
We will go for a month, I think that is long enough, but maybe more if the kids dont suddenly have a growth spurt!;)
Looking back over the past month I got shoes £5, a jacket from the charity shop £3, cardigan for my daughter, £3, shirts for the littlun, £4.99, leather lined suede boots for middle son £15 (needs these cos of eczema) I also had to buy a suit because of setting up my own business, but I did manage to get a trouser suit, coordinating skirt and shirt for just over £34. that is going on the business expenses however.
I know it may be awkward, what with the weather changing and all that, but I am digging through stuff I haven't worn for ages, and I will be avoiding shops, particularly cheap kids clothes and charity shops, because the 'oh its just a couple of quid' a few times a month soon adds up.

JCL · 23 March 2005 at 10:50AM

Interesting idea Sarah.

I tend to think about this one as part of my general money saving if that makes sense? I used to be guilty of stockpiling clothes but now I use what I've got. Don't find much need to mend or repair clothes/shoes so don't think I'll do this challenge.

Also, maybe a danger of challenge overload. The grocery challenge is great because we all need to eat and drink so can't avoid that expenditure.

Sarahsaver · 23 March 2005 at 11:24AM

Ok fair dos, I just thought that some people have a clothing budget as part of their monthly outgoings. I will edit the title. As for other challenges, the grocery one isnt challenging me much, and the pin money one I just found too complicated:(

Austin_Allegro · 23 March 2005 at 11:28AM

Excellent challenge, it reminds me of the dark days of the last war. Shame there's no parachute silk around these days.... :rotfl:

Don't forsake charity shops though. The nature of charity shopping is that you have to plan ahead, so it's always worth going in for a look because you might find an amazing bargain you don't need now, but will need in the near future.

Spendless · 23 March 2005 at 11:37AM

I don't buy my children many clothes. MIL only likes to buy practical presents at Christmas so they get a load of clothes then which normally includes socks and underwear.

As they both have March birthdays i often find that they've got loads of toys from Christmas so some birthday presents also end up being clothes.

One of my friends has a boy and a girl and passess stuff on, another friend two boys and passess stuff on and my sister with twins (boy and girl) passess the girls stuff onto my daughter.

All 3 of these people like their Next M&S labels, and i've found this the best money saving tip of all. Let my friends pay the prices and then pass on to me. (lol)
The majority of this stuff is hardly worn, i've even had stuff with the label still attached!

Bogof_Babe · 23 March 2005 at 11:49AM

I've bought next to nothing since I packed up work (Dec 2002), and am still getting wear out of all the stuff I'd stockpiled over the years. Some of it is a bit ragged now, but fine for slobbing around the house! I have plenty of evening out tops and a couple of go-anywhere trousers that still fit

, and I just wear denims, which last forever, for going shopping.

My problem is my increasing middle age spread, which means I now have no skirts left that fit me. I only wore them for work anyway, but I do need a smart outfit for a christening in May. My mum has given me a lovely jacket so I only need a new skirt - was thinking about getting the sewing machine out, which hasn't seen the light of day for about 20 years, but I'm not very handy like that. I have some gift vouchers for a local department store so hope I can find something suitable there.

Yes I am all in favour of this challenge, but as I'm already living pretty much like that, it won't make a huge difference to my budget. Perhaps we should start a "make your own clothes from cheap remnants" thread!

Lillibet_2 · 23 March 2005 at 11:55AM

As my growing bump means I literally don't know what size I am going to be from one day to the next I will have to pass, I can't make any plans to/not to buy anything for long term as I simply don't know what I am going to need in what sizes, but I am trying to use my (bigger) mums clothes & hubbys t shirts etc where ever possible for now. After the birth worries me, will I have anything that fits or will I leave the hospital in my dressing gown?!
I habitually do try to convert clothes (dresses into tops, trousers into shorts) etc where ever possible & get shoes re-heeled. As an aside, has anyone had any luck re-heeling shoes with the home kits you can buy in Woolies & the like? I have tried but have always ended up back at the extortionate cobblers!

Edinburghlass_2 · 23 March 2005 at 12:02PM

Mmmm despite the fact that I used to sell second hand clothing and my daughter loves getting hand me downs from my friend who has trendy teenagers, I would say you would only get away with this for little kids and not teenagers.

I don't buy into the "label" game with my teenager, nor does she get every latest fashion but I would not foist my scrimping ways onto the shoulders of her especially when new summer (ish) clothes are needed.

System · 23 March 2005 at 12:12PM

Unfortunately for me, i can hardly thread a needle let alone make my own clothes.

Glad · 23 March 2005 at 12:13PM

thinking about this I'd say that children tend to grow out of clothes so quickly that mending and repairing isn't an option, and as they reach their teens they do want trendier clothes, my two are happy with basics for playing out and a couple of nice/fashionable outfits for 'best'.
Timewise I'm happier to let them play out in jeans with a hole in the knee than spend my evenings mending and darning, that would just take time away from the time I spend with them.

Mads13 · 23 March 2005 at 12:24PM

Hi Sarah

Very interesting idea!

I am very lucky that my sister and mum sells wholesale clothes..kids and adults.

We see each other every few weeks and always come away with a ton of new clothes for my 10 year old daughter and sometimes something for me too

. All are very good quality, normally ex M&S, mothercare, BHS, Next etc etc. She called the other day to ask if charlie (daughter) needed school trousers as she could get them for £1.05 a pair and they were M&S :eek: I am also lucky that mum and sister are very generous and they will not take payment for the items, so I get it all for nothing.

I apreciate what they do for me so much and am horrified at the prices of clothes in the shops these days :eek: They are so good to me, hubby and daughter. I have clothes for all of us for the next 2 seasons..lol. When I rarely get to a bootsale (about 2 times a year)I normally get some good designer clothes for pennies.

Mads13
xxx

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Make Do and Mend

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