Make Do and Mend

bellaquidsin

What an industrious lot you all are. Do you never get tired?

Some 10 years ago I bought two warm winter nightdresses in M&S sale. The same day I went to the market with DD who was sourcing dress material. While she was browsing I found some brushed cotton fabric which was being sold off at £1 per yard - floral but a bit gaudy. Well, never one to pass by a bargain I bought enough to make two full length long sleeved nightgowns (eight yards I think) and took the others back to M&S. Ever since I have 'Made do' with my rather brightly coloured but ever so warm nightgowns.

Today whilst ironing I realised a stitch was needed in one of them so I have 'Mended' it. Well I had to didn't I, because I feel you are all watching me.

Bella.

Frugalista

dolly_day_dream wrote: »

One of my favourite recycled gifts I have made has been carrier bag type bags made from old trousers which fold up into their own pouch. These are so useful in these days of reusing our bags and each one is unique.

This sounds really interesting - do you have a pattern or instructions that you would be prepared to share... pleeeeese .

I use the glass "front" out of my old washing machine as a fruit bowl. Lots of people have admired it because of its size and solidity, but no one has guessed what it used to be. I also saved the racks out of my old cooker to use when we build a barbecue out of my pile of re-cycled bricks.

Butterfly_Brain

I was just thinking back to what I had when I first got married 22 years ago and what is still going.
My Clairol hairdryer bought in December 1987 is still going strong , so too is my Breville Hand Mixer, Phillips Liquidiser, Morphy Richards Coffee Maker, and a Teasmade not bad going really, I wish things where still built to last as long now.

dolly_day_dream

Frugalista wrote: »

This sounds really interesting - do you have a pattern or instructions that you would be prepared to share... pleeeeese .

I use the glass "front" out of my old washing machine as a fruit bowl. Lots of people have admired it because of its size and solidity, but no one has guessed what it used to be. I also saved the racks out of my old cooker to use when we build a barbecue out of my pile of re-cycled bricks.

I used this pattern from here http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=177482.0
but didn't line them - I just opened the seam along the middle of the trousers and laid the pattern over the opened fabric with the side seam along the middle of the bag IYSWIM - any problems just pm me.

BTW there are loads of fantastic patterns and tutorials on the crafster site which help to inspire me. I also browse etsy.com for ideas that people are selling.

M.E.

Our microwave... bought in 1975 has just faded away. Ah........

danksshady

I save all old clothes for fabric where possible and cut the buttons off too, kept in my indoor coal house with all my other crafty bits
Also wash out plastic pots for kids glue/paint or plants
some old tin cans have been washed out covered with comic pages and used for the kids pens/pencil pots and art stuff
marg /ice cream tubs etc are all washed out and kept for storage - the lads love them for sorting their lego out

sharronloves2spend

bump........

Hardup_Hester

I'm doing a table top sale in a few weeks, one of the items I've made is some peg bags from old child size teashirts, I've sewn the arms shut & sewn across the bottom. I've also made shopping bags from an old throw.
Hugs Hester

she_grinch

Some ideas that might be useful on this link http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1409299

SunnyGirl

My ds (10) has broken the fastener on 2 pairs of his otherwise good condition, still fit him, school trousers. I found sets of metal fasteners in a local hobby shop today at 28p each Certainly cheaper than new trousers :j