Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

cheerfulness4

dianasnan wrote: »

[QUOTE

If you have sewing machine with a 3 step zigzag stitch you can stretch the elastic and fabric in place and stitch it back in place. Not sure if a regular zigzag stich would work as well as the 3 step one as this has a bit of extra give.
Rescued several pairs of sloggis this way . Hth

I know I have zigzag but not sure about the 3 step one. I'm sure it will have as it has plenty of stitches on it. Again it means checking the manual. Thanks for that!


Bobarella - Love the roadkill idea. I use my small change as I go, too. Don't you just love the self-tills to off load a handful of 'coppers and silver.'


I need to read this Tightwad Gazette. Going to check my library. Very proud that I'm gone back to ordering my books from the library rather than buy them all at charity shops.
I don't begrudge the charities their money but I must only spend it on things I need and can afford from them.


I found that article really interesting, too. I would add a decade or so, though. I was born in the 60's and have no real knowledge of how to mend gadgets.
Scared the life out of me watching them repairing the broken phone screen.
It is having confidence that's the key I think. Believing that you can do it. Several times yesterday I nearly called my mum to ask her to take over making my pinny but I persevered and no one could have been more proud when I finished. Not even used it yet, still admiring it and not wanting to get it dirty. :rotfl:


Good point about pre-shrinking if the fabrics new. I'll remember that one.

cheerfulness4

Just found this site with very useful videos for sewing, including how to repair elastic in underwear.


http://www.ehow.co.uk/video_4437878_sewing-elastic-waistband-underwear.html


I must remember to take a further look at that site. Could be quite handy.

Ilona

cheerfulness4 wrote: »

My next challenge is sorting my undies. I'm really annoyed that my knicker elastic is already parting company with my waistband. I'm hoping its not the tumble dryer that's making rubbery 'strings' hanging down, too.
There's nothing wrong with the fabric but at this stage I normally cut my losses and chuck them away. Well that's got to stop.
Has anyone else dealt successfully with this problem?

Yes, I have solved that problem. I wear boys underpants. They don't stretch and go baggy, the elastic stays in the waistband, and they hold their colour when washed millions of times. A pack of five for around £2.50 from supermarkets. If you have a bigger bum buy men's sizes.
Ilona

Prinzessilein

I need to do some re-elastic work too!...


Not undies for me...but my leisure/comfort/jogging style pants...I have lost weight since last year (lost weight....Yay!....still so much to go...Boo!)...Some of the elasticated waists are getting positively indecent!...I coped when they slipped to the hips - just retied the cord extra tight and accepted the bagginess...but now they don't stay up even with that...so I need to put new elastic in some of them...and Mum has promised to show me how to 'make a tuck' (is that the right phrase?) sort of like a dart - too....there is still too much wear in the trousers to let them go just yet!

Bobarella

I really want to read the tightwad gazette too but it's too expensive on ebay and my library don't have it. I haven't bought a book in years as I prefer to use the library or read online for free so I'm in a quandary.

cheerfulness4

Ilona wrote: »

Yes, I have solved that problem. I wear boys underpants. They don't stretch and go baggy, the elastic stays in the waistband, and they hold their colour when washed millions of times.
Ilona

Hi Ilona, just been on your blog this morning laughing at the pets luncheoning.

Why is male underwear meant to last while ours is filmsy? I know it to be true. Mind, DH's boxesr bobble. He doesn't like that.

You've got me pondering my pjs now Prinzess. Like tru's top, I'm wondering if a bit of re-cutting and re-elasticating could make them more wearable. The bottoms are always falling down making them dangerous on the stairs.

SailorSam

As sexy as all this talk of womans knickers falling down 'cos of the elastic is getting, i really must go. I have to tidy the kitchen.

Prinzessilein

SailorSam wrote: »

As sexy as all this talk of womans knickers falling down 'cos of the elastic is getting, i really must go. I have to tidy the kitchen.

A man cleaning the kitchen? Now THAT is sexy!....double sexy-points if you do it in your Sailor Uniform!


(Please don't tell me the SailorSam is for SailorSamantha!!!!)

maman

Thanks for the thread, really enjoying it.

jem132 wrote: »

Food is the big waste in our house I don't eat much . Kids don't like what dh make and I don't really either 99% of the time he's a throw it all in one pan man . I think it looks like sick so won't eat like that .
So need to get back to doing all my own cooking again .

This really did make me laugh!:rotfl:BUT, don't go back to doing all your own cooking again, give your DH some lessons.

[Deleted User]

Quick hallo from me as I'm in transit tonight again:) Over the holiday one of my grandsons went to a dry ski-place with his youth club and whilst sliding down on the toboggan slope his bobble parted company from his hat ??? don't ask.

Anyhoo he was going to bin it and I snaffled it and said no I'll fix it.Removed said bobble and undone a few rows of the top of the hat and rekniitted it and gathered it together with a running piece of wool tightly and sewed the bobble back on and hey presto one saved ski hat :):) One amazed grandson who looked at me seriously and said 'Gran you really are very useful ' I think it was a compliment :):)I hate to bin anything if I can repair it:):) well must fly see you all in the New Year when I get back to my own house
Happy New Year everyone I'm a great one for repair,recycle and reuse if possible.