2020 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

Laura_Elsewhere

I feel guilty for not making things as well - although all the patterns I've seen have required raw edges to be overlocked or zig-zagged, and my 1902 Singer won't do either - understandable as they need to be repeatedly boilwashed of course. But there probably are things I could be... should be... making and I'm not. 

It's a difficult one, isn't it? 

I don't have work as a justification either, just that... I dunno... blame the autism? Or is that me using it as a Get Out Of Jail Free card? 

I'm keeping my chap shielded, and trying to get us both fitter and healthier to reduce all kinds of risks; trying to prod my elderly parents into looking after themselves the best way possible; trying to keep nieces from getting too depressed; just trying to keep everything as good as it can be. I don't feel like I can add anything to that without overloading... 

I know some people who are scrub-sewing, and they are all the kind of people who never rest, never sit still, always busy... I think maybe they welcome the chance to keep going at top speed because they have no ability to go slowly or even to pause. 

PollyWollyDoodle

I think you’ve got plenty on the go, Laura. I have a habit of over committing to things, and then struggling to finish them all. While I miss seeing friends and going out, I realised recently that I am feeling calmer than usual, and it’s because I’m not going out for the day, away for weekends, out in the evenings and so on as well as trying to fit in all the hobbies (gardening, cooking, sewing, calligraphy) and work as well. I think I need to take something away from this, and be a bit more realistic about what I can achieve. Something I try and hold in my mind is the phrase “just because you can doesn’t mean you have to”. 

PollyWollyDoodle

Also, I am definitely not the sort of person who is always busy! I think an afternoon spent reading a good book is a perfectly good use of time 😀

thriftwizard

I've finally cracked & spent some coupons! Two pairs of sandals bought online; one pair pretty-but-practical and the others serious walking sandals. I've had to send the pretty ones back as for some reason they're just a tad too tight, but have requested the next size up. They're the same as the ones I had last year, but in a different colourway. They're extremely comfortable for my wedge-shaped feet & whilst not cheap, not that expensive either, so I don't begrudge them not lasting more than one summer. I'd expect to get 4 or 5 years out of the other "walking" pair, though. My old pair must be at least 4 and are only fit for the allotment now.

I've made a handful of masks for our own household, just in case we are required to wear them eventually. I'll look at the scrubs pattern, but I'm pretty busy just now sorting out our allotment (which got a bit neglected last year) and looking after our two key workers, OH (local govt/justice) who is working from home and DD1(supermarket worker) who is just plain exhausted & somewhat stressed ATM. I should be trading online; I've got some fabulous vintage patterns to sell on, but somehow just haven't got the heart for it just now, probably because the sun's been shining! I suspect the emporium where I have my fixed stall is going to go under, and I'll lose the stock that's there to the bailiffs. Luckily that wouldn't finish me off, as most of my stock & equipment is here, but obviously all the markets, fairs & festivals I normally trade at are off this year. All a bit up in the air, really...

PipneyJane

PollyWollyDoodle said:

Also, I am definitely not the sort of person who is always busy! I think an afternoon spent reading a good book is a perfectly good use of time 😀

Me too.  The one thing I miss from my commute into London - which I haven’t done in 21 years - is the compulsory reading time.  At its worst, the commute was over 3.5 hours a day, which meant I always had to carry two books with me:  the one I was reading and the next one in the queue.   (I am the person for whom Kindle was invented.).   I got through hundreds of books a year.

That commute stopped when I discovered it was quicker and cheaper to drive across London to get to work.  A year later, I became an M25 Road Warrior.

- Pip

PipneyJane

thriftwizard said:

I've finally cracked & spent some coupons! Two pairs of sandals bought online; one pair pretty-but-practical and the others serious walking sandals. I've had to send the pretty ones back as for some reason they're just a tad too tight, but have requested the next size up. They're the same as the ones I had last year, but in a different colourway. They're extremely comfortable for my wedge-shaped feet & whilst not cheap, not that expensive either, so I don't begrudge them not lasting more than one summer. I'd expect to get 4 or 5 years out of the other "walking" pair, though. My old pair must be at least 4 and are only fit for the allotment now.

I've made a handful of masks for our own household, just in case we are required to wear them eventually. I'll look at the scrubs pattern, but I'm pretty busy just now sorting out our allotment (which got a bit neglected last year) and looking after our two key workers, OH (local govt/justice) who is working from home and DD1(supermarket worker) who is just plain exhausted & somewhat stressed ATM. I should be trading online; I've got some fabulous vintage patterns to sell on, but somehow just haven't got the heart for it just now, probably because the sun's been shining! I suspect the emporium where I have my fixed stall is going to go under, and I'll lose the stock that's there to the bailiffs. Luckily that wouldn't finish me off, as most of my stock & equipment is here, but obviously all the markets, fairs & festivals I normally trade at are off this year. All a bit up in the air, really...

Can’t you go in and remove your stock, now, Thriftwizard?  Or don’t you have keys?  (I’m assuming it is some sort of antiques market.)

- Pip

CAFCGirl

I confess that I am in favour of masks currently - not because I think they're doing anything in terms of contamination/stopping the spread etc but because they mean that people stay the **** away from me LOL I'm taking our dog out daily (this helps with my agoraphobia recovery) and if I see someone coming I will walk in the road, or between cars to give a wide berth but I've had people walk up behind us and stay at pace (I've launched myself into front gardens/driveways to avoid them when I've noticed them. But wearing a mask, they're crossing roads and staying well clear as the assumption (I presume) is that I have it/am in contact with those who might. and thus they want to avoid that. I have panic disorder and severe anxiety so I want to avoid EVERYONE! 


No spending here. My ebay purchase from late March has yet to be received. I did message her to ask if she had posted it (and it was lost) or if she was waiting till lockdown was over (completely understandable) and I was very polite in encouraging her to stay safe, and that it wasn't an essential journey etc and all I got back was : 'I haven't sent it'... which I found a little disappointing and rude.... I still want it but I'd also like some acknowledgement that she'll be looking to send it in the future, as my time for being able to request a refund is short....and I don't really want to be out of pocket. Then I feel guilty for feeling like that.... 
OOOOOh this virus!!!

diminua

I'm really not using public transport at all, but if I do, I'm happy to wrap a scarf over my face or something if that becomes the rule. My understanding of that is it'll protect others if I sneeze. Masks seem to me just a piece of material that will very quickly get soaked with everything you're breathing out anyway, but maybe some people find it reminds them not to touch their face so much. I think I'd keep fiddling with it, which defeats the purpose. 
I'd would normally be looking for shoes about now, and looking at all the new tops in the clothes shops and being tempted, but given I'm not at work I'm still kicking around in the boots I wore all winter. Unless it gets really hot I can't see me buying anything clotheswise until we go back.

What I did get is the Julie Summers bio of Audrey Withers (Dressed for War) for 99p on kindle, because you can't go far wrong for 99p, and I liked 2 of her other books. I don't know if anyone's interested but it's still on offer on the kindle. 

thriftwizard

Turns out I am making scrubs after all! DS1's delightful partner is a pharmacist in a central London teaching hospital, on a ward... I messaged her to ask whether there was anything she needed, and the reply flashed straight back - yes please, scrubs & a scrub bag! So OH's blue-striped duvet cover has been requisitioned - he has others - and scrubs she shall have! Pattern's downloaded & printing as I type.

Pip, yes, it's an antique/country/vintage emporium, and sadly no, we don't have keys. I'll be contacting the owners shortly to ask about next month's rent... watch this space! Heaven knows where I'd put it all if I did have the chance to bring it back. But there are some fabulous fabrics up there...

PipneyJane

diminua said:

I'm really not using public transport at all, but if I do, I'm happy to wrap a scarf over my face or something if that becomes the rule. My understanding of that is it'll protect others if I sneeze. Masks seem to me just a piece of material that will very quickly get soaked with everything you're breathing out anyway, but maybe some people find it reminds them not to touch their face so much. I think I'd keep fiddling with it, which defeats the purpose. 
I'd would normally be looking for shoes about now, and looking at all the new tops in the clothes shops and being tempted, but given I'm not at work I'm still kicking around in the boots I wore all winter. Unless it gets really hot I can't see me buying anything clotheswise until we go back.

What I did get is the Julie Summers bio of Audrey Withers (Dressed for War) for 99p on kindle, because you can't go far wrong for 99p, and I liked 2 of her other books. I don't know if anyone's interested but it's still on offer on the kindle. 

Thanks for the recommendation.  I’ve just purchased it.

You aren’t the only one, clotheswise.  I’m living in shorts at the moment, usually with a t-shirt and fleece. 

- Pip