2021 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

thriftwizard

Well, that's a nice sturdy workhorse of a sewing machine, skogar. Good solid metal, not much plastic in there to decay & cause problems!

Thanks for all the knicker pattern suggestions, ladies; I haven't yet got any further with the PJs, between Poppy, cooking a roast dinner, and a long riverside walk with DD1. Tomorrow I'm taking DS3 back to his uni for his last few weeks after 10 years of studying & teaching, but I'm absolutely determined to make at least one pair before the end of the coming week...

basketcase

Hi all - and a Good New Year.  Sorry to be so late to the show, but you know what transport is like these days.  I've been very impressed by the sporting activities and it has spurred me into improving my own physical condition.  I used to take part in an exercise regime pioneered by Mr Pilates, and I shall start that again, alternating it with an exercise programme.  I may join Laura in a ramble when the weather improves, but am definitely more couch potato than 5k!  However, for the next event, I shall man the urn in the tea tent, providing the cup that cheers and blueberry scones (gf, of course!)

I've added up last year's total.  I still can't alter my signature, so it still shows a stubborn 6 coupons.  (I find this new website incredibly frustrating and not at all user friendly.  It's probably something very simple, but I can't find what it is. If it wasn't for the company of such wonderful people as yourselves I wouldn't bother visiting it at all.)  Anyway, I haven't bought an awful lot more clothing - only 1 shirt (5) and 1 long sleeved thermal vest that doubles up as a tee shirt (3) making a total of 14.  Then I'm not quite sure what happened, but I suddenly acquired a bargain lot of yarn.  This will come in useful for making jumpers, blankets etc, especially when added to my stash.  It's not illegal and comes from a reputable source.  But it was...  erm... 40 coupons worth so a total of 54 coupons spent.

I've brought a gluten-free Victoria Sponge to cover my embarrassment and as a (literal) sweetener when asking to join this year's challenge, starting with 78 coupons.  Are there any more chairs I can fetch?  I don't want to disturb the cat and I noticed a few more people who seemed to be heading this way.  Unless the route to the Cricket Pavilion passes the Village Hall?  I haven't quite got the geography of the Borrows straight...

skogar

Laura - Many thanks for your excellent suggestions about the hat knitting (I'm sorry it has taken me so long to reply).

I think now that the pattern was correct but that the yarn I was using wasn't right for the pattern to work. I am sure that I could have modified it to get it looking correct but the checker board effect looked OK so I stuck with it. Then decided that it was a little large so it got pulled back, also toyed with another idea -- but didn't like it.  Luckily it wasn't urgent for Christmas so I have put it to one side at the moment and will decide what I want to do with it - a smaller one in the checker board effect  would  work, but as now there is no rush who knows.... perhaps I will practice and then try the original pattern, maybe I will try a cabled version (will have to learn to do cables first though). I think  you are right - I need to have the courage to experiment and not tie myself to slavishly following a pattern all the time. I have been looking at other hat patterns for ideas of what is possible / might suit the wool I am using. I think I will learn a lot more if I follow your suggestions.

The 2 hats I did knit for my parents were much appreciated so I am pleased I did try to knit some presents this year despite the very late start.

pixtotts

Happy New Year  
I'm afraid I well and truly fell off the wagon last year, this not going anywhere business made me order a lot more things online! Lockdown weight also not helping, in that as I went down the sizes I donated what I shrank out of, which becomes an issue as you go back up them, so actually grateful not to go anywhere as I mainly live in brightly coloured leggings now! Haha!  Anyway diet starts tomorrow, mission shrink back into wardrobe in the hopes that my friends wedding gets the go ahead in the summer *fingers crossed* 

So hopefully you'll have me for a second attempt (or is it 3rd? eek!)  my 66 coupons will only be going on essentials (probably mainly jeans annoyingly... more about that below...) or attire for the wedding... Though the talk of making knickers has me tempted to buy some fabric... I made some in the summer from a kit I bought last Christmas. We'll see I keep adding to my to do list. 

I have been meaning to pop on here and ask you wise wise people about patching inner thigh holes in jeans? 
Bought two pairs of M&S jeans in the summer sale, they barely lasted 2 months! My own fault for liking skinny jeans with stretch the fabric just doesn't hold up :disap:disappointed: 

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas

Laura_Elsewhere

@skogar I'm so pleased it helped!  

Laura_Elsewhere

I am a bit proud of myself today - my first attempt at "Swiss darning" has worked - not perfect, but since it's a very dark jumper with a highly-visible pattern, it's good enough and My Intended is now able to wear his warmest jumper as the temps plummet this week! 

Two holes right in the middle of the front - it is *always* the front, isn't it?? 

i had to salvage the gold from inside the jumper, but luckily had some very dark blue that matched the rest. 

The holes and in the second pic my fingers are pointing at the two mended bits - they do show if you look closely but I'm perfectly happy! 

pixtotts

@Laura_Elsewhere - you've done a fabulous job! If you didn't know you wouldn't notice x

CraftyLittleLisa

Happy New Year to you all.  I can't believe how much has been going on on here since I last posted.  I have done a tally of my spends for 2020 and I spent 66.5 coupons (.5 from 2019's carried over vouchers).  When looking at the things I bought they were mostly investment pieces, i.e. new winter coat, new knee high boots, underwear.  I did make a few things which I did include coupon spends on as I am trying to reduce my stash and use up the material that I get once a month from my sewing subscription.

I recently had a sort through my clothes and I have taken out two dresses, a pair of jeans and a top none of which I wear much for various reasons.

On the crafting side I have been making little things for my dolls house but I need a change so I have a pyjama bottom pattern and some nice brushed cotton so that may be the next thing I do.  Hopefully it will be a quick make.  After that I would like to make some smart casual warm clothing to wear instead of wearing jeans all the time.  Some long sleeve dresses maybe.  I will have to see what patterns and fabric I have in my stash.
Take care all.

Wraithlady

pixtotts said:

I have been meaning to pop on here and ask you wise wise people about patching inner thigh holes in jeans? 
Bought two pairs of M&S jeans in the summer sale, they barely lasted 2 months! My own fault for liking skinny jeans with stretch the fabric just doesn't hold up 

I have this problem quite a lot - I tend to use old denim scraps to patch the holes, blanket-stitching around the hole edge. If you keep a fair tension on the stitches, it won't rub your leg.

PollyWollyDoodle

Wow Laura, great job - that looks invisible. 

Sorry, no help on the jeans, I have never tried patching them. I buy all mine second-hand anyway so if they got that worn I’d relegate them to the rag bag.