2021 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

CAFCGirl

I have ordered yarn.
HOWEVER it's for my business so I (rightly or wrongly) don't consider it from my personal spend allowance.
But I figured I'd at least declare the purchase LOL

Welcome @florianatwobob. The ladies here are most helpful, encouraging, supportive and all round good eggs. There's always a virtual cup of tea and slice of cake available  

maryb

As someone with an ahem “ mature” figure, I can really recommend the M&S flexifit non wired full cup bras.  Very comfortable and give a nice smooth line under tee shirts.  They come in F to H cup sizes as well as the normal range. Not too expensive either at £20 especially as they often do discounts 

joedenise

Thank you for that @maryb.  Have just ordered a couple (although I'm only in the A-E department!).  Bit more expensive than I normally pay but I have been having so much difficulty finding anything which fits well so definitely worth a try.  I can collect from my local Food Hall early next week when I go shopping in the next town.

PipneyJane

It's funny that we were talking about ill-fitting bras.  I was listening to the BBC4 version of More-Or-Less from 13th June, where they discussed bra sizes and the oft-quoted statistic that 80% of women wear the wrong bra size.  Apparently, there is no logic or standardisation whatsoever in cup sizing.  One manufacturer may use totally different cup size gradings to the next.  (More-Or-Less is a program that tests statistics by digging back to the source research behind claims and interviewing experts to establish the truth.)

If you want to listen, either click on the link above or on this one to Apple Podcasts.  The bra-size discussion is approximately 20 minutes in.

- Pip

florianatwobob

@PipneyJane I fairly recently discovered Boob or Bust (they have a website and FB page) and their mission is to get women wearing the right sized bra. Most women are currently battling the +4 sizing method which, when you think about it is crazy because if the tape measure goes round you and says you’re 34 inches round your rib cage why would you then wear a bra with a 38 inch band? If the tape measure goes round you at 34 so will a stretchy elasticated band. On top of that cup size isn’t static so a 34D and a 38D do not have the same boob volume. We’ve all been conditioned to think DD is huge but it really isn’t. 

I could go on for yonks but I’ll resist!  

Cherryfudge

florianatwobob said:

Hello!!! I came across the idea of ‘Fashion on the Ration’ on a FB page. Would it be too late to join for this year? I was thinking I’d reduce my coupon allowance for the remainder of the year?

Hello and welcome! I love your beach huts.  

If you have time I'd recommend browsing this and the earlier thread (threads? I'm not sure how long this has been going on). There are some super-knowledgeable people here so I've picked up all sorts of good ideas.

Cherryfudge

TwibbleDee said:

Arrrgh!  I didn’t check the pockets in the NEWER style of jeans that I bought 1 and ordered 3 of.  They shorted the pockets to the point where my pocket knife won’t go in all the way.  I guess the other 3 are getting returned as soon as they arrive, ‘cause I’m not dealing with things falling out of my pockets. 

Hmmm…maybe I should just stitch the pockets closed and add a pouch to my belt…

That's extremely annoying. I use a bum bag (don't know if that's what it's called over in the US!) for work - it holds keys, phone, tissue, occasionally some notes and what's more it gives me a waist while I'm wearing a uniform polo shirt.  

Alternatively, could you make deeper pockets using existing ones from old jeans as a template?

Cherryfudge

@CraftyLittleLisa, excellent use of both your Mum and your stash!

I wonder if we should bring 'problem items' from our stashes to the Village Hall for others to suggest uses? I have far too many odds and ends that are too nice to give away (selfish, I know). I'm trying not to knit tat - not always succeeding - and I have a pattern that might be used to knit for a favourite childhood doll who really needs a better wardrobe.

I also have some fabric, mostly offcuts and rescued-from-nice-garments pieces but I'm scared of my sewing machine (and will remain so till I get the book that was recommended here AND enough time and space to use it). It's quicker and easier to sew by hand. However some of my fabric tote bags are showing signs of wear so I might do some bold patching.

My Mum told me fairisle was popular in her teens (wartime) because it used reclaimed scraps of wool, and I suppose it was cheerful and colourful too.

Cherryfudge

My latest - and possibly last - adventures from clearing my parents' house (yes, we are near the point of exchanging contracts):

I found what looked like an astrakhan coat in a wardrobe and have brought it home but it didn't 'feel right'. It's out airing in the garden right now but I think it's faux fur with a real fur collar. When I looked for further clues I found there has been a foam lining to the collar which has turned to dust though the fur itself is perfect and the dust easily beat out of the coat. I also saw the collar has been roughly stitched to the body of the coat - possibly for cleaning purposes?

I thin it may have been my grandmother's - Mum had one too but hers had a sheepskin collar and the coat seems to be real not fabric.

I think there is yet more research to be done...

By the way, for those who remember the 1940s submariner's sweater, it's still hanging behind a door. My sister doesn't want it so its waiting for me to contact some museum to see if they can use it.

I haven't forgotten, just occupied elsewhere!

PipneyJane

florianatwobob said:

@PipneyJane I fairly recently discovered Boob or Bust (they have a website and FB page) and their mission is to get women wearing the right sized bra. Most women are currently battling the +4 sizing method which, when you think about it is crazy because if the tape measure goes round you and says you’re 34 inches round your rib cage why would you then wear a bra with a 38 inch band? If the tape measure goes round you at 34 so will a stretchy elasticated band. On top of that cup size isn’t static so a 34D and a 38D do not have the same boob volume. We’ve all been conditioned to think DD is huge but it really isn’t. 

I could go on for yonks but I’ll resist!  

Welcome to my soap box, @florianatwobob.  Here, I'll step off, so that you have more room. 

- Pip