2021 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Gem-gem

OMG - just reading this from IWM website. 

How did they manage? 

The coupon allowance was at its lowest from 1945 and 1946. For the eight month period from 1 September 1945 to 30 April 1946 only 24 coupons were issued, effectively allowing the shopper only 3 coupons a month. New mothers were given 50 coupons.

CapricornLass

I guess they got very good at darning......

Cherryfudge

Gem-gem said:

OMG - just reading this from IWM website. 

How did they manage? 

The coupon allowance was at its lowest from 1945 and 1946. For the eight month period from 1 September 1945 to 30 April 1946 only 24 coupons were issued, effectively allowing the shopper only 3 coupons a month. New mothers were given 50 coupons.

As this coincided with the end of the war, I wonder if for many people their demob clothes helped fill the gap - which might also account for lack of textiles for those who hadn't been in uniformed. Someone with a better knowledge of time lines and processes might be able to tell us?

It's very harsh, though...

florianatwobob

My auntie’s then boyfriend (later husband) got demobbed into an orange jumper and green trousers! None of his pre war clothes fit anymore as he’d bulked up since enlisting. But in his demob outfit he didn’t get lost in a crowd. We do have a pic of him in the outfit but sadly it’s not colour so we can’t fully appreciate the glorious sight he presented! 

PipneyJane

Cherryfudge said:

Gem-gem said:

OMG - just reading this from IWM website. 

How did they manage? 

The coupon allowance was at its lowest from 1945 and 1946. For the eight month period from 1 September 1945 to 30 April 1946 only 24 coupons were issued, effectively allowing the shopper only 3 coupons a month. New mothers were given 50 coupons.

As this coincided with the end of the war, I wonder if for many people their demob clothes helped fill the gap - which might also account for lack of textiles for those who hadn't been in uniformed. Someone with a better knowledge of time lines and processes might be able to tell us?

It's very harsh, though...

That’s one of the factors, @Cherryfudge. From my understanding, the drop in (all) rations was due to three things:-

1. The need to feed/clothe/support Europe.
2. A desperate need for foreign currency, which meant that anything that could be sold to America was manufactured for sale abroad not at home.
3. Supplies for demobbed soldiers/sailors/airmen, although they were mainly demobbed in 1946-47.

The thing that wasn’t banked on was that, having twice contributed armed forces in the “fight for democracy and freedom”, the colonies would want to become independent democracies in their own right, which lead to multiple wars in the following two decades.   Even when they asked nicely, the colonies were greeted with arrogance and patronised.  (I often wonder how Australia and New Zealand got away with it.)

I do wonder if things would have been better if we’d done the same as the French and made the smaller colonies full members of the country.  In 1953, Malta asked to become a complete member of the United Kingdom, with a seat in Parliament.  18 months later, they declared independence.

- Pip

TwibbleDee

In the States, our Thanksgiving is coming up this Thursday, with Black Friday to follow.  Not planning on buying clothes, but I do have a spreadsheet going with the items to watch for sales prices…complete with links and regular prices.

Menu for Thursday (in case any of you are in the area and would like to drop in!) includes:

• Turkey (I ordered a 10-14 pound turkey and received an almost 17-pound one!)
• Stuffing (bought a gluten-free stuffing mix)
• Gravy
• Sweet Potatoes
• Mashed Potatoes (store-bought to simplify things)
• Pumpkin Pie

CAFCGirl

Sounds delicious.

The concept of pumpkin pie is something my brain cant quite comprehend - is it dessert? 

I dont really go in for the whole black friday, or queuing for the N**t sales at 4am type mentality, but I am finding the benefit this year with UK shops adopting a sort of week long discount affair.
We managed to get a winter coat and winter suitable shoes for DS (he has sensory 'quirks' at substantial discount, he's happy so I'm happy! I don't track his coupons or DH's. This whole thing is just a me thing LOL

In other news, the quest for a suitable winter coat for the Northern climate has been completed, as my mum gave me a very thick Barbour brand coat that she can't do up anymore. Her gain is.... well my gain  Just in time too as its taken a turn here and I think that might be it till next spring. Coupon free too....

Cherryfudge

Thank you @TwibbleDee, I should be delighted to avail myself of your hospitality! It sounds a real feast.

CAFCGirl said:

The concept of pumpkin pie is something my brain cant quite comprehend - is it dessert? 

I remember suggesting to an American friend that she might be able to get the tinned pumpkin mixture she couldn't find in English shops, if she went to Harrods. I think she did find it there, too, but it was over 30 years ago so I can't answer for current stocks. In our area - try Lewis and Cooper. For absolutely everything edible. Everything. I once counted over 30 varieties of strawberry jam there in June and a multitude of different truffles on some other occasion.

I think pumpkin pie is a dessert, but I think it's a special pumpkin mix that comes in a tin. I'm open to correction of course!

prepareathome

Well my bargain wool40% / Viscose 60% arrived last week and still unsure what pattern I am going to make - something dressy but not intricate I think I like smooth lines.  The cream wool coat its replacing is just straight with slanted pockets and high neck but no collar that buttons up to neck, but they are hidden.   Its soft but I think might be a tad scratchy so a lining is a must so must dig through my fabrics and see if I have anything suitable.  It is heavy and thick so should be snug and warm with a lining and being natural should not make me sweaty - why I make anything in poly if I can help it, was great when learning to sew as cheap but now as my DH says I am a poor  fabric snob, as I refuse to spend a lot on fabrics so haunt discounted fabric in shops and online.

TwibbleDee

Pumpkin Pie: Most definitely dessert.  Or breakfast (not considered an actual "breakfast food", but I don't know why not!).  Whatever suits you.  You can buy canned mix that you just pour into a crust and bake, or you can make your own.  Most people still use canned pumpkin to make it, but I do have a few friends who will cook and freeze or can their own sugar pumpkins (much smaller than the jack-o-lantern pumpkins, and with a much better flavor!).

I believe I used this recipe last time, and probably will this time as well as it came out well: https://onemamasdailydrama.com/pumpkin-pie-without-canned-milk/  

Many of the recipes use evaporated milk (a bit thicker, bought in a tin, not sure if it's available over there), but this one doesn't.  I'll put it into a crust made from graham crackers because that's the way my husband likes it, but it's commonly done in a regular pie crust.

Serve with fresh whipped cream (with a bit of sugar & vanilla whipped into it).