2021 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Laura_Elsewhere

@PipneyJane - dunno yet! I've got about two dozen that I've been using for six months or so and haven't thrown any out yet... 

When I wash anything I *know* will leach colour - like the red flannelette sheets - I put the used colour catchers in to brighten those up, so most of the ones I use for wiping-up are cheerful if blotchy: bright red, dark red, teal-blue, purple or green  

MrsCD

Pip, your jumper is gorgeous! Isn't there some way to set the colour? 

PipneyJane

MrsCD said:

Pip, your jumper is gorgeous! Isn't there some way to set the colour? 

I don’t know.  It’s superwash yarn, commercially produced.  I’m not sure what would set colour in that.  I originally thought it was just stray dye that would wash out.  (It’s West Yorkshire Spinners Signature Sock Yarn.)

- Pip

PipneyJane

DrCarrie said:

I am approaching a nil ration Januaury. I have however, finished sweing a blue velvet coat that has been quite a challenge!
I have now included clothes and sewing in my budget, but have a load of fabric to sew up into lovely things. 

The first couple of months are the hardest @DrCarrie , but I found it best to have separate savings accounts for clothing and crafting, keeping them quarantined from my main spending account.  It’s surprising how quickly savings pots build up.   These days, I probably have a dozen separate savings pots, including one for petrol which is separate from my main “car” savings account, 

Baileys_Babe said:

That is a beautiful jumper @PipneyJane shame the colour is still running.

Thank you, @Baileys_Babe

- Pip

joedenise

I'm the same with savings pots @PipneyJane!  I have absolutely no idea how many separate pots I've got but probably about 30 but I use YNAB to keep track of the money as most of it is in one account.

CapricornLass

Gosh, I'm away for a few days and there is so much to catch up on! ( I've brought some flapjacks with me, though, if anyone fancies one?)

Woollie hat is now finished and on its' way to Wandsworth.  I'm getting a terrible urge though to do some 'proper knitting'.....

Baileys_Babe

I have lots of savings pots for all sorts of things. Some only separated on spreadsheets but most are in individual or attached accounts.

skogar

Lovely neck gaiter Pip.

Lisa - I hope your toe mends soon.

Sezza - I would love to see a pic of your newly dyed jumper. I'm currently wearing purple dress. Material is still in good condition but it has faded badly in places. I have relegated it to housewear but I was wondering if it could be died to make it more wearable.

Laura - Let us know how you get on with your clothing review. It sounds a great idea.

Sort of on a similar theme to Laura - I have started yesterday having a look through my clothes to try and be a bit more aware about what I have to wear. I have quite a few things that I don't really wear which are quite nice, other things which I know why I don't wear (yes the 4 pairs of new trousers that have been in the drawer for several years because I still haven't turned them up!). I quite fancy the idea of a capsule wardrobe and trying to work out what I can wear with what so like Laura I have started a list andd am trying to put in a picture of the item (or a similar one). On a lot of the articles I am finding similar lists of basic items come up and I am finding I have most of them. Hopefully then I can work out what can be worn with what an if any new bits are needed I will have an idea of what they are.I should really find a reasonable white shirt with a colar and I'm aware that I could probably benefit from having a pair of light coloured shoes - however nothing will be bought until I have done the list. I have found quite a nmber of things that I had forgotten I had. If I actually know what I have and what it can be worn with I might actually wear then.

PollyWollyDoodle

Another YNAB fan here. I have a category for ‘hobbies’ which covers sewing supplies, knitting wool etc but also pays my calligraphy class fees. If I buy wool (sorry, ‘yarn’) or fabric for a specific project that is going to be given to someone then it comes out of the ‘presents’ budget. I haven’t made anything for myself recently, but I suppose if I did buy something to make clothes with then I would take it out of the ‘wardrobe’ budget. It gets complicated, doesn’t it!

Cherryfudge

*Takes flapjack*. Thank you @CapricornLass. And on behalf of the recipient of the hat - much obliged.

@SezzaF, the jumper sounds like a success! Nice to have a matching tee, too.

@PipneyJane, you could possibly take a leaf out of SezzaF's book and put something made of white cotton in the wash with that top? It's a very pretty colour and a little neckerchief or false collar - should you ever be seized with the desire to try such fripperies - might take the colour to another outfit, or tone with the top itself. However it doesn't need any extras... that's just my imagination playing with variations on a theme...

@Laura_Elsewhere I have a commercial app that's supposed to help me make more responsible use of my wardrobe: in this case the items are photographed and built into outfits (except I missed out the second part as I have endless versions of 'jeans and casual top', and very little else). However I have photographed about 90 items and nearly all my summer clothes are still packed away in the loft! I am very poor at throwing things out, so I've come to the conclusion that if I'm going to keep such a lot, I need to use it well. Going through the items I've done so far has shown me a handful of minor repairs to make and has really got me thinking about how to use some pieces more imaginatively.  The one dress, 100 days challenge on the site @TwibbleDee linked to is a case in point: people had to wear one black dress for 100 days and take photos of how they wore it. If I were a more knowledgeable sewer I'd be making false collars for plain jumpers too. With regard to the skirts you love but don't wear, do try them on. You may be pleasantly surprised, or you may be inspired by seeing them alongside things you wouldn't normally have worn them with. If you're really stuck, I'm sure the village Make Do and Mend Circle will wade in with tea, biscuits and good ideas.

I have far more than I need and sadly, that includes a number in artificial yarns as I don't tolerate wool. (I don't even tolerate commercial labels in clothing: I've got a collection of little scars over my shoulder blades from scratching where labels have irritated me). The trouble is, of course, that acrylic doesn't wear well so things pill and look shabby long before they are worn out. If anyone has any good tips to lessen this effect, I'd be grateful.