Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2021

Wraithlady

Spent the weekend going through the large laundry bag of 'mending' which had been hanging around for years (hence the air quotes).

Managed to reduce it to about a third of its original volume by using 3 criteria - does it fit? is it worth mending? do I still want it?

Most is to be sent to a charity shop - either as saleable items or as rags, some is to be divested of buttons, etc and used as scraps for boro bags and lap quilts, one top is being remade as something that a/ fits slightly better  and b/ doesn't end at my ribcage (it's really gorgeous material)

Now pulled out 5 items to work on this month.

Auntycaz

prepareathome said:

I am just waiting for delivery of a cheap, square embroidery frame (had lots but gave them away when had to give up cross-stitch).  Nothing in the house or garden sheds suitable and no chance of me getting out for wood or anything to make one.  Dogs managed to make a 4in L shaped square in a fairly new, heavy cotton double flat sheet that I don't want to patch as tear so big it will be noticeable so plan to darn it.  To heavy and big for me to try to hold tight and darn, so frame will do that.  I have hand pain when I do any repetitive hand movements for more than a few seconds, so it's likely to take me weeks but will be worth it if don't have to patch.

Been lucky up to now if dogs have torn a sheet, it's always been an old worn sheet - still have some from when I first married 41 years ago but sadly hard to get hold of those old type heavy sheets now. High thread Egyptian cotton is ok but not the same and certainly get thinner a lot quicker.

Have you tried the charity shops for heavy cotton sheets. I have seen them a few times which is typical as I don't need more. Lots of people seem to prefer the fitted polycotton ones now, but I like my proper linen or cotton ones or flannelette in the winter

oystercatcher

prepareathome said:

I am just waiting for delivery of a cheap, square embroidery frame (had lots but gave them away when had to give up cross-stitch).  Nothing in the house or garden sheds suitable and no chance of me getting out for wood or anything to make one.  Dogs managed to make a 4in L shaped square in a fairly new, heavy cotton double flat sheet that I don't want to patch as tear so big it will be noticeable so plan to darn it.  To heavy and big for me to try to hold tight and darn, so frame will do that.  I have hand pain when I do any repetitive hand movements for more than a few seconds, so it's likely to take me weeks but will be worth it if don't have to patch.

Been lucky up to now if dogs have torn a sheet, it's always been an old worn sheet - still have some from when I first married 41 years ago but sadly hard to get hold of those old type heavy sheets now. High thread Egyptian cotton is ok but not the same and certainly get thinner a lot quicker.

I went for a visible mend on my ripped sheet. Used my sewing machine on zig zag stitch with a reinforcement patch (pretty fabric ) on one side and then covered the other side with a floral patch appliqued on with zigzag stitch. All feels smooth enough and my husband thought it was great fun and laughs when it ends up on his side of the bed!

YorksLass

I haven't posted on here for a while but the MMM'ing continues chez nous.

This year I've managed to minimise most of my books; it's taken a while as I've re-read them first and have saved just a few, mostly reference books.  The rest have gone to the charity MIND via our local Co-Op which has a set of shelves on their behalf for donated books, CDs and DVDs.

I've also made a significant dent in the yarn stash - two sweaters for DH, four for me (two ready to wear, one knitted but still to sew up and one a WIP on the needles).  There's still a lot of yarn left though  .  Next year it's the turn of the fabric stash, - once I've cleaned/oiled the sewing machine.  I foresee a whole new wardrobe coming my way. 

Monday is my "kitchen" day.  Today I've made two lots of soup (parsnip & potato and pea and ham); two apple pies; a quiche to use up the last slivers of the gammon joint and a few jam tarts from the pastry trimmings.  I love to make something from "not a lot" as it keeps the grocery bill down, but not so keen on the clearing up afterwards.  

I had my COVID booster on Saturday and don't think my arm has ever been so sore before, happily it's now "mended".  I even had to have a nana nap yesterday afternoon, not something I normally do.  Just what was in that vaccination?

Ellie79

Hello everyone. I am a bit (lot) of a lurker but always watch with interest. I was having a good run at keeping up with some money-saving but it's been a really tough year one way or another. That said, I am really trying to reduce what we have/spend/buy and be much more frugal. I'm trying to slowly learn to sew, just need a clear day to sit with my Mum for a refresher. I'm getting good at repurposing (plastic bubble packaging stored for the greenhouse insulation! Etc) had some good clear outs and just the mending to learn. 

Currently cutting up old bed sheets for various projects, this will require them to be sewn back together (gulp). So making do is using the stash of hot water bottles we have to save on heating costs. Minimising the bendy veg into soup with the leftover chicken carcass from the weekend. Shall see what mending brings!

2Scratters

Evening Peeps,
Can't believe its a month since I posted on here, where does time go?
I have gone back to standing at my lap to use more energy, meaning me as I can quickly step away and do something as it pops into my head.

Make Do - Like just now - thought about the 2 packs of mushy peas in the cupboard, thinking they needed to steep and they don't if only I'd read the instructions months ago. Anyway just need to locate some ham for me to make soup. Am at work in a couple of days for 60hrs(by choice) so need to batch cook for me and DH will be separate meals as I am working 12hr shifts and wont be eating late in the evening. Still taking from the freezer before shopping.
Mend - DH does more of this than me, he has had to have another do at fixing the dodgy boot sole again as it separated again.
Minimise - using the free wood for the fire it makes even warmer Keeping the shopping to a minimum spend. Giving us more to spend on what we like.
Stay safe
2Scratters xx

CraftyLittleLisa

I have a little bit to report from the last month.

Minimise - took some bits to a charity shop and sold some bits on facebook.

Mend - adjusted a dress so it fitted me better.

Make do - made a number of items using fabric from my craft stash (my favourite thing is cable tidies) as well as making soup and cake out of veg that was going past its best.

Siebrie

Mended:

- hole at the corner of a fitted sheet

- hole in dd2 winter tights

- hole in dd2 sock

- hole in dd2 T-shirt

- hole in dd2 T-shirt

- resewn dd2 unicon slippers back together (really bad quality sewing on original product)

- hole in husband's woollen hat

Laura_Elsewhere

A sort of 'mend'- I've got a bit  wider over the years so some of my jumpers are now a bit shorter, so I used a "Shetland woollie horse" to return them to their original length - much better!

It's an adjustable wooden frame used by some knitters who knit Fair Isle a lot - they're not incredibly common but still, if you have the same problem I have of jumpers being too short, ask around your local knitters and see if anyone has a "jumper board", "jumper blocking frame" or "woollie horse" you could borrow, or perhaps they'd 'block' your jumpers (the techie term knitters use!) for you in exchange for, I dunno, one of your homemade cakes or some firewood split and stacked, etc... 

Siebrie

So, I've googled Shetland woollie horse, and the results are lovely pictures of adorable Shetland ponies in woollies! Well worth the google and the giggle; thank you!