2022 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Laura_Elsewhere

I reckon I'm with @PollyWollyDoodle and will just look at them all, shake my head over the wastefulness and bin them in the textile-rag recycling! 

Apart from anything else, my 1902 Singer treadle doesn't sew stretchy fabrics... there is a way of sewing small seams by hand with a kind-of zigzag stitch, which I used when I made the briefs I have lined up to test-wear after the bought-knicks, but it's laborious and not worth it for the bought ones! But thankyou for all your inventive suggestions! 

Cherryfudge

Liverpool_Anne said:

iirc we have someone with a punch thing to make a rag rug,

That's probably me - I have a very old-style one and some more modern rug hooks that I inherited from Mum. I think they are still quite easily obtainable though the trend for rug making of the fifties seems to have ebbed.

I think the rag rug idea is genius. If there's a scrappy old tee shirt somewhere to make a border or background colour, I think a bath mat might be a possibility, time and inclination permitting. Sorry I can't offer either (;) ) but it occurs to me it could also be a use for the tops of worn out socks.

Our ancestors knew a thing or two.  

Liverpool_Anne

@Cherryfudge our ancestors certainly did know a thing or two. In this age of fast living and busy lives sometimes I think we have lost a lot, of course we have gained a lot as well. I will ponder the rag rug as I quite enjoyed rug making when I was a child

PipneyJane

Cherryfudge said:

Liverpool_Anne said:

iirc we have someone with a punch thing to make a rag rug,

That's probably me - I have a very old-style one and some more modern rug hooks that I inherited from Mum. I think they are still quite easily obtainable though the trend for rug making of the fifties seems to have ebbed.

I think the rag rug idea is genius. If there's a scrappy old tee shirt somewhere to make a border or background colour, I think a bath mat might be a possibility, time and inclination permitting. Sorry I can't offer either (;) ) but it occurs to me it could also be a use for the tops of worn out socks.

Our ancestors knew a thing or two.  

Or it could be me.  I have one that I picked up from a class at the Kn!t-n-St!tch Show.  The class was on "progged rugs" and you poked strips of cloth through a hessian backing.

- Pip

PollyWollyDoodle

My rag rug project was one of the things I donated to a CS before moving. 🙁 I recognised that I was never going to finish it. I found the act of pulling the loops through hurt my hands, it seemed to take forever to do, and the hessian backing was shedding dust every time I worked on it. I think through inexperience I was probably making my strips a bit too big.  

I decided that I didn’t love it enough to finish it – if I hadn’t moved it would probably still be lurking in a cupboard! 

TwibbleDee

No textile purchases...but I've ordered an oil lantern and new car mats for my new used car (plastic all-weather ones that the grass burrs won't stick to), which is handy since they're to be delivered today (not quite sure I believe them, but I'll hope) and I'm getting it detailed today, so it should be all nice and clean for me to put the new mats in when I get home this evening. 

I also ordered an enzymatic cleaner to see if I can get a few stains out of my shirts.  Will report back on how that goes.  The stains may be too set in.

Fizz2015

Hello, I received today 2 preloved supportive bralettes - These are preowned but like new. 

I am anther one that has drawers of underwear (with price tags on) but wear the same comfy stuff until it falls apart. I  have 3 carrier bags of underwear in smaller sizes. Some of it has never been wore, flimsy, lacey and uncomfortable. I can't bear to throw anyway either as feels wasteful, but you have made me think twice and sometimes we need to just get rid/recycle clothing and learn for next time.  When I buy multipacks, I try 1 pair for a few times to test the suitability and comfort. If no good I pop the rest (brand new) in original packaging in the charity shop or have sold at a carboot.

CraftyLittleLisa

Going back to asking what your oldest item was I have a chenille jumper which I am sure is over 20 years old (I had it before I moved here and I have been here for 18 years) and I also wear a ring which was my great grandmother's wedding ring so I'm guessing that must be over 100 years old now.

Wraithlady

Bought a few bits for a 1920's event (which has now been shelved) - second-hand so no coupons

However, it's a maxi-length black skirt and a cotton kimono, so can easily be integrated into normal wear (the latter when the weather warms up!)

CAFCGirl

Hello Hello to all,

I'll do my best to keep up this week. DH work week has kept the laptop occupied so my usual daily jollies round the interwebs have been rudely interrupted.

In other news though, I've done it. I've culled my wardrobe and I feel equal parts pleased with myself for being ruthless and then there's consumption guilt, even though almost all was second hand (bar two pairs of shoes!) so in theory they've had a life they wouldn't have otherwise if they'd done for textile recycling.

It all went along the lines of - did it fit perfectly? did it give me joy to wear? did I feel good in it (not necessarily that I felt I looked good LOL) would I buy it again? Lastly, was it part of my 'depression wardrobe'?

Gave the wardrobe a good tidy, and re-hung items on the better hangers etc. I'm still not 100% on keeping some of the items that remain but it got to the point where my ruthlessness would leave me a bit too sparse.

So the upcoming planning of a capsule wardrobe to follow.
It'll take me a while to get the stuff bagged and taken for donation (reliant on DH driving) so will see ig anything is retrieved from the pile over the next week or so.

Mental health wise, it felt quite liberating to shed what I've worn/held onto during a rough few years (surprisingly not caused by pandemic life)

Waffling on now so will grab a biscuit or 3 from the tin if thats ok, and I'll freshen the pot whilst I'm up