It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

littlegreenparrot

ladyholly said:

thriftwizard said:

@ladyholly, if there's a vintage market or emporium near you, that's a good place to look for good wool, wool-mix, alpaca & cashmere jumpers, cardis etc., usually at very sensible prices (does not apply in Central London!) - I'm always picking them up, washing & repairing if needed, with both invisible & visible mends, and they're one of my best-selling "lines", even in summer. (New campers never bring enough warm clothing!) Many of the ones I pick up are barely damaged; just a pulled thread leading to a couple of lost stitches, easily stabilised & embroidered over, or a tiny stain I can appliqué a motif from an old tablecloth over. These will have been rejected by the original owner or a charity shop & would otherwise go off to be chopped up & made into "shoddy" or similar, but have now acquired a bit of originality & eco-cred & my customers seem to love them! Lots of us traders do the same.

Thank you but no we have nothing like that here. In fact a lot of our charity shops have closed as well and due to limited mobilty I have to pick and choose the  one or two I can get to.

Its worth having a nose about on Vinted and ebay from time to time.  There are treasures to be found sometimes. 

thriftwizard

@newlywed, we've just "killed" two 15-y.o. well-slumped small leather sofas and they've yielded a vast amount of leather, some of which is being used as soles (suede side out) stitched onto DD2's hand-knitted socks. She's also churning out bags & belts from the tougher bits, & I'm making some baby shoes from softer bits for my newly-mobile grandson. A plea on your local Freegle group or similar might find you some leather to do the same; it's much harder-wearing than the acrylic patches.

newlywed

Thanks @thriftwizard. I used to use leather or suede for teddy bear making (paws) so have a leather needle too (triangle ones) makes hand sewing it easier.  The craft shop I used to get it from has gone but will keep a look on olio for that kind of thing as well.

I have some synthetic patches already (good for patching for escaping bra wires) so that is why those were in my head

Wednesday2000

I did look in the men's section in the charity shops today and managed to get myself an oversize black hoodie that looks like it will be very warm. I also got a couple of jumpers so I think that is me set for the colder weather.:)

euronorris

I'm so behind. I've still got several pages to catch up on, but just wanted to post before I forget.

Xmas lights: the only outdoor ones we have are a battery set of LEDs over the little arch above the front door, and a plug in LED santa that I won last year. He is plugged in with a timer switch and set to come on at 4 and off at 10pm. Inside, we do LED lights around the windows. Battery operated. And a nice plug in set on the tree. Again, LEDs and only bought in 2020, so fairly energy efficient.

I'm not a big fan of big jumpers. I prefer layers, so will do vest, with long sleeved top over it and then a cardigan. If still a bit nippy, I add one of those thinner fashion scarves you get. You can create a nice office look this way, and still be warm.

I managed to get some cheap Xmas winter clothing for DD and I last week. Last year's stock. Fluffy elf socks for her, elf slippers for her, a santa hat with long ends and pockets to put her hands in, slippers for me, and some Xmas Serviettes. All for £10. So  just a few extra layers for the home.

Katiehound

threepenny_bit said:

newlywed said:

Have a stash of wool, so treated myself to some lovely looking slipper and slipper boot patterns. I did go through a load of free patterns but the patterns on Etsy just pleased me more so I went for it. £3 and £4 for patterns isn’t bad when I already have the rest of the supplies and can make multiples… and for gifts too.

I have looked at knitting my slippers but worried they will be slippery underneath on my hardwood floors - do you add anything to stop them slipping? I have seen some patterns with an attached sewn on sole but they are expensive to buy here

I'm wondering if the non skid mesh stuff would work.
I see you can buy it from Amazon but it might well be available elsewhere.
 The large mesh stuff goes under rugs but the small mesh is used on trays for folk with mobility problems so plates don't slip off a tray. I remember you used to be able to get it to put on the dashboard so items stayed put.

Wilko sells a big piece. £land?

Also adhesive backed anti skid stair treads material

Just a thought

Shropshirelass

I don't know the correct term, but I have used that stuff you use to seal round the bath, it's a white cement in a tube, to stop knitted slippers from s!iding. You draw a pattern on the sole of your slipper, (as you would when e.g. icing a cake )let it set well, and Bob's your uncle, no sliding.

Floss

Shropshirelass said:

I don't know the correct term, but I have used that stuff you use to seal round the bath, it's a white cement in a tube, to stop knitted slippers from s!iding. You draw a pattern on the sole of your slipper, (as you would when e.g. icing a cake )let it set well, and Bob's your uncle, no sliding.

Silicon sealant

Florenceem

Thanks for the advice re gluten free baking. Mr F and I tried the GF cake last night - very light texture. The GF lady didn't turn up today so I left a slice of cake in the fridge for someone to have with custard tomorrow as they usually miss out on a hot dessert at our lunch club. The remaining cake has gone in a labelled tub in the freezer at SA.

YorksLass

I very rarely wear dresses but do have some matching tops and skirts that can be worn together to look like a dress (summer wear only).  In the main though, my wardrobe consists of separates that I find more useful, especially in winter when layering up.  Thermal undies, short sleeved T-shirt, jumper, cardigan or gilet, tights under leggings (although I have to be honest I hate tights) and socks under boots.  I have three coats - one is a thinner short one, a wool three quarter length and a long padded one with a hood, all washable.  The weather dictates which one I wear.  I also have hand knitted hats, scarves and leg warmers and lined leather gloves.  No wonder it takes an age to get dressed/undressed!    

Wool Warehouse do a non slip latex product for grip on knitted or crocheted items, different colours priced at £3.79 but I do like the idea of using alternatives to save waste.

Xmas lights - none outside but will be having them on the tree, even if it does use a bit of electricity.

And yes, why should there be man's price and a woman's price for similar clothing?  Sometimes the men's garments fit better than women's and are often better quality.  As others have mentioned, same goes for toiletries etc.  Vote with your feet ladies - visit the men's section!  

Sorry, no particular order to all of this - it's just whatever I can manage to remember!