Shop Charity in '23!

oldhaggis

All this talk of linen bedsheets brought back memories of the early 1960's when my mum neatly hand stitched together long horizontal  strips of handwoven ecru linen to make a bedsheet for her very large bed. Mum said the big roll of linen fabric had been handwoven by my paternal grandmother, presumably on a hand loom, as it was very narrow compared to modern machine woven fabrics. The fabric was possibly 50 or 60 cm wide. 
I remember it being quite stiff initially and it had random hard bits of brown flax in it. It gradually became softer and whiter as it was dried outside in the sunshine to bleach naturally after washing. There was no washing machine in those days. Mum and I knelt beside the bath with a wooden washboard, a bar of household soap and a scrubbing brush. All I can say is, thank goodness for modern washing machines! 

beanielou

There used tp be a linen mill in my home town 

kboss2010

@YoungBlueEyes Be careful you don’t get scammed with linen blends or fake linen - there’s loads of it about, especially from China!

I bought a “linen” sheet on eBay & I had to throw it away after a few washes as it fell apart and was really scratchy.

My lovely linen bedding is from White Company (shop the sale because prices are eye-watering!) but you can also get some decent pure linen stuff at places like Markies & online.

Muji & Markies do the best brushed cotton stuff in my experience. It is thick and never feels cold in winter and gets softer with every wash. 

YoungBlueEyes

Funny I only came on to say I’ve just had a pop up on my phone that Marks are having a sale on linen bedding…. Hmmmmm 

DigForVictory

I can vouch for M&S bed linen. May lack the bonus features like corner ties to tether the duvet into smooth cooperation within (may) but still the business line dried next the skin.

to divert back to charity shops - my apologies!

I am currently gibbering slightly. My concrete weekend plans were dashed by sons requiring me to drive Youngest to an Open Day at Edge Hill (near Liverpool). Well, having dropped him off (& been sent packing lest I cause embarrassment), I went charity shop crawling & saw a Denby bowl - good but failed acquisition committee quidelines (Ulp, not the best sign). I then strolled on & there were six little Pearsons rectangular dishes exactly right for holding flower pots of cherished plants. (Pearsons was Himself’s pottery brand, & we have a lot, hard at work around the home - these pots Will absolutely fit in.) 

If ever you have been tempted to dangle your fingers in the murky waters of divination by charity shop funds, this is Meant! Not least as there were six and a mere £2.50 the half dozen - I could have danced out but was tenderly cradling an armful of pottery to my chest.

I still have no idea if Youngest has the UCAS points to get in next year (or at all) but he’s sat awaiting a seminar on their animation course & sounding rightly happily animated. 

I am sat here hoping so hard I have to remember to breathe…
Happily there’s both a Booths near (Yeay buy something, get a free coffee, proper Waitrose of the North!) And a Costco so I can refill the petrol tank en route home.

Floss

DfV were you in Ormskirk? I keep meaning to take myself up there for a mooch in the chazzers, is it worth the 50 mile round trip? 

D123456789

A gorgeous BNWT Hartley coat for LO. RRP 37.00 got it for 7. Saw it in the window of the hospice shop, covered in unicorns with a bright pink lining. She loves it! 

DigForVictory

Floss said:

DfV were you in Ormskirk? I keep meaning to take myself up there for a mooch in the chazzers, is it worth the 50 mile round trip? 

I certainly was, and I struck seriously lucky but then there was a Booths And a Costco as well. If youngest does go to Edge Hill, he may well get visited a bit more! (I’ll take him food shopping, of course!)

Coxy11

I am back from a week in Suffolk. Have visited chazzers in Bury St Edmonds, Southwold, Aldeburgh, Wickham Market, Beccles, Bungay, Framlingham,  Diss (actually Norfolk), Saxmundham, and Great Yarmouth plus some antique centres to keep DDad happy(!). 

I purchased some items to hopefully flip for my charity fundraising but did find a New Look dress in Beccles for £8 plus another White Stuff dress in Sue Ryder Great Yarmouth (£3) and a BNWT pair of M&S jeggings for £8 in BHF Great Yarmouth. 

Ddad did well with a pair of shorts and three shirts from various chazzers. And. DH got a pair of Levi’s for £17 too - barely worn. 

Floss

DigForVictory said:

Floss said:

DfV were you in Ormskirk? I keep meaning to take myself up there for a mooch in the chazzers, is it worth the 50 mile round trip? 

I certainly was, and I struck seriously lucky but then there was a Booths And a Costco as well. If youngest does go to Edge Hill, he may well get visited a bit more! (I’ll take him food shopping, of course!)

I wouldn't recommend student food shopping in Booths! 😳 I used to live in Blackpool & Booths was always for special occasion food shopping, it's too speedy for me.