2023 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

PollyWollyDoodle

I'm in!  Not sure what my final tally is for 2022 but I'm pretty sure I didn't overspend, I'll find my notes presently. 

@Diane1276 I too have way too many WIPs. I'm promising myself to finish or pass them on this year. If I don't love something enough to finish it then it needs to go to a better home. 

DrCarrie

Hi all, 

I have been thinking about joining, I may have joined last year, or it might have been the year before - but didn't join 'in' 

I am now debt free and focusing on my spending habits and consciously changing how I spend, and what I spend on. I really like nice things, including clothes and shoes and they used to go on the Credit card. 

I have lots of fabric for dressmaking, I have a jumper half knitted, and some fabric for a patchwork quilt. 

I am hoping that the rations will really help me consider what I am buying and why. 

I am also evolving a sustainable style and capsule wardrobe. Well that's the hope!

PipneyJane

Good morning Everyone and welcome to the newcomers

So kind of you to turn up so early this morning to help with the Fun Run.  There’s fresh coffee brewing - yes, I know coffee is in short supply but @TwibbleDee managed to obtain some for us from the USAF airbase - and the kettle just boiled, so I’ll make a pot of tea in a moment.  There’s a loaf of bread, if anyone fancies toast.  @mumtoomany, would you do the honours of slicing it?  Thank you.  (With a minimum of 7 at home, you are the best person I know for stretching the food rations.)

For me, this time between Christmas and New Year is always for planning; for thinking about what we’ll need next year and what we want to do with our limited resources.  I am generally an optimist, but I know next year will be much tougher for all of us, so please feel free to pop into the Village Hall for a grumble and a moan.

On the planning for clothing purchases front, I’ve probably got the same list as last year:

• Two pairs of new trainers, one for running and one for leisure.  10 coupons.
• One pair of loafers for work.  5 coupons.
• A suit.  If anyone spots a double-breasted, navy, woollen suit in the shops, please tell me immediately. I’ve been looking for a new one for ages.  With blazer, skirt and trousers, that’ll set me back 24 coupons.

That’s 39 coupons reserved before the year even starts, leaving 27 coupons for everything else.  Fingers crossed that I have some lucky charity shop finds.

What are your planned spends for next year?

- Pip

mumtoomany

Thank you for the welcome, Pip. Coffee is very good, I must say. Slicing bread is not my forte, unless you want the slices for door stops, (or even for dry stone walling if I've cooked it!). OH is just walking the dog and counting sheep. I'll ask him to cut it when he comes in. Are we toasting it properly on a toasting fork against the fire? 

Today I plan to sort through the rest of the wellies. The previous owners left us a huge pile of wellies in one of the barns. I have worn out three pairs so far! I plan to try the rest on, and make sure they are all pairs. Good job I have them, I can't see wellies on your points list.

Off to butter the toast, anyone want jam? Mumtoomany.xxx

Laura_Elsewhere

Those worrying about unfinished WIPs (Work In Progress) -  about 4 or 5 years ago I hand-stitched the hem on a baby-vest in newborn size. Made entirely by hand from delicate soft warm woollen fabric, with a little embroidery across the chest, and narrow lace all round the neckline and armholes, it was the second of two I finished off - both were done all but those lower hems, by my Gran when she was a young wife in the late 1930s expecting their first child - no idea why they never got finished, but I believe, from memory, that Dad was unborn at the start and 78 or 79 at the end...! 
The two vests went to different cousins on that side of the family for each of their first-borns - Gran's great-grandchildren, so four generations of baby-vest!

So if anyone's beating themselves up over not having finished a project... if it's not into decades, don't worry  

I have my crimson culottes to finish (cut out 4 or 5 years ago, assembled as far as the backs of the pair of legs and the fronts of the pair of legs, and the lining entirely assembled but only pinned to the fronts; so still needing lining affixed, back waistband affixed, and side seams sewn), and my pink satin dressing-gown to start and finish (cut out 4 or 5 years ago)...

Nonnadiluca

I'd like to join you all again please. I bought a few nice things in 2022 but almost all were charity shop finds. I'm mostly along for the company, great ideas and advice, (and the cake!) Thanks Pip for keeping us going.

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, I am in I am still posting on the 2022 thread until January 1st so I might manage to spend a few coupons before then. 
Take care everyone

diminua

I'd like to join again please. I've 7.5 coupons to carry forward according to my signature. Planned spends for next year are jeans if I can find a pair that fit (I've a feeling I said that last year. The truth is, I don't wear jeans much these days, and I don't want fashion jeans, I want hard wearing jeans, which are harder to find) and a new winter coat at some point in a more neutral colour - I'll keep the 'loud' orange and black one I've had for years, but I want a more sober option too.  

Baileys_Babe

If you do manage to find some hard-wearing jeans @diminua please share, it is something I am also seeking.

mumtoomany

@Laura_Elsewhere, i would remove the pins until you plan to sew them. They may go rusty and leave marks on the fabric. Ask me how I know!

Wellies sorted, three pairs thrown away, too worn to be of use. Two odd ones thrown away as well. Three pairs to wear, one although dusty, unused. One patched, small splits where they have been folded. Also patched the ones I've been wearing. They are steel toecap ones, good quality, but I've managed to get holes in the tops.  I never realised till moving here that wellies could wear out. 

Jeans, I always buy cotton traders. Slightly stretch and hard wearing. only ever buy them pre-owned. HTH. Hugs to all, mumtoomany.xxx