2023 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

2Scratters

@Cherryfudge that is my intension to "tack" a silk scarf to it in some way. I have a bit of a penchant for them, all purchased from the CS's of course
Yes you are also right about the quality of the stitching. I am looking forward to stepping out it in when the time is right - won't be too long though, trust me!

2 Scratters xx

Laura_Elsewhere

@2Scratters, I think that looks like excellent work on your part - I find my worst mistakes are if I pull the thread too tightly and it puckers the fabric or folds it into a ridge, and that emphasises the damage rather than minimising it whilst reinforcing it - it looks to me like you've done a nice job of reinforcing and minimising. 

And as cherryfudge wisely says, a vivid scarf is always a useful thing!

And yes, it's a beautiful piece of tailoring and well worth saving. 

Nelliegrace

The photograph is taken in good light and the coat positioned to show the damage. It will be just about invisible in normal wear. The movement and colour of a pretty scarf will distract the eye, I wouldn’t stitch it in place. 

I bought a super-warm waterproof coat for just a few pounds because the shop assistant made a small mark on it in indelible pen when she wrote on the price tag. It is in a fold on the sleeve, and I thought of covering it with matching thread, but I don’t see it and nobody has ever commented on it, though nobody stands around when the weather is cold enough to need it. 

thriftwizard

I'd also bet that those tiny scars won't show in use - it looks like far too fine a garment to let go of just for those! Scarves are the most amazingly useful & versatile items; I'd scarcely look at the coat if there were a lovely scarf involved.

Cherryfudge

And talking of scarves... one has somehow come home with me despite me having more than I have space for. It's voluminous cotton and lightweight so won't be too difficult to house, and the colours are good for my wardrobe. No coupons as it was in a charity shop.

2Scratters

Morning Peeps,
well the Vintage coat got some treatment yesterday that it has not had in many decades. I bravely put it into the TD on a wollen/delicate low heat option. I could not get it down to cool for some reason. Fortunately the programme only ran for 4 mins and I did not use anything else in with it, I did keep opening the door as I really didn't want it to get hot.  Oh my the dirt and loose small fibres that were collected was a bit of a surprise. It certainly looked cleaner on the outside. 
Then taking a look at the lining and unsure of what the material was decided to spray with water from the iron and use a clean white cloth for loosening the dirt and taking out excess moisture was doing ok. The muck that was coming off was making me think and wondering where it had been and what its story was. I checked under the sink for some 'eeze clothes freshner (came from parents house) which does say not to use on silk. In for a penny in for a pound its not likely to be silk lining for the era its was likely to have been made in. I continued with the fresh product. Left in the coat inside out in the window catching the last of the sunshine and above a heated radiator to finish off drying. Sorted job done - in house shopping done - no money spent - every day is a school day. 
Thanks for giving me the confidence and go with the flow. 

2 Scratters xx

PollyWollyDoodle

Ooh that's great news @2Scratters - I love hearing about other people's bargain mends and fixes!  It wouldn't have occurred to me to use a tumble drier to clean it (I don't own one anyway!) but that sounds like a really good tip. 

I really need to get on with some repair/renovation jobs, but I'm currently putting a new zip in my friend's son's backpack, not a job I enjoy as I'll have to do it by hand,  but if it saves buying a new one I'm all for it.

PipneyJane

Good news @2Scratters.  Well done!  I hope you and your new coat have very many happy years together.  We would love to see a photo of you wearing it, when you're feeling brave.

ETA:  who wants a cup of tea?  I'll make a fresh pot...

- Pip

Laura_Elsewhere

Woohoo, @2Scratters, nice work! And isn't it satisfying too, to know you have done it yourself, no pollution, minimal everything, maximum result! 

@PipneyJane, not a tea drinker myself but I'll have a cup of cold tapwater with you. I've got some granary rolls on the rise for lunchtime if anyone wants one later? 

I've crept back up again to a BMI of 37 (nearly 38...) and very few of my clothes fit (again...) so I really need to do something about this. I'm keeping a food diary again as of today, and trying to be a bit more active in general. I do pretty well on Mondays and Fridays when I cycle and walk a 5-mile round trip to swim in the quarry, but twice a week isn't enough, and I need to stop being lazy on the other five days! 
Mr E has a clean bill of health (hurrah!) but had to have some major tests done which included days on an increasingly restrictive diet followed by two days of, er, emptying, and I think the combination of anxiety on my part (he was very relaxed!) and then compensatory special meals and treats, mean I've ditched the tiny bit of progress I had made. 

I am determined to get that BMI down below 30, dammit!

I want to wear my nice clothes!!!!

PipneyJane

Big hugs, @Laura_Elsewhere.  Stress doesn't help.  That's good news about Mr Elsewhere.

I'll steal a granary roll, if I may?  Thank you. It'd go nicely with the stew I have planned for lunch.  (Sadly, I had to throw out the end of our last loaf, last night, because it had gone mouldy.)

- Pip