2023 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

CapricornLass

I can understand why that handkerchief was treasured and not used.  Though it must have had some narrow squeaks during the war!

Nelliegrace

I must stop looking at vintage, unused, boxed handkerchiefs on eBay. I have 2 dozen beautiful handkerchiefs laundered for my sister’s 70th birthday. They are Swiss and Irish embroidered hankies, the sort which M&S used to sell in the 50s and 60s. These were an extravagant £1.40 each. I have a lovely Irish linen handkerchief to put in with a birthday card for a school friend. They are all second hand so no coupons. 

Cherryfudge

Those are very pretty, @Nelliegrace. I wonder what the thread count is on fabric like that?

I have quite a few inherited hankies with embroidery and I'll use them till they wear out. I still feel better dressed with a nicely ironed hankie!

Nelliegrace

This was a find, fine Irish linen with ladder stitch hems, stamped with the CC41 6505 Utility Clothing mark. The seller very kindly accepted my offer, so these were just over £1 each. I shall launder and use the other beautiful handkerchiefs, but these will be treasured in the box with my other four.
Someone used a precious coupon for them in the war and gave them as a present, or they would have used them. 
I bought four vintage, still labelled, Irish linen handkerchiefs at £3.50 each with postage, to launder for DH for his birthday, and four unused white cotton ones for 50p each. Vintage handkerchiefs are often much better quality and cheaper than modern ones. 

Laura_Elsewhere

Cherryfudge said:

 I wonder what the thread count is on fabric like that?

I have quite a few inherited hankies with embroidery and I'll use them till they wear out. I still feel better dressed with a nicely ironed hankie!

There was a linen named "handkerchief linen" which is almost certainly what the gorgeous hem-stitched ones in Nelliegrace's photo after your comment are, the cream and blue ones. Virtually see-through but astonishingly strong due to the very very long fibres from slow-growing Irish flax, they'll stand up to being boiled and steam-ironed, although modern chlorine bleaches may finish them off, and some modern washing-machines can be destructive. 

I have Gran's beautiful little handkerchieves - my own preference is for great big practical handkerchieves, so I just keep Gran's for now - some of the ones with holes, tears or marks I have made into lavender sachets by folding them with the damaged areas concealed... 

Nelliegrace

I use a soak in Oxiclean if necessary @Laura_Elsewhere. Of all my recent purchases there was just one box of 3 very fine linen and delicate lace which were spoilt by rust from old pins. I was going to use them anyway and see if the marks fade, or put a few stitches over them. It was just one box out of a bundle with 6 other perfectly good boxes so they cost very little. Lavender sachets with a bit of embroidery sounds like a good use for them. I use a running stitch on one edge so it is easy to undo it and replace the lavender. 

Laura_Elsewhere

Yes, I use a whip-stitch along one of the sides for the same purpose, so I can replace the lavender altogether, or add a few drops of lavender essential oil just to refresh the lavender, or else take it out so the sachet can be washed if needs be. 

Nelliegrace

I check charity shops for balls of proper wool for small projects. 
I bought walking boot socks with merino wool, red stickered at TK Maxx, 2 pairs each for DD for Christmas, and for me. They are a bit longer than ankle socks so perhaps 2 points a pair?

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, I love all those hankies and although I usually use tissues, mainly because real hankies are hard to find, I could be tempted back to hankies when they are so nice . 
Now the baby blanket is finished I am working on a scrappy blanket to use up the bits of yarn I have left over from other things. I am just doing a rectangular granny square to be used by OH when it gets cooler . Currently hot hot hot here so I am only managing an hour or so before I go to bed but it is a simple thing so I don't have to concentrate too much.
@Laura_Elsewhere your wild swimming must be a relief in this hot weather . I am sorely tempted to throw myself in some cool water but there isn't anywhere near by that is safe
Take care everyone

Laura_Elsewhere

Liverpool_Anne said:

@Laura_Elsewhere your wild swimming must be a relief in this hot weather . I am sorely tempted to throw myself in some cool water but there isn't anywhere near by that is safe

It feels lovely every time!  

Are you sure there's nowhere safe? I lived less than three miles from this quarry for 8 years and had no idea... I was told about the Bluetits, went to their "Find your Flock" bit on their website and joined my local FB-group of Bluetits and lo and behold, there was one of the nicest, safest places in the region, almost on my doorstep, and now I have made some lovely friends too, over the last year! 

Hmm, I wonder if the river Borrow, here in Much Mending on the Borrow, has any stretches that are safe to swim...?