2023 Fashion on the Ration Challenge

PipneyJane

@Nelliegrace you triggered a memory.  My mum would make “baby sleeping bags”, essentially long zip-up gowns with a fastening at the bottom, so that you could change the nappy without taking them off.  She always used a double ended zip, so that when the baby became a toddler, it could be worn as a dressing gown.  @Laura_Elsewhere would that help in your quest for sustainable baby clothes/gifts?

Another of my mum’s philosophies was never make a gift in the “newborn” size, always make something in either the 6 or 9 month old size, because that meant it could be worn for much longer.  (After all, sleeves can be rolled up.)

@Gem-gem well done on finding a local-to-you supplier of sheepskin slippers!  That tells me there are more people out there making them - they were impossible to find in the UK at one point (I tried in the 1990’s).  Mine now come from Cornwall, but I used to have to wait years until I went back to Oz and could shop for them in Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market.

I have a spend to declare:  you may remember me mulling over this alpaca-merino blend yarn from GB Yarns, who are closing down.  I spent 2+ weeks debating whether to buy it or not.  Well, I did it.  I’ve spent 10 coupons on enough 4-ply to make a 1940’s style long sleeve jumper with (probably) enough left over to make a matching beret and gloves/scarf.

- Pip

Cherryfudge

I am reading with interest! I would love sheepskin slippers but picked up a pair of faux sheepskin footwear which I can wear around the house next winter but have outdoor soles so I won't wreck them when I go out of doors. I think they cost me £1 from a car boot sale, but one day I might treat myself to the real thing.

I remember the baby vests - easier for a new-born who doesn't understand things being pulled over the head. I think I got brushed cotton ones for my firstborn. Laura's pattern is really cute and I'm going to bookmark it for reference.

I love these lists of what people made for those now-grown babies. A friend leant me almost everything for my eldest so I didn't have the planning to do (no money, either), but it doesn't stop me buying or making for other people's babies.

@PipneyJane, if you are wanting something for weeks and it doesn't leave you, I think that's real and legitimate. If there's not going to be quite enough wool, you could always do that forties thing where you use fair isle to incorporate oddments of other colours, but I am absolutely sure you will already have thought of that.  

PipneyJane

Cherryfudge said:

@PipneyJane, if you are wanting something for weeks and it doesn't leave you, I think that's real and legitimate. If there's not going to be quite enough wool, you could always do that forties thing where you use fair isle to incorporate oddments of other colours, but I am absolutely sure you will already have thought of that.  

Thank you.

Good suggestion @Cherryfudge, but I’ve deliberately overbought - probably one skein too many - to ensure I have enough.  At 330m a skein, I could probably knit a size-14, long sleeved jumper with 4 skeins (1320m), but I didn’t want to risk it. 

- Pip 

Nonnadiluca

I've managed to score my outfit for my granddaughter's wedding without a coupon being used. The same charity shop had a lovely dress, nothing at all like I was looking for but it's perfect, and shoes, oohhh the shoes! They're Roland Cartier, metallic heels and the most delicious, sexy shoes I've ever had. Mind you, I can't remember the last time I wore heels so there won't be much walking around, but a lot of standing round looking incredibly glamorous. I said as much to my daughter and she replies, " In those shoes you won't have to move, everyone will come to you!". I could probably wear them with a bin bag and look fabulous 😀. ( I'm pushing 70 so 'glamorous' and ' fabulous ' might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I'm very pleased with myself.)

Cherryfudge

@PipneyJane, it's got to be lovely yarn to overbuy when you have coupons to count! I hope to see a photo when it's made.  

@Nonnadiluca, that's amazing! I am sure you will look fabulous, as well as feeling glam! Well done on the finds.

Baileys_Babe

Well done @Nonnadiluca on finding an outfit for your granddaughter's wedding wishing you and the happy couple a wonderful day.

Gem-gem

@PipneyJane, if you waited two weeks and still wanted it then it was right to buy it.  

@Nonnadiluca, Well done on your finds for your granddaughter's wedding. I hope the day goes well. 

I am now looking for some new trainers that are preferably make in the UK. Any suggestions most welcome. 

PipneyJane

Nonnadiluca said:

I've managed to score my outfit for my granddaughter's wedding without a coupon being used. The same charity shop had a lovely dress, nothing at all like I was looking for but it's perfect, and shoes, oohhh the shoes! They're Roland Cartier, metallic heels and the most delicious, sexy shoes I've ever had. Mind you, I can't remember the last time I wore heels so there won't be much walking around, but a lot of standing round looking incredibly glamorous. I said as much to my daughter and she replies, " In those shoes you won't have to move, everyone will come to you!". I could probably wear them with a bin bag and look fabulous 😀. ( I'm pushing 70 so 'glamorous' and ' fabulous ' might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I'm very pleased with myself.)

Sounds like a gorgeous outfit. Well done!  Please share a photo of you wearing it on the big day.

- Pip

Nelliegrace

35 coupons used now.

I bought a denim, midi pinafore dress at Asda, £22 and 7 coupons used. It should be hard-wearing, and I can wear it with different blouses for variety.
I wonder when the announcement will be so we can use the next colour coupon. At least we can use up the present ones. 

Nelliegrace

With my hunt for vintage handkerchiefs on eBay for my sister’s big birthday, I have seen so many large cotton and linen tablecloths being offered for very little money. I wonder if the fabric could be used for making clothes? Baby dresses? a blouse?  Better than them going to the ragman. I have used a quick-unpick to remove some clumsy hand sewn embroidery before laundering, and it hardly shows. 

There was a discussion on another forum about drying thick towels in winter. I noticed some vintage “Huckaback” Irish linen towels, perhaps another use for old linen.