2024 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

CheesyChicken

I didn’t do the challenge last year, but would have used 50 coupons (including items bought for me as gifts from others) it includes 3 summer tops I bought in the sale (less than £10 for all 3) that I need to re-make/alter/adjust. I’ve done one so far.
I’ve already told myself I don’t need anything this year, aiming to spend £0 / use no coupons, make do and mend or make my own with fabric I already have. Hopefully this coupon challenge will also help me to be more mindful of WHAT I’m buying, not just how much I spend 

Cherryfudge

@CheesyChicken, I don't think you need to count things that are given to you, because they wouldn't come out of your coupons but those of the giver. However, you do have to pay coupons if you give new clothing to other people (unless you are one of those sneaky people like me who buys her husband's clothing gifts out of his coupons because he has lots left and I don't).

pixtotts

Thinking of you @PipneyJane



No ins to report, but my jeans have arrived (handed over the coupons when ordering) and I am in love! I also ordered my sister a belt which did come out of my purse, but she can use her own coupons! haha. 
And 2 more vinted sales so I'm nearly breaking even! I've also withdrawn the money so I don't get tempted to spend it on the app which is my usual pattern. 

Current coupon count - 60/66 left to spend - 5/66 earnt

alicef

I would love to join in.

I have a huge stash of wool stored in the 1930s art deco single wardrobe, yes - the dark oak wardrobe, donated by dear aunty, which nearly gave my husband a hernia as he lugged it up the stairs.  

I have to crack open the wardrobe door in case I get buried by the avalanche of wool.  

I am a bit confused though if stash counts towards vouchers?  Some of the wool is quite ancient.   If it does count I'll have to forgo knitting smalls & swimsuit and concentrate on jumpers. 

flamingo747

If you already had the wool before rationing started, you're not using coupons when you make something from it

Laura_Elsewhere

@alicef - you don't have to use coupons, as flamingo said, if you already have the wool.... but if you want to encourage yourself to use more of it, you can always do what I'm hoping to do this year, which is to keep two tallies of clothing-coupons: one, the ordinary one of what items of clothing and footwear I buy and how many coupons each cost, but the second is my own idea, to encourage me to make more of my own stuff, and so when I make something I will note how many coupons that thing would have cost, and see if I can reach 66! So it isn't about the weight of wool involved, but about the work and design as well (because the coupons' designation wasn't solely about materials but about how much its manufacture distracted from the war effort). 

So if I knit a jumper, that would use up 5 coupons, but if I knit and full a pair of slippers, those would also be 5 coupons, even though it's less wool by weight. So you can knit your smalls  (2 coupons for a pair of modern-style briefs) and swimsuits (3 coupons each), and obviously sewing or knitting or crochet, however you make the garment, the coupon-cost is the same for that type of garment  

Cherryfudge

@Laura_Elsewhere, I think I'm confused... so if we make our own, coupon charge depends on the normal coupon cost per garment plus a levy for labour? I think I might rip through the 66 reverse coupons quite quickly, because I often have to take stuff back and re-do!

I'm intending to do a version of your reverse couponing as I'm heavily into making things last, so I can redeem a coupon or several by making something last longer. I'm not sure how to cost it, as some repairs are labour-intensive, but it undoubtedly saves textile waste.

I wonder of those of us (possibly 90%?!) with neglected works in progress could motivate ourselves with some sort of coupon count for finishing them (or ripping them out and making something else with the fabric)? Or is that too big a step?  

Laura_Elsewhere

@Cherryfudge - noooo! Fret not I must have misexplained myself...  

alicef had been saying about whether to try to use up her stash by knitting big things, and I was trying to explain that the coupon-cost isn't solely about size; during the war, the original coupons took into account other aspects, not solely the cost of materials... hence why some smaller items like a bra cost more coupons despite using very little material. 

I think I shall count my reverse-couponing in several tiers (anyone getting muddled- this is only for a few who make their own clothes sometimes, not compulsory, feel free to join in or ignore!) 
Full-cost: if I make something completely from scratch, using materials I already have, then I count that as the full coupon-cost. 
Half-cost: if I alter an existing item extensively, or if I repair something which was actually unwearable because of the damage, then I shall count that as half the coupon-cost. 
No-cost, but keep a note of it: minor repairs, preventive work, small reinforcements; I honestly don't know how much of those I do, but perhaps if it turns out I do lots of stuff to prevent the item being too worn to wear (! my words are getting a bit tangled...), I might include a prevention-tally next time  

I think a stalled Work-in-Progress should probably count as made-from-scratch so the full coupon-cost! Might that encourage us, do you think?! 

And then we can have a party and wear our homemade finery!  

Cherryfudge

I think it's me misunderstanding @Laura_Elsewhere, rather than your explanation, thanks for clarifying.  

I will look forward to the finished WIP party with glee (er, assuming I have finished anything, but there are three pairs of fingerless gloves that didn't make it into Christmas presents for want of a bit of finishing, so if I aim to do those in January, that will count).

thriftwizard

Hmm - my upcycling habit could "cost" me - or possibly, win me - lots of reverse coupons! Not that I have anything much lined up just now; I'm busy making rope baskets with scraps, which is keeping me mightily entertained & my family (and friends) in hopefully-useful baskets!