2024 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

PipneyJane

Oh @PollyWollyDoodle !  I am so sorry about your sewing machine. 

If possible, may I suggest that you choose a model that is 100% mechanical, next time?  That’s the reason why our mothers’ sewing machines are still useable, while more modern ones die after a few years.  More modern machines also tend to have plastic parts, so aren’t as robust as, say, a 1960’s Singer.

@Nelliegrace , thank you for the fascinating link to the Women’s Land Army site.  I’ve saved the socks pattern to a Word document and will probably do the same with the recipe book which was linked at the bottom of the page.

Thank you, everyone, for the information about sewing machine needles.  You will be proud of me.  Yesterday, I gritted my teeth, buried my coupons in the bottom of my handbag and marched into Hobbycraft, determined not to buy anything except denim needles. While I looked at the yarn on sale, I only bought sewing machine needles.  I did notice that they are selling two own-brand, recycled yarns: one “wool” and one acrylic.  (The former does not say “pure wool”, while the latter boasts that it used to be plastic bottles.).  Fortunately, nothing tempted me.  Success!

- Pip

thriftwizard

Sad for you, @PollyWollyDoodle ! But if you can track down a secondhand Bernina 1008, they are the bees knees; all mechanical inside, so pretty bomb-proof, that's the model they made for schools & colleges. It does just about everything you could ever really need. We bought one when I was home-educating the girls & it's still going strong without complaint, having outlasted two big computerised beasties of mine, though my current Big Bernie does feel just as solid. But cost an arm & a leg, even secondhand. 

Nelliegrace

We went to the country market town this morning. Sadly the poultry and produce auctions closed a few years ago, we used to buy ducklings and young quail there. The useful stall holder found me a bottle brush, shoe brushes, and two tins of shoe polish, all at very good prices. I didn’t plan to buy socks, but the stall in the market hall was quiet, so I stopped for a look. Perhaps sales are low this week after all of the school uniform has been bought, or the mild weather makes people forget to shop for winter. We chatted for a while and I asked if they had any warm socks for boots, and they found me half a dozen pairs! I paid a little extra for them, but times are hard for the market. He said there had been more thefts recently, people just taking things and not paying for them, which is mean as the market traders are there all day, in all weather. I used DH’s coupons for his socks and three of my coupons. I shall put them away until we need them. 

The stall where I bought my good quality, cotton interlock vests, two years ago, had very few available, and only in tawdry, synthetic fabric. It looks pretty, but will it be comfortable, and will it last? I think not. 

There were some flower bulbs for sale, but not many being bought. Perhaps people are more concerned with growing vegetables. 

The game butcher in town was doing good business selling homemade sausages, and faggots, other off ration meats, and pies, but at such a price! We were lucky and got a bit of fresh fish for dinner. 

Coupons used,
6 on cotton yarn,
5 on a pair of shorts, in the sales, for next summer.
3 on 3 pairs of socks.
I wasn’t going to buy any new clothes this year.

thriftwizard

@Nelliegrace I wish more people realised what we market traders are often up against! Too many think it's all fallen off the back of a lorry, doesn't cost us anything & we should all just get "proper" jobs if we can't stand a bit of weather... 

PipneyJane

thriftwizard said:

@Nelliegrace I wish more people realised what we market traders are often up against! Too many think it's all fallen off the back of a lorry, doesn't cost us anything & we should all just get "proper" jobs if we can't stand a bit of weather... 

@thriftwizard - I think being a market trader is one of the hardest jobs out there.  Not only do you have to be kind and friendly to (sometimes) obnoxious strangers, but you frequently have no facilities.  Even a quick dash to the toilet can be impossible because there will be nobody to man your stall while you’re gone. 

@Sarahspangles - thank you again for the link to Fabworks.  The sample they sent was the perfect colour.  I’ve ordered 3 metres - probably way too much but, since it’s a mill end, better safe than sorry and I can always use the excess to line a different skirt.

That’s 6 coupons spent, taking my total to 57 spent, leaving 9 coupons for emergencies.

On Sunday, did anyone else receive the John Lewis “coats” email?  It had the memorable tag line “Buying once Is an act of rebellion”.  I have to say that, when I read it, I immediately thought of all of you.  We buy quality, not quantity, say “to Hell with Fashion”, and aim for an elegant personal style instead.

- Pip

PipneyJane

Oh no!!!   From Sunday, L!dl are selling sock yarn again.  Someone stop me, please!

Help!

- Pip

dND

PipneyJane said:

Oh no!!!   From Sunday, L!dl are selling sock yarn again.  Someone stop me, please!

Help!

- Pip

I was keeping quiet about that as I want to be first in the queue. 🤣🤣

My plan is to use it for a house cardigan so I need 5 packs!!  That will dent my ration.  As ever with crafts, the raw materials cost more than the article. I will need 500g but probably have to buy 1kg if it's the 2+2 packs again and a cardigan is 5 vouchers.  But I have plans for the rest. 😁x

PS. Second pair of socks nearly finished. 😁

MrsCD

PipneyJane said:

Oh no!!!   From Sunday, L!dl are selling sock yarn again.  Someone stop me, please!

Help!

- Pip

(Swinging pocket watch on chain).  You are feeling very sleepy.........You will not buy more yarn...
Did it work?! 

PipneyJane

MrsCD said:

PipneyJane said:

Oh no!!!   From Sunday, L!dl are selling sock yarn again.  Someone stop me, please!

Help!

- Pip

(Swinging pocket watch on chain).  You are feeling very sleepy.........You will not buy more yarn...
Did it work?! 

Thanks for making me laugh, @MrsCD.

dND said:

PipneyJane said:

Oh no!!!   From Sunday, L!dl are selling sock yarn again.  Someone stop me, please!

Help!

- Pip

I was keeping quiet about that as I want to be first in the queue. 🤣🤣

My plan is to use it for a house cardigan so I need 5 packs!!  That will dent my ration.  As ever with crafts, the raw materials cost more than the article. I will need 500g but probably have to buy 1kg if it's the 2+2 packs again and a cardigan is 5 vouchers.  But I have plans for the rest. 😁x

PS. Second pair of socks nearly finished. 😁

Seriously, @dND, for me it will depend on the colours/yarn available.  I know that I can knit a jumper with 4x100g skeins of 4-ply, so that’s four packets of mixed sock yarn (16 coupons).  However, reading the detail on their website, they’ll actually be selling three different yarns under the heading Crelando Sock Yarn:  the classic 4-ply; a DK; and an elasticated viscose sock yarn.  Whatever they’re selling, I won’t be able to get to it until Monday, so you have first dibs.  (We’re visiting friends on the other side of London at lunchtime on Sunday.  L!dl won’t be open before we have to leave home.)

- Pip.  (Wondering if I can “borrow” some of DH’s coupons.  So far this year, he’s spent 45 on shirts and 12 on nighties for me, when I was ill in January.  Hmmmm…. If dark enough, those patterned socks will be for him……. Hmmm…)

dND

I think I'l be disappointed having looked again at the link.  i think it shows that the colourway I want is only in the DK in which case I've saved both money and coupons. 🤣  But I'll make my mind up when I get to see what's available.