2024 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

PipneyJane

florianatwobob said:

Thinking about older people one of the ladies I used to volunteer with about 30 years ago was a young woman during WWII. She never used to talk about her war work citing the official secrets act.  , She did mention she was fluent in French. She also never
mentioned why she was awarded an OBE (of which she was very proud). I’ve subsequently wondered if she was either linked to Bletchley Park or SOE. 

She was what my dad would’ve described as ‘a game old girl’ though. 

Not sure about who has the SOE’s records @florianatwobob but, if you remember her name, it might be worth contacting Bletchley Park.

CoffeeSonata said:

Sorry for disappearing for a long time. Life happened, and everything was just overwhelming and crazy. (Isn't that much better, just new crazy-overwhelm). 
I have spent coupons, sadly more than I wanted, but not really added up yet. 
Meanwhile, I am knitting/crocheting to outrun the crazy and maintain a semblance of sanity. 
It has been forever since I knitted socks. 
I'd like to knit myself a pair of socks for indoor probably with DK wool as I have plenty of that. 
Does anyone have any resonable tried and loved patterns for socks? Ideally ones that stay up,but slouchy style is fine, idea is to wear on sofa or with slippers. I am fed up of starting sock patterns and giving up because the pattern is wrong, or finding they are just HUGE on the ankle. Any style of knitting or pattern is ok, more hoping for tried and loved /accurate pattern recommendations for DK that suit people who have thin ankles! I'm a size 5-6 if that helps! 

Welcome back @CoffeeSonata.  Your feet sound similar to mine. For thicker socks, I use a pattern from Regia which was designed for their 6-faedig sock yarn.  These are my crib-sheet notes:

Use 3mm needles
Cast on 48 st
Work 10 rnds K1P1 rib
Rnds 11-50 knit
Heel work over 24 st
Gusset pick up 16 st
Foot 30 rnds
Toe work down to 8st on each side
Each sock weighs 39g

If the fabric is too dense with your DK yarn, try using 3.25mm needles or 3.5mm and going down to 44 st.  (Virtually all sock patterns are worked over multiples of 4.). 

Nelliegrace said:

Thank you @thriftwizard, I bung whatever I have in a bara brith. I use white sugar with a teaspoon of treacle, grate in a carrot or the zest of an orange, add the rinsings from the bottom of a jar of marmalade, mincemeat or jam, a bit of grated apple, dried cranberries, or a few chopped nuts. 

I will definitely give this a try @Nelliegrace.  I’ve added a link to your recipe to the first page of the Challenge.  Thank you for sharing it.

- Pip

PollyWollyDoodle

Sorry Pip, I’ve just tried to access the Bara Brith recipe from page one and the link isn’t working. I was thinking it would be great for a WI coffee morning next week!  

Of course it’s only a couple of pages back at the moment, but you know how fast things travel on this thread. 

PipneyJane

PollyWollyDoodle said:

Sorry Pip, I’ve just tried to access the Bara Brith recipe from page one and the link isn’t working. I was thinking it would be great for a WI coffee morning next week!  

Of course it’s only a couple of pages back at the moment, but you know how fast things travel on this thread. 

Thanks for the heads-up @PollyWoollyDoodle .   I don’t know what went wrong, so I’ve copied and pasted it in again.  It should work now.  (It worked for me a moment ago.)

- Pip

potplant

Well, reporting back;  I did buy my new jeans, as planned - good organic cotton, good fit, well made.   Much as I like altering/mending things,  it has  reminded me how nice it is to have the occasional brand new bit of clothing! So now I have 10 coupons remaining for the year, perhaps I'll find a use for them (but must NOT, absolutely NOT, use them to add to my fabric stash!)

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all, I have spends to declare . For presents for friends, it's that time of year again a cardigan 5 coupons, a top 5 coupons and a pair of jeans 6 coupons. I also went to get some yarn for a baby blanket I have been asked to make and went mad and bought 400g of yarn to make neck warmers and fingerless mittens for other presents so 8 coupons there. So a total of 24 coupons spent leaving me with  35.5 remaining and I am still looking for a comfortable pair of waterproof boots .

I see there has been lots of posts since my last visit and I will catch up with them all tonight . I have been quite busy in the garden and am currently trying to remove a tree that self seeded a few years ago and I attempted to chop it down but only succeeded in coppicing it so developed 3 trunks. 2 trunks dealt with and 1 to go, hopefully today, then just the roots etc to sort.

Take care everyone

Laura_Elsewhere

My two summer dresses arrived from Joanie- first things I've bought from them but I am very pleased with the quality. Properly stitched, decently cut, etc. And pockets  
I shall have to shorten them both as they are long maxi-dresses which gets in the way for everyday wear and cycling But I shall have three summer frocks for next year, white with indigo-blue stripes, white with pink stripes and white with green stripes- I shall be able to wear those for months and months, adding blouses or cardigans as needed. 

And reduced to £18 from £65 is a bit of a bargain too! 

Now to sort out my autumn-winter-early-springtime wardrobe... 

To add to signature: two dresses, non-wool

Cherryfudge

@Liverpool_Anne, textiles for children under four are coupon-free so you can put some of those coupons back in your bag.  

PipneyJane

Those dresses will look lovely on you @Laura_Elsewhere.  

Cherryfudge said:

@Liverpool_Anne, textiles for children under four are coupon-free so you can put some of those coupons back in your bag.  

Definitely.  Well said, @Cherryfudge.

Quick update on me

I have some GOOD news.  Was phoned this afternoon by one of the Haematology sisters, with my PET scan results.  All clear.  No disease anywhere.  I am officially in remission!

Yay!

- Pip



PS:  I’ve cried a few times since hearing the news.  Tears of relief.  Also letting the stress out.  Feels like a huge weight has been lifted.  Spoke to one of my best friends in Australia, who phoned me at 1am their time.  Just waiting for my big sister to wake up and give me a call.

PPS:  DH is picking up dinner on his way home.  One of those “British Restaurant” meals which are coupon free.  I really couldn’t face cooking today.  

Cherryfudge

That's totally wonderful @PipneyJane! Brilliant news xx

alicef

Wonderful news @PipneyJane!