2024 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Gem-gem

Thank you for the update on T-shirt coupons, being only 4 instead of 5 coupons. I don't know how I missed that post. So, minus three coupons from my spend gives me a new total of 36 coupons. 30 left. 😀

PipneyJane

navelorange1 said:

Hi, I don’t know if anyone has any advice as this might be too specific but do you know any charity shops in London that sell 13-16yo boy’s clothes? Most charity shops near me sell only women’s clothes and sometimes there is a small rack for men’s clothes at the back but it is usually full of shirts and suits for older men. I know you can buy secondhand clothes online but I’ve read too many hygiene horror stories/people hiding the true condition in photographs so prefer to see them in person before I buy. Thanks!

Edit: I also prefer for things to be tried on before bought as I’m on a very tight budget.

Hi @navelorange1

The only thing I can suggest re charity shops is to have a look at their websites (e.g. Oxfam) and see if you can get items delivered to a local store to “try before you buy”.  

Other thoughts:  does his school have a “swap shop”?  There may be more in it than just school uniforms.  Also, have you tried car boot sales?

Sadly, from my observation, boys tend to a) wear their clothes to death/holes develop, b) have fewer clothes than their sisters, and c) once their reach their adult size, keep their clothes forever.  (Probably the reasons why boys’ clothes never end up in charity shops.)

Please do let us know how you get on.

- Pip

navelorange1

@PipneyJane thank you for your advice.

I also have some white ankle socks that are wearing thin at the heels. I’ve never repaired anything before, do people typically darn thin white socks or just replace them?

Laura_Elsewhere

navelorange1 said:

@PipneyJane thank you for your advice.

I also have some white ankle socks that are wearing thin at the heels. I’ve never repaired anything before, do people typically darn thin white socks or just replace them?

Hi navelorange, I generally don't darn thin socks, but if you're going to try to extend their life a bit, it's better to "run" them when they are thin, rather than try to darn them once a hole has come - here is Sally Pointer's brilliant video showing how to run a heel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fKKLOUNOHU

I'm happy today- after the diagnosis of high blood pressure sixteen days ago I have managed to lose over five pounds in weight and double my average daily activity, and the nurse is so pleased to see my determination that - for now- she's going to let me have three months to prove my dedication, so at present I am not starting meds, hurrah! 

I celebrated by buying four cheerful ranunculus plants and was pleased to be able to fit them into my bike-pannier to cycle home! 

PipneyJane

Yay @Laura_Elsewhere.  I am so pleased for you re the blood pressure follow-up, your increase in fitness and the weight loss!  You rock!

- Pip

potplant

That's a fantastic achievement,  @LauraElsewhere !

maddiemay

That is great news @Laura_Elsewhere, your comitment really paying off. Lovely flowers too.

Cherryfudge

Well done @Laura_Elsewhere, your determination will carry you far.

The flowers are beautiful. It looks as though summer's come already.

alicef

Well done @Laura_Elsewhere!   I do love Ranunculus one of these days I might get round to growing some.  

Thank you @PipneyJane & @CapricornLass for the advice on the whites; the greying is due to my washing whites and colours together - I shouldn't be so lazy.  I must stitch up a laundry bag to accumulate small whites until I do the weekly bedding wash.

Laura_Elsewhere

I used to cut up the colour-catcher sheets, and then use them in the kitchen in place of paper kitchen-roll, as they are easily washable- but then the half-sheets tended to disappear into the bowels of the washing-machine and cause all kinds of problems- luckily Mr E is the sort of person who can pull out a washing-machine, disconnect the plumbing and take the back off it, otherwise it could have been very expensive! 

|I tried putting a half-sheet inside a little bag but it just wadded itself into a small ball very quickly and didn't really do its job. 
So now I use a full sheet of colour catcher on the ground that it's still arguably better for the environment than having an inefficient washing-machine that isn't rinsing properly so clothes need put through again, etc. And I still find the full sheets useful for wiping up spills (and re-washing), or if they've been re-used a number of times and are getting tatty then they become single-use throwaway things for eg taking off nail varnish. 

I have decided what to knit next, as I've been faffing about for months not getting anything done. I shall hope you lot will keep me up to the mark! I want to knit a version of this slipover in cream with three shades of blue, from a rich navy through a middling-denim, to a light chambray-blue with little echoes of soft pink in it (it works, trust me!). Same diapering pattern, the diamond-trellis, and the three-stitch 'ladder' up each side to mimic a side-seam and avoid the change-of-round jog. 

I'm also adding a couple of inches to the width and may consider adding to the length before the mile of ribbing.