2025 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

PipneyJane

alicef said:

I've been a bit poorly - so awol.  Thank you all for the trip down memory lane on 70s fashion. It did get me thinking on my school uniform - (oh those trips to Bourne & Hollingsworth to get kitted out in too large garments so one could grow into them - and the cost of it all! - winter uniform, summer uniform, games kit galore (lacrosse/netball/tennis/gym/dance/swimming), and for 5 kids!)  and no-one, absolutely no-one, looked stylish in those winter hats.  

Anyhow WYS (West Yorkshire Spinners) site has a free Shaun the sheep blanket (knit or crochet) - Shaun the Sheep - what's not to like!

https://wyspinners.com/collections/free-patterns

I didn’t know they had patterns @alicef!  Thanks for the tip-off.  

Hope you’re feeling better now. 

- Pip

kiwisavings

Greetings to all,
I'm looking for some advice from the group.
I'm hoping to make some underwear from some cotton stretch fabric in my stash. I was wanting to include some pretty elastic lace that I have had stored for years.
Does anyone have any ideas around how to remove the "old stored fabric odour" from the elastic lace. I think it's all/mostly polyester. I have washed it and hung it out to dry in the sun, but the musty odour remains.

thanks in advance 

CapricornLass

Gosh, the descriptions of the 1970s clothes brought back some memories!  

Anyway, I was in Cornwall last week, and OH and I went to Truro.  Some clothing was bought!  2 jumpers and 6 pairs of socks, so 16 socks in total.  I think I must have pretty much spent all this year's coupons, though.

tincantoast

Hello, I'm looking at doing this next year because well the year is almost done now LOL, and wondered if anyone has any hints etc for me on how to make it work. I tend not to buy clothing but wool and fabric to make my own is my downfall.

Thanks TT

Laura_Elsewhere

tincantoast said:

Hello, I'm looking at doing this next year because well the year is almost done now LOL, and wondered if anyone has any hints etc for me on how to make it work. I tend not to buy clothing but wool and fabric to make my own is my downfall.

Thanks TT

I would say: be prepared not to get the hang of it immediately! I think it was my third year before I came in under the 66-coupon budget... 

I too am a fabric and wool buyer- as are others! I try only to buy if I specifically know what it's for, and to buy that amount. I am grimly determined to try to pass on to others the single-skeins that won't easily combine with others as colourwork or stripes, and the single metres of "but it's pretty!" fabric that are never going to be made into anything practical for my large frame! 

PipneyJane

kiwisavings said:

Greetings to all,
I'm looking for some advice from the group.
I'm hoping to make some underwear from some cotton stretch fabric in my stash. I was wanting to include some pretty elastic lace that I have had stored for years.
Does anyone have any ideas around how to remove the "old stored fabric odour" from the elastic lace. I think it's all/mostly polyester. I have washed it and hung it out to dry in the sun, but the musty odour remains.

thanks in advance 

Damn good question @kiwisavings.  No, I don’t know how to remove the smell but @thriftwizard or @Laura_Elsewhere might.  Both have experience with old fabrics.

tincantoast said:

Hello, I'm looking at doing this next year because well the year is almost done now LOL, and wondered if anyone has any hints etc for me on how to make it work. I tend not to buy clothing but wool and fabric to make my own is my downfall.

Thanks TT

Welcome @tincantoast.  Please pull up a chair.  Cup of tea?  You can join for this year, if you want, you’ll just need to prorate the coupons.  Since we’re in October, that’ll be 3 months worth so 16.5 coupons.

The most important thing is planning, understanding what you’ll need to update/replace/acquire in the next 12 months and allocating your coupons accordingly.  For example, if anyone sees a double-breasted, pure wool, navy blue suit on sale, please tell me ASAP because that’s what I really want to add to my wardrobe.

Also, I’ll second what Laura said.  Don’t shop for fun - try to buy for a specific pattern.  Keep a list of what you want to make and the quantities required.  It helps, too, to be able to easily access your stash, when the urge to make is upon you.  Familiarity with what I already own helps to stop my impulse buying.  (Oy!  Stop laughing in the kitchen!  Yes, I know I can rarely resist it when sock yarn goes on sale at L!dl but I am at SABLE - stash acquisition beyond life expectancy - and I did walk away, when they put out sock yarns last month.  It has to be pretty special for me to purchase it.)

- Pip

maryb

I think a weak solution of bicarb helps with smells but test first in case it affects the colour

tincantoast

Thank you for the comments @Laura_Elsewhere and @PipneyJane, I will make a list over the coming months on what I think I might need and might do a sneaky quick shop, ek, as I literally just bought yesterday some Jamieson's and Smith yarn to make a sample for a 1940's knitted top. If all goes well, I'll get the actual yarn and hopefully wont want anything next year! I tend also not to fall for sock yarn (thankfully) but am awful at falling for fiber to spin for sock yarn, so I guess that's the same thing. I'm hoping taking on this challenge next year will stop me from doing the random buys!

itsthelittlethings

Haven’t even bought any “nearly new” clothes but I have realised I need new black socks. Will either have to beg some coupons off mum or wait until next year.

maryb

My name is Maryb and I can't stay away from the Knitting and Stitching Show

I actually only bought 1 skein of sock wool and one metre of wool for a skirt but lots of lovely quality hiyahiya needles came home with me.....