2025 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

laura_lau

Thank you everyone for the encouragement, I will pop a picture of the dolls shortly.

I have to say that all the details about coupons, rationing etc reminds me of when I visited the exhibition about this very topic in 2015 I believe. It was at the Imperial War Museum and I loved it so much I bought the book about the fair, the mug with the coupons print on it (actually by far my favourite mug still now), and a tiny booklet with all info about the Make do and Mend campaign. I might pick it up and read it again.

laura_lau

Here they are, the two characters and the duck that carries them through the water. Loved making especially the clothing and the details 😍

Baileys_Babe

Thank you for sharing @laura_lau they are beatiful.

PipneyJane

Diane1276 said:

PipneyJane said:

@Diane1276 those socks look lovely and cosy. Glad you could resurrect them. Do they have a short-row heel?

They do indeed! I prefer the fit of a short row heel, which is handy as I find traditional heel flap and gusset exceedingly tedious to knit.
(I also think Heal, Flapp & Gusset sounds like a firm of solicitors in a music-hall sketch 😜)

I have another purchase to report, a cosy waistcoat, so another 5 coupons used.

I’ve added Heel, Flapp & Gusset to the commentary on the front page.  


Please share your hints and tips on short row heels @Dianne1276.  There are several sock knitters in the Much Mending WI.  

@Laura_lau your Hansel and Gretel are lovely, but the duck is a real winner!

- Pip

PollyWollyDoodle

Oh I love Hansel and Gretel - what a lovely idea. 

kiwisavings

Gorgeous dolls and duck @laura_lau, I love the colours that you have used.

I was reading some of your posts on bed linen in regards to the clothes rationing scheme- it looks like in the UK you could get some bed sheets etc if you were bombed out or 'newly married'.
In New Zealand, we had clothes rationing from May 1942 until December 1947, so much shorter time than the UK. We received 52 coupons per year, but the coupons needed per item was a bit lower and linen was included in the coupon system.  
Here's how many coupons were needed for household linen:
single sheet: 5 coupons* 
double sheet : 6 coupons*
Pillow cases: 1 coupon 
Towels: 1 coupon
Face cloths and hand towels: 1/4 coupon
Tablecloth for a 6 seater table: 4 1/2 to 5 coupons

* (allows for the longer modern sheet size)

I might include linen in my count to curb my 'pretty towels on sale' urges.

Baileys_Babe

@PipneyJane please can you add me to the list of participants.

Baileys_Babe said:

I recently bought a fine wall scarf approximately 70 cm x 180 cm, how many coupons should I use, I have no idea, suggestions welcome.

kiwisavings

Thanks for the lovely welcome Pip, love the 'West Island' comment, I'm from Wellington (lower North Island).
I bet the dressing gown was very warm - I did wonder if all the dressing gowns back in the day were made from wool?
Thanks for the ANZAC bickie   I will bring some lamington's next time (a bit contentious I know...)

PipneyJane

Baileys_Babe said:

@PipneyJane please can you add me to the list of participants.

Baileys_Babe said:

I recently bought a fine wall scarf approximately 70 cm x 180 cm, how many coupons should I use, I have no idea, suggestions welcome.

Done!  Apologies for missing you off the list @Baileys_Babe

kiwisavings said:

Thanks for the lovely welcome Pip, love the 'West Island' comment, I'm from Wellington (lower North Island).
I bet the dressing gown was very warm - I did wonder if all the dressing gowns back in the day were made from wool?
Thanks for the ANZAC bickie   I will bring some lamington's next time (a bit contentious I know...)

I loved Wellington when I visited, @kiwisavings.  We were lucky enough to stay right in the centre of town.  I’m from Melbourne, although currently marooned on the outskirts of London.  (I went “Walkabout” nearly 36 years ago.). I still miss the smell of gum trees on a hot summer’s day.

Thank you for the information re New Zealand’s clothing rations.  I’ll have to find Australia’s so that we can compare.

- Pip

Nelliegrace

I expect that a lot of ex army blankets were made into coats and dressing gowns, @PipneyJane. Years ago, I bought tartan wool fabric and a pattern and Mum and I made a warm dressing gown for Dad for his birthday. The remnants made a hot water bottle cover and bookmarks. It was a lovely project, and he was very pleased with it. 

If I could be sure that we are moth free, I would love to buy this Welsh wool blanket dressing gown.
https://melintregwynt.co.uk/collections/clothing/products/knot-garden-collar-dressing-gown-2-old?variant=41859443589316

I sorted some thick fleece jumpers which I don’t wear for the clothing exchange store. I should have taken them sooner, I meant to take them to the emergency food bank, but they were appreciated. I have vintage handkerchiefs to post to my sister for her birthday. She said that some of hers were almost see-through with years of washing.