2025 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Diane1276

Thank you @Laura_Elsewhere ! I'll have a look at those blogs, and that book sounds perfect!

Cherryfudge

Diane1276 said:

Hello everyone! Hope you've all had a lovely weekend.

I was reading a blog the other day that had a post about sewing your own knickers, from a zero waste pattern!  The blog has a regular "free pattern Friday" that I thought the seamstresses here might enjoy!

https://sozowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com/search/label/Free Pattern Friday?m=1

Thanks for the links to the free patterns! We had some discussion a while ago on using old tee shirts or similar to make underwear and I think Pip has linked to a pattern on the first post. I've thought it would be fun to try and use up some tatty tees while saving coupons (and the planet), but it's waited a long time to happen. However, I see that further down on the same page there's a pattern for trainer socks, and they look small enough to be manageable and a lot more fun than any trainer socks I've ever seen.

I did some clothes mending yesterday, including some padded gloves where a seam had split. On closer inspection it was the fabric not the thread that had gone, so once I sewed it up, I decided to reinforce it with a bit of embroidery. It's not brilliant as embroidery goes but I'm pleased that I've saved a very warm pair of gloves, practiced a skill and now have a unique garment.

Nonnadiluca

@Diane1276, I think it was Hugh Flibbertigibbet who mentioned 'seed packet gardening' early in his endeavours, ie. just follow the instructions on the back of the seed packet!

Nelliegrace

Is that like the saying, “If all else fails, read the instructions.” @Nonnadiluca?

potplant

A Chinese friend of mine told me that the sequence goes"When all else fails, read the manual.  When that fails, ask your mother". 

maryb

Lol, my offspring skip straight to the second stage!

MrsCD

Diane1276 said:

Diane1276 said:

alicef said:

@laura_lau yes mattress stitch creates a seam on the back, at least the way I do it does! 

I think a few, (but only a few), of the KAL knitters did post about applying a fleece backing, (I can't remember seeing any pictures though).  In theory I like the idea of having a backing, but not having experience of doing this I'm concerned about having 2 layers not sufficiently attached throughout, (i.e. only attached at the border edge).  So maybe a project far far in the future!

You could attach your backing with a few stitches at the points where 4 squares join together (it's a quilting technique called tying). That would stop a backing being too loose.
Is your blanket knitted in pure wool? 

Oops, sorry alicef I've just realised MrsCD already said this!

😆😆😆   great minds think alike! 😄

Gem-gem

Cherryfudge said:

Are they Witney blankets, @Gem-gem? I inherited some and they are very useful. They are even perfect when it's too hot for other bedding, as they somehow keep you at a comfortable temperature.

Hi Cherryfudge, Sorry for the delay in replying, I think they are. I have just managed to obtain another 100% wool blanket. This one has looks like a net with all the wholes. It is similar to a pink one I used to have on my bed as a child. 

Still at my DM decluttering. It is removal day tomorrow. 

Cherryfudge

Gem-gem said:

Hi Cherryfudge, Sorry for the delay in replying, I think they are. I have just managed to obtain another 100% wool blanket. This one has looks like a net with all the wholes. It is similar to a pink one I used to have on my bed as a child. 

Still at my DM decluttering. It is removal day tomorrow. 

I remember the net blankets! I think ours were pink, too. Soft and warm but I don't know if they were real wool. There was a silky binding along the edge.

Laura_Elsewhere

They were called “cellular blankets” and iirc the very best ones were made of wool, others were synthetic. I believe there are still a couple at my parents’ house, from both sets of grandparents- they came in sort of deep-pastel colours, and yes, that wide satin binding along the top and bottom edges!

Very warm and well worth using, especially if used under another layer so all those cells catch air to insulate you- less useful as a top layer.