2025 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Gem-gem

Cherryfudge said:

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.

@Cherryfudge my blanket has a silky edge too. DM says that I use to stroke it. 

Gem-gem

Laura_Elsewhere said:

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.

Laura_Elsewhere, thanks for the tip on how to get the best out of the cellular blanket. It makes perfect sense. It is getting me thinking about how best to use other blankets that I have. 

Gem-gem

Nelliegrace said:

An eiderdown, I think, @Cherryfudge. I remember my brother had a green one. He had the box room which was very cold. 
Paisley fabrics were popular on eiderdowns. 

I would love to have an old fashioned eiderdown. It reminds me of when I used to stay at my grandmothers more than 40 years ago. 

Gem-gem

CapricornLass said:

Confession time - I have a top sheet between me and the duvet.  Saves having to change the duvet cover every week.  It gets done every couple of weeks instead.

@CapricornLass, my DM does this and has a coverlet on top. This means that she only changes the duvet cover once a month. 

Gem-gem

That blanket is gorgeous, @laura_lau - a big project. Tonight, I have embarked onto my next blanket. I have made 3/4 of my first square that will create a band going across. I'm hoping to make it double bed size. So not very portable. It will be a working progress. 

Gem-gem

Good evening everyone, I have finally caught up on all of your posts. I am loving the different discussions that have been going on. I will go back and watch the films tomorrow. 

No spends to report. The wool for my blanket was part of my Christmas present from my DM. I will count the wool that I purchased towards it once I know how many balls that I have used. 

Nelliegrace

We had lunch at the local college, (British Restaurant,) today, cooked and served by the students. I had a red onion and beetroot tart with a little goats’ cheese, (DK had the carrot soup,) then haddock pie with seasonal vegetables, and a forced rhubarb pudding with homemade ice cream. It was all delicious, seasonal, and nicely served. I worry about the stuff which is fed to children, but this group of youngsters is learning a life skill.
 
We timed our visit well. The news from the Minister of Food, in The Times, 26th, February 1941, is that in future, customers in any food establishment may have only one course in a meal with meat, fish, eggs or cheese. Both the customer and the restaurant will be prosecuted if regulations are ignored.  

There was a group of women from the WI having lunch. One of them came over when we had finished to ask about my warm, vintage, waistcoat. It was handed round and the beautiful Welsh tapestry was much admired. It is the second time WI members have asked for a closer look. 



Thinking about food, our guest gave us a pound of honey from her bees. And, don’t tell anyone, but one of the deer on the golf course has been humanely culled, so the game butcher may have some off-ration venison. 

PipneyJane

@laura_lau, your blanket will be beautiful.  I do not envy you sewing all the squares together, though.

I have a fashion update to report. Guess what style is back? Last Saturday evening, I was on the Tube and a very stylish young woman got on, wearing an oversized, double breasted, pin-striped jacket with matching Oxford Bags (that’s a type of trousers, for those who don’t know).  Baggy jeans have been around for a while - at least a year - but to see oversized jackets again!  Welcome back to the 1980’s,

Also, earlier this month, I did a thing… Just prior to Lockdown, I bought a navy blue, wool suit from Hobbs.  I’ve probably worn it half-a-dozen times.  We didn’t have an office for 2 years** and it took me over another year to take up the trousers. (I could just about wear them with high heels, but not with flats). Having lost a lot of weight due to my lymphoma, the suit is now much too large for me.  A couple of weeks ago, one of the junior members of the team complimented me on the suits I wear to the office.  She’s lovely, a really nice person, who’s just purchased her first home - so money is tight, but she never complains - and her colouring is similar to mine.  The next time we were in the office, I brought in that suit, gave it to her and told her that if it fitted, it was hers, otherwise I’d give it to charity.  That evening, I received this text message:



Made my day.

- Pip


** ETA, at the best of times, my team only go into the office 2 days a week now.  Frequently, it’s only once-a-week unless I push it.

Gem-gem

@PipneyJane, that is so kind of you to give a colleague your suit. I've done something similar, when I shrink my cashmere or wool jumpers i offer them to either my Mum or a friend who are both smaller in size and shorter in height than me. 

A spend to declare. SB have 25% off this weekend. Purchased: 2 pairs of socks (2) 1 t-shirt (4) 1 jumper (5)
Total 11 coupons. 

Spend for the year: 27
coupons left: 39 (ouch!)

CapricornLass

It is nice when you are able to pass on the clothes you don't fit anymore to someone who appreciates it.

I've got a spend - 5 points on a pair of shoes, to replace a pair I had to throw out.