2025 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Laura_Elsewhere

Cherryfudge said:

Oh my goodness, this thread is running away from me! @PipneyJane, I will refer back to your instructions as I've never successfully Swiss darned things and came to the conclusion the people who do videos have special easy holes to repair, whereas mine... aren't.


@Laura_Elsewhere, I've followed this lady's excellent example and it really does help make socks last longer.

I think you've been following odd instructions1 Swiss darning is when you use a needle and yarn to kind of embroider each stitch over the top of existing stitches, either to create a pattern by using a contrasting colour, or to reinforce in the original colour where a strand is giving way. 
I know what Pip describes as a knitted-on patch - I'm not sure if it has more modern names? 

I'm pleased you find Sally's instructions on running a heel useful!  

Cherryfudge

Laura_Elsewhere said:

I think you've been following odd instructions1 Swiss darning is when you use a needle and yarn to kind of embroider each stitch over the top of existing stitches, either to create a pattern by using a contrasting colour, or to reinforce in the original colour where a strand is giving way. 
I know what Pip describes as a knitted-on patch - I'm not sure if it has more modern names? 

I'm pleased you find Sally's instructions on running a heel useful!  

My error - I was thinking of the same sort of effect but not over the top of existing stitches. Why is something that seems so straightforward to make, so complicated to repair? Perhaps I need a nice, regular hole with no oddments of other rows involved and no dark colours and most certainly a clear, unfussed head. That last is tricky...

basketcase

Just a quick post to say

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL

🎉

wit40iwtwan

I’d like to join again. I took a few years off but I want to get back to doing this. Thank you 

Mrs_Mavis

Hello and happy new year everyone. I lurked on the 2024 challenge as I kept forgetting to post but followed the challenge from part way through the year and enjoyed it, so I'm in this year and will actually post stuff!

maryb

Happy New Year everyone

Well, I can claim the honour (?) of the first coupon spend of 2025.  Montgomery make wool duffel coats.  They were originally the supplier to the Royal Navy though I don't think they wear duffel coats anymore.  They say that the only change from the original is that the wool is a bit lighter

But it's still wool.  I have a padded Barbour waterproof jacket which should in theory be as warm as toast in the winter.  But I find I swelter if it's mild like today but it's not that warm when there's an icy wind.  I think wool is better in most cases

Anyway to cut a long story short, their women's coats are half price in the sale - £150 down from £300.  I've ordered a mushroom coloured one which I think will be a useful neutral as it will go with black, navy, green, grey and burgundy (I already have a lambswool scarf with all those colours) and tan or black accessories.  Fingers crossed it fits - the reviews said it comes up a little snug

It's three quarter length but it's still longer than 28" so if I'm right that's 11 coupons.  I'm NOT starting as I mean to go on (otherwise I'd be out of coupons before the end of winter!) but I think this will be a useful buy which should last for many years

Laura_Elsewhere

@maryb - that sounds like exactly the right kind of purchase! And yes, it would make sense: waxed cotton jackets are not particularly warm as they are only cotton, usually with a cotton lining- hence why you can spend yet more buying quilted linings or fleecy linings or bodywarmers to wear under them! 
Your wool duffel coat sounds much better for warmth and quite probably will be just as windproof, and certainly waterproof- when I did 1640s re-enactment I used to get visiting schoolkids to tip bottles of water over my woollen clothing to show them how it just ran off. The duffel coats (I am 99% sure) will be slightly shrunk in the manufacturing, known as fulling- and fulled woollen cloth is brilliant stuff for British weather! 

My sewing is going well- I originally planned to have my new jacket and hat done by today but am awfully glad I decided not to rush- I have some hand-finishing down the front, and then the turned-up lining along the lower edge to trim and hand-sew, and a collar to invent, cut and sew, and then it will be done- the hat already is. 
Midnight-blue velvet lined and edged in warm-cream teddybear-fur.... straight out of Narnia! Now all I need is some hard frosts or snow, and I shall look right at home- I even have some Turkish Delight...!   

maryb

Thanks Laura.  The Barbour isn't one of the wax ones (I have one of those and it's great for the shoulder seasons)  Barbour also do a modern padded nylon anorak range.  It is well padded but disappointing.  So I have high hopes for the duffel coat.  And at half price it would have been rude not to.....

Liverpool_Anne

Hi all,
Just to say that no suitable trousers were found but the hunt continues  
So 33.5 coupons carried over so starting the year with 99.5 coupons.
@maryb I have a red duffle coat which I love. I have had it for several years and it does sterling work in the cold and wet. It is starting to look a bit worn where the toggles are attached and this will be a repair job for this year
Take care everyone

Gem-gem

PollyWollyDoodle said:

Wow, some new members of the village hall community!  Welcome. 

@laura_lau and @Cherryfudge the best thing to start with a sewing machine is making some simple drawstring bags - lots of straight seams and they’re useful fit all sorts of things. There are plenty of YouTube videos.  Then you can progress to zipped pouches, lined bags etc.  but honestly - just have a go, what’s the worst that can happen?  

‘Me and My Sewing Machine’ by Kate Haxell is a great book for starting out.  

Oh, and lovely socks, Pip!  

@PollyWollyDoodle talking of zipped pouches, my friend gave me this as a Christmas present. 

I love it and am going to make something similar for members of my family.