2026 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

Nelliegrace

Has anyone read, Growing Up  by Angela Thirkell, 1943? There is a lovely discussion with a tailor about the false economy of banning turn ups on trousers to save cloth. Also a discussion on the unreliability of the local laundry and how it loses so many of the buttons on clothes. How authors get their revenge! 

We had a tailor in the village, he made the pink (red) coats for members of the local hunt. The remnants went to the Misses Watts who sewed dressed soft toys from the Dryad Press patterns.

itsthelittlethings

PipneyJane said:

itsthelittlethings said:

One blouse, one shirt, one dress, one combinations, one cardi.

20 coupons.

34 coupons total.

32 to go.

Roll on summer.

I got them all from a local tailor. She was having a sale of things that people hadn’t picked up or returned. She told me she has a cupboard in her mum’s house with stuff in and she waits until it cycles round into fashion again. We had quite a gossip about who had and hadn’t picked stuff up over the years so ladies and gents, I may know some secrets! She is a scream and I got a free cup of tea (with real milk). Her husband is away but his brothers look after her as one has a farm. I won’t be getting too friendly with her though as it cost me a shilling or two.

The blouse came from Bond Street she said. I’m unsure if it’s handmade. I have checked the seams. Suspect factory. She made everything else except the cardigan which is just factory. It’s bright pink so may save it for next Christmas.

I can put you in touch with her if you feel like blowing all your coupons.

In other news I may be moving out of the village if I can get a promotion at work. I’m done with commuting to the big town. The bus driver told me they are taking women and retired men as they are struggling to fill the rota. And there’s a job in the village school coming up! Qualified teacher only.

Will you apply for the teaching job?  It’d be a shame to lose you.  However, I completely understand about the commute.

- Pip

Do you know Pip, I always dreamed of being a teacher and got as far as going for an interview at the training college but I didn't get through. I won't apply as the qualified is leaving and they really need another to replace. Anyone else who has a daughter or even a son who is, perhaps they might want to help out our little old village?

I'm quite satisfied with what I do now. Mustn't say too much, of course!

itsthelittlethings

Oh and last but not least, I saw the vicar this morning in the shop. We get on ok even though I don't generally attend. He said we can use the village hall first Saturday in February. I thought we could all get together and do some mending. I have a few things need doing. The heating won't be on so wrap up warm, and he said people generally have to bring flasks due to the milk situation. But perhaps we could meet 10-12? I'll get there early to unlock and put the chairs out. I can bring some darning needles and wool if anyone wants to do socks. Mrs Smith said she'd get her boy to watch the shop and come along. That's two of us at least!

Cherryfudge

A meet-up and mend - what a good idea! I should be able to make it.

Floss

I can open up at 9am if that helps others, my home is tiny so my morning chores don't take long! I have a lovely fine wool navy & cerise jumper that has gone on the shoulder seam, so I will bring that along to repair. 

Nelliegrace

I found another tiny moth hole, in a fine merino wool jumper./ thermal vest. I shall have another check for any more darning. 
I wore one of my new wool felt berets, I had forgotten how warm they are. 

Cherryfudge

What a shame about the hole @Nelliegrace. At least you caught it early. I had a recommendation to use embroidery thread for subtle repairs and it worked beautifully on a woollen jumper with a very small hole. You can often get a better colour match with embroidery thread, and of course you can divide it into strands for a finer effect.

I hope yours mends successfully - and every time you've mentioned berets, I've remembered one I have with figures in national costumes, embroidered by my Mum. I think that was for the Brussels World Fair in 1958. I wonder where I've put it?

Laura_Elsewhere

Dashing in, to wave to everyone esp new folk, sending encouragement to Pip re her scan, and I'm up to my eyebrows making a new frock- double duvet-cover and two pillowcases reduced to £7, at till it came yo as £5... so asked re only other of that design, missing one pillowcase and all packaging, was told £3 but then he couldn't put it through the till so just gave me it!
So two double duvet covers and three pillowcases... any idea how many clothing coupons I need for that?! 

It's thin brushed cotton with small amount of polyester, one side a dark red background and the other an off-white background, and I'm using it double to make a reversible frock, wrap-around, long sleeved, rever collar, with cuffs and collar showing contrast and reversible belt; possibly band if contrast at hem...

Cherryfudge

That's an amazing bargain @Laura_Elsewhere, and I like the sound of the colours. I seem to remember we charged fabric by length but didn't take account of the width: whether that is right, I can't be sure. It does seem a bit of an unfair advantage as I think things like duvet covers are often wider than standard fabric used to be.

I wonder whether you need use coupons at all for the one that was a gift, even though you had originally intended to buy it?

weenancyinAmerica

@itsthelittlethings - if the items you got had been returned to her or had been left behind, wouldn't they be considered second-hand and not requiring coupons (unless each was over 100 pounds)?