2026 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

thriftwizard

Well I've been off on war work for a few weeks (family, business, allotment and - Wonderwool Wales!) and have a fair bit of catching up to do. I did see about your friend, @PipneyJane; that's just awful, so sad & unnecessary. {{{Hugs}}}

So, Wonderwool… I think I need to cough up rather a lot of coupons! 5 metres of fabric (2 of cotton jersey, for over-dyeing & then making into a top & some more undies, and 3 of gorgeous, soft Indian cotton block-print - irresistible! Plus a pattern for smart but loose-fitting trousers.) and 200g of beautiful hand-dyed wool yarn from a friend, which will become a shawl. There were other purchases too, but secondhand (from the Air Ambulance stall) or not chargeable as far as I can see - lots of blanket selvedge, 2 bags of hand-dyed Teeswater locks. And it was just the best weekend, being amongst like-minded people, all of them beaming with delight & brimming with inspiration! I was staying in a lovely country house with fellow Guild-of-WSD members and also met up with several friends at the show. Now to get on with some of my projects…

ETA: 14 coupons? 10 for the fabric, 4 for the yarn? The blanket selvedge was mostly wool too, but basically that's industrial waste - although I may have made a kind of garment from some of it, will post a pic tomorrow - but the rest is destined to be woven into rugs.

Herewith said "garment" - a collar, perhaps? -

PipneyJane

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81991917#Comment_81991917

That is stunning @thriftwizard. I am in awe of your skills. Yes, I think you should call it a collar. It’ll be perfect with a coat when the cold weather hits.

• Pip

Florenceem

thriftwizard - that is amazing.

Cherryfudge

Gorgeous - you are so creative! What a beguiling colour palette, too.

Nelliegrace

A Midsummer Night’s Dream comes to mind @thriftwizard Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth and Mustardseed. A collar or shawl over a floaty dress? It is gorgeous.

MrsCD

That is so pretty, @thriftwizard .

Have the knitters among us seen this article from Kate Davies on AI?

https://katedaviesdesigns.com/2026/04/29/knitting-!!!!!!/

PollyWollyDoodle

thank you for that, @MrsCD - I wouldn’t have come across it otherwise although I know who Kate Davies is. That’s a really thoughtful and well written piece. And slightly upsetting and depressing.

Laura_Elsewhere

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81994643#Comment_81994643

strewth!!!!!!!!

that's… unspeakably awful stuff.

PipneyJane

strewth!!!!!!!!


that's… unspeakably awful stuff. 

Agreed, @Laura_Elsewhere. Most depressing. Good on Kate for calling them out. Thanks for sharing this @MrsCD .

I am unhappy to report that 2026 is not my year. I now have cellulitis in my right hand. Very painful. Think I must have been bitten by a mosquito while I was at the Sweeps Festival. Had twinges all last week, then it really flaired up on Saturday. Spent all Sunday at the hospital. They gave me IV antibiotics and sent me home with a week’s worth of tablets. No fever. I am waiting for the antibiotics to kick in. Follow up appointment on Friday.

• Pip

PollyWollyDoodle

ouch - really painful, I had that once and it’s quite frightening how quickly it can progress. It’s made me very wary of bites and scratches. Hope the antibiotics start to work soon.