2026 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

dND

Beautiful @Laura_Elsewhere 😁

I seem to have mislaid my knitting mojo - probably lost it in the garden along with my secateurs. 😞 Dxx

Laura_Elsewhere

brilliant idea, @PollyWollyDoodle ! My parents had a William Morris bedspread they loved which ended up threadbare in places- I brought it back home when they finally threw it out, washed it in the bath (eeeuuwww!!!) and found enough sound fabric to make them cushion-covers for their four everyday dining-chairs :) they were surprised but pleased to see their beloved Morris back again!

Laura_Elsewhere

Due to the heatwave, I have been clearing the decks in various ways- no cooked meals all week, and we bought bread to avoid any oven use. One outing on Wednesday daytime and quick appts on Thursday afternoon, but otherwise the week's my own!!

What shall I sew…???

I have 2.5m of gorgeous cotton, deep royal blue with bright sunflowers all over it in yellows and golds with green leaves… I am tempted to just make a simple pull-on frock, slash neck and cap-sleeves, knee-length 3/4-circle skirt and of course pockets…

PipneyJane

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82042603#Comment_82042603

Very sweet of you to say so, @Nelliegrace. Ditto @PollyWollyDoodle.

That fabric sounds perfect for a summer's dress @Laura_Elsewhere. Go for it!

@dND your knitting mojo is hiding in a fridge somewhere. It's way too hot to knit. I didn't knit at all at the cricket on Friday - my hands were too swollen. When I lived in Australia, I never knitted in summer for that very reason. I could crochet, but I couldn't knit.

I'm posting in my lunch break. Today is my first day back at work. No pain, so far. Tomorrow, I'll venture into the office. Must get there early to nab a desk, (it's air conditioned so will be popular).

• Pip

PipneyJane

@Laura_Elsewhere I missed your post about the socks for your friend. They’re beautiful, and the perfect gift for someone who has been through a major illness. They’re a pair of hugs for her feet.

Hope you have a lovely day wtth her on Wednesday.

• Pip

Nelliegrace

I frittered away some money won on Premium Bonds this month, £8.96 with delivery, for 2 linen and 2 cotton tablecloths. I am meeting my sisters next month, a day out and picnic at Hidcote Manor Gardens, so I can share these. Blue for the sister with Cottage Blue Denby and green for the collector of Woods Beryl Ware.

CapricornLass

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82036904#Comment_82036904

dND, if you have tried all the suggestions and its still not worked, you can always try the old hot water trick. You need very bright sunlight (like we have at present), lay the cloth out and then pour boiling water over it from a height. Leave in the sun to dry. Repeat if necessary. (Dont do this on grass, because the water will kill it!). But it will shift marks that other methods won't touch.

dND

Thank you @CapricornLass I vaguely remember Nancy Birtwhistle doing something like that but had obviously forgotton. The green bleach and soaking removed the mould and has lessened the other stain - I meant to post a picture but with this heat it completely slipped my mind. Dxx

dND

And more spends to declare - like the proverbial London buses, none for ages then 3 turn up together.

A Pavers sale email dropped into my inbox so I have my new winter slippers and some leather lace-up shoes both for a very reasonable £14.99 a pair. I'm very hopeful that I can wear knitted socks with these lace-ups which are similar to trainers in style. If I read it right they 4 coupons each?

New total is then 28/66. With luck that's it for a while, probably until sun hats are in the sales when I'll get a new one for next year. 😁 Dxx

alicef

I did see the emails from Susan Crawford re, the Christmas hamper, @PipneyJane ohh, I was so tempted but the first batch sold in a blink. I'm hoping Susan will make the Annual available as a standalone item. Instead, I purchased 2.5m of cotton lawn (5 coupons) even though I have lots of fabric. This year is 'year of yarn stash reduction', I'll sort out fabric next year ….or maybe the next.

The socks are gorgeous, @Laura_Elsewhere !

Lidl had a mass of strawberries on orange sticker 50% off, so I bought lots. Oh, I'll make ice-cream I thought - forgetting that we don't have cream or whole milk, and I'm probably short on suitable sized tupperware.