Make Do and Mend

Red, white and blue

Looks like I have been going through a patriotic phase.

Thrift Tips

Use the library instead of buying books

Have a shower instead of having a bath

Keep a thermos flask near the kettle

Exercise the old fashioned way

Make do and mend

Slow down while driving

Have a bath with a loved one

Hang dry laundry

Turn the thermostat down and put an extra layer on

Grow your own vegetables

I cut up old quilts in order to make a lot of my work. Most of them are in a really bad condition and aren't useable so I don't feel too guilty. I always save some sections in order to make  little cloth books. The theme of this one is Thrift Tips. We are apparently still deep in recession so you may want to take some of these on board.

Make Do and Mend

Unravel threads from seams and hems to darn cloth materials

Do not wait for holes to develop

Repair where you can

Renovate where you can't

Mend all holes and tears before washing

Thin spots should be reinforced with darning

Rub gently if very dirty

Tuck in frayed edges and stitch new folds together

When patching use old material

Men used to wear detachable collars on their shirts to avoid having to wash the shirt so frequently. Now we are used to wearing something once and then being able to wash it in a washing machine and  dry it quickly in a tumble dryer.

I have been slowly embroidering thrift tips into men's collars. 50 - 60 years ago women were forced to darn and mend clothes and to wash them with care to keep them going longer. In those times clothing was scarce and rationed and you just had to make do.