The original Make Do and Mend message arose during the 1940's when household goods, clothes and food were in short supply so people were encouraged to be more creative and resourceful with what it had. Now given the current state of the economy these tips have once again become relevant. Most of us are having to watch every penny we spend so follow the tips below and save where you can. Each section contains tips from different sources.
The tips in this section are taken from Make Do and Mend - keeping family and home afloat on war rations. A selection of wartime tips to avoid wasting valueable clothing resources. A copy of the book can be ordered here.
-Do not wait for holes to develop. it is better to darn as soon as garments begin to wear thin.
-Never patch old material with new if you can help it. If you do use new, however, wash the partch piece first.
-Cut out the good parts of a worn garment and keep them for patching.
-Mend all holes and tears before washing.
-Most stains can be removed if dealt with at once by using plain tepid water.
-To leghten a dress let in a band of contrasting colour material from the waist to 6 in below and bind the neckline, add a pocket to match, or a contrasting band at the hem.
-Don't pull the thread taut ot it will pucker.
-Do darn well beyond the weak place.
-All woollen garments should be reinforced on the inside where they get hard wear - if they are new before you start wearing them . This will make them last much longer.
-To prevent unnecessary wear don't carry a handbag under the arm of a coat or dress.
-When shirt cuffs start to fray, they should be carefully unpicked and reversed. As they are double the worn edge will be on the inside of the fold.
-To clean greasy collars and cuffs brush well with 1 table spoonful of ammonia to a pint of water. Scrub gently if very dirty.
-Refresh coats, suits and dresses by altering the necklines or adding new collars and cuffs of constrasting material.
The tips in this section are from Pippa Bray, the owner of the Make Do and Mend Shops. Find out how our sewing services can save you money. Read our top 10 tips to get you through the recession:
Zip gone on your favourite jeans? We can replace it for a fraction of the cost of a new pair.
Fed up with last year’s winter coat? We can shorten it or restyle it for you.
If your curtains are thin, they are letting your valuable heat escape. Let us line them for you and make your room cosier.
Have a door curtain made to keep out the draughts.
Do you have an expensive long dress hanging in the wardrobe? Bring it to us for re-styling and get some use out of it.
Cant afford a new suite? Get a new look with some of our selection of hand-made cushions.
Good quality clothes sitting in your wardrobe? Bring them to us for re-sizing or updating.
Never going to wear your beautiful prom dress again? Have it shortened or made in to a top or skirt.
Do you still have your wedding dress packed away? We can turn it into a beautiful christening gown.
Don’t even get your car out! If you are lucky enough to live in St Day, you can walk up to see us!
The tips in this section below have kindly been provided by www.Make-do-and-mend.org who are a crafty,green informative and design website, trying to tackle the problems arising out of the commercial direction of the fashion industry. Please visit the site for many more Make Do and Mend tips.
The following tips are taken from the Turn Out and Renovate section of www.make-do-and-mend.org which provides tips on how to make your clothes last longer, or turn them into something new.
Skirt refurbish- from straight to dandy
Upgrade your skirt by applying a strip of cotton sateen ribbon down each side.
1.Measure the length of the skirt, double it and add an extra few cm to determine the length of the ribbon
2.Select a 2.5 cm wide ribbon, cut to determine length and then cut in half
3.Position Steam-A-Seam fusible tape onto the ribbon strip.Fold under one end of ribb on and tape and iron it to create a finished edge. Add 2.5 cm of tape onto that end
4.Align finished edge with bottom of waistband. Press ribbon along the side seam and fold excess ribbon under the hem. iron to fix ribbon to skirt
5.Repeat on other side seam
Shorts Cut - change your boring trousers into something new and exciting!
1.Cut off legs to desired length (remember to add a few cm for the hem)
2.Turn the trousers inside out and fold the raw edge up about one cm and iron
3.Fold another 3 cm, iron and pin in place
4.Slip stitch the top of the fold with a single thread
What to do with...
a too-short blouse
Have you any blouses which you hardly ever wear because they are too short in the waist and work out of the top of your skirts? Add a deep band of near matching material all round.
a too tight blouse
Open the front of a blouse which has become too tight, and put in a contrasting button band. Or if it has long sleeves, make them short and use the material left over for your button band.
too tight underwear
let in ribbons or strip of silk down the sides to ease the strain on the seams.
a too-short skirt
Add a band of colour at the hem.
FacebookBlogForum Please note that this site is an intermediary bringing craft makers and customers together. All contracts of sale are between the buyer and the craft maker. Please see the terms of use page for full terms and conditions.
