A challenge of the utmost kind
Today I am starting a project. Inspired by both Tif at Dottie Angel and Judith Levine I am committing to a year of buying only hand-made or thrifted items for my wardrobe and home wherever possible. Tif calls it ‘a challenge of the utmost kind’. She is right. I am a woman who has a passion for shopping, but as a woman who has also hung up her briefcase and suit in order to raise little pebbles and pursue her small jewellery-making dream, the pursestrings are a little tighter than they once were. So, this challenge ticks two boxes, one green and one thrifty.
Before embarking on this daunting but exciting venture I had to do a little preparation:
I was a little worried about underthings. I audited my flimsies drawer. They were in fairly good order but Tif reassured me that I did not have to rely on coconut halves or crochet triangles anyway. Undies are essentials, so if pants are fit for no more than dusters then new ones are permitted.
I ferreted in my cupboards to see how the land lay in the clothing department. A very good thing happened. I found a pair of jeans I had forgotten about, bought on sale between the pebble babies. ‘These’ I thought, ’shall be my utmost jeans.’ I sewed a little something to them (in a slightly wobbly way) as a mark of make do-ness and to remind me to stay away, if I can, from alluring places. I also recalled a rather lovely recent purchase. Just £15 had bought me a floral sixties tunic dress. I remembered the thrill of wearing vintage clothing. I was heartened.
Now for homeware. I would like some new curtains for the living room. I get the flutters about fabric with seedhead designs but they are now out of bounds. So, I bought some calico, some Pebeo fabric paints and had a little tinker. I plan to make my own seedhead-y fabric and then my own curtains. Watch this space.
Finally Val’s excellent tuition in the ways of sewing machine righteousness will help in the coming year. Pinafores for small pebbles and skirts for me are what I hope to make with Great Granny P’s machine. If I am tempted to fall off the thrifty wagon I shall ring Val or email Julia, the queen of (clothing) darts and try to make instead of buy.
Here goes…..
(P.S. Due to a tummy followed by a nose situation last week ‘up the hill to spring’ will start in a few days’ time)
February 7th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Well done you - you’re a braver girl than me!
More sewing soon?
February 7th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
You’ll do brilliantly, I look forward to watching it all happen.
February 7th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Best of luck - you are well prepared and I think we are all finding this a great challenge. Very good to have you on board!
February 7th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
A YEAR!!! Oh my goodness — that IS a challenge!!! Your little patch on your jeans is adorable — if that’s any indication, you’ll do fine. But, I’ll wish you good luck anyway!
February 7th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
well that is a brilliant challenge - i look forward to seeing how it goes and may be inspired to follow suit!
xxx
February 7th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Good luck Emma! Your jeans and curtains-to-be look fab! And I love that little butterfly in the last photo - what is it painted on? Lucy xx
February 7th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Good luck Emma! I’m sure you’ll have a lot of vintage thrifty fun.
Celia
x
February 7th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Well done you. A very commendable commitiment indeed, I look forward to hearing more about it. I am fairly thrifty when it comes to my purchases for the home, books etc, but not when it comes to my own clothes. Phew for new underwear!
February 7th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
What a great idea. I’m looking forward to seeing how you get on.
February 7th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
The little embellishment on the jeans is super cute! Good luck, I hope the challenge goes well.
Mel xxx
February 7th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
A big decision, not taken lightly. I am sure you will be highly successful with it. :O)
February 7th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Goodness, that IS a challenge. The seedhead fabric is wonderful.
I keep thinking that if I don’t spend any money on clothes this year, I can spend it on fabric instead!
February 7th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
fantastic challenge, good luck xoxoxo
February 7th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
I was hugely affected by that Judith Levine book. Good on you for making the commitment! And I like your seedheads.
February 7th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
The seedhead painting looks lovely. Good luck and have fun with your challenge. I’m glad undies don’t count :o)
February 8th, 2010 at 1:53 am
Well done Emma. From meeting you I knew you liked to shop and there’s still a lot of good shopping to be done in the thrifty world. I think it’s an exciting adventure as you’re already showing. Creativity is already bursting forth more new ideas. Can’t wait to see where it takes you.
I’ve been tempted to join in a few times, but wonder if I would have the strength needed. My bank tells me I would.
Lisa x
February 8th, 2010 at 8:56 am
It seems to me that you will not only complete the challenge but do it in some style. If only I could stay away from White Stuff my funds would be better.
Great idea about the calico curtains-I may just have to steal it!
February 8th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Emma, you really a women after my own heart. I am of a similar mind at the moment (is there something in the air?) and have had such fun in charity shops buying birthday pressies for people (some great books in those shops) and looking on e-bay for second hand clothes that look brand new. I also came across the Etsy site where people sell homemade items, there are a lot of ‘Pillow Case’ dresses for kiddies on there that look fantastic! Have a nose, they look easy (well easy for someone who can use a sewing machine) to make with a pillow case and ribbons for the shoulders
February 8th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Wishing you luck, wishing you luck…….I love the seedhead design.
Have a fabulous week,
Nina xxxx
February 8th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
I’m really looking forward to watching you make stuff. Whilst I sit here drinking wine and doing sweet FA.
I keep going to the vintage market in town and feeling out of place and lost and confused. But I love it. Must go more.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Good luck! I love the little patch on your jeans - am thinking about which fabric I would use to put such a patch on my own jeans right now! I look forward to seeing how you get on.
Rachel x
February 8th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
wow. I’m very impressed by people who make such a commitment. I know I couldn’t do it. I’m weak. I like clothes. It’s the Italian in me… which is like… 100% of me so I’m doomed.
That doesn’t mean I don’t intend doing as much as possible of that too…
And if only I could find a tunic like that one!!!
February 8th, 2010 at 10:18 pm
Well done you. I saw this challenge at Ted and Agnes and I’m full of admiration for you all. Not sure I could commit just at the moment though I am trying to be a little more concious of what I’m buying and whether it’s a “need” or a “want”.
February 9th, 2010 at 12:13 am
Well done you. Love the little jeans patch. Very tempted to join you - Tif is very inspirational.
Wend
February 9th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
You are very brave Emma and I wish you lots of luck! I’ll follow your progress with interest! P x
February 9th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Good for you Emma … I look forward to reading all about it … and seeing those hand-painted curtains. So inspiring! x
February 9th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Oh such a lovely post. will follow how it goes. there is a real clothes making buzz going on just now isn’t there? By the way, I always read your blog but for some reason it hardly ever allows me to comment - perhaps it’s trying to tell me something??!!! x
February 9th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Hi Emma,
I too only buy vintage or second hand clothes, far more interesting.
The last year I have had no choice as hubby still out of work although now I don’t think I will ever change, it can be fun!
February 10th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
I really like the idea of this but when I think about it seriously I realise what a huge commitment it is. Good for you and good luck. I might keep musing about it. It would be better for me than Monsoon and more interesting than M&S!
February 11th, 2010 at 12:00 am
Oh I think you’ll do brilliantly here. You have such imagination and flair fot creating, I’m sure you’ll sail through the challenges.
Good Luck!
February 11th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Well done you. I’ve been looking and this one and don’t have the courage to join it. What if my washing machine gives up the ghost? And does that mean the kids all have to have second hand? They will surely scream!