Make do and Mend!

We can learn a lot about thrift and recycling by learning what everyone was doing during World War II.

You may have noticed, I haven't been posted very many new blogs lately.  I'm actually getting the usual break from work I get each summer and my get up and go, got up and went.  Last summer I didn't get this yearly break to relax a bit, clean my studio, organize, etc. BECAUSE OF "FROZEN" ...  grrrrr ...

So, I've been taking the time to click on all those funny and interesting videos everyone posts on Facebook. This morning there was one about "Victory" fashions during WWII. 

Which made me remember this booklet I own.

The pledge at the beginning is the best.


I am trying to learn this still.

The book has lots of basic sewing instruction with emphasis on darning, patching and mending. But, also, lots of advice on ways to make accessories to freshen up the clothes you already have.

There are several pages for hat making and this page showing things that can be crocheted to embellish clothing, hair, etc.

My favorite pages show how to cut up your husband's old suits to make a new one for yourself.

And lots of examples of things that can be made for children from men's shirts.

I guess the men are getting new clothes because they have to go out to work?  OR! ... maybe the men have gone to war and don't KNOW their clothes are being cut up!?

This is a fun British film showing people how to look fashionable while being frugal.

And the link below will take you to the film I saw this morning that got me thinking about all this.
Australian video about "Victory" fashions for women

This other link shows what the men were wearing. They were getting new clothes, but this clothing had restrictions, too.
Australian video about "Victory Suits" for men

I'm amazed how resourceful everyone was. And I haven't even mentioned all the food restriction!