Alice Langley was a further education teacher before taking voluntary redundancy to raise her daughter (and number two, due very soon). Writing her An Essex Wife blog as a hobby, Alice soon realised writing was where she belonged. Here, she discusses why the ‘make do and mend’ mantra means arts and craft time is no longer just for children.
Raising a family in this current economic climate – especially if you have made the decision to be a stay at home parent – can be a tough situation to negotiate. Disposable income for me is not what it used to be, gone are the days of eating out a couple of times a week and replacing clothes and shoes at the first sign of wear or tear, I now find myself looking at how to make money stretch as far as it can without comprising the happiness and welling being of my family. I have found when speaking to both my ‘mummy’ and ‘non-mummy’ friends, the old fashion mantra of ‘make do and mend’ has been dragged into the 21st century and given a makeover befitting its ethos. I have always been a fan of vintage fashion and have always customised my own clothes to make them feel as ‘me’ as possible, but now I find that this DIY ethos works well for all aspects of the home not just what I’m wearing. Homemade gifts are now much more widely accepted, I personally love to receive something I know has been made especially for me. At my baby shower last month I received a crotched blanket from one of my best friends and I know I will treasure this when I use it with my newborn as it has a story behind it and is one of a kind, just like things I still have that were made for me as a child. I think this personal ‘link’ to gifts got lost for a while consumer spending went crazy.
When it comes to decorating and furnishing my humble abode I also believe that a lot can be done yourself to make your house a home, and the best bit is everything time you look at the cushions you have made or the old chairs you painted to give them a new lease of life you will have the satisfaction that you made that difference yourself.
Surrounding myself with homemade items has made me more grateful about my possessions. I find if you made something, spent time and effort in putting it together and perfecting it, you are a lot more connected to it and therefore likely to take care of it and ensure that it lasts as long as possible.
As they grow, I plan to get my children to help me make things for the home, garden and allotment in an attempt to teach them the value of their possessions and how to look after things. The plan starts with some Christmas decorations and a scarecrow for the allotment.
My aim for next year is to be able to made a patchwork quilt for my daughter using her old clothes, I think this could become a wonderful heirloom for her to keep and pass down to her own children one day, and also to be able to make simple dresses for her. I need to re-learn some sewing machine skills and find some spare childfree time, but I’m adamant that I will make it happen. I think I have just written my first new year’s resolution.
I would love to know how many of you out there have already adopted this modern day version if make do and mend, and what you projects you have completed. Come on ladies… inspire me!
@HarrietCampina
Tuesday 25th of October 2011
We moved into our house a year ago (we live in the Algarve) and inherited lots of orange pine type furniture (portuguese people always sell homes fully furnished). I hated it! I like neutral tones, lots of taupes and whites and greys. The thibg was it was all very well made and new furniture is so expensive, especially here. Olus it was all made to fit the spaces. I looked into having it painted by a professional and he quoted over a thousand euros. That was not an option So I spent two long weeks painting all of it in an off white paint that i had mixed up especially. I then ordered pretty vintage style glass door knobs for each piece that didn't cost very much but helped complete the transformation. So now i have the perfect shabby chic furniture that I'd wanted all along and I feel such a sense of pride when I look at it! My husband was so delighted with me!