"Do you really need it"?

Thrift isn't about buying or finding a bargain-it's about choosing what you need for the price you are willing to pay and asking your self "do you really need it. 

For example the Next 2day sale...we have been brain washed into believing that we must que up at 5 am to 'bag a bargain!' But do you ever think, "do I really need that bargain?" Do you need that cheaper skirt? Probably not, but the clever tactics of the  conglomerates have is brain washed into thinking we are always needing more. 

Think of M&S, you take a bag of unwanted garments to them, you feel all warm and fuzzy and M&S give you a pat on the back, but what's really happening is, you are in the shop-once they have you in, you spend. 

If you were to take a bag of unwanted clothes to a charity shop, Hands up who drops them off at the back door and not go in or browse? 

Even if you didn't spend much in Marks & Spencer, bread in the food hall or a t-shirt, it's the getting you into the store that is the important thing. 

Psychology of shopping is fascinating. It's now big business, HUGE. 

We don't realize just when we are being duped, duped in the name if a bargain. 

A Year of Thrift and cooking at home.

When at the local indoor market this weekend, we bought our meat from the loveliest friendly butchers. They all have a wealth of knowledge and have now gotten to know as regular customers of theirs. 

This week we bought 1lb of Ox Tail for the very reasonable price of £2.00. The butcher seemed surprised when we asked for it. 

I'm guessing very few people cook with it these days but makes such a hearty and warming meal, it's well worth giving it a go. 

Everything we purchase from them is so much better quality than the Supermarkets and I feel a great sence of pride knowing I'm buying local meat from local butchers. 

And the best part, they have suggestions for money saving meal ideas! 

A Year Of Thrift & reusing, recycling & remaking with fabric.

So it's that time of year again where I'll begin to think of what I'm working towards for the Festival of Thrift, to be held again at Lingfield Point, Darlington in September. 

As you will have gathered, I love remaking something with fabrics with a remake, reuse, recycle attitude and firmly believe that one persons junk is another persons treasure! 

I decided to go through only some of my vintage duvet covers that will potentially be turned into Aprons for the Festival of Thrift. 

I was recently given a wonderful vintage 1950's tabard style apron that would have been worn for the most practical of tasks. 

I'll be cutting a new pattern off the vintage apron to create an apron that has a throw back to the overall aprons originally worn by the workers at the Patons and Baldwins site that was based at lingfield Point from 1940's-1980's. 

As a textiles artist I not Only find the garments fascinating but as my studio, Bobbin Shed 21 is on the Lingfield Point site, I'm passionate to make a sympathetic replica...watch this space!