Make do and mend

 

We currently live in a throw away society. We live in such an abundant world that without even thinking, we throw out items of clothing, furniture, toys etc when they become worn, threadbare or "holey". Even worse than that, we throw out things just because we want something new or are a bit bored with what with have. Quite sad really. Because things have become so much cheaper in the last few years, we have no qualms about replacing something before it even needs replacing. And we just don't see the value in our everyday goods.

Life hasn't always been like this. A chat to your grandparents or people of the depression/war years will tell about the hardships and that they were expected to "do their bit" and "make do and mend". To make do and mend would be to recall the thrift and frugality of the home front at wartime (one of my favourite obsessions). It was time to learn from my ancestors and make things last longer.

I sometimes used to find myself looking around my house and thinking wouldn't it be nice if I could buy a new.....(insert product- couch, table, rug). If only I could afford a new .....(insert product again) it would really jazz up this room, make my house look lovely, make my day yadda yadda yadda.  And then I looked around my home - really looked and found a lot I really love. A lot. My travel trinkets, the furniture we inherited from hubby's beloved Grandpa and all my bits and memories. And I just decided, this will do- I have a roof over my head and my loves ones surrounding me and I really don't need much else. I would make do. HOWEVER, I may need to mend a few things to keep it that way (hee!) I would get the very best out of what I already have.

Above is my couch. We bought this with our wedding money 8 years ago. It was vintage when we bought it (approx made in 1980) but was in fantastic condition when we found it and really good value.  It had survived 25 years looking almost new. The leather is still soft but after 8 years and with one very rowdy and rough 4 year old boy, it is showing a bit of wear and tear. A wonderful friend of mine has introduced me to leather conditioner (used on horse saddlery) and I am going to give my old dear couch a once over next week. However, I am not sure what to do about this:

Yep - a hole. What a "hole" lot of fun. With all the jumping and climbing and bouncing my son does on the couch, it really is no wonder. So what do I do? I am not much of a sewer yet I feel this is the only way to go. As you can see, it is below the seam and I really want to get onto it before it becomes a "hole" lot bigger (had to do it).

If I had the money, I probably would consider just going out and buying a new couch. Yet, I love this couch. I slept the whole way through my first pregnancy on it, I breastfed my son here and I have held my baby boy in my arms on this couch until he went to sleep many a time (and hope I still have many to come). It really is comfy, seats the three of us perfectly and nothing, NOTHING beats watching a movie all together relaxing and dreaming. So I guess I am blessed to not have money, to see the wonders in this lovely old friend and to spend some time in fixing her up. It will be number one on my list. Wish me luck!

What do you do to make do and mend?

A fantastic read about lessons to be learnt from "Make do and Mend"

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1209530/Make-mend-Thrifty-tips-help-ride-recession.html