Make Do And Mend

Product Description

The rationing period during World War II is often described as a difficult time & yet also remembered nostalgically as a time of unity & great sacrifice. In fact many of its rules & guidelines could still be applied today. Make Do & Mend" focuses on clothes rationing which was introduced in June 1940. With the nation's industrial output concentrated on the war effort basic clothes were in short supply & high fashion was an unknown commodity. Adults were issued as little as 36 coupons a year to spend on clothes. But a man's suit could cost 22 coupons a coat 16 & a lady's dress 11 so the need to recycle & be inventive with other materials became more & more necessary. The government issued the leaflets included in " Make Do & Mend" to advise on how best to avoid wasting valuable resources by recycling curtains into dresses & old sheets into underwear; in short how to 'make do & mend' rather than buying new clothes. Produced from original material held in archives the leaflets are also a nostalgic showcase of 1940s' style which makes them the perfect gift."