Monday, February 25, 2019

Frugality Can Be Oddly Satisfying: A Confession

Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do, or
Do without

That slogan has always been my mantra. I grew up thinking that it was a New England saying, but just found this information: [The saying was] coined by the War Advertising Council during World War II to promote the dual need to conserve scarce resources and to help keep prices down by not generating excess demand.

Whatever the source, the sentiment has always made sense to my frugal New England soul. I hope you can understand that because I am about to tell you... 


I made covers for old potholders today. 

Yep, that seems odd even to me. But it was also strangely satisfying to take those raggedy old things and make them into something much better while using bits of fabric from the scrap bag. 

I first spent some time researching what materials I would need to make new potholders but decided that if I did make new ones, I would still have the old ones to throw out and I am all about reducing waste these days. 

You'll suspect that my life is a quiet one, but I keep peeking in the potholder drawer now, admiring my handiwork and feeling quite delighted.  So that's my confession. You can fix up your old potholders, too. Just don't tell anyone who gave you the idea. 


Old, raggedy, discolored

Joyful colors from the scrapbag--the potholders now match a quilt, a dress, a lampshade, and some curtains

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