Two years after the Make and Mend Challenge

From unsplash (Kelly Sikkema)

Another year has passed, the second one after my really strict "Make and Mend" challenge. But why keep track of the things I purchase for myself? 

- Because after publishing the post about the purchases the year after "make and mend" (ie a year ago), I was really shocked, how much I had bought! Lots of fabric for "fun sewing projects" and I counted 21 items I really didn't need at all (the *-things). So that is nearly 2 things a month that I didn't really need. In my defence: I did wear/use most of those clothes/items. But still. The most dispensable items were probably the bracelets I hardly wear. And two bras that don't really fit perfectly. A few other sewing projects with stuff i didn't really need... which puts me in a bit of a conflict - I really like sewing clothes, but there is the point, where all of our wardrobes are saturated...! I didn't even manage to make what I intended to make... that is a bit annoying.

So I decided to collect another year and see, how I am doing... 

What I bought

6 tank tops
2 t-shirts black
4 pair jeans shorts (two different sizes, I went a bit up and down size-wise this year...)
1 pair of Marlene trousers (summer trousers)
1 sports bra

2 eye shadow base
1 mascara
1 pair of glasses (proper ones, not sunglasses)

2 books for work
1 backpack (doubles as work bag)
6 pairs of compression socks for work

(*)7 pairs of ballet slippers (I dance every week, they were on offer so I bought a few more than actually needed right that moment...)
*2 bras (I have a "bra thing" obviously...)
*1 shrug
*2 eye shadow
*1 pair of shoes (that broke 20min after wearing them?! The PU faux leather top came crumbling  off!! that was the price for buying shoes I didn't need... at least I was reimbursed)
*1 book on baking (french pastry...)
*2 pairs of dancing shoes (second hand)
* hotfix stick and black stones for it


fabric for
- 2 pairs black trousers "jeans cut" ( Ginger Jeans, corduroy)
- 1 pair summer trousers (linen viscose mix)
- children comfy pants (christmas presents!)
- comfy pants for myself
- 3 t-shirts
- test fabric for leggings, shirt, a dress
- sequined fabric for 2 dresses

What I made

wool felt ball decoration
3 comfy pants for children (Frida by Milchmonster)
1 comfy pants for myself (Mama Frida by Milchmonster)
Jade skirt (by Paprika Patterns)
2 Sequined black Tango dress (own pattern and adaption of Twister Dress by apfelblüte)

What I mended

6 Tops (ok... I just shortened the straps)

Bikini Top Child No. 2
adjust Marlene trousers
woolen pullover (MOTHS!)

What went out
4 tank top (holes, fabric washed superthin)
7 t-shirts short and long sleeved (weird deodorant bobbles that won't come out in the wash any more  and holes)
2 Shirts I stopped wearing and really won't wear anymore
1 pair of shoes (the ones that basically broke after 20mins of wearing them, first I wanted to cover them in black glitter, but it would have meant to first brush/scrape off the entire surface of faux leather (because it was crumbling off and would not be a good base for anything) and then invest in lots and lots of black glitter and glue... and I just couldn't see myself wearing black glitter loafer sort of shoes... really...)


* marks things I didn't really need...