Must........resist...........the............urge

[Hawthorn]

I've come around to 'that' time of the year again. As all of you don't know me very well, I will explain.

Twice a year, once in the autumn and once in the spring, I go on a clothes fest. I bin all the kids clothes and buy them new. I'm really having to resist the temptation to buy all the pretty things that are new on the next website for my kids. I DO like them to look good, and I like the look of new clothes on them.
They have oodles of clothes. Some could do with binning, but some are ok - they're just not new.
I blame my mother. She used to do this
I know it's wasteful, so this year I'm going to break the chain.
Have sewing machine, will travel.

Cor, but it's harder than giving up smoking this lark

[Clara]

Good for you!

I take it when you say "bin", you mean take to the charity shop/freecycle?

Would you dare go a step further and buy their "new" clothes second hand?

[Hawthorn]

Only the good items that are outgrown get taken to the charity shop. Only recently discovered freecyle.
Due to the crud quality of off the peg clothing these days, most of their stuff is no good to be passed down really. Plus, my kids are muck magnets and the vast majority of it is stained with mud or has the knee torn. They are TERRIBLE.
I do go through our charity shops (there are four in my village) but they never seem to have any decent stuff in my kids sizes to be honest. If there's something there though, I'll get it. I got a bargain coat for my son last year - more or less brand new ski jacket. Four quid! Fantastic!

I am too particular. I know this, and I'm working with it. I like the kids to look, well, immaculate I have a problem where this is concerned. It's an obsession. I'm not too proud to buy charity shop stuff, but it has to be in very good condition
Ok, ok, it has to look new

I'm working on it. Honest. It's now ten to seven and I STILL haven't succumbed to the temptation I'm still itching to, but I haven't. I need to go to consumers anonymous I think

[Clara]

I need to go to consumers anonymous I think

don´t we all

Sometimes I definitely like my kid looking smart too, specially seeing as the Spanish babies tend to wear very "formal" outfits (usually matching an older sibling!) - just get fed up of being followed round the supermarket because my baby doesn´t have earrings and I´m not wearing make-up (truly...... )

But at home on the range she´s gonna get messy, like real dirty so I don´t worry about how old or crappy what she´s wearing is.....how about starting with that?

[mrsflibble]

Hawthorn, what age are your kids? I have some age 2-3 patterns (and one age 3-4 hoodie, plus a size 34" boob measurement dress) I've made that I'd be willing to copy and share. they're really easy 'cos they were made by me for me to make; I can't follow ready made patterns they just annoy me lol!

Most of my daughter's stuff comes from second hand shops, r is home made- but I never buy anything low quality rom second hand shops, if it's not the best (or if it can't be made to be the best by some hom tweaking) I wont take it.

I can also recommend some tutorials online which show really easy clothes for children too.

[Hawthorn]

My kids are 13, 11, 8 and four! 34" boobs.....huh, I wish more like a 50". I gained a lot of weight from some medication and it's just not coming off me

The patterns online would be great though, fantastic, thanks :) I have trouble following the bought patterns too. I just don't get what they're telling me to do

[Hawthorn]

I need to go to consumers anonymous I think

don´t we all

Sometimes I definitely like my kid looking smart too, specially seeing as the Spanish babies tend to wear very "formal" outfits (usually matching an older sibling!) - just get fed up of being followed round the supermarket because my baby doesn´t have earrings and I´m not wearing make-up (truly...... )

But at home on the range she´s gonna get messy, like real dirty so I don´t worry about how old or crappy what she´s wearing is.....how about starting with that?

It's not that bad over here.....kids are rarely dressed formally like that - but they are dressed in the VERY latest of fashions. A lot of kids have pierced ears too. I don't like that on the very young, I must admit. It makes me cringe - kids are too rough and tumble and I just imagine them getting their ears ripped whilst playing

there's a lady who lives a few doors down from me who has three kids (two under five). The kids have afro hair, and they are ALWAYS immaculate looking. So is she too.....hair always perfect, make up always on. I swear I've seen her go past at seven in a morning looking all perfect with the kids

[mrsflibble]

My kids are 13, 11, 8 and four! 34" boobs.....huh, I wish more like a 50". I gained a lot of weight from some medication and it's just not coming off me

The patterns online would be great though, fantastic, thanks :) I have trouble following the bought patterns too. I just don't get what they're telling me to do

the pattern for the dress was bought for my sister, but even she's grown out of a size 10-12 now lol!
I myself am a proudly big boobed lady.

I'll pm the tutorials, they'd probably be ok for the 4 year old but the older ones might not be too keen if they're picky.

[Hawthorn]

the 11 year old and 8 year old are fine......the 13 year old however is an 'Emo'

[magenta flame]

AN Emo? Oh dear you poor thing. My 13 year old boy has gone the opposite, he must have his hair soft and managable, and wear things that make him 'look good'. He asks for clothing shop vouchers when birthdays come around.

[Hawthorn]

Oh yes. He has Zac Efron hair (we call him Tash Efron because he has the makings of a Tash on his upper lip)

Imagine skinny jeans down round his butt somewhere, belts with studs round his hips, odd socks or even odd coloured shoes (one green, one red) and stripey skinny T-shirts. He wants his lip piercing and he has been known to skank my eyeliner I thought I'd only have that problem with my daughter, but it appears not!

[mrsflibble]

hahaha my bro's best mate is an emo on those proportions lol! no stick of kohl has been left unturned with him

hoodies. many many hoodies. make raglan sleeves so they're easy.
you can pick up some really funky fabric in charity shops.