MendingRecyclingUpcycling

America Make Do is a

Southwest Louisiana-based

operation dedicated to the

cause of ethical, green,

economy-tripling, job-making

production right here on

American soil.

Founders Victoria Ellender and

Cheryl Hartley, a mother-

daughter team, believe in the

solid foundation for American

production that was established

by the hard work of our

ancestors. Our clothing is made

100% from American-made

fabrics and upcycled materials.

Green living.

Cottage industry.

Ethical production.

Beautiful fashions.

We want these to romance Americans so much that

the desire to have "closets full will be replaced with

passion to exclusively support native industry.

The Make Do and Mend movement began during World War II.

The war caused a shortage of supplies due to the sinking of ships

bring supplies and the lack of clothing manufacturing because of

the increased demand for war materials.

The “Make Do and Mend” movement administered by the

governments of both the United States and England encouraged

citizens to get the last possible ounce of wear out of all their

family’s clothing.

People started making new clothes from old ones and from all other

household linen.

During the war, women became masterminds of make do and

mend, so resourceful they fashioned up sexy knickers out of

parachutes.

To stretch your dollar– It saves money to make the

most of your family’s resources.

Contributes to society at large by supporting local

businesses, and by keeping more dollars in the

community.

It’s a fun hobby, and yields style that is difficult to

replicate.

Three ways to Make Do…1) Repair and Mend

2) Recycle by dyeing and minor alterations.

3) Upcycling using textiles and other materials.

Some of these mending tips you may already be

familiar with, but some may be new to you. We hope

these mending tools will give you ideas on how to get

the most of your clothing and how to creatively shop

or “thrift.”

1. Sewing a button

2. Hem your pants

3. Patch your jeans

These three may seem really obvious but they will help

you extend the life of your clothes.

4. Alter a shirt--- There are many videos on the

Internet that explain the variety of ways to alter tops

to make them fit better and/or to accommodate

weather changes.

5. Removing stains naturally--- The best way to keep

your clothes looking great longer is to learn how to

effectively remove stains… lemon juice, BIZ, bleach.

Line Dry your clothes--- Line drying your clothes is

gentler than tumble drying (and cheaper).

World War II Make and Mend book:

“It’s easy to teach an old wardrobe new tricks, to

resurrect the skeletons in your closet and bring

them up to date. Come on, take those old

knockabouts and turn them into knockouts…”

Dyeing is so fun and easy to do.

You can redye blacks to make them look fresh or

completely change the color of something to make it

into something new.

Dye is cheap and can be found at any grocery store.

It works best with natural fibers. Cotton, wool, linen.

Stove Top Dying

This technique delivers the best color results when dyeing with black or other dark colors.

Fill pot with enough hot water for fabric to move freely. Remember: Use 1 package of Rit powder or 1/2 bottle of Rit liquid dye and 3 gallons of hot water for each pound of fabric. Pre-dissolve powder in 2 cups of hot water. Add pre-dissolved powder or liquid to dye bath. Stir to mix.

Wet fabric in hot water. Uncrumple and add to dye bath.

Bring dye bath to simmer. Stir constantly (back and forth, up and down) at least 30 minutes.

Rinse in warm water, then gradually cooler water until water runs clear. Wash item in warm water with mild detergent and rinse thoroughly in cool water.

Dry item in dryer or hang to dry.

Clean containers immediately with chlorine bleach. Scrub with chlorine-based powder, liquid, or gel cleanser.

For Top-Loading Machines

Fill machine with enough hot water for fabric to move freely. Refer to the chart below for the right amount of dye to add. Pre-dissolve powder in 2 cups of hot water. Add pre-dissolved powder or liquid to hot dye bath.

Wet fabric in hot water. Uncrumple and add to dye bath.

Set machine for extended wash cycle. Fabric should be in dye bath for at least 30 minutes before rinse begins. (You can reset your washing machine before the rinse cycle begins for extended wash cycle.)

Rinse in cold water until water runs clear. Wash deep shades in warm water with mild detergent and rinse thoroughly in cool water.

Dry item in dryer or hang to dry.

Clean washing machine using highest water level with hot water, detergent and 1 cup chlorine bleach using complete wash cycle. Clean lint traps. Plastic or rubber machine parts may be tinted but will not stain laundry.

Adding lace, trims, new notions to a plain top or

skirt

Dyeing something white or plain to a whole new

color

Taking scraps of fabric and stitching to make

headbands, purses

Using linen table cloths from Care/Help to make

pants, tops, rompers, play suits for toddlers.

Bed sheets make great material… No need to spend

several dollars a yard on fabric. Just buy used

cotton bed sheets at Goodwill, Care/Help, and start

sewing.

Take a man’s shirt and downsize into a little boy’s

shorts.

Pillow cases into little girls dresses.

Strips of stretchy tops into the base of cute, stylish

headbands.

The possibilities are endless really…..

America Make Do

Cheryl Garner-Hartley

337-302-0894

Victoria Ellender

337-853-4404