Make Do and Mend

Make Do and Mend was one of several campaigns introduced by the British Government (with the help of voluntary organisations) to reduce clothing consumption and save resources during the Second World War.

Offering practical guidance on caring for, altering, and mending clothes, instructional pamphlets were produced.

From the outset of the war in 1939, resources had quickly depleted, and people were encouraged to participate in several different means of making the most of the clothing they already had.

[1] Launched collaboratively by the Board of Trade in conjunction with voluntary groups (including the Women's Group on Public Welfare and the Women's Institute (WI), alongside the National Council of Social Services,[2] in 1942, the Make-Do and Mend scheme set out to promote education in the techniques of dressmaking and tailoring, clothes mending, needlework, and knitting, and garment care.

[3] In 1943, the Ministry of Information showcased a newsreel which encouraged the civilian public to repair and alter clothing, and re-use fabrics in order to save valuable resources for the war effort.