The IWM Film Archive is the oldest film archive in the UK, holding over 20,000 hours of film, video and digital material and covering the two World Wars and all conflicts involving British or Commonwealth Forces since the start of the Twentieth Century to the present. Our collection also reflects aspects of civilian life in wartime, military life in peacetime, military exercises and operations.
This film is part of Free
Make-do-and-mend
A wartime family look on in amazement as their old clothes offer useful advice on how to make their clothing coupons go further.
From the collection of:
Overview
This wartime information film was put together as part of the ‘make do and mend’ campaign, which in part hoped to encourage people to recycle old clothes, as new materials became a scarce commodity. The film's unusual style is apparent from the beginning as the voices of their forgotten clothes sound mysteriously from behind a cupboard door.
Related
Masculinity in Modes Masculinity in Modes
Cinemagazine 1931 1 mins Silent
Women wear the trousers: sample the latest Parisian couture with this pretty stencil-coloured piece from Eve's Film Review.
Cotton Come Back Cotton Come Back
Industry sponsored film 1946 26 mins Location: Shaw
A passionate post-war plea for workers to return to the cotton industry after decades of decline, framed as an argument between father and daughters.
It All Began with Velvet It All Began with Velvet
Industry sponsored film 1955 31 mins Location: Manningham
Fabrics galore burst into a Britain just recovering from war rationing, with mohair velvets, moth protected carpets and waterproofed textiles adorning London Routemasters.
London Line No. 373 London Line No. 373
Cinemagazine 1971 15 mins Silent Location: Westminster
A Ghanaian fashion student and a Nigerian squash player are among the African community making a life in 70s Britain in this edition of the magazine show.
So It all Comes out Super in the Wash So It all Comes out Super in the Wash
Training film/TV programme 1972 18 mins
Are you being served? A bewildered shop girl gets a boutique introduction to an innovative fabric.
New Perspectives: La Haine New Perspectives: La Haine
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Charlie Hammersley, a student from Northumbria University, explains how Mathieu Kassovitz's 1995 film holds up a mirror to society.
Dreamers Q&A Dreamers Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
The film-makers behind a haunting tale of love and community within a UK immigration detention centre visited the BFI Southbank to discuss their film.
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 50 mins
Paul Thomas Anderson and Leonardo DiCaprio in Conversation at BFI Southbank, discussing the making of One Battle After Another.
Laura Mulvey in Conversation Laura Mulvey in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 76 mins
Laura Mulvey in conversation, following her BFI Fellowship Award.
George Clooney in Conversation George Clooney in Conversation
Inside Film 2025 74 mins
George Clooney visited BFI Southbank to look back on his life and career.
Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025 Chloé Zhao Screen Talk | BFI London Film Festival 2025
Inside Film 2025 65 mins
The Oscar®- winning director of Nomadland discusses her unique approach to filmmaking and the inspiration behind the adaptation of Hamnet.