Mending matters!
The subjects of conscious consumption, reducing waste, making less; better and truly valuing what we make are high on my agenda for this year.
You’ll see this theme underpinning my posts and activities on social media, the events I run including the Sewists Mending Meet-up and in my talks and conversations at Sewing for Pleasure and other events and courses going forward.
Thoughtful and conscientious sewing and design are essential components of a sustainable practice for every sewist.
Photo: A design sketch and pattern cutting resource books - considering design specifically for the users needs is an important part of sustainable design practices
I’ll be sharing a series of thought provoking discussions about sustainable sewing in all its guises, starting by exploring how treasuring our makes can lead us to embrace and enjoy meaningful mending…
As sewists, our connection with fabric runs deep; it’s the foundation of our creations. Every detail, every pattern choice, and every fabric selection tells our story with intention and passion.
In a world inundated with fast fashion and disposable trends, prioritising conscientious sewing practices has never been more significant.
Each fabric we select carries its own environmental footprint, from production to disposal. By deliberately choosing sustainable materials such as organic cotton, linen, or recycled fibres, we reduce the harmful impact of our consumption on the planet.
The fashion industry is notorious for its detrimental effects on the environment, with clothing production accounting for a significant portion of global carbon emissions and water pollution. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the equivalent of one rubbish truck of textiles is landfilled or incinerated every second, highlighting the urgency of addressing our throwaway culture. This desire to jump off the fast fashion treadmill and create our own wardrobes on our own terms is one of the reasons a lot of us sew in the first place.
We love sewing and wearing our unique clothing. Repairing our makes must also be an essential component of our sustainable fashion practices. Just as we invest time into crafting our garments, we must invest effort to prolong their lifespan through maintenance and repair. Every patch, darn, or stitch not only preserves the integrity of our creations but also reduces the strain on finite resources, minimises waste and adds our own unique features.
Visible mend by @ooobop, co-host of the Sewists Mending Meet-Up
In the United States alone, approximately 11 million tons of textiles end up in landfills each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This staggering amount represents not only a squandering of valuable materials but also contributes to environmental degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. We have the power to change this!
Repairing and re-using clothing presents an opportunity to challenge the throwaway mentality perpetuated by the fast fashion industry.
By encouraging a culture of repair and reclamation, we foster a sense of mindfulness and appreciation for the items we own, seeing them as a resource not an inconvenience. Rather than discarding garments at the slightest sign of wear, we learn to cherish and extend their useful life, and even celebrate the scars of wear through beautiful visible mending techniques.
Photo: Textile artist and repair specialist @AlexandraBrinck - Adding embellishments to knitwear provides a creative solution for camouflaging small imperfections like holes and snags.
As awareness grows regarding the environmental and social impacts of fashion, individuals are increasingly seeking alternatives to mass-produced, disposable clothing. By embracing sewing as a means of self-expression and empowerment, we reclaim agency over our wardrobes and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable fashion ecosystem.
Through thoughtful fabric choices, meticulous craftsmanship, and a commitment to repair, we embody the principles of sustainability and conscious consumption. In doing so, we affirm the intrinsic value of our makes and inspire others to join us on the journey towards a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with fashion and the environment.
What can you do…
Gather fellow sewists and friends for a mending session. Together you can inspire each other, share techniques and hold each other accountable for mending your makes! Plus sewing with friends is always so much fun!
Do a wardrobe audit- look for signs of wear, a loose button, a snagged thread and catch it before it effects the integrity of your makes. Remember, a stitch in time saves nine!
Get to know your fabrics. Use the resources on this site to learn about natural fibres and fabric types to make sure you are choosing the right fabric for your makes and your lifestyle.
Choose natural, biodegradable fabrics, questions their origins and learn how to care for the types of fibres you use in your creations
Join me each week for Fix It Friday, and mend along with me as I show my Handmade Wardrobe a little TLC and chat about the sustainability issues we’re all facing and what we can do to counter them as empowered sewists.
Come to our Mending Meet-up in London on Saturday 2nd March!
