We can all play our part!
This week’s post is actually an add on from my last post (my mid year update). But this topic is so important that I wanted to write a seperate post about it. Sustainable Sewing is an idea that I’ve always practiced but this year I’m really embracing it. And I think it’s a topic that sewers across the world are becoming more aware of. I owe my thanks to the Great British Sewing Bee (GBSB). Not only my favourite show (no surprise there!) but I’ve also got a couple of their books – including Sustainable Style. Sustainable sewing and fashion is something the team at the GBSB care dearly about. So at the start of the year I set myself the challenge to produce zero waste from my sewing room.
I’ve always been conscious of the amount of fabric I throw away. My sewing room is littered with piles of scrap fabrics of various colours and sizes. They are great for making small projects; like my zipper pouches or fabric coasters. Although, I have to admit this was something I started doing mostly because I wanted to save money. I still have scrap fabric left over from projects I made years ago. Eventually the right project comes around for me to use them. But over the years my perspective has changed, partly due to great influencers like Patrick Grant and Esme Young (GBSB Presenters). They are both very passionate about sustainable sewing and fashion. Now I save my scraps because of the environment first and foremost.
Recently I’ve been very focused on finding interesting ways to use up scrap fabric. Along with all the other things I save, like ribbons, strings and anything else I can use again or repurpose. And I’ve been coming across some awesome ways to use up even the most smallest pieces of scrap fabric. One of them is a new quilting method that I learnt from That Handmade Touch – a book by Svetlana Sotak. It’s called QAYG – Quilt As You Go, and it requires very small pieces of fabric. I recently made her QAYG Zipper Pouch and I had so much fun picking out the right scrap fabric that go together. So it’s not surprising that I’ve got another one in progress. I highly recommend That Handmade Touch as well. It’s not very often I find a book and I want to make every project in it!
With zero waste in mind I’ve been collecting even the slimmest and smallest fabric off cuts. As well as any scrap interfacing and thread that I’d normally throw away. I’m quite proud of myself because I’ve only partly filled one small bag of fabric rubbish since I started collecting back in February. And I’ve now got a project to use it in – I’m going to make a sewing ham! It’s an idea I got from GBSB; Sustainable Style book. I’ve also got a few other ideas of where this type of filling might be useful so watch this space!
There are just so many great ways that sewers and crafters can do their part to help the environment. Reducing fabric waste, as well as learning about sustainable fashion. Mending and repairing old clothes or repurposing into a new outfit. Making reusable items to replace single use products around the home. And ever since making my Kimono Style Bathrobe out of a damaged quilt cover, I’m all for repurposing bedlinen. Not only have I saved more fabric from heading to landfill but I also saved money. A win – win in my book!
I know that there is heaps more I can do to help in the fight against climate change. I’m learning more about sustainable sewing everyday. I think the important thing is to keep the discussion going. To remember that each person is different and their situations are unique. What works for one person may not for another. Not everyone has the room to store piles of scrap fabric for example (I know I’m very lucky!). And of course remember to continue to learn from each other and share our own ideas. I know I’m going to continue with the goal of zero waste. And not just in the sewing room but in my lifestyle in general. I hope that my post has inspired some of you. I know I’m constantly inspired by the creativity of those around me.
