Sustainable sewing is better for yourself, better for the environment and produces better garments. We all know the world is in crisis, climate change is ever present and the ocean is engulfed in plastics. Fast fashion exploits third world countries and there’s a very high chance of your clothes being made in a sweatshop when you buy from the high street.
Knowing how to sew sustainably for a better world can be hard. To help you to know where to start we’ve broken it down to key areas for you to consider when embarking on your next project.
Fast fashion is mass produced cheap clothing that tends to be discarded after a season.
A common theme of fast fashion is “never wear an item of clothing twice” which lends itself to lower quality items that aren’t designed to last long.
Fast fashion tends to be manufactured overseas in poor conditions where labour conditions aren’t adequate and pay is insufficient for good living standards.
As well as having an impact on the workers themselves, these types of garments also have an impact on the environment. Due to the need for low cost, corners are cut. This could mean toxic dyes which leach into waterways or harmful textiles such as polyester which have a huge carbon footprint.
By sewing your own garments you can do your bit to try and eliminate these issues.
The alternative to fast fashion is thoughtful sewing.
Thoughtful sewing is really taking the time to think about the garment you’re making. Ensuring it suits you, making it exactly to your measurements and tastes for a garment you’ll love and wear over and over.
Because of the time and costs involved in creating your own clothing you’re more likely to be mindful about the fabric you choose, the cut of the garment and the environmental impact.
Thoughtful sewing has been likened to mindfulness as you really appreciate each step of the process.
Sewing sustainably isn’t as difficult as it might appear, there are many ways you can make a change.
The environmental status of different materials is a hotly debated topic with each fibre having an impact on the environment in a different way. However most can agree polyester isn’t a smart environmental choice. Polyester is made from oil based plastic meaning it doesn’t degrade and the manufacturing process leaches into the waterways.
Choosing any material other than plastic when shopping is a conscientious move. Simple swaps such as metal zips, cotton cord and wood storage systems are accessible plastic alternatives.
Purchasing your supplies from an eco focused company also helps towards the sustainability of your sewing.
As well as making your sewing sustainable, you can also make sustainable items.
Sewing is a great way to make reusable items. There’s a huge variety of reusables you can make including make up pads, unpaper towels, family cloth, cloth sanitary products and so much more.
Making your own not only reduces the impact on the environment and helps reduce your waste but also stops your body from coming into contact with so many synthetics and chemicals.
We’ve done an entire blog about this here if you’d like to learn more about the types of fabrics to use for reusables and all the different types of things you can make.
We came across Thread Faction when they released their Zero Waste collection of sewing patterns. The patterns are designed so they waste no fabric whatsoever, all scraps leftover are completely useable rectangles – no more random shapes that you can’t use for anything.
It really is ingenious how a pair of shorts, dungarees, a dress and so much more can be made in a totally unconventional way that reduces waste. You can read more about their collection here.
Instead of shopping at big box clothing shops and funding fast fashion, support small independant retailers. Supporting small businesses with your fabric and pattern purchases makes a vote with your wallet. The more people who switch away from the fast fashion mindset, the quicker change will be made.
Here at Caboodle Textiles we’re passionate about sustainable sewing and the environment. You can read our environmental policy here.
We ensure that every piece of material is used. If fabric on a bolt is flawed or an odd length we sell it in our remnant sales. We ship with DPD due to their carbon neutral commitment. We are also part of the Ecologi program to ensure we are a climate positive business.
We know that beginning a sustainable journey can be overwhelming but we hope we’ve inspired you and given you a starting point for your journey.
We’d love you to share any sustainable steps you make in our Facebook group.
Happy Sewing
