There’s a movement brewing. Laura, Celina and Abby have adopted this movement and reached out to those of us that create our own clothing, a call to action for solidarity to question current garment industry standards and to recognize the global and environmental impacts of fast fashion. In their words:
The goal is for all of us to stand together for a united cause and help to show sewing (in all its forms) as an ethical and sustainable alternative to fast fashion and mass consumerism. It’s one piece in a very large puzzle but by showcasing home sewn items we will help spread the word that in some cases the answer to ‘Who Made Your Clothes?’ can proudly be answered, “ME!”
Until I started to sew clothes for K and myself, I never thought much about origins of the tops and jeans and jackets and dresses and undergarments that clothed my body, shielding me from the elements. I would be lying to say that I started to sew for ethical reasons, but now that I’ve gone nearly two years without buying any mass-produced clothing, I’ve had enormous shifts in my mentality toward the rows and rows of ready-to-wear items I see lined up in shops. Who, indeed, made them?
I’m proud to be able to say I make my own clothes. I’ve talked about it before, and I know that there are important and disturbing issues to consider for the fabrics that I use for my handmade creations as well, but it feels like a step toward the right direction. A small revolution.
I have many more thoughts on this. But the words are not yet fully formed and they can wait. For now, I am joining in with my inside-out dress from last week. Are you in? Click on the graphic below to find out more…
Perfectly stated, Sanae. I, too, didn’t start sewing for ethical reasons but now I can hardly look at an item of clothing without wondering about its origin. Even as home sewists, there are lots of questions to be answered about textile production and these are issues that I hope to explore more in the coming months. You look fantastic in your inside out dress! Have you shared it on twitter and/or instagram?? Remember to use #insideout and #handmadeinsideout so we can track it.
Done! I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to upload my DSLR images to instagram so I could only get a shot of the inside out dress with K photobombing. Thanks for organizing this, Laura – such a good cause!
I know – I always find it complicated – have to email the pics to myself, check them on my phone and then put them in IG. Or, sometimes I take a screen shot on my phone of the a photo from my blog post and then put that on IG. You’d think it’d be easier! x
I am in, too! It is such an important message. And since I don´t use the required social media I just posted my picture on flickr and kollabora, I think it still makes a statement! And your dress looks very “spacy”, kinda cool 😉
Hooray, Ute – it definitely makes a statement regardless of what platform you use!
You should be proud of the steps you have taken and your efforts to participate and raise awareness. I suppose I did start sewing for ethical reasons. I just got my sewing machine last May. But for years before working up the courage to sew I’ve been really cracking down on store bought fashion. My 7, almost 8 year old daughter still wears her toddler size 5 t shirts, leggings, dresses and skirts from the gap. That kind of thing. I’ve always had a bit of a problem with consumer consumption, but not real “solution”.
Thank you, Max! That’s great that you’ve been so conscientious of your purchases, and I’m impressed that you started sewing for ethical reasons! I’ve become more and more aware of many of the issues surrounding the garment and textile industries.
I’m so glad you brought up the fabric issue as well. One could eschew mass produced clothes and still buy cheap fabric produced in the same way the clothes are. But I guess it’s baby steps. I’m a sucker a bargain which leads me down the wrong path most of the time. I hope one day to actually sew more instead of just thinking about it and reading your blog (vicariously ethical). I definitely applaud your efforts!
Yes, definitely baby steps on my end! Sewing anything at all is wonderful, Alana, as is planning to sew (my favorite activity!). So happy that you read my little blog – I’ve noticed that people seem to be blogging less and less, or is that just my own perception?
Thanks for joining the revolution! I have no doubt that most of the cheap fabric we buy comes from these same factories, but I think reusing/repurposing where we can will still make a difference. I hope together we can make great changes!
love for dress. I sew because I don’t find something that fits in shop but also for ethical reason. I try to buy more and more organic/fair trade fabric.
I’m pretty sure all together we can change the world in a more respectfull/friendly way