MIY March 20 Week 2: Sharing & Caring

What a fabulous start to MIY March 20!!  You are all amazing.  There was such a thoughtful response on Instagram and on individual blogs to the questions I posed last week, thank you.  If you haven’t already, have a look at some of the responses on the #miymarch20 hashtag on Instagram.  Some people chose to post on several days, taking each of those questions separately, others chose to link to thoughtful blog posts.  They all make for very inspiring reading.

Don’t forget, you can still complete my fun survey about your sewing habits here.  I’ll keep that open all month and share the results with you after the end of March.

So, onto our theme for week 2…..it’s all about sharing our knowledge on how to make in a more sustainable way: sewing tips, material sourcing recommendations and a bit of warm fuzzy stuff in the shape of our most treasured textiles.

I’ll kick things off:

1. My tips for sewing in a more sustainable way….

Use left-over fabric to make bias binding:

Start shopping your stash!

Use your scraps for customising your makes:

2. My tips for sourcing more sustainable fabrics….

WHY USE ETHICAL FABRICS IN YOUR DRESSMAKING? AN INTERVIEW WITH CHARLIE OF OFFSET WAREHOUSE

 

My top 5 ethical fabrics:

To pre-wash or not to pre-wash?

3. What are your most treasured textile items?

I have two, the first is my beloved bear Teddy.  Imaginative name I know.

He is the most loved of bears.  I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have him, I think a friend of my parents’ gave him to me as a baby and we became inseparable.  He went everywhere with me, including (unintentionally) in the bath and consequently in the oven in an attempt to dry out after the bath in time for bed…..

He is a study in love and visible mending.  The only original (threadbare) parts of him are his right leg, arm and the right side of his face.  His repairs were all done by my wonderful dad.  The first ones were the blue fabric (from a roll of washroom towelling)  to cover his arm and leg, then when his midriff began to spill out my dad fashioned him a tunic from an old sock and finally the yellow felt complete with wonderfully wonky hand stitches held Teddy’s head together.

Teddy now has pride of place alongside a rag doll my dad bought me on the bookshelf beside my bed.  He has a moth protector tablet shoved up his tunic just in case, even though I’m pretty sure he’s all synthetic (it was the 70s).

My second textile treasure are these leather gloves. They’re a bit too big for me, but they belonged to my dad and every time I wear them I feel like I’m holding his hands.

Textiles are inherently precious aren’t they?  They protect you, they warm you, they adorn you and reflect your personality, they can tell the most wonderful stories.  They’re not for mistreating and throwing in the bin after minimal use.

Now it’s over to you.  I’m looking forward to hearing your tips, recommendations and stories.  It’s up to you whether you post them all on your blog or post them during the week on your Instagram.  Like last week I’ll be choosing the post (blog or Instagram) that most resonates with me and the writer of which will receive this beautiful mixed bundle box of fabrics from Faberwood:

 

Indian Ikat chambray and black bundle box.

This box features carefully collected small pieces of left over hand loom fabric that work well together, Fiona has created these boxes specially for a sustainable sewing experience. Included is some of the black custom made Faberwood Derwent exclusive!

The box includes many odd shaped bits and pieces suitable for bag lining, quilting, patchwork, trims, pockets etc. These fabric pieces are left overs from making garments, so most have had a pre-wash. 

Perfect for small projects to mix up and create something unique.