1. I've loved being creative my whole life. I started sewing in elementary school... dolls + doll clothes... a blood pressure cuff attached to a barely inflated balloon you could pump... a nose warmer for my perpetually cold nose...
2. I love fashion and being able to create unique pieces in exactly the shapes and styles I want. They don't always turn out exactly how I imagined them, but it's fun to try. :)
3. The creative process is energizing. I love developing ideas and concepts. One of my favorite experiences is dreaming, drawing, thinking, imagining, looking for the perfect fabric, tweaking a pattern or making up my own, searching for fabric, envisioning how it will all come together... you know, the whole process... but mostly the conceptualization. It's stimulating and life affirming and purpose giving.
4. I'm concerned about the treatment of garment workers. Sewing makes me aware of how much work + skill goes into a garment.
5. I care about quality and really value my french seams and enclosed edges. I want my clothing to last and careful finishings are important for longevity.
6. It's satisfying to be able to see a result come from work I do with my mind + hands. Food gets eaten quickly. Clean gets dirty all over again. I can see and touch and wear and appreciate my sewing + knitting projects... not just today, but over time.
7. It can be a bit more cost effective to sew than to buy fairly made clothing. This is a tricky one. Good quality fibers and patterns are not cheap. Making clothing is not always (or even usually) cheaper than mall clothing. This again brings awareness to how terribly most garment workers are paid. The materials alone often cost more than a piece of ready made clothing (especially good quality yarn), so that doesn't leave much money for labor. Yes, there are volume discounts, but there are also lots of other employee, transportation, warehouse and store costs... not to mention the profits. Quality fairly made clothing is often much more expensive than mall clothing, so this is where I see the cost benefit. I do want to support independent makers, but I can't afford to exclusively do so. Making my own clothes is a good compliment.
Do you make your own clothing? I'd love to hear!
Love,
Jane
P.S. Read more about Slow Fashion October here or follow along here.
2. I love fashion and being able to create unique pieces in exactly the shapes and styles I want. They don't always turn out exactly how I imagined them, but it's fun to try. :)
3. The creative process is energizing. I love developing ideas and concepts. One of my favorite experiences is dreaming, drawing, thinking, imagining, looking for the perfect fabric, tweaking a pattern or making up my own, searching for fabric, envisioning how it will all come together... you know, the whole process... but mostly the conceptualization. It's stimulating and life affirming and purpose giving.
4. I'm concerned about the treatment of garment workers. Sewing makes me aware of how much work + skill goes into a garment.
5. I care about quality and really value my french seams and enclosed edges. I want my clothing to last and careful finishings are important for longevity.
6. It's satisfying to be able to see a result come from work I do with my mind + hands. Food gets eaten quickly. Clean gets dirty all over again. I can see and touch and wear and appreciate my sewing + knitting projects... not just today, but over time.
7. It can be a bit more cost effective to sew than to buy fairly made clothing. This is a tricky one. Good quality fibers and patterns are not cheap. Making clothing is not always (or even usually) cheaper than mall clothing. This again brings awareness to how terribly most garment workers are paid. The materials alone often cost more than a piece of ready made clothing (especially good quality yarn), so that doesn't leave much money for labor. Yes, there are volume discounts, but there are also lots of other employee, transportation, warehouse and store costs... not to mention the profits. Quality fairly made clothing is often much more expensive than mall clothing, so this is where I see the cost benefit. I do want to support independent makers, but I can't afford to exclusively do so. Making my own clothes is a good compliment.
Do you make your own clothing? I'd love to hear!
Love,
Jane
P.S. Read more about Slow Fashion October here or follow along here.
