ZERO WASTE: The Path to Happy Sustainable Stitching
- reynaldorobinson
- Feb 8, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 12, 2024
In more recent times Zero Waste in the sewing community has become a hot topic. Some might say it’s a fad or a fleeting fashion. Others might conclude that the whole idea and its concept go out of the window if it doesn’t enable us to make what we want. Either way, I think it is a topic that needs to be discussed rather than dismissed. Indeed, according to Alex of the ‘Sewrendipity’ blog, approximately 15% of the fabric used for each item made is wasted, which ineviatbly ends up in landfill. For us sewers this ’15%’ is what we call scrap and if not used in a scrap busting project for example, ends up in the bin and ultimately landfill. So by not discussing then dismissing we’ll continue to add to the world’s waste problem and perhaps of equal importance waste money or rather the cost of 15% of each metre of fabric bought. An answer to this which is gaining popularity is Zero Waste Patterns as discussed further over on The Fold Lines Blog, whereby flattering, functional pattern pieces are produced in such a way that when they are cut from a piece of cloth the cloth’s wastage is at zero or very close - which means you can happily buy the exact meterage required to make the garment. Not even a slight over overestimation, which so often is the case. You may be thinking to yourself - this zero waste concept is all very well and good but the truth of the matter is that when you make something new there is always some kind of waste, whether it be fabric and/or notions. I think the conundrum here is really not to get stuck on the zero waste issue in its purist form, rather aim to waste as little as possible and keep as much out of landfill as possible. After all - ‘makers are gonna make’! And it’s only fair that when we do the hobby we love, we are not inconsiderately adding to the world’s environmental and pollution problems.
In previous posts we have talked about Scrap Busting and Pattern Hacking as means to direct ourselves towards sustainability and ultimately Zero Waste when undertaking our favourite pass time of sewing. I think it’s imporant to add that cost is of equal importance especially if you’re on a tight budget. Many of us are feeling squeezed as a result of the cost of living crisis. While in real terms it’s probably better to just go to a shop and buy the garment you want ( it most likely will work out cheaper) there is a joyous level of satisfaction when you have made the garment with your own fair hands, let alone if someone comments on how nice it looks on you. The joyous level of satisfaction can increase ten-fold if the garment has been made from fabric and notions that have been either repurposed, up-cycled, recycled and as such hasn’t really cost you anything and looks an indisputable original - especially in comparison to any shop bought item.
To simplify things, here in the studio, we tend to translate the notion of Zero Waste as the least amount of surplus in the bin after undertaking a project, the closer you are to zero waste. This is not only cost effective but enables you to take some responsibility for your own actions - an activity which most of us could have a little bit more practice in.
Taking responsibility, I think, can also push your creativity in terms of thinking about how old garments, buttons and zips can be repurposed. How to use scraps constructively. That is, can larger offcuts be turned into a gift. Can smaller offcuts be used as stuffing. Or can medium sized pieces be patch-worked together to create another length of fabric - for a future project. These are just a few ideas to get you started.
Personally, I think it’s a good idea to consider how the off-cuts of a length of fabric will be used before the actual purchase of said fabric. Yes I know that this adds another problematic dimension to the buying process but it most certainly makes me think about how to have as little waste as possible after cutting out and finishing a make. As such, I often have Scrap Buster PDF Patterns at the ready and the names of the people who the ScrapBuster ‘Gift’ PDF Pattern will be assigned to: at all times thinking ‘how can I achieve zero waste’. Try it, it’s difficult, but works, it really does. In the mean time happy sustainable stitching - we all need to think about waste and what we can do to prevent the surplus of our endeavours going into landfill.
P.s. Here's a free fabric buster corsage pattern over on Pinterest - just follow the link.
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