SUSTAINABILITY Through Quality Paul Smith of Hantex, explains why spending more on fabric really can make a difference to the environment Everyone who sews his or her own clothes enjoys the finished garment but also the creative journey that got you there! However, there’s an additional element that’s become increasingly important to sewers in recent years, and that’s the environmental impact of the products they sew with. Perhaps our first thoughts when we consider the product’s environmental impact is; ‘Is the fabric organic?’ ‘Was it dyed with a non-harmful dye?’ ‘Did it travel far to get here?’ and ‘Can the packaging be recycled?’ Every one of these questions is valid, and by sourcing our sewing materials with these things in mind, we subconsciously put pressure on retailers to stock the products that meet our environmental credentials - and that’s a good thing! Why? This is because retailers will then demand those products from wholesalers, who in turn influence manufacturers.
IS IT WORKING?
Well actually yes it is! I’ve worked in the sewing industry, specifically in product distribution for a considerable number of years, and in the last few years, demand for organic fabrics, OEKO-TEX certified fabrics, as well as other items such as organic thread has increased phenomenally. Sewing consumers are making a difference and demanding that the environmental bar is raised.
CAN MORE BE DONE?
Most certainly, not least by focusing on the quantity and type of packaging materials we use, but there’s actually something you as a sewer can do right away to make a difference! By choosing to make your own clothes you’re investing in a unique wearable. Making your own garments can offer you hundreds of combinations of fabric and pattern. Whatever environmental criteria you demand, perhaps the biggest and most significant benefit is simply making that one-of-a-kind garment last and that’s where selecting a quality fabric that stands the test of time pays dividends. Increasingly people who sew their own
Boho dress made in Fusions by Art Gallery Fabrics
clothes are returning to the concept of fewer, higher quality, everyday pieces that can form the core of their wardrobe, and at the same time last longer and in doing so be environmentally positive! Perhaps jersey knits are one of the best examples of this idea. Not all knits are born equal, and it’s frustratingly too late when you find that after two washes, your garment has a distinctly worn and tired look, which you toiled over for so long. We
all know where this item will end up and that’s not good for the environment! So when it seems like it’s tough to make a difference – just remember it’s the small things that count, like choosing a quality fabric that will live on and on when other fabrics are past their best.
ENJOY SUSTAINABLE SEWING THIS WINTER!
