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How can we sew, craft and live more sustainably? |
"While I regularly lament the environmental impact of our collective actions,
I'm also regularly conflicted about what I can do to reduce that impact. Maybe
you feel the same way, as a fellow sewer and crafter and occupant of this
planet."
I've had conversations with various people about how we need to do what we can
— no matter how small —instead of doing nothing.
For instance, every Black Friday, I wonder why so many people need new TVs.
Yes, old electronics are hopefully recycled, but with so much crap on TV these
days, what's to warrant a new set so often? (I still have an old cathode ray
tube TV up in my sewing room.)
At what point do we say, enough is enough? As in, I can "make do" with what I
have and don't need to buy more.
And of course, my first question along those lines for sewers is, at what point is a fabric stash enough?
And of course, my first question along those lines for sewers is, at what point is a fabric stash enough?
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| Part of my small fabric stash... |
I'm pretty sure that every one of us has heard of estate sales where someone
is trying to get rid of a bunch of fabric. Actually, the last time I attended
our neighbourhood garage sale, I picked up some fabric from someone who was
getting rid of stuff for an elderly person in a similar situation. The lesson
of the day is, you're only going to make so much and you're only going to live
so long. Rethink all the buying unless you know you're going to leave it to
someone who can appreciate it.
I've convinced myself that I don't need any more fabric, apart from the odd
piece of my own designs that I might buy from Spoonflower. It's admittedly an easy decision for me to make, since I don't have any
regular fabric shops to rely on, ever since
Craftsy/Bluprint went out of business.
For the rest of you, what might be the best way not to buy more so that you
can start using up what you have?
Perhaps don't go to fabric stores or their online equivalents? That may be
difficult to do, since we also have other reasons to go to such places. For
example, I don't have a large inventory of thread and will still need to buy
that as long as I'm still sewing.
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| A new mini rotary cutter... |
And what about the temptation of the latest and greatest nifty tool? I
learned a couple of months ago (while
investigating copyright infringing crafting websites) that many people are led to shop via Facebook. (Yet another reason to step off that brain-sucking social media
platform.) I was astounded to see evidence of so many people buying plastic
templates for "sewing reasons".
Apart from specialized guides for quilting and such, is it really that much
of an ordeal to make your own sturdier templates out of cardboard from a
cereal box, for example? Unless you're really planning to make hundreds of
project xyz, is it even necessary to have anything beyond the
traditional paper template? I'm thinking, no.
Several weeks ago, I picked up the mini rotary cutter that you see in the
photo above. It came from Dollar Tree. I've wanted one for a while — most of my sewing projects tend to be on
the small side and this 28mm blade is easier to use for those than the more
popular 45mm — and sprung for it because it was only $1.50. (And yes, it's
totally sturdy and functional.) But it's the only sewing related item I've
purchased — apart from Spoonflower fabric — in almost a year. (Until I picked up some fabric glue, a package of brads, and a new seam
ripper while on vacation in BC a couple of weeks ago.)
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| image courtesy of WeAllSew.com... |
I know this because I keep track of such purchases. Which, by the way, is
another method of ensuring that you don't buy too much and are able to use
up what you have.
More and more, crafters are singing the praises of reusing textiles. In my
early days of (re-starting) sewing, I recycled drapery panels and bedsheets.
This year, I
cut into clothing
that I no longer wore. I plan to continue exploring opportunities in that
vein whenever appropriate.
However, it was surprising to see that this trend is infiltrating even the
extravagant art of quilting. (Begging the pardon of all quilters, but no one
who quilts can argue against the fact that quilting requires an overall
consumption of materials exceeding most other sewing hobbies.)
In a recent post on Bernina's blog (WeAllSew.com), sustainable techniques such as piecing
together scraps of batting to using old clothing and bed linens for quilts
are covered. Well worth a read if you're a quilter looking for a sustainable
alternative.
Away from crafting, here are a couple of ideas of using what we have to
live more sustainably. Both involve using things in a new way to solve a
different problem: specifically, getting rid of waste without creating
more waste.
In my first post, I showed how old newspapers can be used to create liners
for food scrap bins (if you live in a jurisdiction where you are required
to separate out your garbage). In the spirit of using what I have, it was
the perfect alternative to buying compostable bags. (Which, apparently have yet to be proven that they are indeed as compostable as they claim to be.)
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| An indispensable silicone measuring cup... |
This mini silicone measuring cup is another surprising solution to the
problem of getting rid of waste without creating more waste. But first of
all, let me rave about this little thing just as a simple
measuring tool. On the one side, you can see markings
for multiple teaspoons and tablespoons; very handy. The
other side shows up to 2 ounces (which is a quarter of a cup) and 60
milliliters; again, very handy. Plus, because it's made out of silicone,
it's flexible so you can pinch your own spout to pour easily.
Back to dealing with waste... greasy oils and fats shouldn't go down the
drain, right? Our waste management people tell us to keep oils and fats
inside disposable coffee cups or cans and then throw the entire thing out
with the regular trash. But if you pour that stuff into this little thing
and put it in the freezer, once it's solid, you can pop it out and throw
the "fat popsicle" out with your food scraps on collection day. (Remember
those silicone muffin liners I described in my first post? They would work
for this too.)
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| A sealable silicone food storage bag... |
In between collection days, this large silicone food storage bag sits in
the freezer, keeping things like shrimp shells and other potentially
malodorous food scraps "safe" until it's time to toss. The oils and fats
from the mini measuring cup also end up here temporarily.
Now, I purchased this bag shortly before we were switched over to our
current mode of (separated) waste collection for the expressed purpose of
keeping certain food scraps frozen prior to disposal. So it technically
wasn't something I already owned. But any sort of silicone bakeware
that you might already have on hand — such as muffin, loaf or cake pans —
would also work.
Even as I follow my own advice to use more of what I already have to
craft and to be creative, I have a personal issue with making more
"stuff" and not being able to use the result. I mean, isn't the idea of
using what we have, to use what we have?
It's a conundrum, for sure. That's why I almost get giddy when something
that I've made that's literally been hanging around for years suddenly
has purpose.
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| My Bundled Up Bindle Bag getting plenty of use this summer... |
My
Bundled Up Bindle Bag
is one such item that I've been happy to have taken on our various lake
and river adventures this summer. I like the compartmentalized design of
the bag and the fact that it cinches up easily. It's somewhat hilarious
that it's become one of the things that I most appreciate out of what
I've made over the years.
I've also gotten unexpected use out of my recycled skirt
Shupatto bag; it's been the bag of choice this summer while on land excursions.
But for the most part, bags and purses that I've made are languishing
unused on hangers. For that reason alone, I need to say no whenever I
get tempted by a new bag or purse design/pattern. And I need to start
giving away some of what I've made, for free, while I have this
platform. (More about that in a future post.)
Any tips you might be able to share about how better to use what you
have?
'Til next...
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