In the past two decades the clothing production has doubled. It isn’t because we need more. It is because the industry is marketing to make us want to buy.
Every week or two well known brands like Zara are putting out new collections.
As a professional sewist I have seen the clothing come in and out of my studio year after year but I haven’t taken a lot of time to think about how it was impacting me, until recently.
Probably mostly for reasons of frugality, growing up without a lot of financial security, thrifting has been my go to. I never feel guilty about buying a new outfit because it doesn’t cost a lot.
But the need for new and different clothing runs deeper than that.
I sew every day, but mostly it is sewing for other people. Often my stacks of mending and projects pile up without any intentionality on my part to actually get them done. Instead I was cajoling myself, making excuses why it was ok to just get another item from the thrift store.
In December of last year I hosted a two week mending challenge on Instagram. It forced me to fix some of my own stuff. In a way it changed something in me. Trust me I have altered and mended plenty of my own stuff in my life time, but that focus on it for two weeks made me realize something.
Sewing, altering and fixing what I already own makes me present in my current situation.
It brings to mind a Bible verse from 1 Timothy 6:6, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Contentment.
Am I content with what I have?
Sewing is a somewhat slow, meaningful task.
It takes time to sit long enough to be “still”, to be present in the home that I already have, with the things that I already own.
Rather than focusing on what else I need, it causes me to look more deeply at what is already in front of me.
A Special Gift for Sewists and Journalist
As a writer I love to journal, but I have never found a faith filled sewing themed journal. For sewist the imagery of stitching and sewing is so much a part of our hearts, so I created a sample of my sewing themed journal just for you.
Looking to learn more on fast fashion, check out this article on what it means to be driven to shop.
You can also be proactive and learn to sew, alter and repair what you have by taking a class.
Virtual Sewing Classes
PDF TUTORIALS
-
Beginner Mending and Alterations for the Home$20.00 - 3 Textiles Lessons Your Kids will love for your homeschool$12.00
- Create a Boxed Pillow with this Step-by-Step Tutorial$8.00
- Master the Basics of Your Sewing Machine – Tips for Beginners$5.00
- How to Repair Elastic Waist – Easy Steps!$8.00
- How to make the waist of jeans smaller with darts$4.00
- How to Replace a Jacket Zipper PDF Tutorial$6.00
- How to Shorten Jacket Sleeves Tutorial$4.00
- How to Alter a Coat Tutorial$6.00
