Sustainable Sewing
One-of-a-kind sewing that promotes a zero-waste world. Our sewists are those who enjoy the exclusivity of expressing themselves through unique pieces and have an appreciation for a sustainable life.
Textile waste is one of the fastest growing waste products in our landfills today. Every year, it is estimated that an alarming 3.8 billion pounds of textile waste is dumped into the country’s landfills alone. Additionally, many byproducts of the textile manufacturing and disposal processes contaminate the nation’s air and waterways.
The irony is that 95 percent of this textile waste is recyclable.
According to research, we waste more because we don’t know how to sew! The majority of textile waste is caused by clothing being discarded due to minor tears or missing buttons. If only the owner knew how to fix it, this is a simple repair. Sewing, hemming, and button repair were once commonplace skills. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case.
There is an urgent need for increased education so that future generations understand that every textile discarded harms the environment. Recycling textiles and learning to sew should become common practices not only in our homes but also in our workplaces and schools.
Meek Makings teaches students how to sew sustainably. We show students how to create sewn works of art, which can include clothing or other items made with sewn elements while keeping our carbon footprint to a minimum.
Become a Sustainable Sewist
There are many ways a sewist can create sustainably. Here are a few:
Tip!
The easiest accessible form of sustainable material is recycled fabric. Use the material you already have before buying more. You can create unique one-of-a-kind textiles by transforming old material. And if you have to buy, try sourcing second hand first. There are tons of fabric landfills (thrift stores/donation centers) where you can find inspirational material.