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Guteman rPET 100% recycled Sew-All Thread
Brand Reviews

For those who sew: Gütermann Recycled Sewing Thread

Gutermann Recycled Sew-All Thread Set 20pk - Basics
Gutermann Recycled Sew-All Thread Set 20pk – Basics

As an avid sewer – and I know that I am not alone here – I take pride in repairing and upcycling items in order to lower my carbon footprint. I also know Gütermann to be one of the best brands of sewing thread in the world! I have recently discovered Gütermann Sew-all Thread rPET. Not only can they be implemented for a variety of fabrics and stitches, but they are made from 100 % recycled polyester!

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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April 19, 2023
Me modelling the Denim Blue Zero Waste Dress
Me modelling the Denim Blue Zero Waste Dress
Ethical Living

Zero Waste Dressmaking

I finally have had time to write about the Zero Waste Dress pattern by Offset Warehouse!

Did you know that on average, 15% of fabric is wasted every time a garment is made? By designing clothes that are “zero waste”, this waste can be eliminated. The sewing pattern uses all the fabric, so nothing is thrown away.

Offset Warehouse have put together this simple zero waste dress pattern so you can try it for yourself – Which is exactly what I did!

UPDATE 2026 – Offset Warehouse is no longer in business: Please email me and I will send you a PDF copy of the pattern.

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June 15, 2022
@Abakhan 2022
@Abakhan 2022
Brand Reviews

Abakhan, Mostyn, Wales

Abakhan fabrics pride themselves on offering value for money throughout the vast range of Fabrics, Yarns, Crafts, Sewing Accessories and Haberdashery which they have on offer. Abakhan Mostyn is well known as a popular destination for crafters and sewists alike.

Abakhan in Mostyn, Wales is more than just a fabric shop – it’s a treasure trove for sewists, crafters, and anyone interested in ethical, low‑waste making. With its huge range of fabrics, yarns, haberdashery and famous fill‑a‑bag sales, Abakhan offers a rare opportunity to reuse surplus and deadstock materials that might otherwise go to waste.

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

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May 8, 2022
Photo by Merve Sehirli Nasir on Unsplash buttons speaking
Photo by Merve Sehirli Nasir on Unsplash buttons speaking
Ethical Living

Become your own Brand: Sustainable sewing

In sewing an item from scratch – either using purchased materials or upcycling old items – you will experience the time, skill and patience it takes to create an item of clothing or accessory. Your journey to self sufficiency moves forward, and mending, fixing, upcycling and creating new, bespoke/tailored and exciting items becomes an enjoyable hobby: you become your own sustainable sewing brand!

If you are interested in sustainable sewing projects, or maybe have been motivated to look into this more during COVID-19 lockdowns, here are a few ideas, patterns and links – I just hope that in inspires just one other person to replace one item which they usually buy, with a home-made / upcycled item:  By sewing your own clothing and/or accessories, you are choosing a leisurely, more sustainable lifestyle and, at the same time, making a stand against fast fashion.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

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September 19, 2021
Origami Bag 1
Ethical Living / Sustainability Guides

Upcycle Project: Old clothes to Origami bags!

Baggy Trousers

When I was 19 or 20, I remember actually holding a “funeral” for my favourite pair of patchwork batik baggy trousers… I lived in them… they were part of me… yet I was not in a position (at the time I was at university) to maintain their repairs… alas… they were falling apart… and my housemates staged an intervention and helped me to part with them… (I still miss that specific pair now! They were purples and dark blues, and so comfy…).

These days, I try and keep up with repairs – with such patchwork baggy trousers, this is fairly easy – just add another patch! However, there does come a point where you find yourself doing this far too regularly…

Fast fashion means we’re encouraged to throw clothes away as soon as they wear out — but what if those “unwearable” items could become something beautiful and useful instead? This upcycle project turns old clothes into simple origami-style fabric bags, giving much‑loved garments a second life while keeping textiles out of landfill.

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

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3 Comments
August 1, 2019