Me modelling the Denim Blue Zero Waste Dress

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

Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash fabric

Ethical Living / Zero Waste Swaps

#PlantBamboo for Fabrics, Yarn & Fashion

“35% of all micro plastics in the world’s oceans are from synthetic textiles”
International Union for Conservation of Nature

There are over 1600 known species of Bamboo across many parts of the tropics and subtropics, with thousands of uses – including for the production of fabrics and yarn for the fashion industry.

Why Bamboo Is Being Promoted in Fashion & Textiles

Bamboo has become a popular material in the sustainable fashion conversation because it grows extremely quickly, requires no replanting after harvest, and can thrive without large amounts of pesticides or fertiliser. As a plant, bamboo has a relatively low land footprint and can absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide during growth.

This has led to bamboo being marketed as a climate‑friendly alternative to conventional cotton and petroleum‑based synthetic fibres.

However, the environmental impact of bamboo fabrics depends less on the plant itself and more on how it is processed.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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September 20, 2021

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