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My Fashion on the Ration challenge is wrapping up soon and so my shopping and fabric buying, after a year of restraint, will be wide open to every whim and desire. In this past year, my reading has lead me to subjects like wartime rations, personal style, wardrobe planning, production and distribution of goods, zero-waste lifestyles and minimalism. And while I tend to be a moderate about everything, I am starting to really believe that I can do more with less.
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Juxtapose that to two crafts—sewing and now knitting—that are activities of creation. Whether or not I’m recycling materials, I’m still creating something new-to-me, which will live in my closet and my home. Let’s not even get into my thrifting habits.
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So how do I balance wanting less with making more? I’m pretty good at culling my closet regularly, but I still seem to be adding just as much into the closet as I’m taking out. Here’s a few things I’ve been thinking about:
I could make stuff for others. If I had kids, this would be a no-brainer. I started to make items for my sisters and nieces last year, but it made up a small percentage of total makes for 2011. And, to be honest, I love the experimenting I get to do with my wardrobe when I make and thrift stuff for myself.
I could knit more. Knitting has been such a blessing these past months. It’s forced me to slow down and be more social, since I can more easily knit with my family rather than running around half-naked with an iron in hand while sewing. And what I love the most: Little’s lost in knitting. I was just knitting a top-down sweater and decided, just as I was about to separate the sleeves, that I didn’t like it. I put it aside, knowing I could always pick it up later. Now I’m working on a project I’m excited about.
I could make less. Reviewing my 2011 makes, I had far more successes in the latter half of the year when I took on big projects that took longer, like pants and jackets. Speed, which I love, makes me sloppy. And the slower I accrue items, I noticed, the more likely I am to use them. Each item gets to be the shining star for a bit and find a permanent place in the wardrobe.
I could buy less fabric and fewer patterns. Sewing gives you so many options, but I find too many choices can be daunting and overwhelming. Well-made plans often get tossed for shiny, new things.
I could make muslins. Better fit, slower construction.
I could sew with others. I had such a good time this year sewing with friends and family, and if I prioritized that time to sew rather than letting it infiltrate the rest of my life, it would be time well-spent. People I care about and a craft I love.
I could participate in a wardrobe challenge like Project 333 or the 30-for-30 Remix to get a handle on what really gets worn.
What about you? Do you think you could do more with less? What strategies do you have to strike that balance?
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These are all great ideas! I'm trying to be more conscious about my wardrobe this year-- I've been going through my clothes (and all my other stuff, too) and Goodwilling the things that just don't get worn. I'm trying to sew things that I need this year instead of "ooh pretty!" impulse stuff. I do make a fair amount of things for other people, too, although it's harder to get sizing right (I've had good luck with sizing for knitted gifts, though). But that's a great way to fulfill your urges to make something without accumulating more stuff!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the sizing -- much more tempted to knit than sew for others. Sewing things you'll actually wear, I think, is so fulfilling. It's not as pretty to show off, but it feels so, so good to take it out of the closet again and again :)
DeleteThese issues have been in my head a lot lately, and yes, I think I could do more with less. In terms of strategies, in an effort to think critically about the way I consume and the things I choose to make, I’ve taken the Seamless Pledge (similar to your Fashion on the Ration) for the entire year. In addition, this past weekend I reorganized my entire stash of fabric and yarn and after my initial shock (and disgust) at the amount of stuff I have amassed this past year alone, I’m considering banning all fabric and yarn shopping for this year as well. I’m hoping that forcing myself to critically look at what I have on hand and what I can do with it will help me be more mindful about shopping and my sewing/knitting habits, and will also give my creativity a boost.
ReplyDeleteI also reorganized my stash and I was amazed at how many blouse-weight and printed fabrics I have, esp since I never sew them! Definitely helped me prioritize and majorly minimize fabric shopping. Here's to mindfulness and creativity!
DeleteThanks for this post! You bring up good points that are important for people who sew to think about. Especially someone like me, who is still learning the basics and makes a lot of mistakes and bad decisions with fabric/patterns, therefore creating too many unworn items and producing too much textile waste. I considered signing up for the Sew Weekly challenge for the learning experience, but was slightly horrified by the idea of adding at least 52 new and hastily made garments to my closet this year. That's a lot, even with Goodwilling and repurposing my existing clothes, isn't it? Anyway, I think I'll follow your example and try to slow down and focus on quality projects for myself and sewing more for others. Good luck to you and to me!
ReplyDeleteI imagine it's an incredible exercise, but I find my sewing doesn't fit neatly into weekly increments. I tend to be a binge/purge sewer -- sew a lot for several weeks, take several off. And we should take our time, I think, since we're juggling other aspects of our lives too! Good luck! :)
DeleteYou've brought up a really interesting issue for home sewists/knitters - we are mindful of how much less commercial fashion we consume; we pride ourselves on dressing for our shape not conforming to throw away trends; we are effectively training ourselves to be more self-sufficient and less reliant on 'the machine'... But ultimately we are still materialistic. The desire we have to surround ourselves with beautiful things we have made is by nature, materialistic. Especially as our skills improve, we crave more making!
ReplyDeleteI've also been thinking along these lines recently, and I've made peace with my materialistic tendencies, but will be striving to be as mindful as possible about what I consume to feed my creativity. Trying to buy only second hand fabric//concentrating on quality and wearability not quantity and things I obviously won't wear//mending and repurposing wherever possible//supporting small businesses who are making their living from this passion we all share (like Sewaholic and Colette Patterns for example).
But I do still think that us home sewists are going about our materialistic cravings in a MUCH more mindful and sustainable manner than those who regularly indulge in disposable sweatshop fashion... So we can be proud of that!
Here here! Yes, we can be proud of that. I have to remember I've come so far (with this great sewing community). I may make stuff, but mindfully! I'm always trying to remember (can't recall who said it) that you need to sew ACRES of fabric before you become really good -- and perhaps this is the process. A lot of garments in my wake ;)
DeleteI just thought about sewing by hand. It sounds strange, but we can call it coutoure sewing, right? Think about before-machine era, how everything was done? By hand. I was mending socks for my husband several days ago while he tought our daughter to read, it was just 10 minutes or so, but so quiet and peasful!
ReplyDeleteYes! I was looking over my skirts the other day and I'm awful at hems! I think I just get exhausted and rush through the finishing. But hand sewing may be a good practice for me this year for hems and even invisible zippers -- slower construction, better finish, and certainly more relaxing!
DeleteI find that not *needing* a garment helps me slow down and enjoy the process more. If it doesn't work out, I can cherish the learning experience and toss the rest! It can also free you to take risks. More sewing and knitting can still fit with a well-curated wardrobe: only keep the best of the best, and send the rest to thrift or etsy, where someone else can enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteI like your perspective, Andrea. I've become a lot better at letting go, too. Tallying my wardrobe and realizing how much I really have has helped me realize I don't "need" anything -- a failure always stings at first, but ultimately what gets worn is what gets kept!
DeleteRight now I am experimenting with refashioning and that means I have more clothes that I wear less. At the same time I am learning a new craft and it costs less to my pocket and to the environment than if I bought new. Maybe once you have perfected your craft you could make the odd item to sell. I sell occasionally but seem to make more for others than I do myself. Someone alwys needs a hand with something in my world so I don't ever fully catch up on the obligation sewing. I also agree that we won't talk about my thrifting habits, although they are getting better, ie, less buying, more looking.
ReplyDeleteYes, my thrifting habits are getting better too. I have to remember how much I'm NOT buying. But I think you're absolutely right: thrifting and refashioning are great ways to learn a new craft. I think that's how I accrued so much stuff but I learned and am learning tons!
DeleteTo answer your post title; yes! :-) It can sometimes be hard to balance what I need with what I want to make. I have tried some of the things you´ve suggested over the past year, taking up sewing for others for instance, but if I´m not monitoring myself, sewing for others can become a chore instead of a pleasure because I might give myself a deadline or otherwise make it into something less fun.
ReplyDeleteI´ve tried to knit more as well, but my neck and shoulders protest if I knit for longer periods of time, so I have to be careful of that.
One thing I am applying this year is more detail, and make more plans ahead. i really enjoy that part of the process, so I use quite a lot of time for making plans. Whether or not I actually do everything I plan for isn´t relevant, it´s the planning I love!
Good point, Solvi! I probably spend more time planning (er, dreaming, for me) than sewing. It's exciting to think of the projects you can make.
DeleteI'm still at the stage where I feel I don't have enough clothes that I feel comfortable wearing. I'm working on clearing out the old ones as I get new ones in. I have very little choice at the moment, it's one of the reasons I want to get in to photographing outfit posts, so I'm forced to think about how I wear items together. Sewing my own clothes (which, let's face it, I'm very lazy about doing) will augment my wardrobe but is unlikely to be the basis for my wardrobe, shameful as that is to admit because I had high hopes.
ReplyDeleteI think so long as you're happy with the balance you strike then how you consume isn't an issue. You're creating, recycling and producing unique items for either yourself or others. Anything else and where's the fun in that?
Yes, I think you make a good point, Tors. I'm finally at a point where I feel I have enough clothes I feel comfortable wearing after a lot of thrifting and sewing and donating. They're plain, but versatile and flatteirng. I think I just hate (still!) having so many items unused in my closet, I am concocting a plan, though ;)
DeleteI have really tried to focus over the last while on sewing things that I love and will be worn over and over. I did discover that I wear a select few colours regularly (pink, red, purple, green, and aqua with black as an accent), which was really helpful.
ReplyDeleteThis year, I'm still trying to be mindful of that, but have gone with Solvi and embraced the fun of sewing. I do have a significant fabric stash and the 'fun' items will be sewn from that.
You're a terrifically creative person, Ali. I so enjoy seeing your creations and reading the rationale behind your endeavours. Well done, Ali!!!
Sarah, it's been fun to watch your journey last year about finding a lifetime wardrobe and things that work for you -- so excited to see the "fun" items that come out of this year's sewing!
DeleteMany good points, Ali! I see this every time I visit my parents - it's so much easier to get dressed when you have to chose between 4 dresses instead of 14. :) For myself, I get the feeling that usually I have the same few sets of clothes in rotation for a while, and then a mood strikes or I remember a different outfit and will wear that regularly for a few weeks. I really like being able to change it out a bit! Some items do get a lot more wear than others, though... I've embraced knitting as a very family compatible craft, too. Much better than sewing in the attic room. Good thing we only have one living-dining-office room in our flat, so I can annoy my boyfriend with the noise my sewing machine makes while he is working (and enjoy his company) ;).
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point, Alessa, and I've been thinking about it too. I may just limit my wardrobe every month, more to give me the feeling of "new" and also so I don't get stuck in the same-stuff rut (which I do often! Some things get worn to death, some are never touched!)
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