We often emphasise the importance of mindful purchasing, opting for ethically made pieces, minimising overconsumption, and making sustainable choices. Yet, fabric care tends to be overlooked.  Properly caring for our garments not only ensures their longevity, but also significantly reduces our environmental footprint. Here’s a quick guide on how to care for different fabrics, extending the lifespan of your wardrobe staples while contributing to a more sustainable fashion ecosystem. Cotton:  Cotton is one of the most common fabrics which is versatile and timeless. However, one of the ..read more

In recent years, the fashion industry has undergone a transformation driven by the growing awareness of sustainability. Consumers are now turning their attention to the clothes they wear, opting for sustainable alternatives and seeking to create their own clothing.  This shift in consumers’ mindsets has mostly stemmed from the effects of fast fashion that has changed the industry. Although fast fashion has risen, new sustainable choices of fabrics and sustainable processes provide hope for a more sustainable future. This blog will outline key tips for making sustainable choices when sewin ..read more

Building a garment involves layers, structure, and attention to detail. Understanding the distinctions between interfacing, lining, and interlining is important when creating garments. This blog will highlight the key features of these linings and how to implement them into your garments and creatives. Interfacing:  Interfacing is the unsung hero of garment construction, providing support in areas that demand extra stability beyond the fabric’s weight. Commonly found in collars, cuffs, waistbands, and closures like buttonholes, interfacing reinforces the most functional parts of a garment ..read more

The feel and behaviour of fabric can greatly influence our comfort and satisfaction with the clothes we wear. While the type of fibre used is important, other factors also play a significant role in determining the overall quality of the fabric. Let’s explore some of these factors in detail: Fibre Blends: Clothing manufacturers have long recognised the benefits of blending different fibres. Not only does this often reduce production costs, but it can also enhance the fabric’s feel, appearance, and durability while making care easier.  One common blend is cotton and polyester. Cotton offer ..read more

Following on from my mini guide series on buying fabric, this blog will cover the main fabric certifications. When it comes to fabric certifications, there are many that you may have come across while browsing fabrics. Certifications include GOTS, BCI (Better Cotton Initiative), GRS (Global Recycled Standard), Fairtrade, and many more. While there are many considerations to take into account when buying new fabrics, including understanding fibres and fabric construction (You can read more information about these topics in my latest blogs). Fabric certifications can be confusing and hard to kno ..read more

Following on from my last blog post, we looked at the most common fabric fibre types. This blog will cover the different types of fabric construction including knitting, weaving, and more.  Mastering the ins and outs of fabrics is one of the most important aspects of designing.  Without a fundamental understanding of fabrics and their construction, it can be difficult to know what fabrics to look for.   All fabrics are made from a type of fibre and type of construction. Different fibres include silk, wool, cotton, and acrylic to name a few, read my most recent blog post to ..read more

When it comes to buying fabrics, especially online, it can be a bit tricky. However, with a bit of knowledge, you can make an informed choice and buy the perfect fabric for your project. When it comes to understanding fabric, there are a few key components to consider. One of the most important is the type of fibre used to create the fabric. Other important aspects to consider are the weight of the fabric, whether the fabric is knitted or woven, and finishing treatments. In this post, we are going to explore fibres. The fibre of fabric refers to the composition of the individual strands that m ..read more

Sustainability has become an increasingly important issue in today’s world, as we strive to balance our needs with the health of our planet. Clothing is no exception to this, as the industry poses unique challenges such as intensive agriculture, industrial pollution, and waste. However, promising solutions are emerging from new technology and conscientious production methods. One of the most exciting developments in sustainable clothing is the emergence of alternative fabrics, which are becoming more readily available to the sewing community. These materials are often derived from natural sour ..read more

How to make the Day-Out Backpack from repurposed fabric. The pattern for this back pack is free to newsletter subscribers. If you already subscribe the details and password for access to the free patterns are published in every newsletter. The newsletter is published every two weeks. You can sign up to the newsletter here: Newsletter subscription. I designed this backpack ahead of the school holidays with the idea of a bag that would carry everything I needed for a day out with the kids. I wanted to be sure I would have reusable items like water bottles and a tote bag. I have been trying to li ..read more

This is the last in my series of sustainable wardrobe challenge posts. The first posts are published in the blogger network section of my blog. In this series of blog posts I have invited fellow sewists to create a new outfit from one of my patterns and gifted fabric from my shop with the following brief: The Challenge. Choose a Bobbins and Buttons pattern and fabric from the online shop selection to make it in. Choose an item/s of unloved clothing or unused textiles from your home to create a new outfit. The outfit can be for you or a member of your family. The pattern can be from t ..read more