I’ve been pretty quiet about Sewaholic Patterns recently, except for mentioning my recent layoff and my plans to focus on the pattern side full-time. I’m happy to announce that things are moving again and I’m closer than ever to launching!
I’ve decided to print the Sewaholic Patterns envelopes and instruction sheets on 100% recycled paper. Want to know why?
David Suzuki’s Green Guide has been floating around our house and it had me thinking. Overall, we’re helping reduce our impact on the planet by sewing, especially if we’re buying less ready-to-wear clothing because of it. We’re often supporting local fabric stores, which boosts the local economy. And it’s so much better on the planet than buying clothing made overseas, that likely travelled on an airplane to a distribution centre, was unpackaged and then re-packed to ship out to the local mall. One of the reasons I like to buy vintage fabric on Etsy, is because I’m reducing, often re-using, and supporting a real person’s Etsy business. It just feels good to me!
So many of you guys have written thoughtful posts on the eco-friendly nature of sewing, on thrifting and refashioning and on learning to make do with less. I wanted to be true to the eco-conscious nature of sewing and print as much as I could on recycled paper. Every little bit helps!
The cool thing is, recycled paper is only slightly different than regular white paper! I pictured it to be rugged and brown – but all you see are tiny speck-like imperfections scattered here and there. It comes in clean white, so you can print in colour, and it looks every bit as nice as brand new paper. Seems like an easy decision to me!
What do you think? Does it matter to you whether you buy recycled paper products or not?
Are you conscious of your environmental impact in general, and is your passion for sewing related to eco-conscious concerns? Or is the environmentally-friendly part just a wonderful side-effect of sewing? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Being green is something I struggle with. I never feel like we’re doing all we could. I was so excited when the city implemented a curbside recycling program—now each week I put out one big bag of recycling and one little bag of garbage; if they took compost, the actual garbage would be tiny!
Now if only we could break this “car” addiction…
I think recycled paper is a great idea!
Excellent work Tasia! I try to be green, but of course there’s so much more that I could be doing. But you are completely right — every little bit helps, and it’s great that you’ve found a “little bit” that you can implement while starting your new business. :)
I applaud you for this. We must try to be more conservative in our efforts at home and in business. I have been recycling since long before it became popular. On that note,
some opponents have minimized the benefits of recycling paper. Actually, the general estimate by producers is that a virgin paper product can be recycled up to 7 times before the fibers become too shortened to reprocess. This link also explains some of the other current myths.(study from Cornell University)
http://www.rso.cornell.edu/snrc/documents/PaperMyths.doc
Sorry to go on, but I think your choice is a great example about how small business can ultimately effect large change in our constantly evolving business landscape.
bravo (brava?)! I talk a lot with my neighbor, a fellow gardener and marketing big wig at a garden center here in Minneapolis (AND a local TV personality – home and garden for one of the local news shows) about recycling and organic gardening (they go together in my head.) And it seems like most people (me included) are for it in theory, but in practice, only do it if it’s just as easy and the same price as going the non-green way. Making your patterns an easy way for us to be green is awesome!
Also – I thought a lot about voting with our dollars, manifesting with our cash – all that sort of thing – when we were redoing our kitchen and planning our wedding. I like that we can take ideas into action in a really tangible way with our decisions about what we purchase… as a business owner and producer you can totally take it to the next level!
Go Tasia!
Yes, it absolutely matters! Otherwise, why go through all the trouble? Go for it!
My sewing pattern is printed double-sided (except the pattern pieces) and condensed on 100% recycled paper. The envelopes are made from partially recycled paper. All my invoices and receipts are printed on recycled paper. I chose Tyvek envelopes to ship soft goods because of their tensile strength, but mine are made in USA and recyclable ( Dupont accepts Tyvek for recycling from any level consumer: http://www2.dupont.com/Tyvek_Envelopes/en_US/tech_info/tech_environ.html ). I recycle my HP printer ink cartridges. I recycle wool fabric scraps by advertising them on Craigslist for use as pincushion stuffing (and strangely enough several people usually reply to each ad for a grocery bag full of palm-sized and smaller scraps). And finally, I upcycle a lot of moth-eaten and torn old wool suits and merino sweaters to make caps from. It might not make a difference in the big picture, but it makes a difference to me.
Very cool Tasia! I think using recycled paper is an excellent idea. :-)
good decision!
As a fellow Canadian, David Suzuki has a big impact on our life, too. I really like that you’re choosing to use recycled papers. I think it’s really smart and unique. :) Keeping my carbon footprint low is one of the reasons I like to use vintage patterns.
I’m looking forward to your new pattern line! When are you going to start designing your own fabric??
Sarah :)
I’m so glad you all think it’s a worthwhile choice!
I am still working out the details, once I have a bit more info I’ll write a little post about the eco-friendly solutions I’ve found. It’s great that so many of you are finding ways to reduce your impact. Look, that’s already nine of you making a small difference in the world!
Sarah, I would LOVE to design fabric! That would be so much fun, imagine the possibilities! I agree, I use vintage patterns not only for the history and uniqueness but also for the environmental factor.
Thanks everyone for leaving a comment, I appreciate the feedback!
It’s refreshing to hear you say that! Unfortunately my choices are usually determined by cost….if a recycled material option is too much more costly, I often have to turn to not as eco-friendly options. In come cases it’s clearly cheaper to go the eco-friendly route though! (And cuter too…I’m talking reusable cloth napkins and kitchen towels instead of paper.) I’m so excited for you! I look forward to seeing your line!!
We all should do whatever we can to help our planet. I applaud your efforts. Unfortunately, I believe, that for all the hype about “going green”, the big companies are forcing us to make more garbage. Clothing, for example – since that’s what interests us all. RTW was produced locally (well, at least on the same continent), mostly. Clothing was expensive, and people chose the best quality that they could, so that it would last a long time. Items would be passed to someone else when no longer needed. Items were mended and patched to make them last longer. Once it was no longer wearable, the item was reused for something else – to make a smaller garment, or as rags. Buttons were cut off to be reused. Nowadays people seem to buy as cheaply as possible, items that were produced half a world away. The quality is horrid. No-one seems to be able to so much as sew on a missing button, let alone a tear. In fairly short order the item lands in the garbage – literally. The same people who are so saintly about recycling their newspapers, toss their children’s cast-offs in the garbage bin. It’s all part of the same picture, or should be. Either you’re committed to “making less garbage” or you’re not. I have many more examples, that I will not bore you with. Do you think that may-be I have an opinion on the matter? I suppose I just find it ironic that when I was a girl (OK – dinosaur talking here) – no-one talked about “garbage”. It wasn’t a hot topic, because it was not a problem. Now there is so much talk, but people as a whole, just are not willing to scale back their want of more stuff. Come to think of it – “decluttering” and “organizing” weren’t hot topics either, probably because we all just had a lot less STUFF to deal with.
I’m really curious as to what you find as far as what you print your actual patterns on. I got to wondering today why most pattern manufacturers use tissue paper. Is it in hopes that it will rip and fail and we’ll have to buy the pattern again? Or is there some other benefit I’m missing? I do want to know if you find something large format AND with recycled content. Good luck!
I really do like to recycle and reuse whenever possible. I fill my tailor’s hams and seams rolls with 100% recycled sawdust and I also like to go to thrift stores and search for gently used wool clothing to cut up and use for part of them as well. It feel so much better to be a little more conscious of the environment. Even at work, I try to fill people in on the bad effects certain things do to the environment. I don’t know if it helps, but I try. I also realize I can’t be 100% eco friendly with everything I do. But, gosh it is so important. I feel that people are starting to be more aware of these things as well. At least I hope so. So glad you’re taking an active interest in this type of thing for your new business venture as well! It will make buying patterns from you even more pleasurable!
xoxo, Sunni
As someone who is looking into printing possibilities myself, and having toyed with the idea of using recycled paper, I really applaud you at embracing this! I think that even though the up-front costs might be a bit higher (at least from what I’ve seen around here; but it may just be where I’m looking), it’s definitely worth it in the long run. Not only is it nicer to the environment, but I think customers will appreciate that you have taken the time to thoughtfully choose the materials you’re printing on–not just cutting corners to minimize the cost.
Btw: I am getting so excited about your pattern line and can’t wait for it to debut! ;) Especially since you are making for the “pear shaped woman”, and by golly I could use some patterns designed for my figure! lol.
‚ô• Casey | blog
I go back and forth. I’m not the most green person, but I do it when I can. I plan on only buying 7th generation environmentally friendly diapers until I make (or purchase Bummis) the cloth kind.
I think every bit counts towards helping our world. Bravo.
I think your plan to go green with the patterns is fantastic! There is always something we can do to conribute to the green effort and It’s not hard. I always go the green option wherever and whenever possible.
Any launch dates for the patterns? Im excited to get my hands on the pendrell blouse lol!
xx Nicole
http://www.rubyslippersvintage.blogspot.com
Haha, the way my blog reader had the post laid out, the screen cut off right after you wrote “I‚Äôve decided to print the Sewaholic Patterns envelopes and instruction sheets on 100% recycled paper. Want to know why?” My first thought is, “Because you’re awesome!”
In all seriousness, kudos to you for your decision. While I started sewing young enough that my main thoughts were more along the lines of “Hey, this is fun”, and “Yay, I won’t have to worry about showing up at school in the same outfit as anyone else”, the environmental impact of my sewing is certainly something I’ve become more conscious of in the last several years. I’m still even trying to come up with a way to recycle my muslins! So I agree that every little bit helps. And honestly, I think recycled paper has a much cooler look to it. (Now I’m looking forward even more to when you start on the patterns for bottoms, because I’m even more excited about supporting your fledgling business!)
I recycle. And I am against over-consumption. I say this before you jump on me with criticism. However, do you think your recent lay off is somehow connected to the less spending on the products of your ex company?
Besides, if someone is so much about being green and all, why make all these clothes? Why not just wear a pair of jeans all year long? Where is the balance? Why create the patterns or the clothes at all? (I, btw, think it’s a great idea that you are doing it and I’m looking forward to seeing how you do with it)
So, my point is, while we can help slowing down the pollution process, it’s still out of our convenience where we draw the line. It’s how we balance our need side and others need side.
Wow, really great and thoughtful comments today! @EL: I would never criticise you, I value your opinion! It’s interesting to see how my recent layoff from a clothing company makes me want to be more green overall. I’ve been planning all along to see how ‘green’ I can make my products but you’re absolutely right! After working for a small/medium company, and seeing the impact on the environment, it definitely makes me think of things I would do differently now that I have control over my new little company. I think of manufacturing in China and air-freighting to the USA and then trucking product all across the country, and its impact on the planet. And then I think of what I’m doing – working from home, printing on recycled papers, buying vintage or second-hand fabrics, and hope that it’s at least a small step in the right direction!
I also completely agree, if we stop consuming clothing and instead spend the same amount on fabric, it’s still the same problem. It’s the excess and overconsumption, the need to have more, often way more than one person needs! So you’re right, shifting the focus from clothing-buying to fabric-buying may be slightly better but it’s still adding to the ‘stuff’ we own. We could of course just wear a pair of jeans all year long! (Personally, I’d pick a dress instead :) but I know what you mean.)
I’m definitely not saying I’m solving the world’s problems. I just know that the more I sew, the more I think about loving my clothing more, mending it when it rips, washing it carefully, and creating pieces that I wear often, that flatter me and that I feel good in. And I wanted to keep that spirit going when I get the patterns printed, because choosing an eco-friendly print solution feels good to me.
Thanks so much for your comment, EL! You made some great points.
@Irene: More really great points. I agree, it’s a shame that clothing has become so disposable. Hopefully the more people we can get excited about sewing again, the more we make better-quality clothing that we love and keep for years!
@Caroline: I believe the reason that most pattern companies use tissue paper is the price, it’s economical and lightweight and easier to pin-fit than white paper. It’s easy to cut through it without ruining your scissors (as much) and it’s lightweight for stuffing into envelopes. I don’t think any pattern company is out to get us consumers by making fragile materials so we have to buy replacement patterns! I am sure that’s not the intention at all.
@The Cupcake Goddess: Completely agree. I won’t be able to be completely eco-friendly with everything I do, both pattern-wise and in the rest of life! But I sure want to try. It’s not always possible, but I wanted you all to know I’ll seek out the best alternatives wherever I can!
@Casey: Thanks Casey, I do want people to feel like I’m not cutting corners! I like to think sewing is one thing we do for ourselves not because it’s always cheaper, but because we’re worth the time it takes to make something beautiful. And I hope I can create that same feeling with my patterns. I am thrilled that you’re excited about the pattern debut as well!
@Susan – Knitters Delight: I agree – every little bit helps!
@ruby slippers: Thanks Nicole! I am really close to having a launch date and will have an update next week. It’s a lot of work getting everything ready, but I can say it’s coming very soon!
@Becky: I recycle my muslins, sort of! I cut up the bigger pieces and use them to cut out smaller pieces. I’m much the same, at first sewing was a way to make cool stuff, and to be unique, but it does help reduce our impact just a little! Especially if you end up really loving the pieces you make, instead of being semi-satisfied with the clothing you buy and always looking for replacement pieces.
Thanks everyone, I am so happy to hear that eco-friendly printing is important to so many of you. I will keep you posted!
Sounds like a great idea to me… :) I use vintage and recently outdated maps for almost all of the packaging for my fabric.. I even sew them up into shipping envelopes.
I am so conscious about environmental issues, especially water waste. It is such a great idea to use recycled paper ! I am so looking forward to hear more about your project.
Wow! what wonderful and thoughtful comments – you folks are awesome. Thank-you Tasia for giving us all something to think about!!!!
Yay for recycled paper! I try to be both eco- and socially conscious in my life choices, and certainly in my fashion and sewing choices. I too love supporting our local sewing (and fashion) businesses, and even though bamboo fabric is among the most expensive knits in the shop, i love having a beautiful new bamboo top for around $20.
i guess it doesn’t conventionally fit within what we think of as ‘eco-friendly’ but for me the biggest impact sewing has had on my awareness that i’m opting out of the conventional manufacturing cycle. all of the shipping is no good for the environment, but i’m also so very aware now of how undervalued the labour that goes into making clothing is.
Oh hi! I just found your blog, and considering I make clothes from recycled materials and use vintage patterns, this is a fantastic idea for green and anticonsumers like myself to actually buy a new product, because your philosophy is so right!
Also, great response in these comments as well! You are amazing!
Sewing green isn’t something that I worry about everyday but when I started pouring money into my dressmaking hobby it’s something that I thought a lot more seriously about.
Unfortunately I think I might be in something of a unique situation from most of the US bloggers that I’ve been reading – I’ve never made anything that cost less than what I would spend to buy the same item ready-to-wear.
In Australia, even in the capital cities, fabric is not cheap and even cheap fabric comes in around $5-$12 per meter for say a cotton print. Meanwhile we’re right on the doorstep to all those hardworking factories in China and SE Asia and I’ll usually pay about $40 for jeans, $10 for a knit top (try $6 for a singlet/tank), $30 for a fancy skirt maybe $30-50 for a day dress.
While that’s discouraging, and often leaves me wondering if producing my fabric isn’t just as harmful to the environment as buying the same fabric made up into a top (after all, I’m just doing the labour) I console myself with this one fact:
The best thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint is to consume fewer items of clothing.
So I figure if I spend 2-3 months working on the coat of my dreams, and in those months I’m getting my “retail therapy” by planning and sewing and not shopping, I’m doing a positive thing.
Oh and the best thing you can do is find 2nd hand synthetics (which aren’t biodegradable) and recycle them into something wearable! <- from a "dressing green" seminar I attended.
Cassandra, I totally agree! I can consume WAY more in a couple hours of shopping – or I can spend a couple of weeks making a perfectly fitted dress. Which will give me more satisfaction to wear? Obviously, the second choice! I replace retail therapy with planning and dreaming and sewing.
Good point about the 2nd hand synthetics – I much prefer natural fibres myself, but that’s a great suggestion!
Good on you for choosing recycled paper. No, this one decision isn’t going to change the world. But I think it’s important to think about the things we do (rather than simply go on auto-pilot) and make considered decisions about reducing our impact whenever we have (or make) the opportunity to do so.
For example, I used to buy Kleenex just like everyone else I know, but I hate throwing things in the garbage so I decided to try fabric handkerchiefs. Love them! I encourage anyone to give them a shot. If you’re looking to buy, you can find them at the Bay (Canada) in the men’s section near the wallets.
I guess I really take the idea of reducing garbage to heart, and it affects my sewing. I find that I don’t like the idea of making muslins or trying a project that might fail – not because of the wasted time and money but because I don’t know what to do with the wasted materials. I like Caroline’s idea for wool scraps (though I don’t at present use a lot of wool). Anyone else have any brilliant ideas for what to do with scraps and failed projects?