Sewing in your own way

“When the fad passes, we will still be making.”

My short answer to the question “What is your way of sewing?” would be: traditionally, responsibly, by listening to myself, and in my own way.

As I mentioned in my first blog post, I was bitten by the sewing bug while at university. One of the most impactful articles I’ve read is definitely Garber’s (2013) Craft as Activism. This piece highlights quotes from Faythe Levine (in the foreword to Craft Activism 2011, p. 5), which reinforced my perspective on craftsmanship:

“When the fad passes, we will still be making. Because making things by hand has never stopped, and it will never disappear.”

“Craft is a way to connect with people, a way to create a community that you are inspired by.”

Picture: Bernina has so many lovely presser feet. Maybe one day, step by step, I’ll be skilled enough to use them.

I believe that craftsmanship is a part of our history, something we shouldn’t let go of. I understand that technological advances, the design of smart clothing, and the incorporation of electronics into crafts are on the rise, but I believe these shouldn’t replace the traditional crafts that our ancestors used to secure their livelihoods with. That said, I don’t deny that technology enables many things and is a valuable addition alongside traditional crafts, which I strongly base on values.

In addition to this, I sew because I’m interested in the history of handicrafts and the purpose they have served. I’m “traditional” in the sense that my actions are driven by a need. The need could be for autumn clothing, giving a worn-out garment a new life, reducing the stigma around mental health issues, or simply taking care of my mental well-being.

Sustainable reasons

I also sew for reasons of sustainability. According to the World Economic Forum, as much as 85% of used clothing ends up in landfills each year, and only 1% is recycled or repurposed (Faysal et al., 2022). One of the reasons for the massive amount of textile waste is the rapid changes in the fashion industry and the throwaway culture (Jamshaid et al., 2021). Fast fashion comes with a high price tag. The clothing industry is responsible for up to 8% of global climate change (Quantis, 2018), yet fast fashion consumption continues to rise. Fortunately, younger generations are moving toward more responsible choices and sustainable development, which promises a better future for all of us (Valkola & Räisänen, 2019). Instead of buying new clothes, we can maintain our existing ones and thus extend their lifespan (Laitala & Klepp, 2018). While sewing is wonderful, it’s essential to ask ourselves whether we really need a new garment made from fresh fabric or if we could repurpose old clothes or other textiles that are no longer in use.

Pictures: For me, sewing is also about preserving history and craft traditions.

Skills, techniques and your own way 

My sewing skills have been passed down from the older generation. Although we learned basic techniques at university, sewing is largely a self-taught skill for me. And returning to the advantages of technology, YouTube is full of videos that help you master new techniques. Garber (2013) also notes that craftsmanship skills are often learned informally through books, family, friends, the internet, or simply through experimentation. Sewing, like other crafts, is also communal. I personally find great joy in the world of social media related to crafts, as so many people share inspiring techniques and projects that motivate others. Otherwise, I´m quite skeptical about the effects of social media, and many studies suggest it has its downsides, particularly regarding mental well-being. However, with media literacy and by listening to our own feelings, we can find channels that genuinely bring us joy.

Perhaps one of the biggest things to consider when asking how I sew is that I rarely follow instructions or rules. I consciously choose to challenge established practices and ways of doing things because I believe everyone can create their own approach. I have a demanding personality disorder, and as a result, I used to get stressed if I wasn’t sewing or knitting exactly according to the instructions. But I don’t think that’s the point of sewing at all! That’s why I’ve decided to create my own way of sewing, using basic techniques and presser feet. Little by little, I practice new methods, but in a way that doesn’t take away from the joy of creating. Simple, fundamental skills are enough for sewing your own clothes—there’s no need for fancy tricks. Of course, I deeply respect and admire the expertise of experienced sewers, but if I focus too much on the quality of my work, I unknowingly place excessive demands on myself.

Pictures: I’m an old soul who loves to wander and find my own unique ways to craft.

As I wrote this post, I had two goals in mind: to lower the barrier to entering the world of sewing and to broaden the perspectives of hobbyists on how and why we sew. For me, the most important part is not the final product, but everything that comes before it—the need, the goal, materials, the joy of creating, and responsible choices.

How do you sew, and what thoughts did this post spark in you? Do you have different perspectives on sewing, or would you like to share an experience of your own? I would love to hear them in the comments! It would also be wonderful to continue the conversation with you on Instagram, and if you have any questions, feel free to message me directly there: @kudelmiani.

I wish you all the best and many gentle sewing moments! Let’s remember to sew while listening to ourselves and valuing our craftsmanship—it’s beautiful just as it is, just like you are too!

With love,
Suvi  
@kudelmiani

Sources:

• Faysal, G. M., Sonia Azad, T. N., Reazuddin Repon, M., Hossain, T., & Abdul Jalil, M. (2022). Sustainable yarn production using leftover fabric from apparel industries. Heliyon, 8(11), e11377. https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2405-8440%2822%2902665-2
• Garber, E. (2013). Craft as activism. The Journal of Social Theory in Art Education, 33(1), 53-66. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/jstae/vol33/iss1/6/
• Jamshaid, H., Hussain, U., Mishra, R., Tichy, M., & Muller, M. (2021). Turning textile waste into valuable yarn. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 5, 100341. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666790821003013?via%3Dihub
• Laitala, K., & Klepp, I. (2018). Care and production of clothing in Norwegian homes: Environmental implications of mending and making practices. Sustainability, 10(8), 2899. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082899
• Levine, F. (2011). Foreword. In J. Tapper, Craft activism: People, ideas, and projects from the new community of handmade and how you can join in (p. 5). Potter Craft.
• Quantis. (2018). Measuring fashion: Insights from the environmental impact of the global apparel and footwear industries: Full report and methodological considerations. https://quantis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/measuringfashion_globalimpactstudy_full-report_quantis_cwf_2018a.pdf
• Valkola, J., & Räisänen, R. (2021). Building a sustainable wardrobe: Quality over quantity? – Survey of students’ wardrobes and consumption habits. In N. F. Nissen & M. Jaeger-Erben (Eds.), PLATE – Product Lifetimes and the Environment Proceedings: 3rd PLATE Conference September 18-20, 2019, Berlin, Germany (pp. 797-803). Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin. https://doi.org/10.14279/depositonce-9253