I'm not a natural sewer, a straight line is the most I can really do competently so this year I have decided to try and do more machine sewing where possible.
At the weekend I recovered my old Futon in the most gorgeous green pure wool, a little bit of effort and the job was done and the material only cost me £21.00. Yes "chapeau" me. No sweat shop labour half way across the world stitching for me, low carbon foot print, the feeling of being just that little bit more worthy than I was yesterday, indeed "chapeau".
But as I sat down (very comfortable) and started to think about my next sewing masterpiece I began to question where exactly had the fabric I used come from for it to be sold for £3.00 per metre? In my tapestry business (Tina Francis Tapestry) I am meticulous in finding out the provenance of all the raw materials and components I use, my trays are made in Coventry, mugs in Stoke, cards in Kent, wool from the UK, canvases printed in Devon. So why had it not occurred to me to ask about the provenance of the fabric? Now as any lover of fabric will know when you see a pattern or colour you really like you go a bit "fabric blind" and just have to have it, the ideas about what you can do with it sends you into a bit of a fuzz. But really is this any excuse?
There's a big push at the moment to make your own clothes, learn how to mend, knit your own garments, upholster your home and so the provenance of the raw materials seems to be more important than ever. It's fine basking in the glow of having made it yourself, those skills will see you through a lifetime, but if you have no idea where the fabric or wool is from how is it any better than buying a garment from a shop on the High Street? Maybe I am being a little hard on myself here as even though my fabric may have been woven in a factory without much care to working conditions at least it wasn't made there too? No doesn't sound too good does it?
I know many people make their own garments and home interiors because they want something different, well fitting or they just plain enjoy the process. Making your own is not always cheaper (except for my futon covers - need to get over this!)but it does mean you get what you want. My next sewing project is a skirt using a pattern from MIY Collection (Patterns are designed and printed here in the UK) and I will definitely be asking where the fabric is made before purchasing from my usual supplier.
If we really are interested in a sustainable fairly traded low carbon world then I think its about time we started looking at "where is it from" from the raw materials up.
It's difficult to question everything but as the year progresses I hope to start doing it a little more.
Tina
(P.S. I know where the fabric came from now so can sit on my Futon happily!)
But as I sat down (very comfortable) and started to think about my next sewing masterpiece I began to question where exactly had the fabric I used come from for it to be sold for £3.00 per metre? In my tapestry business (Tina Francis Tapestry) I am meticulous in finding out the provenance of all the raw materials and components I use, my trays are made in Coventry, mugs in Stoke, cards in Kent, wool from the UK, canvases printed in Devon. So why had it not occurred to me to ask about the provenance of the fabric? Now as any lover of fabric will know when you see a pattern or colour you really like you go a bit "fabric blind" and just have to have it, the ideas about what you can do with it sends you into a bit of a fuzz. But really is this any excuse?
There's a big push at the moment to make your own clothes, learn how to mend, knit your own garments, upholster your home and so the provenance of the raw materials seems to be more important than ever. It's fine basking in the glow of having made it yourself, those skills will see you through a lifetime, but if you have no idea where the fabric or wool is from how is it any better than buying a garment from a shop on the High Street? Maybe I am being a little hard on myself here as even though my fabric may have been woven in a factory without much care to working conditions at least it wasn't made there too? No doesn't sound too good does it?
I know many people make their own garments and home interiors because they want something different, well fitting or they just plain enjoy the process. Making your own is not always cheaper (except for my futon covers - need to get over this!)but it does mean you get what you want. My next sewing project is a skirt using a pattern from MIY Collection (Patterns are designed and printed here in the UK) and I will definitely be asking where the fabric is made before purchasing from my usual supplier.
If we really are interested in a sustainable fairly traded low carbon world then I think its about time we started looking at "where is it from" from the raw materials up.
It's difficult to question everything but as the year progresses I hope to start doing it a little more.
Tina
(P.S. I know where the fabric came from now so can sit on my Futon happily!)
