Sustainable Sewing

How often do you think about the environmental impact of your favorite hobby? It can be helpful to think about how much fabric and paper you waste, whether you're making garments that stand the test of time and how to get the most from your supplies!

As Earth Day approaches, on April 22, people around the world stop to think about ways they can Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in daily life, including in our sewing practices! Making sustainable choices when you sew can help make a real impact on our planet.

Is this year the time to join in?

Sustainable sewing is all about creating with care, keeping your impact on the planet as low as possible. This article shares how we design our patterns with this approach in mind. And how you can play a part too by making garments built to last and finding smart ways to minimize fabric waste.

We’re proud to be part of a lasting tradition where makers reuse and reinvent our patterns, owning them for many years after they first bought them. But it's important to us that we also use industry safeguards and recycled materials in all our pattern products.

Although paper can be both biodegradable and easily recyclable, it can also be the product of deforestation or poor forestry practices if not sourced sustainably.

As well as using recycled paper in our production we work with accredited paper mills to source our stock:

– Our tissue paper comes from a FSC certified mill.
– The guide sheet paper comes from a FSC & SFI certified mill.
– And our envelope paper comes from a FSC, SFI and PEFC certified mill.

If you love our PDF patterns and use copyshop printers to get access to designs, reach out to them to learn more about their sustainable practices.

Be inspired by our stash busting patterns perfect for scraps or smaller pieces of fabric. Use up every last piece of fabric with these designs for less wastage.

Featuring dresses, skirts, tops and accessories where you can mix leftover fabrics into a single project and play with print-mixing, colour-blocking and waste reduction!

Top tip - use fabrics with the same base cloth for consistent drape and handle.

Maybe you prefer projects that only use one fabric but are a bit more economical. Big ideas don’t require big yardage. We have a great collection of patterns designed for one yard (or less) of fabric, making it easy to turn small cuts and large leftovers into finished pieces.

Sustainability starts at home. Ditch single use products for handmade alternatives!

Make sure your tote bags actually make it out the door with you by giving them a personal touch. When they double as a scrap-busting project, that’s a win-win. Try sewing a few in different sizes to suit everything from quick errands to full grocery hauls.

Reusable produce bags are a game changer. Bring them along when you shop to skip single-use plastic, then use them at home in the fridge or pantry to keep things organized and save space.

If you’re a coffee lover, here’s a fun idea: reusable coffee filters. If you go through plenty of disposable ones, making your own can really add up. Plus, you can choose from two sizes to suit your setup.