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Downton (Yorkshire Wool) Waistcoat

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear Tagged ,

This loose waistcoat is a made from fine light weight wool that was woven in Yorkshire. Yes a  locally made U.K. fabric.

Not only that, I didn’t pay a fortune for it.

I bought it from Jacks, a small stall on  Leeds Kirkgate Market. Right at the back in the new part.They sell end of line remnants of Yorkshire made wooden fabric.  For very reasonable amounts. Anything from £5.00 to £12.00 a meter.

 It is loosely based on the Mc Calls M6996 Misses’ Jackets & Belt pattern. Rather too loosely. I made it so big I had to put some bust tucks in. But I like to think it gives it a rather Downton Abbey look?

It is worn here with my gifted blue T shirt and gifted stripy skirt over yoga leggings

Sustainable Rating

  • Natural fibres
  • U.K. made fabric
  • Bought plastic free – no packaging
  • Homemade by me
  • Supporting local fabric shop
  • Made with plastic free sewing supplies  (you can find them here)
  • Plastic free fixings

This counts as part of my fair share of global fabrics – a self imposed rationing system. You can read about it here #

This counts as part of my fair share of global fabrics – a self imposed rationing system. You can read about it here #

And  can see what else I have made, here

See the rest of my wardrobe here.

Find other clothing related posts here

 

 

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Skirt Bombazine

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear Tagged , , 1 Comment

Back home from the tropics and I desperately needed some new clothes. So I have been busy sewing. First off the production line is an enormous bell shaped skirt in black bombazine. I’m not sure it is bombazine but it looks as though it should be. Besides which I like the word.

The fabric is a heavy silk / wool mix. This is not so much clothing as architecture. It was made in Yorkshire. I bought it from Jacks, a small stall on  Leeds Kirkgate Market. Right at the back in the new part.They sell end of line remnants of Yorkshire made wooden fabric.  For very reasonable amounts. Anything from £5.00 to £12.00 a meter.

Bargain! Not only am I supporting a local fabric shop but this fabric was actually made in Yorkshire. How fantastic is that?

I made it using plastic-free, sustainable sewing supplies  (you can find them here) but had to use a plastic zip.

I made the pattern up.

Sustainable Rating

  • Natural fibres
  • Homemade
  • Supporting local fabric shop
  • Made with plastic free sewing supplies

This counts as part of my fair share of global fabrics – a self imposed rationing system. You can read about it here #

And  can see what else I have made, here

 

 

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Menstrual Pants

by Posted in 3.1 Disposables & Reusables, 3.1 Personal, 3.1.7 wear Tagged 6 Comments

Menstrual pants are knickers you wear during your period. They come with inbuilt protection. Some can be worn instead of a pad or tampon. All provide additional security against leaks.

Already popular in Asian countries they can now be bought in the US. You can read some reviews here.
But as far as I know there is no UK based provider. Until now.

Hi, my name is ruby, co-founder of WUKA Wear.
In the last 50 years there has been little innovation in menstrual products and we have been stuck with the same which contain huge about if plastic and silica gels that gets end up in landfill of down to our rivers and seas.
Every-year, in the UK 200,000 tonnes of pads and tampons ends up in landfill and 2 Billion sanitary items are flushed down the toilet leading to polluted rivers and seas. This is also major reason of death of millions of birds and sea creature.

A person can use up to 16,000 tampons or pads in a lifetime. We are reusable, one set of 3 underwear replaces two years worth of disposables. We are the only reusable period underwear which completely replaces disposable tampons and pads, helping us to be kinder to the planet for us and future generations. We are made up of eco-fabric called Tencel made from sustainable Eucalyptus tree.

We are reusable and allow free-flowing, the benefits of which are huge and eliminates any potential health risks.
We are designed and manufactured in Nepal so our product is made to the highest standards and supports small communities through sustainable employment.

WUKA wear is being created so anyone menstruating can have an ultra-luxurious, hygienic, comfortable and an eco-friendly period – because we care about our bodies and the planet.

we are currently not at the market but coming soon via Kickstarter.
If you like what we do and looking for alternative menstrual product that is good for you and your planet, then please get in touch with us @ www.wuka.co.uk
Follow us Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @wukawear

More

Find out about plasticfree and reusable menstrual products here

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Bloomers – homemade

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear Tagged , 6 Comments

Just because I am backpacking don’t mean I can’t make pants.

Recently I have been wearing the Mu Mu of Modesty as a dress but there are a couple of problematic, pressing issues.

The pressing being my sweaty, chubby thighs rubbing on each other. The problem? The resulting chafing! I tried talc.

In this heat it lasts about 5 minutes before being sweated off. The solution? Bloomers! Very light weight shorts I can wear under my dress.

I looked round the bazaars but all the shorts on sale were more knickers then bloomers. They were so short the thighs would have remained uncovered. Most of my butt would have remained uncovered come to that. And, though they say the fabric is cotton, I suspect synthetics are involved. It is like no cotton I have ever worked with.

So, enthused by my successful scarf making activities (it might not sound like much but I am backpacking), I decided to make some shorts. I invested in a tape measure – sadly I could only get a plastic one and bought some cotton fabric from Bangkok China town.

I used my loon pants as a pattern. I traced it onto newspaper measuring to double check. I tacked my newspaper pattern onto the fabric. No pins you see.

I cut the pants out with my straight metal nail scissors. It took forever and hurt my fingers. Found I had made a huge mistake and they were way to tight. Had to add panels to the side.

I sewed them using thread from the market – no idea wether it was natural or synthetic but it came unpackaged and on a cardboard tube. Needles I had with me – I find they come in very handy when backpacking. I used cotton ribben for the drawstring.

It counts as part of my Fair Share Fabric Project.

In 2015 I pledged to  use no more than my fair global share of fibres and they have to be sustainably sourced. Whats a global share? 11.74 kg per person of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres.  You can see how I am doing here.

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Snood

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear, 4.3 My Projects Tagged , , 1 Comment

How can you have so few clothes yet still have something you never wear?

Fearing the harsh Mongolian climate I made myself a snood/hat/scarf multi tasking sort of thing. It is knitted wool, stripy fabric backed with black knitted cotton which I bought from my local fabric shop.

It forms a loop of loveliness that can be worn as a scarf or a hat or both.

It is very warm and the cotton stops any itchy wool business, but I don’t like it.

Even when it got cold in Mongolia I rarely put it on.

So that’s the hubby, modelling mohair, in the tropics. Yes, I am still lugging the bloody thing around with me!

I sewed it using organic cotton on a wooden reel. I cut out them out with my all metal scissors. There is a metal hook and eye at the front, the elastic in the back is probably plastic! Want to make some? You can find fabrics, sewing supplies and purchase details here. 

It counts as of my Fair Share Fabric Project.

In 2015 I pledged to  use no more than my fair global share of fibres and they have to be sustainably sourced. Whats a global share? 11.74 kg per person of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres.  You can see how I am doing here

I don’t like synthetic fibres for a number of very good reason so I will be using mainly  natural fibres.

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Trousers homemade

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear, 4.3 My Projects Tagged , , 1 Comment

Yes, I am a member of the all-female, Indoenesian-based, Madness tribute band. What? You haven’t heard of us? I made these super loose trousers with fabric from Leons in Manchester. It is a linen cotton mix Nice but rather too heavy for the tropics.

The design I made up myself. They are pleated at the front and elasticated at the back.

They hang in voluminous folds.

I sewed it using organic cotton on a wooden reel. I cut out them out with my all metal scissors. There is a metal hook and eye at the front, the elastic in the back is probably plastic! Want to make some? You can find fabrics, sewing supplies and purchase details here. 

These trousers count as of my Fair Share Fabric Project.

In 2015 I pledged to  use no more than my fair global share of fibres and they have to be sustainably sourced. Whats a global share? 11.74 kg per person of which 3.8 kg is natural fibres.  You can check my figures here.

I don’t like synthetic fibres for a number of very good reason so I will be using mainly  natural fibres.

 

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The MuMu of Modesty

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear, 4.3 My Projects Tagged , , 3 Comments

This big and rather tent like top is extremely easy to wear. Long trousers, short trousers, no trousers even! With no zips or fastenings it is easy on, easy off making it ideal even for the beach.

Can I hear cries of “Are you mad” and “A beach dress should be summery? Colorful Pretty! What you have there looks serious, formal even! With 3/4 length sleeves….”

Well observed fashionistas but we may go home via Iran. Iran as you know has a dress code for women. The Mu Mu of modesty when worn with trousers and a headscarf will pass muster.

From beach to theocracy – I don’t think you can get much more multitasking than that! But obviously there are going to have to be compromises.

Details

The fabric is grey cotton with a raised stripe of contrasting colour and texture. Stiff rather than floaty this fabric conceals rather than drapes. It is densly woven so there is no peek aboo element (thanks be) making it modest and concealing. Although the tighter weave means it is warmer than a fine cotton say, it is still cool enough and its tent like qualities means it doesnt cling. The air can waft. In short good for both Iranian law and sunny weather.

Fabric

I bought the organic and fair-trade fabric on line from the Organic Textile Company. It cost around 27.00 including delivery. They have a good range of materials and designs. In their own words “All our fabrics are good quality inexpensive organic, cotton fairly traded.” Though they don’t actually have a fair-trade certificate you can see that they are committed to the cause. There are some nice personal details about the people they work with. I actually know who made my fabric.

NB the packaging was NOT PLASTIC FREE

Sadly the packaging was plastic. The fabric was sent in a plastic bag. I did ask about that and I was told “Due to the nature of what we send through the post it is not suitable for us to use paper packaging. We do reuse packaging that is from parcels that have been sent to us and we would be able to send out fabric using recycled packaging if it was requested by a customer.”

Read my full review of this company here

Details

Apart from the packaging this top contains no plastic

 Plastic Free Fabric – You can buy completely plastic free fabric from Offset Warehouse

Other Fabric – You can find a range of fair trade organic fabrics here

More info

While being of plastic free interest, this is also part of my fair share fabric project.  You can read all bout it and see my other clothes – home made and otherwise, here. 

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Tunic Top – Fair-trade, organic-cotton, plastic-free & homemade

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear, 4.3 My Projects Tagged , , 1 Comment

 

How can you afford fair trade and organic clothes on a budget? Make your own!

I wanted a long tunic style top with 3/4 length sleeves in thin cotton I could have bought a Billie Stripe Tunic in Navy Stripe from the People Tree made form 100% Organic Cotton costing £48.00. But last time I asked they posted their stuff out in plastic packaging. And it’s a bit expensive for me. Plus too short sleeves, too long length, knitted cotton takes ages to dry…. nah.

So I made one out of crinkly organic cotton that is “traded fairly”. It is similar to cheese cloth from the 70’s and is a nice sludgy airforce blue with an off- white stripe.  Doesn’t crumple, dries quickly and is great for backpacking.Total cost including delivery £27.00.

Fabric

I bought the organic and fair-trade fabric on line from the Organic Textile Company. They have a good range of materials and designs. In their own words “All our fabrics are good quality inexpensive organic, cotton fairly traded.” Though they don’t actually have a fair-trade certificate you can see that they are committed to the cause. There are some nice personal details about the people they work with. I actually know who made my fabric.

NB the packaging was NOT PLASTIC FREE

Sadly the packaging was plastic. The fabric was sent in a plastic bag. I did ask about that and I was told “Due to the nature of what we send through the post it is not suitable for us to use paper packaging. We do reuse packaging that is from parcels that have been sent to us and we would be able to send out fabric using recycled packaging if it was requested by a customer.”

Read my full review of this company here

Details

Apart from the packaging this top contains no plastic

 Plastic Free Fabric – You can buy completely plastic free fabric from Offset Warehouse

Other Fabric – You can find a range of fair trade organic fabrics here

More info

While being of plastic free interest, this is also part of my fair share fabric project.  You can read all bout it and see my other clothes – home made and otherwise, here. 

 

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Swimwear Recycled

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear Tagged , ,

Well my Decathlon, unsustainable boy shorts have finally fallen apart and it is time to source some new, more ethical swim wear. Given my …. lets call it chunky…. form,  this is an area where I feel I might have to go with lycra. Yes it’s plastic but I need it to keep my pants on. So I am looking at recycled, recyclable stretch swim wear as the way to go. Until I learn how to make my own, this is the best I can do and the only realistic option for those who can’t sew.

Davy Jones

This is a very nice project…Davy Jones have just launched a ranges of swimwear made from ” 100% regenerated nylon yarn from waste including spent and ghost fishing nets. And are designed to last longer, fighting the trend of throwaway fashion and creating something that can keep up with you in all conditions.
WE are looking to build a closed-loop resource system within the brand. While OUR SUITS ARE BUILT TO LAST, when THEY DO eventually reach the end of THEIR life, we want you to be able to return them to us and we will recycle or regenerate the resource content. The target will be to achieve 60% closed loop recycling by 2020.”

They are also made in the U.K. 

Visit the website here 

Rizboard Shorts
If I was younger, slimmer and richer I would go for a pair of these…..Rizboard Shorts for surfers – ladies and gents….
These are designed in London, made in Portugal, from recycled fabric and they have a recyswim wear recycle postcling program to take back old shorts.  Nice designs too.  Some blurb for the website…

“Riz Smith, the founder and creative director, is a London-based designer and surfer. After years of designing swim and beachwear for various global brands, he became acutely aware of the need for something better. With this in mind he set out to build a small, honest brand shaped around the aspiration of creating ‘The most beautiful and sustainable swim shorts in the world’.WE DON’T WANT OUR SHORTS LITTERING LANDFILLS OR OCEANS. SO, IN AN EFFORT TO DO OUR PART WE’VE SET UP THE RIZCYCLING PROGRAMME.

This means working with our customers, you, to create a perpetual loop that transforms waste and old swimwear into beautiful new products.

Today all our shorts are made from 100% recycled and recyclable fabrics. By offering a 25% discount on a new pair of shorts, we encourage you to donate your old unwanted surf shorts for us to reuse or rehome.

Speedos
Here’s another scheme I came across. For those of you who like a sustainable banana hammock….and who wouldn’t. Best of all worlds surely?

Aquafil & Speedo

Aquafil today announced it has partnered up with with Speedo USA. Aquafil, specializes in the production of a synthetic fabric called Econly Nylon 6. It is, according to Sustainable Brands, made from upcycled fishing nets, old carpets and other nylon products that have reached the end of their product life. Better still it is endlessly recyclable.

Speedo specialize in the manufacture of swimwear known for those very skimpy trunks known as budgie smugglers. The ones that make you avert your watering eyes.

Aquafil will be taking Speedo’s left over fabric scraps and turning it back into nylon fibre. This will be used to make PowerFLEX Eco fabric which will turned into more swimwear.

Powerflex consists is78 percent ECONYL nylon the rest is Extra Life LYCRA®.

An article in Sustainable Brands quotes Speedo as saying “the resulting fabric retains its shape up to 10 times longer than traditional swimwear fabrics, is resistant to chlorine, sagging and bagging and is offered in styles designed for both performance and fitness swimmers.”

The article claims that “ECONYL offers the same quality and performance as traditionally manufactured nylon and can be recycled an infinite number of times without any loss in quality.”

What it doesn’t say is how or indeed if you can recycle your trunks.However that should be a possibility. Patagonia uses a similar sort of fabric and runs a return and recycle scheme.

Outerknown

This fabric is also used in  surfer Kelly Slater ‘s new men’s apparel line,Outerknown,

Read more about similar types of synthetic fabric.

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Loon Pants

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear, 4.3 My Projects Tagged , , 1 Comment

I was so pleased with my Scrappy Bo-ho Tunic I decided to make some lounge pants. Actually I wanted to practise for my next big project, trousers! But baby steps…first pyjama bottoms.
I had run out of scraps so I needed some new fabric. I bought some pretty Rose & Hubble print 100% percent cotton. They are so gorgeous I sometimes wear them out. At least I do so in China where it is quite acceptable to walk round in pyjamas. Really I mean it. Proper jim jams!

Sustainability Rating

  • Supporting local shops
  • Sewn with plastic-free cotton

Got the fabric from  Leons in Chorlton, Manchester. This store has been around for ages. They sell everything from gingham to fluero lycra. It is independent, a great resource and of course a local employer. It is much valued by the community and I was most pleased for some of my sustainable clothing budget to go towards supporting this fantastic local business

OPENING HOURS:

Mon-Sat 9:30am – 5:30pm
Late night Thursdays 8:00pm

Website www.leonsfabrics.co.uk

 

 

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Boho Tunic

by Posted in 3.1.7 wear, 4.3 My Projects Tagged , , 7 Comments

BoHo Tunic

For summer I want something light, cool and colourful  so I made this tunic  using fabric scraps left over from other projects and a silk skirt I was unsure of. This is the result. Three different fabrics used on the bodice with the silk skirt attached.

Thank heavens BoHo is still in. Hey! I said BoHo not hobo!

Can be worn on its own or with teeshirts (both long sleeved and short).

Cost nothing! Yay!

Weight

As part of my Fair Share Fabric  Project I am monitoring how many fabrics I use in a year. Even though the skirt was recycled from a dress I have had for ages I am putting in a total weight.