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sustainable sewing and fashion

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#makeyourstash

Introducing #makeyourstash

written by Kate February 15, 2018

Today I am very happy to be inviting you to use a new Instagram hashtag that Pilar and I have come up with: #makeyourstash! We would love for you to sew with us this spring and summer using this hashtag. You will have guessed that the clue is in the name, so we will be using #makeyourstash when we follow this one rule:

We will make garment(s) that we will love and wear, using fabric that has been in the stash for more than 6 months 

MakeYourStash

Who are you and why are you doing this? 

We are two sewists who met on Instagram. As well as being 30 somethings with toddlers that love to sew, we found a mutual interest in sustainability, using less and wasting less. The number of sewists connected on Instagram means there is an endless source of inspiration! But the intensity can be overwhelming and we don’t think we are alone in buying a lot more fabric and making a lot more clothes that we would otherwise have done. So we made a pact for the next few months to sew slowly and thoughtfully – with the starting being to use what we have. When we are finished, we will have some things that we will love to wear for a long time.

Why should I join you?

If looking into your own existing fabric boxes to see what love you can give to a once-loved piece of fabric isn’t enough, here are a few more reasons:

  • You will have a garment that you will love to wear.
  • It costs you nothing except time, and it doesn’t cost the planet anything.
  • Its fun to be a part of the Instagram sewing community.
  • Finally, and best of all, sewing with us does not put a spanner in your sewing plans!

We know there are a lot of sewing challenges out there. Which is why we wanted #makeyourstash to be combined with any other sewing you have planned and any other sewing challenge that you are participating in, as long as you follow the rule.

Sounds great, how do I join?

Between March and May, we will monitor the #makeyourstash hashtag on Instagram Entering is simple:

  1. Make something following the fabric rule above.
  2. Upload a picture at anytime of the finished garment to Instagram using the hashtag #makeyourstash. Please tag @timetosew and @pilar_bear so we don’t miss your picture.

Do you have prizes? 

We have teamed up with pattern designers who share our passion for sustainable sewing, consuming less and reducing our waste. We will be profiling each of them as the challenge progresses:

 

Sponsors logos

The prize schedule

  • If your final garment picture is posted in March, you will be in the draw for 2 PDF patterns by Wendy Ward.
  • If it is posted in April, then you will be in the draw for 1 PDF pattern by Half Moon Atelier; and 1 by Blueprints for Sewing
  • If it is posted in May, then you will be in the draw for 2 PDF patterns by Valentine and Stitch and 1 PDF by Megan Nielsen.

But wait, there’s probably not much in my stash I like anymore…

We would suggest really taking the time to really look at your stash and see whether there is in fact something usable that you think you would like. We do not encourage making something that you won’t wear just to use something up – that is not the point. Wendy Ward has a great article on shopping your stash if you would like a helping hand.

That’s it, we hope to see you on Instagram! For now, sew on!

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17 comments

PsychicSewerKathleen February 15, 2018 - 2:26 pm

I would love to join your challenge but sadly I don’t do instagram (I know, REALLY??? Yes because Instagram is cell phone-centric and I don’t use a cell phone. I know!! REALLY???!!! Yep that’s the truth.) I do however, write a blog (among many other things) and I would be happy to write a blog post (pics too!) to join in the fun. Is this acceptable to the challenge too or is it truly ONLY instagram centred?

Reply
Kate February 15, 2018 - 8:59 pm

Hi Kathleen, I think its amazing that you don’t use a cell phone! Probably a good thing as so many people (myself included) are addicted to them. The challenge is only Instagram centred as we will have to manually collate the entries each month and then randomly generate the winners. But of course I would love if you would participate and share as the idea is to foster community as well as encourage people to use what they have. Also if you let me know when your garment is done I will check out your post and add you to the pattern draw for that month.

Reply
PsychicSewerKathleen February 16, 2018 - 1:17 am

That is so kind of you Kate! Thank you and yes I will let you know when I post on my blog 🙂 which is https://www.psychicsewerkathleen.com by the way… I know its strange not to have a cell phone but when I’m away from my home the last thing I want to do is have anything to do with a phone! I have lots of other technology but I guess we just have to choose what we want and not. It does mean I’m off the grid re instagram and I know it’s everyone’s jam right now but I’m not diving into a cell phone to participate in instagram – that is just TOO nuts for me 🙂

Reply
valentineandstitch February 15, 2018 - 7:09 pm

Congratulations Kate and Pilar. I love the thought you have put into this, and the motivation behind it. Glad and proud to be part of it, and will be making decisions about my stash very soon!

Reply
Kate February 15, 2018 - 9:01 pm

Thanks for supporting us Helen! I have 3 boxes of fabric and be aiming to make one item per month. Won’t be denting the stash much but I am also feeling pretty committed to not buying anything… wish me luck!

Reply
Caroline Joynson February 15, 2018 - 10:28 pm

Hi Kate,
What a great idea! I am definitely taking part in this too. It was Julie (SOI tutor) who mentioned it in class this evening (Zoe Dress in stashed fabric from 2013).
Like PSYCHICSEWERKATHLEEN above I too do not have an IG account but will happily spread the word via my blog and with my sewing buddies too.

Reply
Kate February 16, 2018 - 12:42 pm

Hi Caroline! Nice to hear from you and very happy to hear that Julie is thinking of me ???? I like the Zoe dress as workwear, I have two. Even better that yours is from the stash.Will be great to have you join us! Thanks for spreading the word.

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Barbarags March 12, 2018 - 12:53 pm

I am trying to contact you regarding our sewing club taking part in this challenge but I cannot see how it works when I go to your “Get in touch” section. I do not have access to instagram. Neither do many of our members. Is there any other way we can take part?

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Hi, I'm Kate and I love textiles, sewing, and sustainable fashion. My writing covers fabric production, consumer behaviour and interviews with those making positive changes in fashion. Hopefully, you will be inspired to do your own research and form your own opinions about sustainable sewing and your wardrobe! Want to work with me? Contact form below.

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