I will say it time and time again. I love having things. I love physical media, trinkets, and collections. However, I have lately felt as though the desire for overconsumption in today's world leads to the harmful mindset of always wanting more, and never being satisfied. This is not a good way to live. It leads to not knowing how to problem solve, not feeling comforted, and to environmental harm. The things you deem as trash when they are no longer new, go somewhere, and sadly a majority of the time it is to a landfill.
I am not saying that wanting things is bad. Or that every form of consumption is unethical. But I am saying that consistently buying an insane amount of things for single use is devastating and destructive to not only you, but the world around you. So many things that we believe we ‘need’ end up in a landfill in the future. Companies even make things that are less likely to last, because they know that overconsumption is so likely that they do not believe there is a point to making long-lasting, forever products. Because of this, it is increasingly difficult to find products that last, and are meant to be a long-term item for your life. With this in mind, I want to talk about the ways to have long-term use for the items you already own, while also making new products that stand the test of time.
Crafting for Cause - Clothing
Knowing how to craft is the prime way to make long-lasting items, and changes to products, and there are so many easy ways to fix everyday issues that cause problems to clothes, and home items, and add decoration to your space.
Clothes are a large portion of what ends up in the landfill. Due to the amount of clothes being made for single-use, this leads for overconsumption of clothes because there are consistent processes to refill and replenish what is breaking. This is where crafting comes in. I am not going to tell you to buy a new wardrobe from sustainable materials, and remove every item of clothing that you have the is fast-fashion, because that only adds to the waste crisis discussed above. However, I will tell you to look at what you have RIGHT NOW! Go through your clothes and see what you like and what you wish could be better. Make these two piles, and I will give you some ideas as to how to upgrade your clothes so that you can do it right at home.
Embroidery
Embroidery is a simple way to improve your clothes. It can be done on almost any item of clothing and is a great way to add a personal touch to any outfit.
Embroidery can also help with learning how to mend clothes back. The sides of jeans tend to be lose or rip and cause an inconveniently located hole in the fabric. But when you know how to embroider this inconvenience can be an opportunity to personalize what you once thought was broken, into a unique fashion piece.
As well as, embroidery adds personalization, even if the purpose of it is to change something up. If the purpose it serves is to make you love an article of clothing more, that is what is necessary for the lifespan of what you are wearing.
Crochet/ knitting/ sewing
All of these strategies to invest in your clothes are incredible ways to allow for long-lasting pieces, and the happiness of saying that you made what you are wearing. Slowing down and creating your own fashion provides the mindset of knowing how long pieces take to create, upcycle and change. This makes you appreciate the clothing you wear, as you took the time to make something you can truly enjoy for a long time.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
We heard these words all the time growing up, but how often do we call it a day after we put something in the green bin instead of the trash? This phrase is full of action and sparking interest in creative ways to repurpose used items. Finish a jar of jelly? You can clean that out and use it as a travel coffee cup - it's spill proof! Or that kombucha bottle - perfect for propagating plants. The desire to consume what we already have leads to so much more waste in the long run. Reuse the glass jars you get from the store, repurpose it! Mend the rips and tears in fabric. Learn to love what you have and create things that last. I love having a lot of things, and I love that so much of it has been repurposed, purchased secondhand, or created with my own two hands. The world has so much long-lasting stuff, purchase that instead of hoping to upgrade everything constantly.
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