Yesterday I ran across a great blog post at BurdaStyle.com by Peter Lappin of Male Pattern Boldness blog fame. It was titled ” Sewing as a Protest.” In his blog post, Peter asks us to reflect on why we sew when clothing is available so cheaply in our economy. What need does DIY fill in us?
Peter continues, “Thinking more about it this week, I began to realize that for me there is also an element of protest in my choice to make my own clothes, of resistance to the way clothing is manufactured in the world today.”
I agree. I think my initial motivation to sew my own clothing was my desire to create, and to make unique clothing that expresses who I am, but that motivation expanded into more of a protest when I found out in college about the environmental damage that is caused by the manufacture of fabric, especially cotton. In the past few years, I started using discarded garments and recycled fabric where I can, instead of purchasing new fabric. I believe that if I can create clothing and other useful items from existing garments, then I can avoid being a part of that destructive environmental process. It also has the added bonus of keeping discarded clothing from ending up in a landfill.
I’m also troubled by the stories of overseas sweatshops that exploit children for cheap labor. I absolutely do not want to support that. Cheap labor = cheap clothing. It’s all well and good for the end consumer, but at what cost? My conscience won’t allow me to buy into that.
You know, I never really thought of it that way, but I do sew as a protest. I think it’s really important that for those of us that do, to become aware of it and expand that idea of conscientious consumerism to other parts of our lives. Where does your food come from? Do you buy local when possible? In our household, we try to support our local businesses when we can. I know I can do a better job of being aware of where the goods I consume come from and what their impact on the Earth might be and make responsible choices.
Thank you, Peter. You really gave me some food for thought, and helped me to clarify my reasons for why I do what I do. Its always about creativity, but also being a good citizen of planet earth and not supporting the destructive policies of companies that care more about profits than people.
How about you? Why do you sew? Is your act of creation also an act of protest? I’d love to hear from you.
May 6, 2011 at 1:58 pm
It’s not so much about protest for me, as about actively creating a world that I want to live in. I want a world where I’m not clothing my children in clothes created by children. I want a world that is beautiful, and sustainable, and kind, and so for me, sewing is one of the ways I express that. Really that’s my goal in life, and everything I do spirals around those goals of beauty and sustainability. I think that’s the most important thing I can do to help my children and my (hopefully someday!) grandchildren.
It’s about living life in harmony with the world.
May 8, 2011 at 8:51 pm
Exactly, Melissa! I love the idea of striving for a world that is beautiful, sustainable and kind. That’s a goal that we should all embrace. Thanks for sharing that!