sustainability

#114: More Sustainable Haberdashery with Richard Mendham

All the materials that go into our sewing projects have an environmental impact. You’re probably starting to think about more sustainable fabric, and possibly even thread. But we can go further! This episode features the second half of my conversation with Richard Mendham from James Tailoring, a company dedicated to sourcing more sustainable haberdashery. In…

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#114: More Sustainable Haberdashery with Richard Mendham
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#113: More Sustainable Gifts to Make & Buy

If you’re looking for ideas for quick and cheap sewing projects that make great gifts then this is the episode for you. And if there is a maker in your life that you’d like to buy something special for, or people are asking for gift ideas that they can get for YOU, Grace from Beyond…

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#113: More Sustainable Gifts to Make & Buy
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#112: Gardening More Sustainably with Pippa Chapman

If you’re a fan of making your own clothes, chances are you might also be into growing some of your own food. And like this week’s guest, garden consultant Pippa Chapman, highlights, once you start trying to be more sustainable in one area of your life, that approach usually spreads to other areas. In this…

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#112: Gardening More Sustainably with Pippa Chapman
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#110: Knitting & Stitching Show 2023

How much is the mainstream sewing industry adopting a sustainability mindset these days? I went to the Knitting & Stitching show in London at the beginning of Oct 2023 to investigate. I tried to unearth any ethical and eco-minded motivations among the commerce taking place. So come with me and listen to the conversations I…

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#110: Knitting & Stitching Show 2023
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#109: More Sustainable Thread Options with Richard from James Tailoring

Do you worry about the hundreds of metres of polyester thread that most makers get through each year? Is the strength of polyester thread worth its lack of biodegradability? What are the viable alternatives available to us, and can we have the best of both worlds? My guest today is Richard from James Tailoring, a…

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#109: More Sustainable Thread Options with Richard from James Tailoring
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#108: A More Sustainable Halloween

Does Halloween leave you feeling conflicted? You or your kids want to enjoy it, but the waste it generates leaves you feeling queasy? Today I break down how we can engage in Halloween costumes and decor more sustainably, using the ‘5Rs’ framework for guidance.   Scary Halloween stats from Hubbub and Waste Managed: Learn more about…

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#108: A More Sustainable Halloween
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#107: Sewing is Political

Today’s episode explores the idea that sewing, and the actions we take and choices we make whilst engaging in sewing, is full of social and political context. And why that’s a GOOD THING.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! (image by Mika Baumeister via Unsplash) Read the full explanation of the source of ‘the personal…

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#107: Sewing is Political
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#102: Sustainability in Food Production with Helen Metcalfe

What is the right choice when buying produce, the loose items, or the organic versions that are wrapped in plastic? Should we be worried about soil degradation and our ability to feed a growing global population? What are the trade-offs we need to make to increase crop yields whilst also protecting biodiversity? We all wear…

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#102: Sustainability in Food Production with Helen Metcalfe
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#98: Zero Waste Patterns Book with Birgitta Helmersson

Want to hear about an exciting new development in zero waste sewing? ZW designer Birgitta Helmersson has written an incredible new book that presents a fresh approach to making your own clothes with minimal waste. Birgitta is back on the podcast to tell us all about it, plus she shares tips on using second hand…

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#98: Zero Waste Patterns Book with Birgitta Helmersson
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#88: Natural Dyeing Q&A with Amy Taylor

Do you have questions about natural dyeing? Like, what is the most accessible way to have a go? Return-guest and natural dye expert, Amy Taylor, breaks it all down and answers all the questions submitted by CYT listeners.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Find Ms Amy Taylor at her website and on Instagram @msamytaylor. …

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#88: Natural Dyeing Q&A with Amy Taylor
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