Sustainability is a word that has a role in fashion — I focus on sourcing fabric that is sustainable and reducing textile waste by the way I work.
Sustainable fashion is a set of intentional choices I make every time I sit down to sew.
Sustainability starts with an intention. For me, sustainability begins long before a needle touches fabric. It starts with sourcing fabric and threads from op-shops in my local area of the Mid-North Coast of NSW. For me, it is a bit of a treasure hunt, finding remnants from other crafters, off-cuts from quilting projects or whole pieces fabric for designs that never eventuated.
I enjoy the challenge of transforming these finds into new garments and thereby adding to their story. Giving new life to existing materials feels like an act of creativity and care. It challenges me to think of different solutions when I am limited to use what I have on hand. Sewing threads might not always match in colour but instead add a quirky detail.
Waste is an unavoidable part of sewing, but it can be reduced. I make a conscious effort to plan my projects carefully. I work with zero-waste patterns with little or no waste, using jigsaw like layouts that interlock perfectly to use the entire width and length of the fabric, like pattern Tetris.
I see waste reduction not as a limitation, but as an invitation to be more creative. I focus on creating garments that are meant to be worn, loved, repaired, and kept — not just worn once and forgotten. That means choosing timeless silhouettes, strong construction techniques, and finishes that can withstand real life. I want the pieces I make to have a long story, not a short moment.
At SlowStitch every piece carries time, care, and intention — and that has value.
Sustainable sewing is not about being flawless — it’s about being mindful. And for me, that mindfulness is what makes the process truly meaningful.