How mending can help fight climate change
NEW DATE: June 3, 2023
There are times when the threats of climate change can seem overwhelming. As you see politicians make decisions based on winning another term versus actions to help ensure a livable planet for our grandchildren and their grandchildren.
When I feel despair, I start looking in a very micro level to see how I can take action in my own home or community. As a natural dyer, I know my practice is for the most part is gentle to the environment (although, there is always ways to improve, like water use, I’ll save that for another post.) I’ve been composting for years and I’m happy to say that my husband is now a very engaged participant after reading a few articles on how much food waste ends up in landfills - so that’s a win!
I have recently been reading a lot about the consequences of fast fashion on the environment. Did you know that Americans each send over 80 pounds of clothes to landfills a year??? One way to reduce that amount is to get your clothes mended or better yet, learn to mend yourselves.
Do you have a sweater with moth holes, or jeans that are fraying? How about a t-shirt with those annoying holes near the waist? Or even a pair of socks that are getting thread bare in spots. They don’t have to get thrown away. Learn to visibly mend your clothes to save them from going to the landfill and give them a unique one-of-a-kind look.
On June 3, I’ll be holding a free workshop at the Guilford Free Library to learn how to mend and save your clothes from the landfill. No sewing experience necessary. Anyone and I mean, anyone can learn to mend!
I’ll demonstrate various types of mends and you will have the chance to practice some techniques on provided materials. In the meantime, start looking through your closet and see what types of mends your clothes may need. Feel free to bring some in for show and tell and we can make a plan of attack.
And then help plan an on-going mending circle where we’ll gather and mend and breathe new life into your beloved clothes.