The Environmental Impact of Home Sewing: Should We Care?

Readers, hardly a day goes by when we're not reminded in the media about the environmental crisis.

Global warming is not something that might happen--it's here, and we're experiencing its impact (some of us more intensely than others) in the form of droughts, fires, floods, storms, and environmental degradation.

According to the German non-profit SustainYourStyle.org, the fashion industry is the second most-polluting in the world.  The statistics are terrifying.  In an effort to keep up with fashion trends, consumers (i.e. us) are destroying the ecosystems we, and the other living creatures, depend on to stay alive.

It's easy to think of recycling as a panacea but recyling is not going to save us, even though it feels good and it does raise consciousness, which certainly matters.  Global warming is an issue that must be addressed at a governmental level.  For example, the American government could stop subsidizing the oil industry.  Sadly, this is not happening.  We are largely left to our own devices to make whatever positive impact we can.

Which brings me to the subject of home sewing.  Is sewing one's own clothes "better" for the environment than shopping for ready-to-wear clothes in a store?  The best answer I can come up with is potentially.  A lot depends on circumstances.

My belief, based purely on the people I've met over the years through sewing, is that we who sew our own clothes are more aware of the environmental impact of the fashion industry, particularly the costs incurred by fast fashion.  While not everyone who sews is motivated by environmental concerns, I think most of us can agree with the following:

• By sewing your own clothes, you're not contributing to the exploitation of labor in low-wage countries.   
• Sewing your own clothes makes you more appreciative of what you own. You know how long it took to sew every item and there's a story behind every one: the pattern you chose, the fabric you purchased, the effort involved, etc.  You don't take your clothing for granted.
• Since sewing your own clothes means being able to create what you need when you need it, it is potentially less wasteful.  Shopping sprees are largely a thing of the past (at least for clothing, fabric however....).

And yet there are certainly costs incurred.  We all know that sewing requires acquiring a lot stuff: sewing machines, patterns, notions, fabric, etc.  And a lot of these things are also going to be created by that same cheap labor, in countries where environmental laws are weak. And even here in the USA, the current administration is working to weaken the environmental laws we already have.

There are a few things we can do to lessen the impact however.  Some are easier than others.

• Whenever possible we can sew from fabric we find second-hand (sheets!), or use fabric from garments we're repurposing.
• We can purchase second-hand sewing machines and, when available, use vintage notions.
• We can support organizations like FabScrap that sell fabric which otherwise would have ended up as waste (top photo is from their NYC store).
• Finally we can sew more selectively.  Avoid the dress-a-day competitive sewing syndrome (which, thankfully, seems less of a thing than it was a decade ago).  Many bloggers I follow are saying that they are sewing less quantity and more quality.

I was often able to find vintage sewing supplies and lots of fabric at the Chelsea Flea Market.

To be clear, I don't do all of these things, not nearly.  I've thrown away scrap fabric rather than tried to track down an organization that might have wanted it (something I have done in the past but which takes more time and effort).  I don't make rag rugs or stuff pillows with my fabric scraps.  I sew things solely for pleasure, some of which, so far, have gotten little wear.

I believe there are more effective ways to limit one's carbon footprint than sewing one less dress or shirt, including:

• Eating less meat and fish.
• Reducing the amount of driving you do.
• Conserving electricity when possible. 
• Buying less stuff and purchasing more things second-hand.
• Avoiding buying things that come with excessive packaging.

In closing, a few questions:

1) Is the environmental impact of sewing something you think about when you choose your projects or is it totally not on your radar at all (no judgments if it isn't)?

2) Do the joys of sewing (which is, after all, largely a niche hobby in 2020) outweigh the costs in terms of the potential environmental impact of whatever it is you're sewing?

3) Anything you do specifically to reduce your own carbon footprint that might be applicable and/or inspiring to others?

Jump in!

I won't lie: I ordered the fabric for this shirt from China.  Then again, if I'd found it in the garment district it still might have been manufactured in China and shipped to New York City.