Go For Green
- Words by Peppermint
While gold, silver and bronze might be the trending colours of the Olympics, green is equally coveted. A week into the Games (and well ahead of the Paralympics opening on August 29) and the organisers of London 2012 are kicking goals when it comes to making these Olympics the most sustainable and least environmentally detrimental of all time. There are lots of things we’re loving about the Games, not least of which is the fact that these are the first Olympics in history to feature one or more women representing every participating nation! London is certainly paving the way for the future of large-scale events, proving that scale is no barrier to environmental consciousness. It seems the faux-shepherd’s pastures created for the Opening Ceremony aren’t the only thing that’s green about these Games.
Most of the work done by the London Organising Committee to keep their carbon footprint to a minimum took place during the construction phase of the Olympic Village and Parks. As new buildings went up, about 97% of waste created was diverted from landfill for reuse. Many stadiums use recycled and sustainably-sourced materials, including the Olympic Stadium itself which is made up of more than a third recycled content and took 60% less water to build than than other comparable structures. Meanwhile, during the Games, 11% of the energy used to fuel everything from starting buzzers to lavatory lights comes from renewable sources including solar. The London Committee team discourage their patrons from driving to events by proving free public transport and once inside the stadiums, much of the food and drink sampled from 800-plus outlets is ethically-sourced and fair trade (including sustainably caught fish).
Most impressively of all is the Games’ target to send none of the 8,000 tonnes of consumer waste produced over the four weeks of competition to landfill. How will they do it? By mandating recyclable and compostable packaging in all stadiums, and by using clever colour-coded bins to help patrons recycle. To date about 73% of Olympic waste is being reused, recycled or composted – a figure that takes gold when considering most large-scale events reach targets of around 15%.
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Between 2000 to 2015, global clothing production doubled... while the duration of garment use decreased by 36%.
We are throwing away clothing at a faster rate than ever before. How can we tackle this problem?
✨️ WEAR
Be an outfit repeater - wear your items of clothing as long as possible. Learn to style your garments in various ways. Loved clothing lasts.
✨️ SHARE
If you really need to move it along, share the love with friends - hold a clothing exchange night! Or organise a timeshare with a friend where you swap a few favourite pieces of fashion. If you really can`t find a new home for it, then donate to an op shop or charity.
✨️ CARE
The care of your clothing – washing, drying and ironing – can account for approx 30% of a garment`s total carbon footprint. Hand wash, line dry, wash in cold water, and only wash when necessary.
✨️ REPAIR
Mending – and making – slows down fast fashion buying habits. Repairing used to be common practice, until disposable fashion took over. Extending the life of clothing by just nine months can reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by 20–30%. Fixing doesn`t need to just be utilitarian – get creative with visible mending!
*Fact from The United Nations Environment Programme
#PeppermintMagazine #WearShareCareRepair #SustainableFashion
Have you whipped up the Acacia A-Line Skirt yet? 🪡
Accessible to beginner and experienced sewists alike, its classic style makes this skirt a wardrobe staple and a pattern you can happily play on repeat. Curved front pockets and the fun exposed-zip detail at the centre back make this style pop! The Acacia is a blank canvas, awaiting inspiration – add contrast top stitching, trim the pockets with bias binding or even change the length. We’ve chosen the smooth, clean lines that come from facing the waist, with back darts to ensure a neat fit on the hip. *chef’s kiss*
This pattern was made with the support of the lovely folk at @WeftAndWarpFabrics 🫶🏼 The team at Weft and Warp graciously sent three sewists the fabric of their choice to whip up their own Acacia A-Line – the results are super sweet!
Head to our website to see the makes from @The.Sewcialite @HandmadeByCarolyn and @You_CanSew - link in bio!
#PeppermintAcaciaAlineSkirt #PeppermintPatterns #WeftAndWarpFabrics #MeMade
Polka dots for days…
We love this Tansey Top by @_Rubys_Threads_ - the ultimate simple but stylish top you need in your rotation now!
Pattern: #PeppermintTanseyTop
Fabric: Japanese cotton @RawFibre
#MeMade #PeppermintPatterns
How`s your long weekend going? Working hard on your PhD? 🪡✂️🧵
Image from JoellsLeatherWorks on @Etsy
#ProjectsHalfDone #SewingPile #ProjectPile
In case no-one has told you lately, Emma Giacalone says you`re a good egg. (And we happen to agree).
This incredible mini egg embroidered 3D artwork was created by @Emma_Giacalone_Textiles, a textile artist in Gloucestershire, UK.
"When we buy an item of clothing, a label is attached telling us how to look after it to keep it at its very best. My mission is to create little care instructions to help to remind us to lead our happiest life."
INGREDIENTS: Freehand machine embroidered onto 100% cotton, using Egyptian cotton thread, and wool felt backing.
#EasterArt #GoodEgg #TextileArt
No ordinary wrap dress! 💃
Wrap dress wardrobe malfunction? Not with the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress pattern! We designed the Waratah to make sure this never happens.
Enjoy a few BTS videos from this super fun shoot. Maybe some inspo for Easter weekend sewing?
MODELS/SEWISTS: @Melt.Stitches, @KatieMakesADress @Tricky.Pockets @Laura_The_Maker
Head to the link in bio for the #PeppermintWaratahWrapDress 🪡
#PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #MeMade #WrapDress
