Stayin’ Sustainable
- Words by Peppermint
The juggernaut that is Melbourne’s Sustainable Living Festival just keeps growing and growing – at this rate we’re thinking of scheduling annual leave for two weeks next February! And while sustainability is a serious issue, there is lots of fun to be had during this Stayin’ Alive-themed event, which runs from 8-23 February and is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Single ladies (and men!) can find a partner at Bohemian Speed Dating, and everyone’s welcome to get on their bikes for a Look.Stop.Shop tour of sharing sites around the city or rock up for a Silent Disco walking tour in St Kilda. The Green Market is always a festival highlight, and if you’re inspired by the yummy food from the many stalls there you might like to check out how to grow produce in your own back yard. And speaking of your own back yard, with local and regional Victorian councils like Geelong, Boroondara and Darebin hosting their own SLFs at the same time, you might not even have to travel into the big smoke to get in on some green action.
Also don’t miss the Transitions Film Festival that’s screening during the Sustainable Living Festival. Film topics include the growing disconnect between children and nature; urban farming; fracking; the many uses of hemp past, present and future; and the reactions of children in Peru’s isolated Amazon region on experiencing the World Wide Web for the first time. And with speakers such as the Oaktree Foundation’s Viv Benjamin and Who Gives a Crap’s Simon Griffiths introducing the flicks, a night out at the movies just got a whole lot more interesting. So open up the SLF site and jot down some dates in your diary – the next fortnight’s going to be big!
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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
