Check Your Thread: Sewing More Sustainably

• #182: How to Organise a Fabric Swap with Nike Baruwa

  During the last few episodes we’ve been talking about reducing our fabric stashes: the idea being that our collection would then make us feel well stocked but not encumbered. But once you’ve selected the pieces that you can’t honestly see yourself sewing, what are you meant to do with them? There are a number of options, but fabric swaps have got to be one of the most fun AND most ethical ways of passing on what you no longer want. You might even pick up some new-to-you fabric that you’re inspired by, or even a couple of new sewing buddies! But if there aren’t any fabric swaps taking place in your location already, it might be on you to organise one. My guest this week, Nike Baruwa, is a maker who recently did just that for the very first time. I spoke with Nike before and after her fabric swap, and she shares what planning and considerations went into hers, and we’ll hear how it actually went! If you’re interested, or even on the fence, about planning a fabric swap, let Nike and this episode be your guide. Support the podcast over on Patreon!Follow Nike on Instagram (@sewlonglane). Nike was inspired to organise a fabric swap after visiting the London Destash Fabric Swap. Listen to the episode I made at that event:Ep. #144: London Destash Fabric Swap 2024The London Destash Fabric Swap was organised by Sarah from Olive Road London and Yvette from Stash Hub app.Sarah made a helpful YouTube video about how to organise a fabric swap. To help create connection and community between the attendees of her fabric swap, Nike created the hashtag #rotherhtithefabricswap.To get on Nike’s mailing list to hear about next year’s (and any other) event. Check out some photos taken at Nike’s fabric swap taken by photographer Wida (@__wida on Instagram):

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• #181: Secrets of Successful Destashing, Part 2

  How do you feel about your fabric collection? If there are any uncomfortable feelings that are preventing you from feeling excited and inspired by what you have, it might be time to consciously reduce how much you own. In Episode #180, we heard from a bunch of lovely CYT listeners who have successfully reduced their fabric stashes, and they shared what mindset shifts and practical steps worked for them. This episode is another installment of the same. Support the podcast over on Patreon!Image source: Ekaterina Grosheva via Unsplash)Listen to Part 1:Ep. #180: Secrets of Successful Destashing, Part 1 Huge thanks to Lindsay Ashworth Fraser (@lindsayashworthfraser on Instagram) for voicing some of the submissions.

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• #180: Secrets of Successful Destashing, Part 1

  Fabric collections elicit all sorts of feelings. Ideally, they're a source of inspiration that gets our creative juices flowing. But for some of us, especially when the amount we own is out of sync with the speed at which we sew, we might grow to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed or even guilty about the resources we’ve accumulated. This episode is Part 1 of a practical deep dive into HOW to do it, so you can reach a point where your fabric stash feels well stocked but NOT overwhelmed. Support the podcast over on Patreon!Image source: Ekaterina Grosheva via Unsplash)Huge thanks to Lindsay Ashworth Fraser (@lindsayashworthfraser on Instagram) for voicing some of the submissions.

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• #179: The Five Fabrics Rule with Judith Staley

  As makers, we need materials to create with. And a love of beautiful textiles is often part of why we got into sewing in the first place. But as residents of a planet experiencing a climate and ecological crisis, we need to be mindful of what we’re consuming and how much. So is there a way to indulge in fabric purchasing that’s also inline with what’s best for our planet? My guest this week, Judith Staley, has recently implemented a system for herself that is backed by research called the rule of five, and it could be the answer for all of us! We also talk about Judith’s personal challenge to track everything she wore in 2024, and she shares what surprising and valuable insights she gleaned from it. Support the podcast over on Patreon!You can follow Judith on Instagram (@judithroaslind).Judith founded and co-hosted the @sewover50 account. Listen to Judith’s first appearance on Check Your Thread:Ep. #12: Sew Over 50 with Judith StaleyJudith is involved in The Water of Leith Conservation Trust. Read more about the Rule of Five as invented/interpretted by Tiffanie Darke. Judith discovered the concept via Gemma Metheringham’s excellent IG account, @the_elephant_in_my_wardrobe.The WRAP NGO is an excellent source of information about the impact of consumption, and how we can move towards a circular economy. The Hot Or Cool Institute is the source of the research that informed the Rule of Five. Read more about Judith’s interpretation of the Rule of Five. One tactic for reducing your fabric stash is to participate in the Last Sewist Standing challenge, invented by Lise Bauer. Judith makes most of her fabric purchases at Merchant & Mills. Hear from Tiffanie Darke about the Rule of Five on this podcast:Ep. 4, Season 2 of The Enoughness - Tiffanie Darke: How to be in fashion now, finding purpose, the joy of being less greedy. Judith also volunteers at The Remakery in Edinburgh. Previous-guest, Wendy Ward (@thatwendyward), is doing interesting work tracking the frequency of wear of her garments.Check out the 1908 diary (@the1908diary), an account run by Louise (@theknitnurse).Judith’s quarterly wardrobe tracking updates were posted to Instagram on:2nd April 2024 1st July 2024 1st October 2024 2nd January 2025Judith’s method for recording her garment wears:Read the article ‘Forget Fitness Tracking: Wardrobe Tracking is All the Rage in 2024’ by Emily Chan for Vogue, 21st January 2024.

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• #178 What you should know about fitting with Kate Roberts

  Those of us who make our own clothes know that taking the time to make a toile or muslin, and altering our sewing patterns to fit our own bodies are steps we ought to take. We know that they’ll result in better fitting garments that we’ll want to wear more often. But these steps can feel like huge hurdles when you don’t know what to do with a toile or muslin once you’ve made it. Drafting and fitting expert, Kate Roberts from Project Patterns, joins us again to answer a ton of questions that will lift the lid on the whole process. By the end of this episode, I all but guarantee that you will have the confidence to give fitting a go. Support the podcast over on Patreon!Find Kate’s business, Project Patterns, via her website, on Instagram @projectpatterns and also on YouTube.Listen to Kate’s previous episode on CYT, Ep. #95: Refining Fit with Kate Roberts Ep. #96: Pattern Fitting Q&A with Kate RobertsKate’s preferred ruler for drafting and pattern alteration is a pattern master:Mine is a large set square!Kate would describe a tracing wheel as a ‘nice to have’ piece of equipment.Dot and cross / spot and cross pattern paper can be bought on large rolls making it pretty inexpensive per metre. Bella Loves Patterns is a brand that offers two height options for all styles, which might be a handy starting point for those who always have to alter the length of the sewing patterns they wish to make. For tall sewers, Sew DIY offers patterns drafted to fit a 5ft 10” body. Find out everything about Kate’s community Membership options!

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