Slow Fashion October :: Week 1 ::

Happy Sunday evening! I am finally writing my first post for Slow Fashion October. The weekend did not go as planned, when do they do anyway? So it is late, but I really wanted to be involved in this project.

I think having my second son has really changed my view of the world and what my responsibility towards that world was (It is Sunday night and it is going to be heavy conversation). I started with a simple mantra, I did not want children to make clothes for my children. And I was lucky because I could make clothes for my boys - and therefore have some control over this. Except that this is only half the battle, as to make my own clothes or that of my children, I needed to make sure that the supplies I was buying were also ethical. 

I started to read and watch many documentaries about fast fashion and I was as depressed as I was felt positive about it. Depressed by fast fashion and what it meant , and positive about all the brands that wanted to make a difference and were offering fashionable alternatives to fast fashion products. 

And of course, I decided to make more garments myself. I am first a knitter, but a very slow one, second a sewist - but not as proficient as I would like to be/think, I also quilt, crochet and loves embroidery - which makes it quite hard sometimes to prioritise projects. I am basically on a learning curve, and can only get better. Given my 'limits' I have tried harder to find patterns that suit my shape, and choose colours that I will actually wear. As far as the supplies I am using, I have made a massive effort to destash, and all my new stash is from an ethical source - and I try to be transparent about it, like I expect brands to be. 

To ensure that I really make a concious decision about what I buy, I have set myself a budget for supplies (as well as for my wardrobe). It is a very recent decision so I am not sure whether the figure I have imposed on myself is not too high still. 

This month, I am hoping to learn more about tips to ensure a continuous commitment to slow fashion (and a more ethical stash). I would say one of my goals is to make an Autumn outfit, but I may just say I want to have started it. I have an idea, just need to take the jump and cut. 

Read here to get involved in Slow Fashion October