ecobites.com

Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

Typically, people are well versed in hand me downs, second hand clothes, and even things that they have purchased cheaply at flea markets and yard sales and thrift shops. However, the newest term to describe these clothes is recycled clothing.

Some people find charity shops liberating and exciting places to dig for treasure - others have a horror of being seen wearing hand-me-downs. Making "green" choices when you shop can have far-reaching benefits.

For consumers trying to balance their interests between consumption and the environment, the pros and cons of "green" fashion are complex.... The darker side of the fashion industry is its trail of waste and toxins.

A new wave of designers are trying to keep wardrobes planet friendly by using recycled and organic materials. Clothing production leaves a large ecological footprint. It is estimated that cotton alone accounts for 25% of the worlds pesticides and uses up to 700 litres of water to produce a single T-shirt.

Always check the labels of any items of eco fashion that you buy which are advertised as Eco- fashion or organic clothing, to ensure that they have been passed as stated. You can often find a number of good organic stockists of Eco - fashion online. Today you can find all sorts of garments listed under Eco fashion from the traditional organic T-shirt to wedding dresses.

Eco - fashion is much the same as the conventional clothing range except that the material is organically created such as cotton, hemp and bamboo. Organic clothing is created through natural methods and produced by a workforce who work in good conditions and are paid a reasonable wage. Eco - fashion may include dyed fabric but this is produced through either vegetable extracts or natural plant dyes.

Recycled Clothing

Most people are well aware of what recycled clothing is, but it is the term that they are not used to. Essentially by recycling the clothing, you are able to keep them from ending up in the landfills, or causing a potential strain in the environment. Poke your nose into the local charity store. Men, especially, can pick up some great finds that age well.

Repurposed Clothing
Most people are well aware that recycled clothing is available at much cheaper rates, and if you know where to shop you can purchase them rather cheaply either by the pound or the piece. Of course, the number of people who are looking to purchase massive quantities of recycled clothing is rare, but most people are always looking for a bargain so almost all households at some point or another have recycled clothing in their home.

Whether you are looking to save money off the price of buying new clothes, avoiding the hassles of stores with long lines, or trying to give new life to clothes that would otherwise be thrown away there are numerous reasons why recycled clothing is so popular. From craft projects to actually wearing them there are so many uses that recycled clothing is given. Plus the influx of new clothes on the market each year ensures that with some patience you can find great recycled clothing at good prices, and in the style and color that you are looking for.

People used to spend days searching through the malls and department stores trying to find a price that they could afford to pay for new clothes for their families. Now by shopping around for recycled clothing, the money that was previously spent can go much further, and provide clothing for the entire family, rather than just a few people.

Is it recycling? or -  reclaiming and sustaining what already exists.

Some argue that the greenest clothes — the ones least likely to adversely affect the earth and its climate — are the ones you already own. No new resources will be depleted to make them, and if they need infrequent washing and can be drip-dried, all the better.

Whether or not you decide to dress head to toe in sustainable materials or from reclaimed clothing, it is comfort to know that the choice, and the message, of eco-fashion is out there. After all, trends come and go. But fashion (and hopefully the planet) will always be around.

There are many ways of reducing the environmental impact of the textiles we use. Thrift shop dressing, not being a slave to fashion, and washing garments only when they need it.

Make clothes-shopping sustainable instead of wasteful - organize a swap, where people bring unused good quality clothing and exchange. It is a simple idea, the idea of sharing and can be used for virtually any non-perishable consumer item, from baby clothes to furniture to books. Bring the number of buttons for clothes to swap. Next swap you organize you have the buttons. 

Invite a few (similar-sized) friends round for a few organic wines and a clothes swapping party, bringing all the clothes you are tired of wearing.

And the thing about sharing is that it brings people together. You get more friends. Happier planet, in other words, happier people.

DIY Thrift Art This is one of the great joys of thrift-shop-crafting - it's the chance to make truly original crafts. Apart from the savings for your pocket and the environment, you are helping a deserving charity. As well as avoiding the commercialism of Christmas etc.

Choose garments that are cut straight and gathered rather than shaped or gored, although these can be used for small items. Sale items (yes, thrift stores have sale bins as well!) are just perfect as you can cut around any holes, stains etc.

Any zips and buttons are bonuses and can be put away for future projects. From a velvet or silk dress or skirt you could make cushions, pincushions, jewellery boxes, Eco bags or patchwork items.

From adult dresses make herb pillows, aprons, place mats, patchwork articles, handbags, shopping bags, coat hanger covers.

Denim jeans make Eco bags or peg bags.

Patchwork can be colorful for aprons, carry bags and bed quilts. Try a puff patchwork quilt for a new baby.

Working with felted wool and fleece from thrift stores is fun and makes great gifts.

You can do a scarf pretty easily as well as a blanket, mittens, hat, Christmas stocking, and pillowcase. Fleece does not fray at the end, so you needn't worry about sewing the edging because it won't unravel. To make a nice finished edge, either do a yarn blanket stitch, which loops from one side to the other, hooking the last stitch as you go so there is a line going along the top. Experiment because it's easier than it sounds.

Easier still is to cut in from the edge about three inches and 1/4 inch apart and you have a fringe. To get fancy, put two different fleece together, two solids or one pattern other solid color, sew them together or blanket stitch on the sides, then on the ends of the scarf cut the fringe. Take one fringe from each side and tie them together. It looks great!

Wool jumpers can be unpicked and knitted or crocheted into new gifts. Make sure the garments you buy are not matted. Wind the wool into hanks, wash and steam to remove crinkles. From this wool you can make gloves, caps, bags, tea cosies, golf club covers, cushion covers and Santa stockings.

To make a toy bear or doll from an old jumper is largely a matter of guesswork, depending on the size of your jumper. As a general rule, make the arms about half as wide as the body, and about as long as the lower half, from neck to where the legs join.Make the legs a little wider and longer. The length depends on your own taste.

Re-incarnate old sweaters and jumpers.

These are just a few suggestions for starters, the possibilities are almost endless. Recycle your own family's clothing - someone may really love that purple jumper which does nothing for you!

Enjoy yourself.