Break your fast fashion addiction with these hacks and tips!

The importance of conversations around extending the life-span of our garments cannot be overstated. 

The growth in popularity of disciplines such as visible mending and refashioning within our sewing community, is testament to our growing collective awareness of this need, and our willingness to engage with solutions that address it. 

But while disciplines such as these offer solutions post garment construction, there are also steps we can take as garment makers (before and during the construction process itself) to increase the potential life-span of our garments; keeping them in use and on our bodies long after we've tied off and buried that last thread tail. 

The choices we make about things like materials, construction, fit and style; can impact a garment's life-span as much as what we do to maintain and care for it further down the line. 

The late Vivienne Westwood encapsulated a neat philosophy for shopping consciously when she famously advised people to "Buy less. Choose well. Make it last." 

There's an obvious takeaway here too, for those of us that make our clothes. We can make less, make it well, and make it to last. We can approach garment construction with a similarly neat and almost identical philosophy. 

Choose well and make it to last 

Clothes that are made to last, are clothes that we can continue to wear because they withstand repeated washing and wearing; and can adapt to our changing needs over time. We can bake these qualities into the clothes we make by making sound choices about how we make them. 

If we think in terms of "future proofing" our projects, we can significantly contribute to reducing waste and increasing sustainability within our making practice. Here are some key ways you can futureproof your makes and keep them in circulation longer: 

Choose the right materials 

Begin with the highest quality fabrics and threads you can afford, that can withstand the regular wear and tear and the type of laundering that your lifestyle will expose them to. 

Textiles already in circulation such as deadstock, destash sales and refashioning existing garments, are all preferable to consuming and creating demand for virgin resources, where possible. 

Natural fibres and blends such as cotton, linen, Tencel and wool, launder well on a 30° cycle, and can withstand steam/high heat when pressing. Their breathability, moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating properties make them comfortable to wear and versatile across seasons. Those kind of clothes are the kind of clothes that we wear year after year. 

Choose Natural Fibres 

Natural fibres also take dye much more readily than synthetics, meaning you can refresh tired-looking garments periodically and with ease. Be sure to sew with a non-synthetic thread if you’re going to want the stitching to take dye later on too.

Before you do anything else, pre-wash new fabrics to prevent future shrinkage. Simple shapes with a loose or relaxed fit are futureproofing for a number of reasons. 

Choose simple styles 

Simple construction makes it easier to access seams for repair or adjustment as needed later on. These kinds of styles can also accommodate changes to body shape and size over time, meaning they can stay in rotation even as more fitted garments fall into disuse. They provide comfort and ease of movement, and we naturally reach for clothes with these qualities on a day-to-day basis.

Additionally, they can be easily layered, belted, tucked in or accessorised to create different looks, making them adaptable to various seasons and changing aesthetics. The simplicity of their design allows for easy pairing with other pieces, enhancing their overall versatility in styling. All of these characteristics make for staple pieces we'll reach for time and time again. 

Take a tip from professional tailors 

Aside from hemming and zip repair, one of the most common alterations asked for by consumers is for a garment to be taken in or let out. In tailoring, it’s commonplace to factor this in at the pattern-cutting stage, and additional seam allowance is often incorporated in strategic areas to allow for future adjustments. 

These strategic additions to the SA provide tailors with the flexibility to make alterations without compromising the overall structure and integrity of the garment. It's a thoughtful practice that extends the life-span and adaptability of tailored pieces. 

Consider building in a little extra seam allowance at the CB, CF, crotch, inseam and side seams of your more fitted makes, and "future you" may well thank you for your foresight. 

Just a few millimetres can really add up when added or subtracted across all seams. It's possible to nudge a garment up or down a whole size this way. 

There are also many design features that can be applied to a looser fitting garment to give it some adjustable shaping and fit (especially useful if you experience bloating or weight fluctuations). 

Incorporating elastic components (bands or shirred panels) in strategic areas, such as the waist or cuffs, builds in stretch and adaptability, ensuring a comfortable fit for various body shapes.  

Make them adjustable 

Adjustable elements like drawstrings, ties, straps and buckles at key points offer the wearer the option to customise the look and fit by tightening or loosening as needed. These features can be used to modify both fit and length. 

Use Reinforcements 

Reinforce stress points like seams, pockets, and buttonholes by using interfacing, bias tape, or double stitching. This helps distribute tension and prevents fabric from fraying or tearing. 

If these techniques are new to you, head over to our sewing for beginners guide, which covers all these skills and more.

Choose the right stitch 

Use the appropriate stitching techniques for the fabric and the type of mechanical stresses your garment will be subject to. Flat fell seams on jeans are a good example of this, as is the stretch stitch used on knit fabrics. Seams prone to popping are not conducive to keeping a garment in use. 

Hemming and Edging 

Finish raw edges with suitable methods like serging, binding, or using pinking shears to prevent fraying. Hem garments with a double-folded hem or a blind hem for added strength and a polished look. We show you five ways to sew a hem here on Gathered.

Craft with intention 

By incorporating these techniques into your garment-sewing projects, you'll find you end up with clothes that just keep going, year after year. As home sewers, let's commit to shift our focus from quantity to quality.

Choose fabrics that withstand time, designs that endure trends, and craftsmanship that speaks of patience and time invested. It's time to savour the joy of creating enduring pieces that transcend seasons.  

Start today − craft with intention, create with purpose. Let's redefine the way we sew and make a lasting impact on our wardrobes and the planet. Let's sew for longevity, quality, and a better tomorrow. Let's make less, make it better, and make it to last. 

Start your sustainable fashion journey  

Discover how to bring your old clothes back to life with our tips and tutorials.