Save the Earth...it's the only planet with chocolate on it.
Apr 15, 2009 at 10:52 ;)
Download this free t-shirt design at www.green isthenewblack.typepad.comToday, I'm officially starting work on Clothesline's next pattern range which has the working title "Green is the New Black".
Before you think I'm jumping on the sustainable clothing/environmentally-friendly bandwagon just because it's fashionable, let me whip out my green credentials.
Hanging on the wall in the Pool Room of my parent's house is my framed and faded degree from Griffith Uni. It's from their School of Australian Environmental Studies and dates back to the 1980's. Yep, I was a greenie before some of you were even born!
I've fallen off the green bandwagon a few times over the years, but you don't have to be a hippy-loving, cause-fighting, non-leather shoe-wearing, organic-eating, kombi-van-touring, do-gooder to be green. Just do the little things that you can.
I'd like to learn how to make my wardrobe a bit greener, so I've hunted down some background reading to get ideas. Sifted through some very dull tomes, but found a few gems like these two easy reads. Source them at amazon.com or put them on hold at your local library.
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Tamsin Blanchard - Green is the New Black. For those who love to be ethical, dream of cheap clothes that don't cost the earth - clothing with a conscience!
Summer Rayne Oakes - Style, Naturally. One-stop resource for all things green. Great profiles on ethical fashion design labels.
Plus out of Brisbane, Peppermint, a new eco-fashion magazine to hunt down... ;)
Happy reading!
Reader Comments (12)
Blogging's a good idea. Looks good!
Green is the new black ? please NO :(
Hi, Anon. I think we have a little misunderstanding here. We won't be wearing the actual colour green. Green is the New Black is all about environmentally-friendly, sustainable fabrics, clothing that's not made in sweat shops, recycling garments instead of throwing them on the garbage heap. You can relax, it's Greenie-green clothing, not literally green clothes that will be the next big thing!
Oh thank goodness, my apologies and my mistake. Was making a mad dash for my green free sunnies!
What a lovely idea, recycling old to make them look new. Should have kept all my size ten's ;) Oh wait, no, recycling not resizing!
I do believe we are in a garment throw away society. We don't care for clothing as our grandmothers did, well I know, as mine did. Such a shame to see so much waste.
Would love to try my hand as reinventing some old outfits, perhaps clothesline can assist with some ideas :)
Ms Anon, we're really on the same page now! I have indeed been experimenting with restyling clothes - made a little dress out of a giant-sized men's shirt, a neat wrap skirt from a pair of pillowslips, believe it or not. Will take photos and post on blog shortly.
And don't get me started on grandmothers ... Both of mine could sew and knit anything! No patterns required, it was all in their heads. Hand-made clothes made just for you are a bit special - I still remember my favourite - a hot pink Crimplene shift with Yogi Bear buttons...
Oh my goodness, crimplene and with yogi bear buttons, imagine doing that to a child today !
My grandmother made us tailor made clothes, our *trousers were quite the fit. She really was a wonderful seamstress. Could knit, tat, crocheter, U name it... but refused to replace a broken zip, said it was too dificult. THE one thing I did learn to do, but I dare say not to her standard.
I have an ennormous over sized yellow males shirt, I must try my hand at reinventing it. should be quite the challenge, thanks for the idea, often wondered what to do with that particular item. :) alternatley, keep consuming easter eggs and wear it to my 'biggest loser' interview:) kidding of course ..or not !!!
Can't wait to see your new project for old and loved things, and natural fibres { I'm imagining}
My Mum - Christina - made our clothes when we were itty-bitty - in the 1960s- early'70s.
Our dolls were able to wear clothes which matched ours, thanks to Mum's recycling and reusing philosophy.
Her mother was a country-fete winning knitter and crocheter.
I tinker with all that looping and twisting.
Installing a zip in a frock leaves me flummoxed.
My automatic buttonhole-r is a source of either profound satisfaction, or extreme frustration.
We adore chocolate.
Margi - also in Brisbane QLD
Hmmm....matching doll and child clothes - how sweet is that!
As for putting in zips, Margi, I found the easiest way in a book I borrowed from the library - the Singer Photo Guide to Sewing. Instead of hand-sewing the zip and then machine stitching it, glue stick or sticky tape can be used to hold it in place before you machine stitch.
Even though I am not very good with a sewing machine, I have enjoyed looking through your new website and blog. Love the Medal idea, you gave me lots of ideas on how to use them as accessories etc., on bags, on scarves, to give to friends, small ones to decorated cards, put on gift boxes etc. you could decorate the centre with pretty buttons, beads, flowers etc., or special comments eg. Happy Birthday or With Love.
Thanks for dropping by and leaving your comments, Miss Nettie!
heeeey carmen miss u and ur blog and site is going well love u heaps
heey your site is going well love u!