Arising from Disruption, a Virtual Churchill

As public health authorities and governments scramble to manage the coronavirus pandemic, we humans are sheltering in place, being called upon to stay home, be responsible, resourceful and resilient. The pandemic is profoundly changing the way we live and work, how we consume resources and entertain ourselves – and having dramatic economic, social and cultural impacts. I hope you’re keep safe, sheltering at home, in place, grateful to those on the frontline are doing battle with this threat.

Earlier this month, my long-planned Winston Churchill Fellowship study tour to Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe was deferred for an indefinite period. I’ve been gardening, upcycling and innovating – and now planning a Virtual Churchill as a short-term substitute for my real-world  one.  ARISING from Disruption is an emerging series of conversations with entrepreneurial people about self-sufficiency, resourcefulness and adaptation at this time for transformative change. I hope you find some seeds of inspiration and hope from their stories.

 

Sustainable fashion actions

Small individual actions can, and do, create big changes. About 10 percent of our carbon footprint is embedded in the clothes we wear therefore our choices matter. Since 2013, Jane Milburn has been raising awareness about ways to reduce our material footprint through slow clothing actions: think, choose natural, quality, local, have few, care for what you have, make your own, revive, upcycle and salvage. In this news report, ABC journalist Lucy MacDonald outlined three ways for dress sustainably: buy sustainable fibres, choose pre-loved, and shop your wardrobe. She chatted with Jane about upcycling and reskilling so we can get more life out of what we aready own.

Zero Waste Sewing, the book

Sewing in straight lines and basic math skills are all that’s required to achieve success with the simplest of the handmade clothing projects in a clever new book Zero Waste Sewing from South Australia’s Elizabeth Haywood.

Zero Waste Sewing is a practical and resourceful book based around 16 projects to make, wear and enjoy, with plenty of opportunity to modify and adapt them to suit your shape and preferences.

Through her ingenious patterns, Liz inspires a sustainable, resourceful approach by showing us how to use 100 per cent of the fabric, with nothing left over. Such a great goal to work towards!

The Craft of Clothes is Liz’s blog about sewing and fashion, and her earlier book The Dressmakers Companion, reflect her background and experience as a pattern maker and sewing teacher.

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