Wool fits with Slow Clothing

As a sustainable natural fibre, wool is a beautiful fit for the slow clothing movement according to leading merino breeder Georgina Wallace of Trefusis Merino Stud in Tasmania.

Campbell Town Show recently hosted the Tasmanian launch of Slow Clothing: finding meaning in what we wear in recognition of the fact that dressing is an agricultural act if you want to wear natural fibres rather than synthetic plastic ones.

Merino breeder Georgina Wallace and Jane Milburn at Campbell Town Show in May 2018

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On the Textile Beat enews

There is awesome progress being made in the world of sustainable, creative ways of dressing for good. Our May enews – On the Textile Beat – includes updates and information about what’s been happening in our patch. It includes details about the Tasmania launch of Jane Milburn’s book Slow Clothing: finding meaning in what we wear at the Campbell Town Show on Saturday May 26.  If you are interested in slow clothing, natural fibres, creative reuse and upcycling, you may like to register (see righthand side of this website) to receive the enews directly.

Sewing brings wellbeing – Sally Harris

Clothing has become so available and affordable in the past decade that most people no longer sew. Yet there are intangible rewards from making your own wearables, including a sense of achievement from reusing natural resources.

Sally Harris wears a wool poncho she made from a knee rug for The Slow Clothing Project.

Sally Harris wears a wool poncho she made from a knee rug for The Slow Clothing Project.

Canberra-based Sally Harris credits The Slow Clothing Project with giving her an incentive to sew again. “With such emphasis on new clothes these days, it is lovely to take part in the Slow Clothing Project and enlighten people to the good old ways.”  Continue Reading →

A meditative process –Tamara Russell

Melbourne-based Tamara Russell knows firsthand that handmade is so much more satisfying than a quick purchase. For many years, she has been remaking, revamping and reworking her own clothing from other people’s hand-me-downs or op shop finds.

Tamara Russell made a signature wool cardigan from rescued materials for The Slow Clothing Project.

Tamara Russell made a signature wool cardigan from rescued materials for The Slow Clothing Project.

She believes the slow, meditative process of sewing, knitting, crochet and stitching is great for body and soul, slowing one down to enjoy life around them and to be proud of their own creations rather than a quick purchase to follow ‘fashion’ and then disposing of items as they go ‘out of fashion’.

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Artful clothing – Libby Woodhams

Dr Libby Woodhams began making clothes because she couldn’t buy anything she found sufficiently colourful and different. She doesn’t consider herself a dressmaker because she mostly sews straight lines and lacks patience for tailoring. Libby buys patterns with simple shapes and finds Kwik Sew patterns suit her skills and provide a good canvas for appliqué or fabric painting.

Textile artist Dr Libby Woodhams created this reversible wrap skirt for The Slow Clothing Project.

Dr Libby Woodhams created this reversible wrap skirt for The Slow Clothing Project

Some of Libby’s staple ‘makes’ are a patchwork skirt with elastic waistband and patchwork coats. “I like making them because coats cover a multitude of sins and the clothes underneath can be very simple and timeless. I try to wear as much merino as possible because I think wool is the best fabric for sub-tropical climates. I buy them as manufactured garments when I see something different that I like. These merino garments are a ‘walking teaching aide’ for the promotion of wool. At least 80% of my wardrobe is merino tops and skirts bought over the years. The fabric is so long-lasting that I don’t need to buy more but sometimes I just feel like something ‘new’ – whether I buy it new new or in an op shop,“ Libby said.  Continue Reading →