mindful mending

Valuing our clothes and the cost of fast fashion present countless environmental impacts of the clothing industry around the world. 

wonder | wander | women love our clothes both old and new - this is how we do our bit to enjoy them guilt free. So what's our sustainable clothing action plan? 

jeans #1 - laid out & worn

Through the years we've created our own opportunities to reduce the resource impacts of the clothing we own and wear - gaining benefits as we do. We'd like to share them here with you! 

What led to what? The joy of crafting something personal out of the ordinary. Discovering a creative outlet with added benefits. Being handy with our hands is a gift that keeps on giving. 

patches & details up close

Back home, we were hooked as soon as we took our first home economics class. That's what our Benedictine all girls school called it then - ora et labora, 

This centuries-old phrase, meaning "pray and work," is rooted in Christian tradition. Originating from Saint Benedict of Nursia (circa 480–547) as a guiding principle for monastic life and working communities. Living a balanced life between work as prayer and praying as we go about our day. 

another pair of jeans - outside stitching & inner patch work

The forward minded nuns taught us to be self-sufficient and learn a trade. Not just to manage a home well but to earn our keep, should the need ever arise. They raised modern women not to rely on their inheritance or husband solely. 

Each year in middle school we learned the practical arts of sewing, cooking, typing, and handicraft. As our skills grew, we made our own clothes and accessories. From head to foot, we decorated away to our young heart's and imagination's delight. 

patches & details up close

Headbands and belts, wristbands and bracelets, bags and pouches - we knitted, crocheted, handstitched and machine sewed away. Graduating to pillowcases and bedsheets to comfort us in college dorms as we moved away from home for the first time. 

Off in college we ditched our frilly dresses and donned the universal uniform of academia - denim! Feeding a growing relish to embellish what we wore. Fringes, beads, buttons, baubles - stitch bitches in the making. 

patches & details on the other leg

Our habit and interest expanded as we explored - more grown up trends, peer guided rather than parent supervised. It was a fun time pushing the envelope - not just following along with the leading trends but finding our own signature look. 

Through trial and error, budget constraints on a student's allowance, prioritizing what was required with our ever growing need for more - we forged ahead fearlessly. 

To this day, when a beloved piece goes out of style or gets thread bare our handmade stitching come to the rescue. An ever reliable skill ever present to save the day - or at least our attire. 

left & right leg patch work

COME JOIN THE STITCH BITCH CLUB 

Find a fave. Feed the need. 

Reduce trash and create treasure. 

Make some mindful mending.  

Why repair or upcycle clothes? 

Learn to explore new skills?

Improve your head and space?

Reduce waste for trash and landfill?

Be creative? Circular? Regenerate?