It’s time for a Revival.
I have, for the last few–well, months, really–been in a bit of a funk creatively. I’ve had spurts of ideas, inklings of inspiration, but haven’t been feeling it. You know what I mean? Certainly, I’ve been distracted by lots of non-sewing things lately, which isn’t bad, but whenever I’ve gone to sew, it seemed like something was missing…
But as Folk’s 4th birthday approaches, I feel that I am finally seeing clearly enough to redefine my goals, and not a little bit of that is due to having read Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline. (Well, I’ve almost completed reading it. Just a few more pages left!)
I have long been aware of the evils of mass-production, sweatshops, and the like. When I first became very interested in the “new wave” of craft, I decided that whenever I did buy something mass-produced, it must be made in the USA. (As I am sure you well know, finding something American made can be somewhat of a task.) And eventually…I got lazy. Or perhaps I was distracted and confused by all those cheap, shiny things hanging in the windows of Forever 21.
So pretty! So fashionable! And priced so that nobody could possibly be paid what they deserve to make it…
Once I began reading Cline’s book, however, the reality of “fast fashion” hit home again. I won’t go on and on about the importance of having sewing knowledge or the virtues of fair wages and environmental stewardship, nor will I elaborate on our wantonly wasteful ways as a culture…but you can guess how I feel about it.
And this brings me to the Revival–a renewal of my mission and a refocusing on how I spend my creative energy. The biggest change is that I will begin focusing on clothing again. I’ve been making lots of wrist cuffs, purses, and other baubles, which I believe have value, too. (Obviously, or I wouldn’t be making them!) But I want to refocus on garments. Unique, durable, thoughtfully- and carefully-made garments. Designed and produced in the USA. While there is always room for plenty of art and whimsy where clothing is concerned, it is, at its root, a very necessary and utilitarian thing that we all need.
I hope to be able to share new designs with you soon…I am currently working on a yet-to-be-perfected style of bloomers, along with some other ideas. The shift will most likely be a gradual one, but it needs to happen!
And while you’re waiting for the change, you should definitely pick up Cline’s book, which is not only entertaining, but also a real eye-opener.