Posted by tim, February 6, 2012
Learn to Sew Good with the fashion recycling charity TRAID at monthly workshops held at the TRAID Camden store. Bring a garment you no longer wear, and they’ll give you the skills you need to fix, alter and revive your wardrobe. Workshops will be held on the second Thursday of every month between 6pm and 9pm (there’s one on this Thursday 9th Feb!). Entrance is free but booking is essential email sewgood@traid.org.uk or tel: 020 7485 5253.
Go sew good.
Posted by tim, January 4, 2012
After Christmas we can all feel a little blue, decorations come down, back to work and school and nothing to look forward to but spring and Easter, which in this cold windy weather seems a million miles off but do not fear, a stitch and bitch is near. I’m sure you are all well aware of the stitch and bitch craze that has made a real come back in recent years but with the Christmas festivities over, now is the time to make full use of one near you. If you are local to the bath and bristol areas then you have plenty of knitting clubs to choose from.They run one at cox and baloney on cheltenham road in Bristol every Monday from 4 to 6, which welcomes all knitting abilities. It is £6 a person but it includes some very delicious tea and cake. If you live out in the sticks or are unable to get to one then why not start your own, all you need is a big teapot, enough mugs and chairs for your friends that will join in the fun and some needles and wool, which can be found in local charity shops or car boot sales. Even if your knitting skills only stretch to squares and oblongs, why not try an easy scarf or head warmer and who said tea cosies have to be round. You could even stretch to a craft club, maybe try some patchwork sewing, or hanging hearts in retro fabric like in the picture below. Fill your home with colourful handmade creations to brighten your mood and say goodbye to the christmas blues.
Posted by tim, October 20, 2011
Chunky Knit Wool Cardigans & Jumpers
We’re big believers in using quality natural materials in our garments. Our knits are made with 100% wool or mohair. We use wool because we think it looks and feels great but there are alot other reasons why we use it to make our knits instead of synthetic materials. Here are 10 reasons why our woolly knits are better than the synthetic ones:
Natural
Wool is a natural fibre. It has evolved to produce a fabric that has become one of the most effective natural forms of all-weather protection known to man.
Renewable
Every year sheep produce a new fleece, making wool a renewable fibre source. Woolgrowers actively work to improve efficiency and care for natural resources, endeavouring to make the wool industry sustainable for future generations.
Breathable
Wool has a large capacity to absorb moisture vapour and sweat next to the skin making it extremely breathable.
Durable
A wool fibre can be bent 20,000 times without breaking and still have the power to recover and return to its natural shape, this reduces the need to replace garments and top quality wool products stay looking good for longer.
Biodegradable
When a natural Merino wool fibre is disposed of it takes only a few years to decompose and can be used to put fertility into soil for crop growing. Most synthetics on the other hand, are extremely slow to degrade.
Easy Care
Wool’s fibres have a natural protective layer which prevents stains from being absorbed, they also pick up less dust as they are static resistant.
Recent innovations mean wool garments are no longer hand-wash only, many wool garments can now be machine-washed and tumble dried.
Multi-climatic
Wool is active, reacting to changes in ones body temperature to keep you warm when you’re cold but releasing heat and moisture when you’re hot.
Natural Insulator
Wool can insulate the home providing and retaining warmth; reducing energy costs.
Elastic
The natural elasticity of the wool fibre means it stretches with the wearer, but then returns to its natural shape, so there is less chance of garments sagging or losing their shape.
Safe
Wool has a naturally high UV protection, which is much higher than most synthetics and cotton.
***information courtesy of campaign for Real Wool. Support the Campaign here….
