Eco Fashion World

If you don't know how to sew yet, now is a great time to learn! Sewing is the next best thing to knitting and allows you to revive your wardrobe from A to Z. A comprehensive website to start your sewing classes is Threads, which organizes a yearly conference on sewing. Threads regularly gives discounts on DVD sets and other interesting tools to make you learn the tricks. Other websites are and good old Burda Style where you can find patterns for everything from skirt to blazer. If you’d rather design your own patterns, try out Fashion Design Online which offers computerized pattern making courses.

Sewing your own clothes is the perfect way to live your eco fashion dreams. For one, you can choose to buy eco fabrics instead of conventional materials. If this is not within reach, then go for the alternative of used fabrics. At vintage markets you often find pieces that might not be your style, but have been made from quality fabrics. The strategy here is to de-compose and reconstruct them in an item of choice. Or what about making kid's clothes out of your own like the 'Cool Baby Book' suggests? One other advantage of sewing is that you'll be sure that your clothing is fair-trade (depending of course on the way you treat yourself!)

If online learning is not your thing, check what's happening in your neighborhood. When I learnt sewing in high school, my classmates thought I was crazy. Nowadays, sewing is hot & happening and you'll surely find courses around the corner. If you live in Austin, Tina Sparkles organizes fun sewing classes and is currently working on a kick-ass sewing book. In Toronto, the hot new place to meet is The Workroom where you can rent a sewing machine by the hour and chat with your girlfriends while you create your new wardrobe.

If you get the hack of sewing, keep an eye on Craft's Sewing with Nature contests. Every year you have a chance to win SINGER sewing machines, sewing books and subscriptions to CRAFT.

You might also want to check out: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/02/new-clothes-vintage-recycle.php

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