Seven Reasons to Get Sewing
It makes you happy – scientists have proved it! Take a break from tech to concentrate work on something creative relaxes your mind and releases happy hormones. It’s a form of mindful meditation. So if you don’t fancy sitting cross-legged and saying, ‘Ommmm’, trying sewing instead!
You get to save the planet – one stitch at a time! Sewing, repairing and customising your clothes means you're not buying into fast fashion. Cue grisly fast fashion facts -
A person could survive for 2.5 years on the water it takes to make one cotton t-shirt.
Plastic waste (much of which comes from the textiles industry) is found in the guts of more than 90% of the world’s sea birds, and in the stomachs of over half our sea turtles.
It’s a way to beat the grown-ups. Can you believe 6 out of 10 of them can’t sew? A quarter can’t mend a rip or sew on a button – and nearly half can’t take up their own trousers! (Seriously, what are adults for?!)
It improves your hand-eye coordination. All those times in PE when someone throws a ball at you – and you keel over backwards? Start sewing, and you’ll soon be bouncing round the courts like a pro.
It links you to your inner caveman (roooooarr!) Early Homo Sapiens learned to sew 25,000 years ago. Using needles made from bones or mammoth tusks, they’d stitch snazzy cave clobber from furs, animal skin – and even tree bark (good for coats, less comfy for underpants maybe?)
It puts you in a really cool club. Sewing is social – you get to swap ideas and show off your makes to your DIY fashionista friends! Plus you’re in top celebrity company –
Pharell Williams – remember, he sang the hit song ‘Happy’? Well, he decided to make the fish happy too: With the help of fashion designers, he created a line of jeans made from plastic washed into the ocean.
Gwen Stefani has been customising her clothes since she was a kid. “I was into thrift stores and making my own stuff," she says. "I had my own sewing machine, glue guns and projects everywhere. My room was a danger zone!”
She now has two mega-flash clothing lines of her own. Start sewing, and you could be a style queen like Stefani!
It’s probably the only time you’ll ever have anything in common with Napoleon.
When not trying to conquer the world, the 19th Century French military leader was customising his soldier’s uniforms: Fed up with watching them wipe their noses on their sleeves, he ordered buttons to be sewn on to the cuffs. Jackets still come with sleeve buttons today.
There we go. Seven random reasons why you should grab a needle and thread. Go eco-warriors, create havoc with your hemstitch!
Are you a sustainable style queen - or a fast fashion freak?
Do our quiz to find out!
It makes you happy – scientists have proved it! Take a break from tech to concentrate work on something creative relaxes your mind and releases happy hormones. It’s a form of mindful meditation. So if you don’t fancy sitting cross-legged and saying, ‘Ommmm’, trying sewing instead!
You get to save the planet – one stitch at a time! Sewing, repairing and customising your clothes means you're not buying into fast fashion. Cue grisly fast fashion facts -
A person could survive for 2.5 years on the water it takes to make one cotton t-shirt.
Plastic waste (much of which comes from the textiles industry) is found in the guts of more than 90% of the world’s sea birds, and in the stomachs of over half our sea turtles
It’s a way to beat the grown-ups. Can you believe 6 out of 10 of them can’t sew? A quarter can’t mend a rip or sew on a button – and nearly half can’t take up their own trousers! (Seriously, what ARE adults for?)
It improves your hand-eye coordination. All those times in PE when someone throws a ball at you – and you keel over backwards? Start sewing, and you’ll soon be bouncing round the courts like a pro. In a customised vest top.
It links you to your inner caveman (roooooarr!) Early Homo Sapiens learned to sew 25,000 years ago. Using needles made from bones or mammoth tusks, they’d stitch snazzy cave clobber from furs, animal skin – and even tree bark (good for coats, less comfy for underpants maybe?)
It puts you in a really cool club. Sewing is social – you get to swap ideas and show off your makes to your DIY fashionista friends! Plus you’re in top celebrity company –
Pharell Williams – remember, he sang the hit song ‘Happy’? Well, he decided to make the fish happy too: With the help of fashion designers, he created a line of jeans made from plastic washed into the ocean.
Gwen Stefani has been customising her clothes since she was a kid. “I was very anti-fashion,” she says. “I was into thrift stores and making my own stuff. I had my own sewing machine, glue guns and projects everywhere. My room was a danger zone!”
She has two mega-flash clothing lines of her own. Start sewing now, and you could be a style queen like Stefani!
It’s probably the only time you’ll ever have anything in common with Napoleon.
When not trying to conquer the world, the 19th Century French military leader was customising his soldier’s uniforms: Fed up with watching them wipe their noses on their sleeves, he ordered buttons to be sewn on to the cuffs. Jackets still come with sleeve buttons today.
So there you have it: Customising your clothes is SNOT to be sniffed at (geddit?!) Now what are you are waiting for? Grab a needle and thread - and let the creative fun begin!
"The Swish is properly interesting. A teen novel about creativity, confidence and upcycling clothes. About time!" Dawn French
" Great book – a lovely read for teens"
LORRAINE CANDY, SUNDAY TIMES bestseller and parenting expert
" Tash’s book is very timely - its upbeat, practical message will go a long way to inspiring young people"
EMMA SCOTT, ORGANISER OF RETHINK FASHION DORSET
" Such a great read! Witty and warm, with a brilliant message - my tween loved this book. I'm now hoping it will help wean her off Primark!"
" Lovely story. My daughter was so inspired to thrift and upcycle she's started sewing away, creating beautiful outfits."
"‘Geek Girl’ meets the ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’! Ideal book to get your teenagers off their phones/screens & inspired about sustainable fashion."
" A gripping, funny story about the importance of friends and family, and being resilient."
LISTEN HERE
"The Swish is properly interesting. A teen novel about creativity, confidence and upcycling clothes. About time!"
Dawn French
" Great book – a lovely read for teens"
LORRAINE CANDY, SUNDAY TIMES bestseller and parenting expert
" Tash’s book is very timely - its upbeat, practical message will go a long way to inspiring young people
"
EMMA SCOTT, ORGANISER OF RETHINK FASHION DORSET
" Such a great read! Witty and warm, with a brilliant message - my tween loved this book. I'm now hoping it will help wean her off Primark!"
" Lovely story. My daughter was so inspired to thrift and upcycle she's started sewing away, creating beautiful outfits."
"‘Geek Girl’ meets the ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’! Ideal book to get your teenagers off their phones/screens & inspired about sustainable fashion."
" A gripping, funny story about the importance of friends and family, and being resilient."
