my philosophy

Kiera’s Sewing Challenge & Slow Fashion

I am so excited to share more about the Sew My Style Challenge that I am doing!! There are two reasons I decided to do the challenge in the first place, but first I want to tell you more about what the challenge is.

Sew My Style

I’m not sure they actually call it a challenge, I just don’t know a better word for it! Basically the goal of Sew My Style is to sew 12 garments in 12 months. The host of the challenge helps to choose the 12 patterns that we will be sewing. The garments range from shirts and dresses, pants and shorts, to even underwear. So far I have made a shirt, a cardigan, a dress and a jumpsuit! So much variety! I am currently working on another dress and I am so excited about it! Sew My Style was started to raise awareness about slow fashion, which is one of the main reasons I decided to do the challenge in the first place (which you will read more about below).

I have loved doing this challenge because there are almost a thousand other people around the world doing it as well. We are all in a Facebook group and it has been so encouraging! If I ever have a question, I know I can get an answer. It has been so fun to see what everyone makes and so inspiring. This community is awesome and I have been so happy to be a part of it!

Reason #1: Slow Fashion

There are many problems in the fashion industry and I have been very passionate about this topic for a couple years now. “Slow Fashion is the movement of designing, creating, and buying garments for quality and longevity. It encourages slower production schedules, fair wages, lower carbon footprints, and (ideally) zero waste.” Most workers in the fast fashion industry are not paid fairly and are not treated fairly. Slow fashion encourages you to take a look at who is making your clothes and advocating for them. While shopping ethically is one way to get involved in the slow fashion movement, making your own clothes is as well and it was a big reason I wanted to do Sew My Style.

Reason #2: Get Back into Sewing

I learned how to sew my Junior year of high school back when I had dreams of being a fashion designer and going on Project Runway haha. I loved the class and sewing, but dropped it after that year as I pursued photography (and I didn’t have a sewing machine). Two years ago I got a sewing machine during Black Friday. Since getting it I sewed a Christmas Tree skirt, a makeup bag, and two aprons. But that was really it. When I saw this challenge I knew I had to do it! I really just wanted to get back into sewing. And how cool would it be to make my own clothes?! To actually wear something that I made. I was so excited! And I knew a challenge would keep me accountable. And it has!

Here is a look at what I have sewn. I am clearly not a model as I seem to have one go-to pose haha.

January – Sunny Top

Estelle Ponte Jacket – Style Arc

Kalle Shirt Dress – Closet Case

Marigold Jumpsuit – Tilly & the Buttons

Here is the schedule for the rest of the year!