What's the point?

A Little Background 

Okay, so that's a bit of a lie. There is a lot of background for this project, but I'll try to keep it short and sweet.

This project is based off of the voluntary simplicity movement and the concept of sustainable consumption. In essence, I want to go back to a time where people hand crafted goods instead of mass produced them. This sentiment is echoed globally as demonstrated by the numerous online crafting communities and businesses, like Etsy.



Coincidentally, I am currently taking a class on sustainable consumption. This term has been a hot topic in more recent times and there are new books covering this topic everywhere you turn! Some associate it with the green movement, but it is much more than that. Sustainable consumption applies to numerous fields and at different levels; familial, individual, societal, etc. To me, sustainable consumption means buying commodities in such a way that keeps the environment and economy viable in the longterm.

Voluntary simplicity is akin to an anti-consumerism type of movement. It's ideals lie in the fact that happiness can not be bought. By living simply, we can focus on what truly matters and live for ourselves. We experience and appreciate life free of materialistic goals and, in this extra time, can hone our personal skills. However, this is usually undertaken by those who are comfortable in their economic standing, hence the term "voluntary." Luckily, I am fortunate enough to have the choice to undertake this type of project as I am a full-time student [aka unemployed and living comfortably at home.]



I find that when I think of voluntary simplicity, I naturally associate it with the relaxed outdoors or country living...

The Preliminaries 

I've been trying my hand at this sewing business since high school only to give up halfway through my projects. I would buy fabrics and have all these great plans...which never saw the light of day. Beginning last year, I finally started to just shoulder through and finish some of the projects I started.

My first project was a T-shirt dress. On campus, we receive free t-shirts for practically any, and all, events. My freshman year, I joined a pre-health club and won a raffle for a shirt. I was so excited for the prize...until I saw it was an XXL shirt. Regardless, I liked the design and figured I could alter it somehow. A couple semesters passed by until I finally decided to take action.

Giant shirt ==> Dress!

Sleeves close-up!

After the success of the T-shirt dress, I decided to pursue sewing and improve my rudimentary skills which resulted in tote bags I made as Christmas gifts.

From here, my undergraduate honors thesis was looming in my near future and I entertained the idea of tapping into my newfound creativity. No longer was toiling in a research lab my thesis dream [as if it ever were] but rather, I wished to be hunched over my simple sewing machine.

The Rules 

I set the following parameters to keep myself in check.

-Based off of the idea of sustainability, defined as consumption of goods in such a way to protect the environment and use resources wisely, I will not buy any material goods for this project. Hence, majority of the fabric at hand will be from old clothes, bed sheets, curtains, etc. and will be re-purposed to create the new item.

-Exceptions to not buying any clothes/fabrics are necessities, handmade goods and/or vintage items. Part of the DIY/sustainability concept includes direct support for artisans and the local economy as well as the recycling of older materials. Basically, I will not buy anything new.  The necessities would include zippers, buttons and closures that I wouldn’t be able to replace with fabric alone.

-Fabrics and materials can be donated, but this will be kept to a minimum.

-Projects will be completed at least weekly (which means I could do more!) and posted ASAP.

Where I come in...

Personally, I am undertaking this project to explore my creativity. As a biomedical sciences major, my life starting from high school up to this point has been filled primarily with science classes. Throughout my college career, I incorporated non-science courses in order to maintain my sanity. These classes made me have a greater appreciation for the emotional and creative aspects of my life. Hence, I choose to have this creative thesis.

The DIY mindset, to me at least,  is a choice. I walk around and see many items and think, "Self, you can make this!" However, thinking just doesn't cut it. I am just at the tip of the iceberg in regards to beginning DIY projects. There are several different aspects of DIY: crafts, technology, toys, outdoor items, etc. I am focusing on crafts for my thesis, specifically the reconstruction of different fabrics, be they bed sheets or old tee shirts, into new articles of clothing. This aspect of DIY/sustainability incorporates recycling of old goods into new and unique items. Each year, I buy more and more clothes resulting in a wardrobe with many items that will no longer see the light of day. Instead of forgetting about these 'outdated' clothes, the fabric can be used to make something new. In creating
this thesis project, I will finally put my ideas into action.

EDIT: My Honors Thesis is over as of April 2011, but I will update this blog as I see fit (i.e. whenever I am crafty and decide to post.)