Learning to make bags and skirts from recycled fabric was fun for Aida, Michelle, and Sunny, members of a school sewing club. But those projects were just the start of their effort to be “sew green.”
It takes energy for a factory to make and ship a new piece of clothing, and it costs money for a person to buy it. “We knew that throwing things out wastes energy and money,” says one club member, Michelle W., age 11. When club members realized they could help their Illinois school to be more earth-friendly, they opened a mending center in the school library. Students and staff could drop off items that needed to be fixed, and club members would do the work for free. “So, instead of buying a new pair of jeans, you could keep the ones you’ve been wearing,” says Aida S., age 11.
Club members mended lots of jeans, as well as shirts, backpacks, socks, sweaters, and even puppets used in a prekindergarten classroom. The club was always busy with mending projects, and people’s reactions made the club’s effort worth it, says Sunny L., age 11. “People were really happy and excited that their clothes were fixed.”
Phoenix B., a 14-year-old Virginia girl, started a business designing knitted clothing and accessories such as sweaters, arm warmers, dancewear, and bags. It all started when she entered a shawl that she had designed in an art show, and she won first place. When everyone wanted to buy the shawl, Phoenix realized that she could turn her hobby into a business. She designed more shawls in different shapes and sizes and started selling them in stores and on her website.
What advice would Phoenix give to girls who want to learn how to knit? She says girls can go to a yarn store and ask about knitting classes. “The first thing you knit will look like my first hat—homely and frumpy, something that you will put in your drawer and hope that nobody sees. But don’t get discouraged,” she says. “The more you knit, the better you’ll get!”
Laura D., age 12, and her friend Emma thought it would be fun to create a fashion magazine for their classmates to read. They named it Catwalk Magazine and came up with some great features, including fashion debates, tips, and contests. Now many people enjoy reading their magazine, and the fashion-forward friends are proud of their work!