Jean Genie
4
The Pitch
Problem statement
The UK's Clothing industry is unsustainable - the ‘take, make, dispose’ model of production and consumption has many negative environmental and social impacts. The industry is criticised for its unsustainable use of water, land, fossil fuels and energy, along with manufacturing processes associated with toxic chemicals, waste and pollution, and unethical labour practices (WRAP uk) In particular the denim industry - Waste in the production of a pair of jeans: the water and energy used, the raw materials and the manufactoring processes. (Denimdudes.co) Charity Shops don't sell clothes with holes, but send them for textile recycling. Denim is a strong & hard wearing with many uses.
Solution
We buy jeans from local charity that would otherwise go to textile recycling. Supporting local shops financially and reducing their waste. We hire a local hall, again supporting a local community centre and paid staff. We collect buttons, ribbon, threads and other bits and pieces from donations. We buy some consumable items such as scissors, sewing machine needles, tea, coffee and cake! We have a wide range of examples of thing that helpers have already made from denim and other clothes/donated fabrics and use them as inspiraton for men, women, families who come to our events and want to get involved. We can also teach them a few basic skills so that they can create their own item.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
We have a group of volunteers already in place to run these activities, who often meet up to sew together anyway and who enjoy helping others to learn new skills eg hand sewing, machine sewing, putting in a zip... We have taken this workshop 'on tour' - to schools, where we have made drawstring bags with pupils - to fetes, where we have taken hand driven machines and allowed the public to sit down and sew on labels onto fabric bags that we have made, which they can take away and use. - to a 'repair cafe' and offered to repair clothes and other items
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| 3x sewing machine services | £225 |
| Threads, zips, needles, scissors, webbing (for bag handles) | £65 |
| Craft books for ideas | £55 |
| Hall hire | £75 |
| Buy jeans from charity shops, plus few other clothing items | £80 |
Beneficiaries
60 people
Expected impact
Reducing Waste: We are demonstrating a new model of consumerism which includes the 3Rs.Inspiring Creativity: allowing event participants to come along an be inspired by some of our ideas and feel encouraged to have a go and make something. Plus, the other way round, for them to come in with an idea that they want to make, and for us to help them and teach them some of the skills they might need Showing people that things can be recycled, up cycled, repurposed into something new and useful.Supporting them into becoming part of that process and that their ideas are needed.Bit of re-education, you don't need to buy new everytime, you might be able to repurpose something else?Increased awareness about when you do buy items, invest in ones that are better quality, and last longer.They are open events, anyone can attend. Children will see items being upcycled and be normal.Reskilling: eg making a pattern, hand sewing, machine sewing, button sewing, traditional skills
Track record
New Forest Transition formed in 2008 and in 2014 we became a Community Interest Company. All our projects are designed to encourage sustainable living, to benefit our local communities in making long lasting (healthy) changes to their lives and environments. The New Forest Food Challenge received a grant in 2009 to promote the local food economy and to encourage people to grow some of their own food. The project ran for over 8 years and interacted with over 14000 event participants. The New Forest Schools Energy Project received a grant in 2012 to promote energy efficiency in schools in the New Forest Area. The project has since expanded to include schools in the Southampton area. Our local groups are involved in running events, meetings and smaller initiatives that promote sustainable lifestyles. Hale Group has run a monthly local food market since 2010. They promote a variety of local producers selling vegetables, meat, pies, cheese, bread, fish, cakes and more...