Left: Edition 5 from AK Threads. Right: Fabric scrap scrunchies.
It was while working with rural artisans in India that Gracie began to consider how she could bring slower methods of designing and manufacturing to a more mainstream market. Working with the Sambhali Trust NGO, she tells me that it was a question of: “How could I use these woven fabrics and traditional skills in a more modern, contemporary way?”
The reusable bag my shirt arrived in provides the perfect example of how this worked in practice. “We wanted to have a whole story about that packaging,” Gracie explains. Made by the relatively low-skilled women at the Sambhali Trust’s production centre, the bag’s simple design provided a way of both utilising the artisans skills to ensure they were paid a day’s wage, “but then obviously also fabric that could be utilised and reused again, rather than just single-use packaging.”
So, what can we do to get a little more life out of the fabric scraps we have lying around at home? Here are three simple ideas to get creative with.
Accessories
Scrunchies and headbands are a simple but oh-so-satisfying way to make the most of scrap fabrics, says Gracie.
For scrunchies, all you need is some elastic, fabric, and a needle and thread. Use one of your trustiest hair ties to judge how long the stretch of elastic needs to be. Then, depending how big you want the scrunchie, cut a stretch of fabric that is a few inches wider and longer than the elastic. Fold in half lengthways with the less finished side of the material facing out. Sew the two long sides together with a simple running stitch to create a fabric ‘tube’ of sorts. Turn this inside out before threading the stretch of elastic through. Join the ends of the elastic together with several sturdy stitches before joining the fabric together as neatly as you can. Simple!
Tip: If you’re struggling to get the elastic through, attach a hair clip or safety pin to one end and push it through.
For headbands, play around with upcycling old accessories you don’t get enough wear from, or hem a stretch of scrap fabric to make a simple scarf.