Emotional, physical, and aesthetic: Home stitchers and a new model for value in clothing
Team: Sara Wilcox, Missy Bye
Program: Apparel Design
One important step toward sustainability in fashion is treating clothing as valuable rather than disposable. However, there is not a comprehensive model for value in clothing. People who make their own garments may have a unique perspective on clothing value as both producers and consumers of clothing. This study explores the practices of home garment makers throughout the clothing consumption process from creation or acquisition to use and maintenance and eventual disposal. The objective is to understand how home garment makers value clothing through their garment making and use practices.
Fifteen experienced home garment makers were interviewed for the study. Their responses reveal three intersecting types of clothing value: Aesthetic, Physical, and Emotional. Through many aspects of their making practices, participants create, maintain, and acquire value in both their handmade and purchased garments. This focus on clothing value and awareness of the time and effort involved in making clothing leads home garment makers to keep and maintain their garments for many years, reduce their overall clothing consumption and enjoy their handmade garments. The results suggest that increased instruction in garment making methods could lead to consumers placing higher value on clothing items and thus an overall decrease in textile waste.
Keywords: clothing value, sustainability, stitching, sewing, knitting, garment making
CDES Design Graduate Program
