Zero Waste Patterns: 20 Projects to Sew Your Own Wardrobe

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I hope you have enjoyed this post on where to find patterns to sew your own zero waste wardrobe. I love to post all sorts of articles about sustainable sewing. So if you have loved this, why not read about

Sewing machine, iron, chalk or dissolvable pen, scissors, large right angle ruler and/or long straight ruler. Techniques Used A zero waste pattern uses 100% of the fabric, with no scraps or waste. The pattern pieces fit together like a giant jigsaw puzzle within the width of the fabric.For example, the white tie front top in the book Zero Waste Sewing is cut from a mere 112cm x 112cm of fabric for up to a size 16/42″ bust (and will also fit a 46″ bust, just with less ease). In another example, I’m doing a long sleeve blouse at the moment and I think I can do it in 160cm x 112cm. These are significant fabric savings which make zero waste worth pursuing in the interests of using less of our resources in the first place. If you’d like to make use of a larger piece of fabric or have a hankering for a shopping excursion, you can still sew more sustainably with zero-waste garments. Some of our favorites are listed below! For a customizable sewing project, try this cropped t-shirt. The cloth should measure the circumference of your body for a fit as shown above. To personalize the look, you can create a more voluminous form with a wider piece of cloth, or a closer fit with a narrower piece. Use chiffon or another soft fabric for a more fluid look, or try a stiffer fabric for something more structured. The pattern is free, but the sewing experience is different from working with a conventional pattern. Read the instructions through before starting. The Spritz is a flattering, relaxed dress perfect for hot summer days and vacations. This very simple design can be dressed up or down, or worn as a cover-up over swimwear. Oh so comfortable, the Spritz Dress will become your go-to weekend outfit in no time. The Spritz is designed to be worn belted, with either a matching length of cord or a commercially made belt.

Images that show how a product performs ("I took this picture with this camera", "This shirt shrunk in the wash", "The saw blade after 100 cuts") Zero waste is a term which has slowly percolated through the sewing community in the last few years, but it’s been around for as long as clothes themselves, with bog coats and authentic Japanese Kimonos possibly being the most common examples. Fabric was once a precious commodity and both utilitarian and luxurious garments were made with minimal waste, using squares and rectangles. Many of the modern zero waste patterns for home sewists utilise this same technique and it works well. However, once people desire more shape and therefore curves, zero waste becomes problematic and requires more creativity and lateral thinking. There are relatively few modern zero-waste sewing patterns available; I estimate there are somewhere between 100 and 200, but likely closer to 100. As patternmakers get used to this way of making patterns and get better and better at it, we will see more patterns and interesting garments. Sizing: Size One and Size Two (approx. UK 12 – 32) BROWSE MORE BIRGITTA HELMERSSON ZERO WASTE SEWING PATTERNSWhat once seemed limiting in design has now been given so much creative freedom by pattern designer’s innovation. You can create a beautiful wardrobe using just zero waste patterns if you wanted to. By using the zero waste method to cut patterns and fabric, you also lessen your carbon footprint and save fabric, paper and time (relatively) - a win-win-win for us and the planet. Grab your pile of fabric scraps and try your hand at the Sew Scrappy Top. You’ll put all those extra pieces to use in this super fun shirt. This pattern comes in sizes 6 months – Big Kid 14 and Adult XXS – 6XL (see the link above for measurements). Haywood, E. M. (2002) Zero Waste Sewing, 16 projects to make, wear and enjoy, Australia: Cooatalaa Press If you want to chat about the episode and the challenges then do join us each week in our Facebook group event. I thought I loved this pattern even before I saw @Sewlike‘s wonderful scrap-busting make. This woven dress and tank top design is fitted through the high bust and loose through the bust, waist and hips. Women’s sizes 0 to 30 are offered with two bust-cup options (A/B bust 32 inches to 56 inches, C/D bust 34 inches to 58 inches, waist 25 inches to 49 inches, hip 35 inches to 59 inches).

A garment which is zero waste is designed in a different way to regular garments. Normally, the process starts with a fashion sketch, it’s interpreted into a pattern by a patternmaker, then the pattern pieces are laid out on the fabric in the most economical way (and cut out). With a zero waste garment, the design, pattern and layout are all made at the same time. The designing happens as the pattern and layout develop. The design reveals itself when the pattern is complete. Can you see how different this is to how we normally design? It’s using patternmaking as the design tool. When making a zero waste pattern, it’s important not to have set ideas or expectations about what the outcome will be (as I discovered making zero waste jeans). It’s by doing and seeing what emerges that brings the design direction. There is an added benefit of discovering interesting new design details and silhouettes which you might not have otherwise. Serendipity – making fortunate discoveries by accident – plays an important part in zero waste patternmaking. Zero waste, as the name implies, is the process of making a garment or item without waste. As home sewists we know how much fabric is wasted in the construction of a garment and the aim is to eliminate this, thereby reducing the amount of fabric sent to landfill (or left languishing in bins in our sewing spaces!). There are two ways of eliminating waste: by utilising an entire piece of fabric in the making of a garment; or using the leftover pieces of fabric to create another, separate, item. This latter concept is not always as easy as it sounds and it will be the subject of a further blog post with exemplars.

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Do zero-waste patterns use more fabric than regular patterns? This is something often heard, and fabric yield is a subject that’s been discussed at length. Should we be trying to use less fabric? Certainly, historic zero-waste patterns (for example, kimonos, caftans, the main part of saris, etc.) aren’t necessarily economical on fabric; many are voluminous and showcase fabulous textiles, displaying the skill of the weaver. With modern zero-waste patterns, the results vary. My own experience reveals that most are very economical on fabric, some with significant savings of up to 25 percent or more, giving a very compelling reason for pursuing zero waste in the fashion industry. Images with automobile license plates that are prominent and easily read (pictures with license plates that have been fuzzed out or that otherwise cannot be read are acceptable).