Browsing by Subject "knitting"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    From Waste to Wares: Upcycling Plastic Bags for Relief, Aid, and Development
    (2012-09-14) Golynskiy, Kimberly
    Upcycling plastic bags may be a viable method to provide basic necessities for people living in poverty. I created knitted and fused designs from plastic bags including; ropes, shoes, tarps, rainwater catchers, toilet seats, neonatal warming bags, fishing nets, and construction webbing. Plastic bags are ubiquitous in every part of the world, but particularly in the developing world where more than 40% of the population lives on less than $2.50 per day. Plastic bags are an environmental and health hazard, but they are also a useful raw material. Using simple knitting and fusing methods, it is possible to turn plastic shopping bags into useful items for relief, aid, and development needs.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Stitching and Sustainability: Understanding How Home Garment Makers Value Clothing
    (2023-06) Wilcox, Sara
    Sustainability in fashion is a growing issue that will require changing consumption patterns. One important step toward sustainability is treating clothing as valuable rather than disposable. However, there is not yet a comprehensive model for value in clothing. People who make their own garments have a unique perspective on the value of clothing because they are both producers and consumers of clothing. This study explored how home garment makers value clothing through their garment making and use practices. Fifteen adults who had made at least five garments for themselves were interviewed for the study. Their responses revealed that clothing has three intersecting types of 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. The results suggest that increased understanding of clothing value could lead to a decrease in textile waste.