Against a backdrop of fast fashion and disposability, it has really never been more important to focus on sustainability. Although the word is everywhere these days, it’s a lot more than just a buzzword. It’s a focus on keeping our planet alive, making choices that keep resources plentiful and give a chance to future generations. While we have a lot to be grateful for in terms of progress, it’s also reasonable to look to traditional, sustainable practices.
One practice which fulfils this concept is weaving. This is a craft that has been part of the human way of life for literally centuries. In 2023, it is making something of a comeback not only for its traditional sense but out of consideration for sustainability. The choice to try out weaving isn’t just a way to embrace tradition; it’s also a way to respect the planet we have been given and keep it healthy.
A timeless tradition
Whether you look at the colorful tapestries that adorned ancient Egypt or the beautifully intricate silks that were so important to China’s early culture, there isn’t a time in recorded history when weaving hasn’t played a part. Every generation of every culture has leant to some extent on weaving, both as a way of telling stories and for clothing and household textiles. The use of weaving throughout time is one of our sturdiest links to generations that went before.
Weaving, though, does more than mark out our history; it gives us a guide for the future. As we witness changes in our environment, the importance of being kind to our planet only gains in significance. Learning to weave, and passing on that lesson, helps to put in place important values such as patience, dedication and care for our planet. Mass production has resulted in items that aren’t made to last and values that don’t prize continuity. When you learn to weave and pass the lesson on, you can’t help but think of the legacy you’re contributing to.
A story in every thread
There is a reason telling a story has been referred to as “spinning a yarn”. Much like an interesting tale, each thread of a woven piece carries part of the whole story. When you craft a woven piece, you are putting your heart and soul into it, and as it is passed down, that part of you grows in the world.
When you use sustainable materials to craft a woven piece, this boosts the story all the further. A weaver, by choosing eco-friendly yarn and fibers, makes the choice to tell the story of sustainability, emphasizing an important message of care for our planet. By weaving with the right materials, you can make a commitment to a future where we treat our environment with respect and embody the values of so many generations that went before.
Start your sustainable story!
Beginning to create is always exciting, and when you are creating something meaningful and lasting, it is all the more so. For a beginner, the range of choice in front of you can often feel like it’s too much, but if you narrow it down to sustainable, eco-friendly choices, then it becomes a lot more manageable. Always make sure you prioritize natural fibers like organic cotton, bamboo and hemp; these are not just biodegradable but also take less resources to produce. They have a more beneficial impact on the earth and create a workable base for your weaving efforts.
There are plenty of suppliers out there who offer a specifically sustainable line of options. When you’re sourcing weaving yarns, fibers packs, loom kits, and tools, you should bear in mind what you can get from sustainable suppliers, as these are the materials which will keep you in good stead for future projects as well as your first (or next) piece. This will ensure a final creation that is as beautiful as it is sustainable.
Your first project if you are a novice weaver should be something simple - a wall hanging, for example, which uses organic cotton as its base material and adds texture and depth through darker hemp threads. As you get better at weaving, experiment with a wider range of materials and let your own creativity take the wheel.
Embracing sustainability is much, much more than a voguish trend; it’s a commitment to a better future. As you learn to weave, you’ll realize it is all part of something more; something that faces back to our ancestors and forward to our descendants all at once. Whatever you create can become the beginning for a family tradition which puts our world at the center of things, and that’s a beautiful thing to be able to say.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
"Pleasant words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and health to the bones." Proverbs 16:24