Catherine shares her experience testing a zero waste underwear pattern in the latest Free Pattern Friday post, emphasizing creativity and sustainability in sewing projects.
In the latest installment of “Free Pattern Friday,” a feature dedicated to exploring free sewing patterns, guest contributor Catherine has shared her experience testing a zero waste underwear pattern. This month’s post, hosted by Zoe, showcases the collaborative spirit of the sewing community, with Catherine offering her insights and methodologies in using the unique pattern designed by Saara Jolkkonen.
The “Free Pattern Friday” feature typically releases every first Friday of the month, aiming to inspire sewing enthusiasts to engage in projects over the weekend. Zoe expressed gratitude to both Catherine and the talented designers who contribute free patterns for public use.
Catherine’s journey into zero waste patterns commenced after listening to episodes of the “Check Your Thread” podcast, which roused her interest in sustainable sewing practices. She embarked on her project with enthusiasm but noted that much of her time was spent “researching” online rather than actively sewing. Despite this, she was particularly excited about trying out a knickers pattern from Jolkkonen’s open-source collection, which features twelve zero waste designs available for free.
Her sewing endeavor required just two sheets of A4 paper, which could be printed and utilized for cutting the fabric. Notably, Catherine used Google Translate to interpret the Finnish instructions, discovering that seam allowances for the pattern were set at six millimeters—an important aspect for those considering the design.
The pattern offers a range of sizes, including S, M, L, XL, and XXL, with waist measurements correlating to 61 cm for size S and up to 85 cm for size XXL. Catherine emphasized that while the measurements might seem small, the fabric should possess enough flexibility to fit snugly.
For materials, Catherine opted to repurpose scraps from previous projects, utilizing items such as old T-shirts and jersey pajama trousers to reduce waste. This approach aligns with the principles of zero waste sewing, which encourages using materials that might otherwise go to waste.
After attempting to sew a pair of knickers, Catherine found the original design lacking in coverage. She compared her experience to Goldilocks, finding that while the first and second patterns did not provide the right fit, her adaptations to Liz Haywood’s modified version resulted in a more satisfactory design. Despite the fact that the result wasn’t strictly zero waste—she admitted to creating minimal waste rather than none—Catherine maintained that her approach still adhered to the spirit of the zero waste principle.
One important consideration Catherine noted was that zero waste patterns may not be ideal for directional prints since the front and back of the pattern are cut in varying directions. However, she adapted to this challenge creatively, mentioning that she had cut an additional pair of underwear from one old T-shirt to maximize fabric use, humorously stating, “Who’s looking at the underwear anyway?”
As for her future plans, Catherine stated her intention to produce more pairs using the adapted pattern. “I already make all of my knickers—fun fabrics, good use of leftover jersey, and fit well,” she remarked, indicating a commitment to continuing her sewing journey with a sustainable twist. Overall, her guest post on “Free Pattern Friday” serves as a helpful guide for others interested in venturing into the realm of zero waste sewing, particularly for those with aspirations of creating their own underwear.
Source: Noah Wire Services
