Using ancient weaving techniques to evoke environmental awareness

The development of fast fashion poses a significant challenge regarding textile waste in many countries around the world, including Australia.

To solve this “headache”, Su Pittams and Anneli Strutt, who live in Sydney (Australia), have brought back ancient weaving techniques to solve a modern problem. Accordingly, they opened a weaving workshop, using ancient looms (pictured) to teach people how to weave, in the hope that more people will be inspired to reuse old clothes. Using mainly T-shirt yarn from what was left of the factory to teach students the practice, Su said, they are sourcing locally surplus, unused textiles to reuse.

Professor Alice Payne from RMIT’s School of Fashion and Textiles said that when consumers throw away clothes, they are throwing away resources and materials that could be used for other things. “The longer you keep the materials, the better it is overall because it reduces the environmental impact of the clothing industry,” Professor Payne said. Australia is the second largest consumer of textiles per capita in the world . On average, an Australian will buy about 15kg of new clothes each year. They will also throw away about 10kg of clothes, contributing to more than 200,000 tonnes of textile waste each year.

PEARL

Source