The question of quality.

While evaluating the questionnaires of the latest Make{able} workshop, I came across one quote stating, that the level of value and the reasons for shopping new clothes are dependent on the quality of the garment. I do agree here fully, who likes to wear garments that have holes or lost their shape and colour? The participant stated, that the quality of the self made item differed a lot to what you get in the stores. I can agree here as well, because hand made vs. mass-produced items differ. Though, not necessarily in the aspect of quality, depending how we define quality. The items differ rather through a different feel, appearance and appreciation. If one is a passionate, skilled and detail-loving maker personality, achieving qualitative results is 'makeable'. Those clothes can easily compete with the mass manufactured garments coming from cheap labour countries.

Finishing a half-way Tunic.

Perfection does not need to be the goal of the first own garment. Using a sewing machine is not an extraordinary skill, its a tool of creative exploration. The fear of using the sewing machine, relates from the fact, that the majority has lost the skills and knowledge about this great tool already. They restrict themselves to a way smaller product choice, dictated by the companies and fashion makers. Don’t little mistakes show the learning process and will make the piece unique and facilitate learning by doing for the next piece? If one starts to enjoy sewing and overcome the fear, there is plenty of ways to improve skills to reach the level which makes you more aware of the crafting and design in all the pieces found in your wardrobe. The making process puts the user into another position of understanding the manufacture and duration needed to design and accomplish one piece of clothing. In addition, this knowledge helps to learn how clothes are put together, in case they feel the need to change it. Skilled users, are able to do smaller changes by themselves and thus redefine and create story within this piece of clothing as well.

Beyond this learning process, consumers will also start realising the real qualitative difference between, skilfully made garments, with high quality materials. How to check for longevity in products: http://www.alreadypretty.com/2011/01/reader-request-shopping-for-quality-and-longevity.html or: http://thestyleaficionado.com/2010/06/how-to-identify-quality-clothes/

Sustainable Fashion benefits at the most, form the longevity of products, through a long product lifespan. The less new products and resources the consumer purchases, the better. Therefore, designers have the responsibility to ensure a high product quality, as well as enforce and encourage the use of good materials, and preferably local production. The way people interact and behave towards their garments, is eventually based on the way they are designed.