the fourth r

Reduce, re-use, recycle - I try to do all of these things. But where does reproduce fit in with all of this? Having a child has made me reflect on how much I use - how much electricity, how much water, how much petrol. In 15 years time when I tell baby bear that in 2007 we used to shower once a day what will her reaction be?

"Only once a day?" or "Once a day?! You mean every single day?"

I fear that it will be the latter (but given that she will then be a teenager it is more likely to be "Yeah, so?"). For all the chatter on the radio about climate change and what to do about the Murray-Darling basin, there are people out there doing something about their consumption. I am very inspired by the collaborative Wardrobe Refashion blog and have signed up for a two-month pledge for both baby bear and I:

I pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing,
for the period of two months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle
pre-loved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium
for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love
and post a photo of my refashioned, renovated, recycled, crafted or created
item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog,
so that others may share the joy that thriftiness brings!

I love to op shop and have done since my early teens. There was a lull there before baby bear came along but now that I am home with a bit more time on my hands I have gotten right back into it, for the whole family.

























These are some items that I have bought at the op shop in the past couple of months. The cardigan on the left is a wool/acrylic/polyamide mix and I am planning to use the sleeves to make some pants for baby bear as per this tutorial. From the back and fronts I would like to try and fashion a simple dress. I don't usually go for synthetics but I loved the pattern and colours in this cardigan and it will wash and wear well. The top on the right is again something where the fabric caught my eye - it was one of those moments when I feverishly reached out and grabbed the hanger tightly lest someone else get their hands on it in an otherwise empty op shop. Unfortunately, it doesn't actually fit me but I think that with some shirring I could turn the lower part into a dress for baby bear using the ties as straps, then perhaps a pair of matching bloomers using the fabric from the bodice and sleeves. That will require a pattern and some patience but I'm game.

There will be much more on this blog about op shopping, and hopefully about some of the crafty things that I get up to with my finds. Perhaps I could even inspire you to join in at Wardrobe Refashion?