Starting Afresh

2015 was the year that I found a new calling - I set up Connected Threads Asia with my good friend. [Pssst - do follow us for any event updates!] It felt amazing to start a new community initiative, but then at the same time, I could see I was getting so carried away with my workshops and talks that my making journey was falling through the cracks.

2016 will be about being persistent with new techniques I enjoy working with, and definitely more making. Making things makes me feel happy and it gives me a sense of calm. 

It doesn't mean discontinuing what I'm doing now. It just means:

#1 managing my time a little bit better

#2 being better at jotting down my ideas

#3 being consistent

2016 will be about FLOURISHING.

Here's a little bit of what I've been doing over the past few months. I was inspired by my earlier weaving projects and sashiko work to make my own loom and weave fabric scraps.

I love this technique. It's Sakiori and it's still upcycling/repurposing. Find out more in my next post, but let me know what you think!

Sustainable Fashion Awareness - Connected Threads Asia

I haven't been posting as many DIY upcycling tutorials as I would like to lately. This is because I've been busy with a friend, Raye Padit, organising awareness events about sustainable fashion, and really thinking about my next move in life (okay, that sounds drastic, but more on that in a later blog post!). 

It's been a very exciting journey for us - the idea was mooted during a casual conversation a year ago, well actually at the "A Darn Good Mending Cafe" at Mini Maker Faire.  A few questions came to mind:

1. Why don't people make eco friendly fashion choices?
2. Why don't people consume only when needed?
3. Why don't more fashion designers help grow a sustainable fashion industry?

4. Why is Singapore not catching up in the sustainable fashion industry?

One year (and many conversations later), we decided to set up a "for purpose organisation" , Connected Threads Asia, a platform for all stakeholders of the fashion industry to come together and get the conversation going on how to make Singapore's fashion industry a sustainable one. The organisation will also be the country coordinator for Fashion Revolution Singapore. 

I am really excited and very hopeful for this movement to grow - I must say a HUGE thank you to everyone who has been reading my blog over the past 8 years too.  I don't think I would be sitting here writing about this without your support. 

Our first official event (and launch!) will be on 23 October (7pm) with the Singapore premiere of award winning documentary, Cotton Road, followed by a panel discussion with industry experts. 

If you live in Singapore, I do hope you can make it and take part in the discussion. It would be lovely to see everyone.