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The Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada – WI Canada (FWIC), is the national organization that provides a united voice for all Women’s Institutes across Canada while advocating for national directives in health, poverty, food safety, environmental preservation and community support.
Sustainable Style with Mindful Consumption, submitted by Brenda Devauld, BCWI
Reviving the Art of Mending
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make”.
Jane Goodall
We have been learning about the implications of fashion on the planet and how we can help lessen the impact by being smarter consumers. So, the question remains, “What can we do in our own homes? How can we help?” What difference can I really make? “
We can fix our clothing and teach others to do the same. We can revive the art of mending, replacing zippers, buttons, hems, and fixing ripped seams.
By repairing what we have, we throw away less, save money, and help to foster a deeper connection to our wardrobe, promoting a more mindful approach to consumption.
Tip: Extending a garment’s life by just 9 months can cut its carbon, water, and waste footprint by 20-30%.
We, as WI members, may already practice mending, but many younger people don’t. Let's spread the word and become teachers. The following are some guidelines to help us get started, either individually or as a group.
Sewing Kit
Gather the essentials: needles, threads, scissors, patches, fabric glue, a thimble, and maybe a seam ripper. It's nice to have all these things in one place.
Types of Mending”
- Sewing, for small holes and repairs
- Darning, Great for knitted items
- Patching
- Visible Mending, highlighting repairs artistically
- Replacing zippers or buttons
Learn Techniques
- Review and practice different methods
- Have a learning night with your WI Branch or host a community class
- Share your mending projects with others
- Books, local classes, YouTube tutorials
Get Creative
- use colour threads to add fun elements to your mends to create visible mending
- Use embroidery or other embellishments
- Use different patches
- Use old clothes to mend new items
Advocate for Sustainable Fashion
Discuss the importance of mending and encourage friends and family to repair it rather than replacing it.
Some Fun Questions to share with your Branch:
1. What is the most creative patch you have ever seen or used?
2. What is the funniest clothing disaster you have ever had to mend?
3. What’s one clothing item you’d never want to part with, even if it needs serious repairs?
Have fun! Remember, every positive action counts, no matter how small, and by these actions we can make real change happen. Like the above quote, we must decide what kind of world we want.
Reviving the Art of Mending
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make”.
Jane Goodall
We have been learning about the implications of fashion on the planet and how we can help lessen the impact by being smarter consumers. So, the question remains, “What can we do in our own homes? How can we help?” What difference can I really make? “
We can fix our clothing and teach others to do the same. We can revive the art of mending, replacing zippers, buttons, hems, and fixing ripped seams.
By repairing what we have, we throw away less, save money, and help to foster a deeper connection to our wardrobe, promoting a more mindful approach to consumption.
Tip: Extending a garment’s life by just 9 months can cut its carbon, water, and waste footprint by 20-30%.
We, as WI members, may already practice mending, but many younger people don’t. Let's spread the word and become teachers. The following are some guidelines to help us get started, either individually or as a group.
Sewing Kit
Gather the essentials: needles, threads, scissors, patches, fabric glue, a thimble, and maybe a seam ripper. It's nice to have all these things in one place.
Types of Mending”
- Sewing, for small holes and repairs
- Darning, Great for knitted items
- Patching
- Visible Mending, highlighting repairs artistically
- Replacing zippers or buttons
Learn Techniques
- Review and practice different methods
- Have a learning night with your WI Branch or host a community class
- Share your mending projects with others
- Books, local classes, YouTube tutorials
Get Creative
- use colour threads to add fun elements to your mends to create visible mending
- Use embroidery or other embellishments
- Use different patches
- Use old clothes to mend new items
Advocate for Sustainable Fashion
Discuss the importance of mending and encourage friends and family to repair it rather than replacing it.
Some Fun Questions to share with your Branch:
1. What is the most creative patch you have ever seen or used?
2. What is the funniest clothing disaster you have ever had to mend?
3. What’s one clothing item you’d never want to part with, even if it needs serious repairs?
Have fun! Remember, every positive action counts, no matter how small, and by these actions we can make real change happen. Like the above quote, we must decide what kind of world we want.
EXCITING NEWS! Our 2025 Pampered Chef Fundraiser is now open and proceeds have already started to grow! Join the fun and shop at your leisure at https://table.pamperedchef.com/party/2485375yii
Also, be sure to mark your calendars and set your reminders for Tuesday, November 25, at 7 p.m. EST, when our enthusiastic and knowledgeable consultant Lynn will cook for us live on Facebook! Watch the FWIC Facebook page for link details!
Also, be sure to mark your calendars and set your reminders for Tuesday, November 25, at 7 p.m. EST, when our enthusiastic and knowledgeable consultant Lynn will cook for us live on Facebook! Watch the FWIC Facebook page for link details!
The Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada is proud to endorse Uprooting Trafficking, a free 3-part virtual series taking place October 27, 28 & 30 (7–8 PM ET).
Together with survivors and advocates, we will explore:
● Realities of sex trafficking, in Canada and globally
● Healing and reintegration pathways for survivors
● How communities can recognize, respond, and act
FWIC-WI Canada supports this series because it aligns with our commitment to protecting human dignity, promoting justice, and fostering safe, healthy communities. We believe that every individual has the right to live free from exploitation, and we stand united in the fight to end this grave violation of human rights.
Free registration: https://tinyurl.com/UT-Series
#UprootingTrafficking #EndHumanTrafficking #HumanTraffickingAwareness #WICanada #WICares #WomenLeadingChange
Together with survivors and advocates, we will explore:
● Realities of sex trafficking, in Canada and globally
● Healing and reintegration pathways for survivors
● How communities can recognize, respond, and act
FWIC-WI Canada supports this series because it aligns with our commitment to protecting human dignity, promoting justice, and fostering safe, healthy communities. We believe that every individual has the right to live free from exploitation, and we stand united in the fight to end this grave violation of human rights.
Free registration: https://tinyurl.com/UT-Series
#UprootingTrafficking #EndHumanTrafficking #HumanTraffickingAwareness #WICanada #WICares #WomenLeadingChange
