Most of us have heard buzzwords like slow food, watershed, farm-to-table, reuse, reuse, recycle, etc. Similar words relate to the clothes we wear. Did you notice that you may be
slow fashion — This has to do with how the garment is made (which can be time consuming and multi-step like food) and the process of using natural materials wherever possible. Slow fashion also means buying better quality clothing that lasts longer and emphasizes function over fashion.
fiber shed — This is a geographically specific area where textile resources such as angora, cashmere, flax, hemp and cotton are produced and used by the people of the area. The Fibershed movement connects local fibers with communities to create sustainability within the fiber system. For more information on Fibersheds in Montana, please visit www.montanafibershed.org.
firm to wear — Just as you get to know the farmers and ranchers who grow the food you buy, how far you farm goes is like knowing where your fiber comes from. As ranchers of small flocks of sheep, processing our wool into rovings and felt sheets and experimenting ourselves gives us great satisfaction in using our products in a sustainable, natural and historical way. increase.
Knowing where our clothes are made and how they got there increases the appreciation and personal value of our products. You will be amazed by the work put into “pure clothes and crafts”.
So you may be wondering why we should use these fibers. They are natural, renewable, biodegradable and versatile. You can also ask what you can do to support these efforts. Here are some ideas:
● Ask about how the clothes are made.
● Read the label
● See if you can go to a farm or ranch
● Attend a fiber festival
● Shop at second-hand and vintage stores
● Support and connect with local weavers, spinners and fabricators
● Learn about various fibers from good books
● Attend sewing, repairing, spinning, felting, and weaving classes
● The most important thing is to enjoy the journey, repurpose, create and have fun.
The Gallatin Conservation District administers natural riverbed and land conservation laws, provides educational opportunities for youth and adults, sponsors grants, provides assistance to small landowners, and provides landowner cost-sharing programs. , offer items for sale, and partner with other natural resource-based institutions. Actively participates in projects, various programs and events. Details: https://gallatincd.org/