Slow Fashion Challenge 2024, 14 days in June

The Slow Fashion Challenge this year is from June 1-14. This Challenge is always interesting and enlightening to me and the daily prompts and topics usually lead me into doing research to get more information and a better understanding. I’ll be giving these prompts a go.  

2024 Slow Fashion Challenge daily prompts.

How to participate in the Slow Fashion Challenge?

Participation is easy. 

• Follow @SlowFashionChallenge and the hashtag #slowfashionchallengejune24.
• Make a post on Instagram using the prompts above as a guide. Or, free-style it and post something related to slow fashion or sustainability.
• Include the #slowfashionchallengejune24 hashtag and include @SlowFashionChallenge in your posts.

You can post and/or just follow along and support other participants with likes and comments on their posts. 

The “Long Loved” prompt

For today’s “Long Loved” prompt, I posted a favorite patchwork jacket of mine that was started in 2018 and completed in 2019. As a Make Nine project from 2019, it’s been in my wardrobe rotation for 5+ years and is worn frequently.

Patchwork jacket from 2019.

Patchwork jacket, front view.

Want to learn more about slow fashion and sustainability? Follow the Slow Fashion Challenge 2024.

Learn, enjoy, and be inspired!

Slow Fashion Challenge 2023 starts in May

The Slow Fashion Challenge 2023 is set for May 1-15. It follows Fashion Revolution Week, April 22 - 29. Fashion Revolution Week 2023 marks 10 years since the Rana Plaza tragedy.

Daily prompts for Slow Fashion Challenge 2023.
Follow #slowfashionchallenge2023 on social media.

Are you a maker?

As a maker and a fabric rep, many concepts of the Slow Fashion movement are pertinent to me and what I do. I participated in the Slow Fashion Challenge last year and was exposed to many ideas and issues surrounding sustainability, caring for and mending our clothes, fast fashion, fashion brands, and a myriad of other topics. I was also extremely inspired by the Challenge participants, their posts and comments.

Hand lettering practice with text from Folk Fashion, by Amy Twigger Holroyd.

I'm reading and incorporating excerpts from the book, Folk Fashion, Understanding Homemade Clothes by Amy Twigger Holroyd, in one of my 100 Day Projects. I think Folk Fashion ties in perfectly with the Slow Fashion Challenge.

Folk Fashion, Understanding Homemade Clothes, by Amy Twigger Holroyd.

One excerpt from the book examines the definition of Creativity with respect to individual sewers/knitters/weavers/etc. using patterns when making garments. It seems there are different views on creativity when making clothing for an individual or for oneself vs creating clothes for mass production. Does this also apply to Slow Fashion vs. Fast Fashion?

Creativity is about breaking new ground, but internally—doing something you've not done before.

Join the Slow Fashion Challenge

Consider participating in the Slow Fashion Challenge... or at least follow along [#slowfashionchallenge2023 and @slowfashionchallenge]. The prompts are new this year and there will be many insights and viewpoints on the topics from people around the globe. I know I'm certain to learn something! And, the possibilities for learning is a good motivation that might develop new habits. 

Hand lettering: "Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."

Create Daily Tracker, a mid-year review

The summer solstice for the northern hemisphere is this week, June 21. It marks the beginning of Summer and is the day with the most sunlight. It seems an appropriate time to review progress on my 2022 Create Daily Tracker.

2022 Create Daily Tracker progress, June 19, 2022.

Create Daily progress

I've kept up with doing a creative activity each day in 2022 thus far. Contributing to this are:

• 3 Make Nine finishes
• 2 100 Day Projects: stamp printing and slow stitching 
• projects for a trunk show using a curated collection of Art Gallery Fabrics
• hand stitching WIPs [works in progress] that I work on when travelling
• slow drawing practices

I also participated in the online Slow Fashion Challenge in May of this year, which prompted this recent folio piece.

"We have what we need" 2-page folio. 

Make Nine progress

The last Make Nine finish was logged in on March 30, three months ago. However, I have items in progress and potential project ideas for the other prompts.

2022 Make Nine progress, June 19, 2022.

100 Days 100 Blocks 

I'm debating whether I'll do the 100 Days 100 Blocks Challenge this year since the start date has been delayed until August. In the past, it started July 1 which I had worked into my schedule. I also lined up these lovely blender fabrics from P&B Textiles that I planned to use. So I'll either find another project or wait until August... TBD.

Whimsey and Onyx basics collections from P&B Textiles.

So I'm staying creative... doing and making things with my hands.

Happy Summer Solstice!

May is the month for Slow Fashion challenges

May 1 is the first day of the Slow Fashion Challenge 2022. The Challenge is hosted by Louise Kane of ReAdorn London, Sharmon Lebby of Blessed Designs, and Amy Daileda of Vivid Element. This is the 6th year and they've modified the Challenge—with daily prompts—to span only 14 days. 

I'm going to give it a go. 

Slow Fashion Challenge 2022 daily prompts.

Slow fashion and sustainability

In prepping for the Show Fashion Challenge, a little research revealed this information from a Slow Fashion USA social media post: 

What is slow fashion? We ask ourselves this question constantly. In 1987 the UN defined sustainable as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

It's a LOT to think about!

At a personal level

While I don't work directly in the [fast] fashion industry, I do have a role in the textile industry. On a personal level, I make some of my own garments (personal fashion). So, I have choices on what and where I source the fabrics and materials I use in my projects, and I have control over the care, use, and longevity of these items.

I hope to become more aware about the issues and goals of the Slow Fashion movement through this challenge. My initial pledge would be to slow down, make mindful purchasing decisions, buy better, and support small businesses. Through this challenge, I hope to learn more about better care methods, mending, repurposing/re-engineering garments (and fabric scraps) so I can use pieces longer before retiring them.

Me Made May

On another note, the Me-Made-May Challenge begins today as well. This Challenge is in its 13th year and it's set up with the purpose of getting better acquainted with your self-made—or "me-made"—wardrobe. If you are a maker, I think it plays perfectly with the Slow Fashion Challenge. 

Me Made May 2022

Enjoy these May activities whether you follow them or participate in them.