Tag: lifesytles

RECYCLE YOUR CLOTHES TO THOSE WHO NEED THEM…

Clothes Vintage

If you haven’t heard of the M&S Shwopping scheme then read this article.

M&S launched a shwopping unwanted clothes scheme with Oxfam with recycling bins – or Shwop Drops, which are in all M&S stores across the UK (except Simply Food ones).

You simply deposit your unwanted clothes (M&S and non-M&S) into the bins.

The target is for M&S to recycle as many clothes as it sells which is around 300 million items a year.

One million tonnes of clothes are thrown away in the UK each year and about half of these end up in landfill but none of the donations you give will go into landfill, instead good used clothing will be sold via Oxfam. Even ones that are not suitable to sell will be recycled.

For more details on this and other M&S environmental and ethical plans go to http://www.plana.marksandspencer.com

LOVING HANDS, KNIT CROCHET OR SEW FOR CHARITY…

Loving Hands

If your quite handy at knitting, sewing or crocheting and like to do your bit for charity then ‘Loving Hands’ knitting charity needs you.

It was set up in 2007 by Lou Happ from Fife who ran a knitathon as part of the company she was working for’s ‘voluntary scheme’.

She was inundated with interest so she formed a local knitting group and now ‘Loving Hands’ has more than 4,000 members worldwide.

Every season, a new challenge is set which could be from supplying blankets to a premature baby unit to donating woollen hats to homeless charity Crisis.

Basically you send your knits,sews or crochets to the charity HQ which was originally in Lou’s house, but it has now become so big that she has built a shed to house it all. The goods are then packed into boxes by Lou and a team of volunteers, then distributed to the charities.

To join the knitters network just go to the website ‘Loving Hands’, http://www.lovinghands.org.uk

LEARN SOME DRESSMAKING SKILLS…

Of course it helps if you live in London. If you do then one of these classes at The Papered Parlour is just for you. The Papered Parlour, 7 Prescott Place, London SW4 6BS
http://www.thepaperedparlour.co.uk 020 7627 8703

MASTERCLASS: Make a Playsuit with DIYcouture
An elegant all-in-one made up of loose shorts, nipped waist and sweeping halter piece top, this in an exclusive new workshop that you wont find anywhere else in London!
Sunday 22 July 2012
12 – 5pm

DRESSMAKING: Make Me a Domestic Sewing Goddess
From the basics of hand stitching through to threading your machine, get tips and advice on how to upcycle your garments with simple alterations.
Sunday 05 August 2012
12 – 5pm

DRESSMAKING: Make a Dress Weekender
Spend the weekend with acclaimed textile designer, Mia Jafari to design and make a stunning darted dress from scratch.
Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 August 2012
12 – 5pm

‘All budding dressmakers take note. The Papered Parlour is a beautiful artists studio space in Clapham complete with vintage chandeliers and goregous tea & cake bar.’ House & Garden, 2012