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Zero Waste Sewing: 16 projects to make, wear and enjoy
Are you looking for a new sewing adventure?
Patternmaker and sewing teacher Elizabeth Haywood offers 16 wearable projects, cleverly designed to use 100% of the fabric, with no scraps or waste.
Zero waste patternmaking is one strategy for making fashion more sustainable and can also result in innovative garment shapes.
This book presents a variety of zero waste cutting themes, some new, some historical, but all influenced by the cloth itself.
Follow the clear step-by-step instructions to maximise your fabric usage, grow in confidence and create versatile garments you'll enjoy wearing.
Patternmaker and sewing teacher Elizabeth Haywood offers 16 wearable projects, cleverly designed to use 100% of the fabric, with no scraps or waste.
Zero waste patternmaking is one strategy for making fashion more sustainable and can also result in innovative garment shapes.
This book presents a variety of zero waste cutting themes, some new, some historical, but all influenced by the cloth itself.
Follow the clear step-by-step instructions to maximise your fabric usage, grow in confidence and create versatile garments you'll enjoy wearing.
- GenresNonfictionCraftsSewing
144 pages, Paperback
Published March 14, 2020
4 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 28, 2020
If you are a sewer who has bags and bags of fabric scraps and you want to cut down on producing them (that's me!), this book is for you. The whole premise of Zero Waste Sewing is to artfully use a piece of fabric to create a pattern that wastes none of the fabric.
Liz Haywood presents 18 (she threw in a couple of variations) projects using three over-arching zero-waste techniques (one-seam, tessellated, and making tops from squares of fabric). There's a lot of variety in the garments she has produced with these techniques, more than you might think would be possible.
The book is copiously illustrated, with Haywood providing clear instructions, including conversion charts for those of us still using the imperial measurement system.
I highly recommend this book for those who want to learn how to conserve fabric or those who want to experiment with new forms of pattern making.
Liz Haywood presents 18 (she threw in a couple of variations) projects using three over-arching zero-waste techniques (one-seam, tessellated, and making tops from squares of fabric). There's a lot of variety in the garments she has produced with these techniques, more than you might think would be possible.
The book is copiously illustrated, with Haywood providing clear instructions, including conversion charts for those of us still using the imperial measurement system.
I highly recommend this book for those who want to learn how to conserve fabric or those who want to experiment with new forms of pattern making.
February 18, 2020
Having seen some blog posts from the book, I was very excited to make the BoHo dress. Now that I’ve looked at all the patterns, I need to make a trip to the fabric store. I can’t decide between the Boho dress, the side drape top, the wrap trousers and the hooded blouson. I love the idea of not putting off cuts in the bin, and being a little bit more “green”. So much easier to justify more fabric purchases ;-)
The instructions seem clear, and easy enough for a rusty sewist like myself to carry out. I also love the problem solving/jigsaw puzzle way that these patterns were “invented”
Can’t wait to get started.
The instructions seem clear, and easy enough for a rusty sewist like myself to carry out. I also love the problem solving/jigsaw puzzle way that these patterns were “invented”
Can’t wait to get started.
March 18, 2020
Author Elizabeth (Liz) Haywood teaches you how to make 16 different garments that use all the fabric with no leftovers, from drafting the pattern to finished outfit.
I was so excited to receive this book! I’m a nerd for zero waste fashion, and Liz has made it accessible with clear instruction and garments of varying degrees of difficulty to make. The projects aren’t all in my style, but I think that could be easily changed by using different fabrics. Additionally, she gives great tips for designing and adapting your own zero waste garments at the end of the book. This is a great resource for home-sewers who want to try new things while also thinking of the planet and for fashion students and designers who want to experiment with zero waste fashion. A great addition to any sewing book collection!
The book itself doesn’t explain basic sewing procedures like setting in a zipper, so I’d say this is for sewists with some experience. If you can follow a store-bought pattern, I reckon you can make these garments.
Additionally, it’s good to keep in mind that this book is published in Australia, which affects three main things: all measurements are in Metric, a serger is called an overlocker, and the garments are designed for moderate climates. I would have to do some adapting to create garments for my cold Canadian climate (mostly lengthening sleeves).
All in all this is a fabulous book, and Liz has done an excellent job of designing, explaining and illustrating how to do zero waste sewing at home.
Now please excuse me, I’ve go to go sew some zero waste fashion!
I was so excited to receive this book! I’m a nerd for zero waste fashion, and Liz has made it accessible with clear instruction and garments of varying degrees of difficulty to make. The projects aren’t all in my style, but I think that could be easily changed by using different fabrics. Additionally, she gives great tips for designing and adapting your own zero waste garments at the end of the book. This is a great resource for home-sewers who want to try new things while also thinking of the planet and for fashion students and designers who want to experiment with zero waste fashion. A great addition to any sewing book collection!
The book itself doesn’t explain basic sewing procedures like setting in a zipper, so I’d say this is for sewists with some experience. If you can follow a store-bought pattern, I reckon you can make these garments.
Additionally, it’s good to keep in mind that this book is published in Australia, which affects three main things: all measurements are in Metric, a serger is called an overlocker, and the garments are designed for moderate climates. I would have to do some adapting to create garments for my cold Canadian climate (mostly lengthening sleeves).
All in all this is a fabulous book, and Liz has done an excellent job of designing, explaining and illustrating how to do zero waste sewing at home.
Now please excuse me, I’ve go to go sew some zero waste fashion!
September 5, 2021
I am starting to need a new shelf in my Goodreads book collection - the zero-waste/ethical consumption/regenerative landscaping sort of shelf...this book I picked up because it was recommended me by the library's algorithm? Or something. But I love sewing, and I am figuring out how to reduce my waste as a human, so I thought...why not?
This wasn't what I expected, either - I was anticipating something along the lines of 'how to use the scraps of fabric left from your sewing in interesting and useful ways' but in fact this whole book is predicated on the idea of never having scraps of fabric left over when you sew your clothes! Mind blown!
I will be honest with you, the photography in the book is not so good as it could be, but I appreciated the range of ethnicities and body types represented by the models and also the fact that they looked like real people. It made the book feel kind and homey to read. The instructions themselves are very clear, and I loved all the ''alternate options'' at the ends of the projects.
I cannot under any circumstances start any new projects until I have finished my 3 quilts of the year (December is creeping up, friends; I don't know whether I'm going to make it), but there are a couple articles of clothing in here I have my eye on for the future.
This wasn't what I expected, either - I was anticipating something along the lines of 'how to use the scraps of fabric left from your sewing in interesting and useful ways' but in fact this whole book is predicated on the idea of never having scraps of fabric left over when you sew your clothes! Mind blown!
I will be honest with you, the photography in the book is not so good as it could be, but I appreciated the range of ethnicities and body types represented by the models and also the fact that they looked like real people. It made the book feel kind and homey to read. The instructions themselves are very clear, and I loved all the ''alternate options'' at the ends of the projects.
I cannot under any circumstances start any new projects until I have finished my 3 quilts of the year (December is creeping up, friends; I don't know whether I'm going to make it), but there are a couple articles of clothing in here I have my eye on for the future.
November 4, 2024
What I loved about this book: Kudos to the author for starting out with self published zines, then putting those zines into a book. Props also for creating this book in the middle of nowhere (rural Victoria) and having the grit to make this book a reality.
It's a great primer of zero waste - of how to do it, who does it, and why. Great interviews, patterns which are a great launching pad for your own projects, and heaps of inspiration to get you started.
Borrowed my copy from a library, looking forward to owning a signed one bought direct from the author!
It's a great primer of zero waste - of how to do it, who does it, and why. Great interviews, patterns which are a great launching pad for your own projects, and heaps of inspiration to get you started.
Borrowed my copy from a library, looking forward to owning a signed one bought direct from the author!
August 21, 2023
Liz Haywood has a super approachable way of presenting zero waste. As one of the few zero waste pattern makers in the world she is a pioneer in this field. Haywood's training in pattern cutting and experience in the fashion industry shows up in all her patterns. Bias cutting, thoughtful details and, in all her for sale patterns on Etsy, size inclusivity. I am such a huge fan!!!!!
April 4, 2020
I enjoyed the journey of making a zero waste garment. The hand-drawn diagrams are an excellent guide, along with the written instructions. Elizabeth writes in a style that is a joy to read, and I'm looking forward to making my next garment with zero waste!
March 3, 2021
Love this whole concept and its explained beautifully in this book. It's changed the way I view patterns and fabric.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews