Restitch creates new products from recycled materials that would otherwise end up in landfill or be shipped to other countries around the world to be sold.
In order to produce clothes with the least environmental impact, Restitch reuses materials, sources regionally and works to reduce waste and carbon emissions.
Some sources claim textiles make up around 4% of household waste with around 75% of that going to landfill. At least one million tonnes of textiles that we throw away in the U.K. every year could be reused or recycled.
By producing all our own clothes in the U.K we are committed to reducing carbon emissions through avoiding air and shipping travel.
Restitch is small scale and we rely on people suggesting to us, how we can do better, so please let us know...
At Restitch, we also believe in the 'Make do and Mend' philosophy, which was a necessity when textiles were not so readily available.
In 1941 we were allowed 66 clothing coupons a year. A man's jacket required 26 coupons, a woman's blouse was 12 coupons, a dress 11 coupons, a pair of man's shoes 5 coupons.
Being inventive and creative with stitching and recutting cloth was a skill that developed greatly in the 1940s.
In particular, women became expert at mending, altering garments and making their own clothes. 'Make do and Mend' was a way of life.
Pillowcases were made into baby clothes, men's trousers into skirts, and old parachute silk was much prized as material to make blouses, nightdresses and wedding dresses.
We share a common vision with Emmeline 4 Re, a company which recycles textiles for environmental gain, leading the way in the adult fashion market.