Race to the bottom

Sewing Rebellion, economic tactic for change of the fast fashion apparel system, and educational arm of the Institute 4 Labor Generosity Workers & Uniforms.

The t-shirt is the problem: the race to the bottom

According to the United States Trade Office, 83% percent of Honduran textiles exported to the United States, making Honduras the United States number one supplier of cotton T-shirts.  Honduras’ goals for the textile sector, includes increasing annual exports to United States by $7.4 billion and adding 200,000 low paying jobs, comprising nearly 260 companies operating in 16 industrial parks. Honduras’ goal is to surpass Indonesia and Mexico to become the United States’ fifth most important apparel provider. Under the Free Trade Agreement of Central America (CAFTA) Honduran t-shirts are free access to the US market, while Honduran’s wanting to immigrate to the United States are not. The 2008 census estimated nearly 1 million Hondurans and approximately 200 million t-shirts reside in stores, homes, and landfills in the United States. In the United States the t-shirt is a natural resource, which can be used to make upcycled garments, rugs, rope, and other hand-crafted goods, as we consider how to make this material last longer to help the environment, I want you to consider the people who labor to make this material.

In solidarity Frau Fiber

 

This month the Sewing Rebellion will revisit two t-shirt projects:

Beginning – Infinity Scarf by Faux Frau Steven
Advanced – Wrap Dress by Faux Frau Lauren

Faux Frau Krista want’s you to smash the patriarchy!

One collared shirt at a time!

Cut; Casing; elastic; shorten sleeve; patriarchy smashed and comfortable summer shirt is here!

Call to Commemorate!

February 2012 Memo to the Sewing Rebellion: Call to Commemorate!

Infiltrate contemporary garment manufacturing by commemorating the Triangle Shirt Fire of 1911.  101 years ago, the US garment industry was rocked by a factory fire which killed 146 workers.  This tragedy transformed the garment industry in the United States forever and it was the catalyst for establishing the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.

Fast forward 101 years, garment workers earn less today, then their counterparts in 1911, and fires continue to break out around the world in Bangladesh, China, and India.

Take the plight of the garment worker to the streets!

Stencil a contemporary “shirtwaist”, IE t-shirts, made in Bangladesh, China or India with one of the following questions:

In your factory, are the doors locked?

In your factory, are the windows barred?

In your factory, are the elevators locked?

In your factory, do you have access to fire escapes?

On Sunday March 25 for a 12 hours shift, wear the stenciled t-shirt, go shopping at the Gap, Forever 21 or H&M, and start a conversation with anyone who reacts to your shirt.  Use this opportunity to INFORM, EDUCATE and ACT!

Simultaneously for a 12-hour shift on March 25, Frau Fiber will continue her attempt to produce 146 commemorative shirtwaists blouses on the COLLABORATIVE BICYCLED POWERED SEWING MACHINE.  She will ask shoppers in the Fashion District to donate their power in commemoration of fallen garment workers.   Look for Frau at Maple and 13^th in Downtown LA.

Stitch In

Flower market Sewing Rebellion

In the heart of the flower market, Randy and Andrea hosted a Sewing Rebellion in their new studio.  Production mandate was the halloween hoody remake, and some interesting things happened.

 

 

a cover for the back of an organ.

 

felt fruit production

 

Hoody animals…..in development, starting with the ears.

Andrea demonstrates the different ways her ears could be used.

 

Lici made a cat burglar hat from a yoga pant leg.

 

 

and finally Carole and I collaborated on a workhorse hoody.

Downtown Location

You are invited to the new downtown location of the Sewing Rebellion.

Sunday October 9, 1-5 pm. 734 San Julian St, Los Angeles, CA 90014.

We recommend you use 7th, 8th or 9^th street, avoid 6^th street.

 

Frau Fiber will lead a Halloween costume workshop.  Bring your ideas, materials, and problems to solve.  Here is some inspiration:

 

 

Sewing Rebellion Meeting

Sunday June 26, 4-6:30 pm, Hands on 3^rd, 8377 West 3^rd Street, Los Angeles CA, 323.655.0515
http://www.handson3rd.com

 

Machines are at the ready, for mending, altering and pocketing!

 

POCKET PROJECT 1.0

 

 

Sewing Rebellion Invades LA Renegade Craft Fair

December 2010 Special Production Memo:  Los Angeles Renegade Craft Fair

Hands on 3^rd and the Sewing Rebellion need your help invading the Los Angeles Renegade Craft Fair on December 11 and 12, 10 am- 5 pm. The bicycled powered sewing machine will be used to produce t-shirt shopping bags through out the day.  We need donations of old t-shirts in any condition and your time, if you are interested in helping participants produce bags, please contact Frau Fiber and let her know when you are available.

T-shirt donations can be delivered to Hands on 3^rd www.hands-on3rd.com or when you come to the fair. http://www.renegadecraft.com/los-angeles

The Sewing Rebellion furthers the emancipation from the global garment industry by learning how to alter, mend and make their own garments and accessories!  Instigated by Frau Fiber, textile worker and activist.  Frau Fiber and / or regional chapter organizers distribute their knowledge of the garment industry, pattern making and sewing, encouraging the reuse, renovation and recycling of existing garments and textiles in the creation of unique items tailored to individual tastes and body shapes.

Bring garments to swap, mend, alter and remake and sewing problems, which need solutions, materials to share and if you have it a sewing machine.

MENDING 101

LOS ANGELES SEWING REBELLION PRESENTS – Mending 101
Hosted by MAKE:CRAFT, Ben Maltz Gallery, OTIS School of Art and Design
Saturday October 16, 1-4 pm.
9045 Lincoln Blvd.  LA CA 90045
RSVP 310 846 2579 or ptighe@otis.edu

Shirt Apron Production

Just in time for BBQ season, Hands on 3rd hosted, the production of the Shirt Apron Project!