This suggestions reminded me of something from the past: looking through the button box for the shiny ones.

Thanks

I know that I have been sewing for most of my life, as did my mother and grandmothers. I have buttons from all of them and my own in my stash. I try to use from those I already have before buying new.

Sewing does circumvent most of the problems with off-the-rack items: exploitation of others, exploitation of resources and the instant gratification Carol mentions (these are my concerns with consumerism). Sewing does prevent the wastefulness inherent in Wal-Mart and H&M’s buy-and-toss culture. Sewing something you would want to wear does take time. However, the notions are somewhat problematic; try to find buttons not made in China. I can find quality notions not made in China or with exploited workers in the Fashion district in NYC–but it is not easy and NOT cheap.

And this too, of course, is my humble opinion.

Does it make a difference if the member sews it her or himself? If he or she hires a tailor to construct the garment is that allowed?

If the idea is to not buy any new clothes for a year, then I think the rules have to be that one does not purchase materials for new clothes either. Like I said previously, if you already have the fabric or yarn in your stash, then you are not adding to your collection, then that seems to fit in the rules. To buy new with the purpose of constructing your own garment, seems to be really stretching the intent of this exercise.

Of course, this is all my humble opinion and interpretation of the rules.

What does Sally have to say about this?