I, Elena Cresci, take the Seamless pledge until I finish my degree at Cardiff University. I will abstain from buying any new clothes until the end of my pledge. I will find ways to be fashionable without breaking the bank and without contributing to the cycle of fast fashion consuming the high street. I will trawl through charity shops, I will attend clothes swaps, I will look for second-hand items on eBay and I will craft my own clothes with my own two hands.
Get involved!
Because pledges are far more fun with more people, I want to get you involved!
It’s simple to join up. Comment with your name, your blog (if you have one) and how long you’re signing up for. Once you’ve done that, add the button to your blog and/or post the following to your social network of choice:
I (insert your name here) am taking the #seamlesspledge until (length of time here). http://bit.ly/tktV04
If you like, you can write a longer pledge like I have!
The rules
- No buying new clothes for the duration of your pledge. By new, I mean any new mass-manufactured clothes.
- You can buy second-hand manufactured clothes – so be prepared to get to know your local charity shops awfully well.
- Vintage clothing is a-ok!
- Anything you’ve made by hand is definitely allowed. Get your sewing machines and your kntting needles out, because handmade is definitely in!
- Get involved! Join in on the Flickr group and like our Facebook page. I’ll be looking to feature pledgers on the blog in the future. I’d love to see your second-hand finds, refashions and hand-made creations!
EDIT: Definitely didn’t expect so many pledgers! Hello to all of you! Just to let you know, I’m trying to map the Seamless pledge so we can see where everyone is at, so if you send me your location (eg Cardiff is mine) and I’ll put a placemarker on the map with a link to your blog.
This is *brilliant* – you are an inspiration!
You are an absolute doll, thank you
I’d like to join your seamless pledge… the only amendment I’ll likely make is bras. I’m not a skilled enough seamstress to promise I won’t buy this specific RTW item should all my current ones fail in some way.
Otherwise, I’m happy to push my 2012 craft-life into high-gear!
You can follow my adventures in DIY here: http://adriprints.blogspot.com
Where am I? Currently in Munich, but soon I’ll be in Amsterdam.
But what about underwear?!
I had this very conversation with some people yesterday! I think I’m going to have to make underwear an exception, purely because I definitely can’t sew bras and second hand underwear is not a great thought!! I’ll leave it up to you guys to decide what you want to do with regards to underwear! If you do fancy sewing your own, there are a few tutorials online which will tell you how to do that
Hope that answers your question! I’ll post an FAQ at some point as well haha.
Alright, I’m in!
I’m in! Let say until this time next year.
Also, how do I get the button onto my blog?
Yay! Just working on getting an embed code so you can stick it easily on your blog and I’ll stick it in the post! Great to have you on board
[a href="http://seamlessblog.wordpress.com/the-pledge/" target="_blank">[img src="http://seamlessblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/screen-shot-2011-11-06-at-23-42-01.png" alt="The Seamless Pledge" /]</a]
Replace brackets with < and stick it in a textbox widget on your blog and you should be good to go
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Len that video was awesome! Really impressive, I’ll be linking to that in a jiffy.
Zoe xxx
Thank you so much!
I’m game… I will do this for the rest of the year.
My blog is http://sewtell.wordpress.com
Yay! Welcome onboard
I’m in! Great idea, I’m on a tight budget until next June or so, this is a great way to save some money
. I’m also pledging my 16 month old – we’ll both be wearing handmade and second hand clothing.
That is amazing! Yeah, money’s a huge issue for me too, money saving is a lovely bonus
I’m definitely in! This will compliment my Thrifty365 Pledge very nicely!
http://rhinestonesandtelephones.blogspot.com/2010/12/thrifty365-year-in-review.html
My pledge will run until August 31, 2012
Massively excited you’re on board, I absolutely adore your blog!
Wowee! Thanks so very much! You’ve certainly made my day!!
Hi Elena! I just read about you blog over at So Zo What do you know? and I felt I had to comment. Over at my own blog The Little Red Squirrel I have been doing exactly what your pledge is all about for almost a year now (I can’t believe how fast that’s gone!) and I can honestly say I have never been happier. I make my own clothes, thrift, buy vintage, and I must say not only an I more creatively stimulated and satisfied than I have been in a long time but I don’t think my wardrobe has ever been more full of outfits that I actually want to wear and love to wear. Ever had the sense that your wardrobe is full to bursting but you have nothing to wear? I used to, but after this year, not so much! I just wanted to say how brilliant I think it is that you are taking this pledge and are encouraging others to do it too, I’m sure you’re going to love it even though it’s a challenge. Best wishes and good luck! Katie
Wow, that’s brilliant! I’ll give you an email now, but I’d love it if you could do a guest post about your experiences if you have the time
great to hear your pledge has been going well and thank you for the luck!
I’m in. From now until my 31st birthday by which time I hope it’ll be a lifestyle change! I’m going to have to exempt the underwear (although I’ll have a go at knickers) as my girls do need scaffolding and lots of FBAs! I’ll get my post done this evening. Big thanks to Zoe for pointing me in your direction!
Agreed on the underwear front – I’ve been meaning to do a post about that, or at least an FAQ. I also wear a lot in the way of tights, so I’m going to have to research that one to figure it out haha! Welcome on board
Hi Elena! I too found you from Zoe’s blog and think that this is great! I’m still new in the self sewing department (but I do have a size-able fabric stash to work through) and I do love thrifting (a bit too much) so this will be an awesome challenge to join! I just realized what I used to like about “fast fashion” as you call it is not necessarily the clothes themselves, but the lure of the beautifully decorated, nice smelling boutiques – and leaving with shopping bags. I’m sure somebody studied the psychology of consumers and apply them when designing the malls to lure us in!
Far
Good luck everyone!
Ohh, I tried sticking the embed code (with in lieu of bracket) for the button on my blog a few times but it didn’t work like it should?? This is what appeared: http://farsland.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-pledge-too.html
Any idea?
Thanks, Far
Hello! Lovely to have you onboard, don’t think you can ever love thrifting too much
totally agree on the full bag psychology of it all. Nothing better than rifling through your goodies at the end of a shopping day!
As for the badge – go to edit your post and delete the html code for the tag. Once you’ve done that, change your posting mode from ‘compose’ to ‘edit HTML’ (there should be a little tab on the right hand side of the square you type in). Then paste the code and update the post. This should sort it!
If not, save the image onto your desktop and upload it to blogger as an image and make the image a hyperlink to http://seamlessblog.wordpress.com/the-pledge
Hope that helps, let me know if you have anymore trouble!
I just heard about your Seamless Pledge from Zoe’s blog. I’m so in! I’ve been meaning to challenge myself to living like this for a while so what better time than the present. I will be posting about this in a few days (www.stitchparade.com) and plan on signing up for a year from January 1 to December 31, 2012. I’m not on Facebook but will follow your blog as well as the flickr group. Thanks for organizing this!
That’s a nice time frame, like a New Year’s Resolution
Not a problem at all – am glad there are more people on board to join in.
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Just found you today via Debi’s blog. (http://fashionsfromthepast.blogspot.com) This is just the jump start I need to get sewing again! Thanks for the invitation. I began sewing 40 years ago, but for the past twenty I’ve done mostly costumes for my five children and clothes for my one daughter. Now it’s my turn again. I have a fabulous stash, some lovely patterns and time! I’ll be posting my creations on my blog as I finish them. Thanks again!
Count me in , great idea !
i’m in, too, and i will take the pledge until the end of 2010. i will not trawl through charity shops (i don’t even know whether they exist here in northern italy) but i hopefully will reduce my fabric stash. oh, and please excuse my poor english. i am hopelessly out of practice.
Hi Elena,
I am so in! I just blogged my pledge this morning. This is perfect timing for me, I desperately need to save money & I’ve been trying to streamline my wardrobe into something more cohesive & multi-use. Having something that makes me think about what I have and what I need to make is great.
Kirsty
I’m so in, and so excited that you have motivated so many people to do this. I have been doing this for almost two years now and have been trying to use my persuasive, teaching and sewing skills to motivate others but this is really amazing. Yay for saying no to rabid consumerism and yes to creative beauties!
This is just what I needed. I was thinking about doing this next year. Then I found out about your pledge through Zoe’s blog and decided to start December 1st and hope to keep on track for a full year.
Hello Elana
Please can I be in too? I’m going to make it my 2012 resolution.
Charlotte
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I’ve found your blog via Google – I’ve been trying to find the sewing blogosphere as I am just starting up a sewing blog!
I’m going to start 1st January until my birthday, 31st of January. If it goes well I will try and stick to vintage shopping (as well as buying mass stuff)!
Thanks!
~Jean
http://teensewing.blogspot.com
I’ve been changing my blog around though, so it’s now here:
http://theprocrastinatingneedle.blogspot.com
What a great idea! I love it! I think I’ve bought way too many clothes this year and I need to stop. So, I pledge that I won’t buy any mass produced clothes (except for the underwear) until June 1st, six months.
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Just to let you know I posted about your seamnless pledge on sewweekly: http://circle.sewweekly.com/forum/topics/sewing-into-2012-any-resolutions and quite a few people have read about it and responded. I did say it was your idea and put in a link to your blog.
Merry Christmas, Charlotte x
This is such an amazing idea!! I’m going to do this as my new years resolution
I have a son on the way and i figure this will definitely help me save some money. I have a LONG list of tutorials i’ve been dying to do and now I can! SOO EXCITED!!
Taking a pledge like this takes commitment, but with so many ladies on board to encourage you, I don’t think it would be hard.
I am in! I am taking the pledge from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. Phew – this is quite a challenge for me! I am an intermediate sewer that has stopped sewing for awhile, but I think this is the best way to nourish my creative side of my life
Merry Christmas and Thank you !
Maria
My blog…http://thisismyjourneytoahealthierme.blogspot.com/
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I am so glad to find this because I had already decided not to buy any new clothes in 2012! The pledge is a great idea.
I love this idea! I found you through The Sew Weekly, a wonderful outlet for my new adventures in sewing. Your idea of pledging not to buy anything new (except for underwear) is fantastic. I’m up for the challenge. I’d like to try to go the whole year!
I have just discovered your pledge…I have not bought anything new apart from undies and two cardis since june.I will definitely join your pledge for at least six months and then review my position! Fits in nicely with my Thrifty365 pledge started by sarah too!
http://www.themakingsofanurbanrustic.blogspot.com
Ludlow,England.
merry christmas!
I’m in! My concern was the undergarments, and now that the rule was amended, I am 100% confident that I can join the pledge! Cheap, mass-manufacturing of questionable clothing has been a concern of mine recently. In addition to the poor working conditions in the factories, quality garment making has become an undervalued and unrecognized skill/profession. I hope this mindset towards quality and appreciation changes soon. Quality over quantity.
did i mention “quality” enough? Haha, should have re-read before posting!
I’m in! My mindset has been heading down this path for a while so it’s nice for me to know that there are others out there who have already done this (and that it is achieveable). I’ll do iot for three months to start out with – so to the end of March 2012.
I have a few exceptions: I’m off on a big holiday for 5 weeks during this time, so I will be buying things! At all times I will go for hand- or at least locally-designed and made, and will avoid mass produced stuff. I will buy fabric as a souvenir and will buy gifts from stall holders where I have spoken with the people who made the item themselves.
I’m also going to buy bras and socks, but will try to make my own panties.
Hi Elena! Thanks for hosting this challenge!
I’ve been contemplating doing it since my friend Andrea (above) signed up, and I think I’m finally ready to take the leap. I’m going to commit to 6 months beginning on Jan. 1, 2012, and will post on my blog about it on that date. If that goes well, I may extend it for another 6 months, but . . . baby steps!
Thanks for including me in your blog! I’m very flattered to see my creation along with so many other fine outfits. For your pledge map, I’m from willits, ca, USA. Happy new year!
I am Brittany Cole and I am taking the Seamless Pledge! I am in Santa Fe, NM, USA. My blog is http://crafty-woman.blogspot.com/ I am even going to try and take The Seamless Pledge one step farther… I am only going to sew from my stash unless I need lining or more muslin. I have so much fabric so I figure this is a good time to use it =) Thanks so much for the inspiration. I am going to do this until March 31st and see how it goes!
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I am so in! One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to be a more conscientious consumer and NOT buy any mass-produced clothing (it neither fits nor flatters). So this is the perfect reminder and yet one more way to hold me accountable to myself.
Tina Crossgrove
http://retrorabbithole.blogspot.com/
Philadelphia, PA, USA
Hi Elena, You’ve seen I’m in too – I tried to leave a comment on your blog yesterday but I’m battling some internet tech problems & lost it!
So, I’m pledging to not buy any ready to wear (except sportswear) & make my own clothing for the next 12 months, with a review to continue each year (because we never know how life could change …)
Not up to making my own sportswear yet & the idea of buying second hand running gear is too eugh!
I blog over at http://scruffybadgertime.co.uk
and live in Bath, not all that far from you. I am loving your blog by the way & will continue to follow your exploits
Hi, Elena! I’m Sonja, and I’m in! I’m taking the pledge until at least the end of June 2012! I blog over at http://gingermakes.wordpress.com, and I’m really excited to see how this goes!
Oh yeah, I live in Astoria, Queens, NY.
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I’m in! I pledge not to buy any new clothes (except underwear and workout gear) during 2012. If I can’t make it I can’t have it:)
I’m in Luxembourg
I, Bree, pledge not to buy any new clothes, except under garments and work out stuff, until I reach my goal weight of 150. I can’t wait! I’m in Tustin, CA, USA.
I, Jessie Roy, am taking the Seamless Pledge until the last day of classes for this semester, May 1. Since I can’t remember the last time I bought new clothes (last August?), I’d like to make this harder by challenging myself to make my own lingerie. Possible exception: bras, if I find them too far beyond my skill level. I may even learn to knit. WHAT.
I, Joy, pledge not to buy any new clothes (except undergarments and workout clothes) until 2013. I’m in Dallas, TX. Thanks for such a great idea!
I pledge to not buy any new clothing until 2013. I’m in Leavenworth, Minnesota. I plan to make anything new I need, without buying new fabric if I can help it too!
I, Jennifer Hopkins, take the Seamless pledge-minus undergarments. I will follow this pledge until we are completely caught up from moving and I no longer have late fees on my bills from miscalculating due dates.
Fernley, NV
i, liz, am taking the #seamlesspledge until i find a full-time engineering job. that may be next month…or i may be temping/waiting tables for the next year. http://bit.ly/tktV04
my blog: zelnicky.blogspot.com
I Lettetia am taking the seamlesspledge until December 31st 2012. I agree to refashion, recycle and upcycle from thrift stores and my huge stash of fabric.
my blog. uniquelycajunonline.com
I’m in for the whole of 2012, one month done already before I found this
I absolutely love this idea. We all buy way to much frivolous and unnecessary clothing. This pledge would help me (and others) appreciate each and every garment that we own much more!
I love this idea!! I am in until June 1st, 2012, or we move into a new house (whichever comes later!)!
Oh, and I’m from Aurora, ON, Canada
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I have decided to join in your great idea. I’m from Minneapolis, MN and my blog address is http://analogme.typepad.com. Thanks for organizing this!
Love this idea,am willing to try,even my underwear and bathingsuit(the last things I’ve bought).I’m in Kona, Hawaii and I’ll try for a year.http://ladymideva.blogspot.com/
Gosh … I can’t remember when I bought a new cloth last time, probably a bathing suit two years ago ?!!
I want to join you until the summer begins – July 1rst -, maybe now that I realize it, I will HAVE to buy some ?
My blog is : http://superfacile.blogspot.com/
I’m living in La Défense, Paris, France.
Hi! I’ve decided to join in. I’m going to try the seamless pledge, starting today, for 6 months (at least). I will make an exception for underthings, though.
My blog is: http://sewinsteady.blogspot.com
I’m located in: Reston, Virginia, USA
I had previously joined the pledge for three months. Now that the time is up I want to continue for the rest of the year. Thanks for the inspiration!
I think this is a great idea. Now I have unsubscribed from all the sale emails I get from shops to make it even easier. I started last month but am making it official now. I’ve been inspired to better my sewing, just started in January. I will participate until Dec. 31, 2012. I imagine this will also help me get rid of some debt.
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I used to charity shop all the time, but recently I’ve become a bit lazy. Your blog (and the fact that I am jobless and skint) has inspired me to get back on the thrifty horse. I am in until November 8 2012 – 6 months. Should be fun!
my blog is: http://www.wordpress.com/ursulaglitch
I actually mean http://ursulaglitch.wordpress.com/
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I am deciding to take the pledge! A house of our own is more important than clothes. I blog at beebeesvintagedress.blogspot.com x
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I have taken the pledge too until the end of the year. Wish me luck!
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