Lately I’ve been giving a lot of thought to finding ways to create less waste in production. One way I can contribute to less waste is using up as much of the leftover fabric as possible in a production run.

So, with this latest run of raspberry hoodies and swing tops, I’m making bamboo headbands. Brandi & Ivy of The Bobbins Production Studio can fit them in between pattern pieces for the tops. Hence, less fabric cuttings going to the landfill.

A problem leads to an idea

I came up with the idea one night as I was standing in front of the sink washing my face. Since Covid, my hair has grown much longer than I ever thought I would have it at this point in my life. It’s at the stage where it’s not really long enough to put in a ponytail and it’s thinning out so doesn’t hold an elastic. But, it’s getting in the way of washing my face.

My first thought, I need a headband. I went to my daughter’s room to look for one, but since she’s become a teenager, she no longer wears headbands.

My second thought, I’ll have to buy one. And then I thought, hey wait a minute, I could make a soft one out of bamboo. And then it really hit home. This could be a great way to work towards less waste in production.

Using leftover fabric for headbands

Then one thing leads to another

Then a call out to the members of the COKANNA Virtual Coffee Shop group brought in more ways to create less waste. The leftover scraps, after the headbands, will be going to Elizabeth Hare for doll clothes. Elizabeth makes beautiful doll clothes, organic baby accessories, and face masks. Check out her online shop at Precious Blooms.

Sue Tate, Holistic Nutritionist at Go See Sue and host of the Holistic Sisters: Self Care Community and Connection group on Facebook is taking some bamboo scraps to do a journal spread. What is a journal spread you may ask? Well, let me tell you what it’s not. It’s not a bedspread for your journal…lol. She uses bits & pieces of different materials to make creative pages in her journal.

Mary Bouchard is going to create a bandeau bra. Her sister recently bought one and Mary thought it would be fun to replicate in raspberry.

I’m also thinking about what else I can make with leftover scraps of bamboo. I could save the cuttings and use them to make make colourful mitts and toques. Maybe one side could be one colour and the other side, another colour, or the thumb could be a different colour. It could be a mix ‘n’ match hodgepodge of colour. Fun to wear and good for the environment.

It’s a small contribution to the health of our environment but a contribution nonetheless. We all have to do our share even one-woman production shows!

Headbands, hoodies & swing tops

If you need a headband to keep the hair out of your face, they’re coming soon.

Bamboo headband in raspberry

It’s also a lovely accessory to go with your new raspberry hoodie or swing top. You can pre-order the Pamela hoodie and Heidi reversible swing top now. Delivery date is July 15th!

Pamela Hoodie

Heidi Swing Top

Pre-Order Now

P.S. If you aren’t a member of the COKANNA Virtual Coffee Shop yet, then I invite you to drop in for a coffee!

Until next week,

~ Colleen

I’m a recovering Chartered Accountant and Breast Cancer Champion turned Fashion Designer. My COKANNA Canadian-made bamboo clothing is all about comfort and style. Giving back to the community is important to me so I support Rethink Breast Cancer‘s metastatic breast cancer education, support, and advocacy work.