Comments on: Answering the “I can’t afford to be green” brigade http://www.cut4cloth.co.uk/2008/06/answering-the-i-cant-afford-to-be-green-brigade/ A blog covering organic cotton clothing for babies, kids and mums. Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:55:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Natasha R http://www.cut4cloth.co.uk/2008/06/answering-the-i-cant-afford-to-be-green-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Natasha R Sat, 16 Aug 2008 05:13:21 +0000 http://www.cut4cloth.co.uk/?p=24#comment-43 I couldn't agree with this post more! Especially the bit about buying mounds of "poorly made bits of tat" because it is cheap. It's not thinking very far ahead (or behind I guess) really when you think of labour conditions for people who are making these things, or of the environment. At our house I have a pretty strict policy that we wear only second hand clothes or if new, made from organic materials and ethically produced. That means a lot of garage sale shopping and mostly Frugi stuff for the kids when I buy something new (thank goodness they have just started making up to size 6!). Same goes for toys. It is amazing the amount of plastic stuff people manage to accumulate for their kids.... I think living like this does work out cheaper in the end, but it is also about teaching my kids to look for other values than the endless consumerism that is encouraged by the media. Knowing when you have enough and not abusing a limited amount of natural resources, choosing responsibly, and going though life in a considered, ethical and responsible way, acting in accordance with your values is also what it is about for me. Natasha PS Alex; in Australia green ingredients are getting harder to find too. Large packets of Baking soda are getting rarer at my supermarket and every time I go I am afraid that they have finally stopped stocking the washing soda I use to make washing powder. It is usually hidden low on some shelf behind a whole lot of other stuff. If we don't get more people interested in this sort of stuff it will become impossible to buy anymore... I couldn’t agree with this post more! Especially the bit about buying mounds of “poorly made bits of tat” because it is cheap. It’s not thinking very far ahead (or behind I guess) really when you think of labour conditions for people who are making these things, or of the environment. At our house I have a pretty strict policy that we wear only second hand clothes or if new, made from organic materials and ethically produced. That means a lot of garage sale shopping and mostly Frugi stuff for the kids when I buy something new (thank goodness they have just started making up to size 6!). Same goes for toys. It is amazing the amount of plastic stuff people manage to accumulate for their kids….
I think living like this does work out cheaper in the end, but it is also about teaching my kids to look for other values than the endless consumerism that is encouraged by the media. Knowing when you have enough and not abusing a limited amount of natural resources, choosing responsibly, and going though life in a considered, ethical and responsible way, acting in accordance with your values is also what it is about for me.
Natasha
PS Alex; in Australia green ingredients are getting harder to find too. Large packets of Baking soda are getting rarer at my supermarket and every time I go I am afraid that they have finally stopped stocking the washing soda I use to make washing powder. It is usually hidden low on some shelf behind a whole lot of other stuff. If we don’t get more people interested in this sort of stuff it will become impossible to buy anymore…

]]> By: Helen S http://www.cut4cloth.co.uk/2008/06/answering-the-i-cant-afford-to-be-green-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Helen S Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:39:59 +0000 http://www.cut4cloth.co.uk/?p=24#comment-19 Hi Diana I think you're absolutely right. I was convincing a friend of mine that because I'd saved money by using cloth nappies (and not spending £20 a week on disposables) I could justify buying the C4C clothes that lasted the term they said they would. In our family, we all have enough clothes to last us a week - then they have to be washed to start again. Some weeks are shorter than others! But then you do find you're wearing everything until it falls apart (and much grief that causes too!) but it means you can spend a little more, knowing that it will last a few years and have done its term by the end. Not sure how many would then want to swap with me! I did gladly offer my maternity trousers to someone the other day. I only had 2 pairs and wore them constantly in the last 3 months (I had managed with other dresses from my wardrobe up until the buttons kept popping open). Anyway, I went to get them out for this friend and realised I've rubbed them thin between the thighs. She wasn't too keen on using them after that. Hey ho, who was going to see anyway? hx Hi Diana
I think you’re absolutely right. I was convincing a friend of mine that because I’d saved money by using cloth nappies (and not spending £20 a week on disposables) I could justify buying the C4C clothes that lasted the term they said they would.

In our family, we all have enough clothes to last us a week – then they have to be washed to start again. Some weeks are shorter than others! But then you do find you’re wearing everything until it falls apart (and much grief that causes too!) but it means you can spend a little more, knowing that it will last a few years and have done its term by the end.

Not sure how many would then want to swap with me!

I did gladly offer my maternity trousers to someone the other day. I only had 2 pairs and wore them constantly in the last 3 months (I had managed with other dresses from my wardrobe up until the buttons kept popping open). Anyway, I went to get them out for this friend and realised I’ve rubbed them thin between the thighs. She wasn’t too keen on using them after that. Hey ho, who was going to see anyway?

hx

]]> By: Henri (Frugi) http://www.cut4cloth.co.uk/2008/06/answering-the-i-cant-afford-to-be-green-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-4 Henri (Frugi) Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:47:27 +0000 http://www.cut4cloth.co.uk/?p=24#comment-4 Hi Diana Love the idea of a clothes swapping party - it reminded us of an event coming up in London later this month which might be of interest... Visa Swap at Covent Garden - info is at http://womensfashion.suite101.com/article.cfm/londons_bigges_clothes_swap_event Sadly, it's a bit of a trek from Cornwall, but would love to hear about it if anyone gets a chance to go along! Henri Hi Diana

Love the idea of a clothes swapping party – it reminded us of an event coming up in London later this month which might be of interest…

Visa Swap at Covent Garden – info is at http://womensfashion.suite101.com/article.cfm/londons_bigges_clothes_swap_event

Sadly, it’s a bit of a trek from Cornwall, but would love to hear about it if anyone gets a chance to go along!

Henri

]]> By: Alex C http://www.cut4cloth.co.uk/2008/06/answering-the-i-cant-afford-to-be-green-brigade/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Alex C Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:47:33 +0000 http://www.cut4cloth.co.uk/?p=24#comment-3 Do people find it difficult to buy 'green' ingredients? I wanted some borax the other day, but my local supermarket doesn't seem to sell it - mind you, the assistant I asked didn't even know what it was! I've even had a struggle buying white vinegar before now.... Do people find it difficult to buy ‘green’ ingredients?
I wanted some borax the other day, but my local supermarket doesn’t seem to sell it – mind you, the assistant I asked didn’t even know what it was! I’ve even had a struggle buying white vinegar before now….

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