Category Archives: reviews

On being Shoddy


shoddy adjective: shoddy; comparative adjective: shoddier; superlative adjective: shoddiest 1. badly made or done. synonyms: poor-quality, inferior, second-rate, third-rate, low-grade, cheap, cheapjack, tawdry, rubbishy, trashy, gimcrack, jerry-built, crude, tinny, tacky, tatty, junky, ropy, duff, rubbish, grotty, careless, slapdash, sloppy, slipshod, scrappy, untidy, messy, hasty, hurried, negligent, lacking moral principle, sordid “we’re not paying good money forContinue reading “On being Shoddy”

Dolly time Dolls


I keep seeing these adorable little knitted dolls on Ravelry and decided to buy a pattern to try. I bought the Little Belle pattern. The patterns are created by Wendy Phillips who published on Ravelry as Dollytime. I love the sweet, friendly natured faces and colourful outfits. Wendy has patterns in several sizes and I’mContinue reading “Dolly time Dolls”

A little Word of Mouth


When the 5p plastic bag charge came in force in November I was in two minds. It could cut down on waste but being the unorganised shopper that I am, I rarely remember to bring a bag (actually I now keep 2 bags in my rucksack but forget they are there) and I could imagineContinue reading “A little Word of Mouth”

Thinking the future – Stash places


Here is a list of ideas to hide things rather than use a wallet: The Hidden Compartment Keychain http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-Fob-with-hidden-compartment/ 2. The Secret Coin Secret Stash Spy Coin Nickel 3. Cufflink Edition https://www.etsy.com/listing/81212795/secret-compartment-cufflinks-real 4. The Smugglers Belt http://gearhungry.com/2013/02/barrett-alley-smugglers-belt.html 5. The Bra Wallet  

Thinking the Future – Modern Purses


Here’s a list of Ultra Modern Purses and Wallets The Elephant Wallet https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/129295370/modern-design-wallet-wooden-wallet 2. The Ezgo slim wallet – So light it floats in water http://www.bestslimwallet.com/ezgo-mens-wallet/ 3. The Wallet and Water Bottle 4. The Wrist Purse – Luxury Edition https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/153053107/wide-bracelet-with-a-secret-bracelet?ref=market 5. The Tru Virtu wallet – keeps your cards from scammers Top 50  

Thinking the Future – Purses you can make yourself


Here is a list of modern purses I like: The Starbucks Wallet Why spend money on a place to put your money? 2. The Minimalist Wallet http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-organizing-new-uses-for-old-things/favorite-new-uses/binder-clip 3. The One piece of leather and Elastic band wallet http://www.fastcodesign.com/1671783/slender-wallets-that-wont-uglify-your-skinny-jeans?utm_source=twitter#8 4. The “I’m from the 80s” Wallet http://diyfashion.about.com/od/diybagsandpurses/ss/Cassette_Wallet.htm#step1 5. The Duct Tape Wallet (I’ve made a fewContinue reading “Thinking the Future – Purses you can make yourself”

An annotated bibliography


A short list of resources on ecology in textiles. 1. Over-Dressed, The shockingly high cost of cheap fashion Cline, E.L. (2013). Over-Dressed (2nd ed.). New York: Penguin. This is a great book as a first look into the fashion industry and the true cost of clothing manufacture. It breifly touches on alternatives, but is mostlyContinue reading “An annotated bibliography”