Essentially Local Magazine MAR-APR 2019
Essentially Local is delivered through the doors of over 12,500 homes and businesses from Milton Keynes through all the villages and up as far as Towcester. You can also pick up copies from various places around the area. It provides a comprehensive directory of local businesses, useful and interesting information and places to go. Join the community and keep your business essentially local.
Essentially Local is delivered through the doors of over 12,500 homes and businesses from Milton Keynes through all the villages and up as far as Towcester. You can also pick up copies from various places around the area. It provides a comprehensive directory of local businesses, useful and interesting information and places to go. Join the community and keep your business essentially local.
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Products with a Conscience<br />
Sew and Grow is an exciting local social enterprise project which creates<br />
hand-crafted, artisan products using recycled and naturally-dyed fabrics.<br />
Developing Skills<br />
Sew and Grow offers young people a different, more<br />
practical kind of training. They may have struggled in<br />
a traditional educational setting; here they can learn<br />
within a working environment and reconnect with the<br />
making process.<br />
Sustainable and Kind to the Environment<br />
Every product produced is natural and its impact on<br />
the environment kept to a minimum.<br />
When we say natural, we mean natural. Plants like<br />
indigo and woad and food waste such as avocado<br />
skins, blackberries, turmeric and even red onion skins<br />
are used to dye fabrics into an incredible array of<br />
colours. Many of the plants are even grown at the Urb<br />
Farm while others like coffee, tea and black beans are<br />
easily accessed from the store cupboard. Each dye is<br />
kind to the environment, animals and humans – with<br />
no harmful chemicals.<br />
To Dye For<br />
These natural dyes produce some amazing vibrant<br />
colours. This team has experimented and the<br />
outcomes reflect the seasons and natural environment<br />
and are bright enough to be eye-catching.<br />
Experiments with Hapa Zome, which translates as<br />
‘leaf bashing’ produced incredible colourful, abstract<br />
artworks.<br />
Let it Bee<br />
Once dyed and sewn, the trainees apply beeswax to<br />
finish certain products. This gives a tougher more<br />
resistant, waterproof finish. The beeswax is sourced<br />
locally from Sew and Grow’s sister enterprise Urban<br />
Beelievers.<br />
Quality Gifts<br />
The products make perfect practical gifts, with designs<br />
for men and women. You can buy tote bags, toilet<br />
bags and even cushions that become even more<br />
beautiful with age and use. Some products are also<br />
lined giving better durability and a chic look.<br />
With Mother’s Day coming up...<br />
That’s Not Nearly all<br />
This year Sew and Grew began work on researching<br />
products which are sustainable as well practical. A<br />
new range is planned to include reusable menstrual<br />
pads, sponges and bags.<br />
Mission with a Passion<br />
Sew and Grow is passionate about developing<br />
young people’s skills, being kind to environment and<br />
producing products that we love and value.<br />
Keep an Eye Out<br />
For natural dyeing workshops this summer<br />
Follow them Sewandgrowmk<br />
TOP TIP<br />
Recycle, mend<br />
and DON'T send<br />
your clothes to<br />
landfill<br />
Facts<br />
Fashion is the third most polluting industry in the<br />
world and one of the largest consumers of water<br />
Where to Buy: folksy.com/shops/SewandGrow<br />
On the High Street, Stony Stratford<br />
38<br />
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