Ethics + Sustainability

ETHICS

The last few years have amounted to a lot of listening, learning and reflection - for us all to grow both individually and together as a community. Common Stitch supports makers and wearers from all walks of life. Below are our guarantees to you, our customers, moving forward.

PHOTOGRAPHY + MARKETING

We will be including more diverse models in future photoshoots, this includes both in age, size and in skin colour.

Our Common Stitch Ambassadors initiative aims to include a diverse array of makers in sewing ability, size and in skin colour.

PATTERNS

When we first launched Common Stitch in 2018, the sewing pattern side of our business was quite small and only ranged from sizes 6-12. As this side of our business grew, we expanded our size range up to a size 20.

Since the beginning of 2020, all of our new patterns (and garments) are available up to a size 24.

We understand that this sizing doesn’t included everyone, however at this point in time this is as far as our capabilities go. We hope that as our business grows we can employ help to expand our size range further - if this is in your skill set reach out to us!

DONATIONS

We make donations to Australian charities twice yearly, this is done through the sales of our Utility Wrap pattern and once-off sales. In the past we have donated to SewAid International, Melbourne Period Project, The Rescue Collective (bushfire relief) , The Salvation Army (bushfire relief) and QLD + NSW SES (flood relief). Our last donation was made in March 2022 and was split between SES Queensland and SES New South Wales.

SUSTAINABILITY

Our main focus at Common Stitch is to create a sustainable fashion brand. We believe that clothes should be made with care and made to last, by using some of the best natural fibers available in Australia. Recent times have shown that our society has moved away from the ‘traditional’ ways of slow learning; in particular the passing down of skills through generations. Common Stitch aims to fill this gap, whilst making a positive environmental impact.

Our business model focuses on minimizing waste by manufacturing made-to-order pieces, and offering the community resources to learn basic sewing skills. By passing on our knowledge and skills we aim to encourage the spread of slow learning and hands on skills, hoping that in return each customer can continue to spread their skills with others around them.


FABRICS + NOTIONS

_All of the fabrics used in our completed garments, sewing kits and Fabric Shop are sourced with sustainability in mind.
_We use 100% linens, that are Oeko-Tex Certified for both the manufacturing and dyes where possible.
_Our cotton jersey is grown, milled and dyed on the East Coast of Australia. We have tracked the distance it has travelled from the point where it is grown, right down to the end user. You can find out more about the processes and everyone involved in the journey over on our Journal.
_We use biodegradable shell buttons where applicable.
_We use dead-stock fabrics for all of our sewing workshops.
_We also encourage the sewing community to use eco-friendly fabrics where possible. You can find our easy list of eco-fabrics + how they are made over on our Journal.

MANUFACTURING

Charlie is our main seamstress and oversees all of our garment manufacturing in-house in our Sunshine Coast studio. Everything is made-to-order to avoid unnecessary wastage. You can read all about why we chose a made-to-order business model over on our Journal.

PACKAGING + SHIPPING

_Our sewing kits are packaged in re-usable calico drawstring bags (perfect to take to markets to fill with your weekly veggies)
_All garments and fabrics are wrapped up in eco-friendly tissue paper + stickers, designed in-house and then printed by noissue - we encourage you to re-use!
_All parcels are packaged in biodegradable mailers, from Better Packaging Co
_All patterns are packaged in recyclable envelopes, made from natural waste products + recycled materials, from Better Packaging Co

PHOTOGRAPHY, MARKETING + ADMIN

_Our photoshoots are done locally in either Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast
_We employe local photographers, models, H&MU artists and photography studios.
_Our accountants are locally owned and female led business’s.
_Ali does our graphics and media content in-house in our Brisbane studio.
_We aim to support local and small business in our community where ever we can.

If there is anything that you would like to see us achieve or participate in as a business, please send us through an email and let us know hello@commonstitch.com.au

xx Ali + Charlie