I started sewing shortly after we started a clothing closet at our church. As a social worker, the clothing closet was a way I could use my skills and give back to the community at the same time. People donate gently worn clothing for others to use, free of charge. We have given out an incredible amount of clothes, but the supply far exceeds the demand. There are so many donations each month that, after we sort through for what the community needs, we pass the rest to other thrift stores or textile recyclers.
As I was putting worn out jeans into bags for textile recycling, it occurred to me that I could use the jeans to sew! As I dug further into the lifecycle of textiles, I became more and more passionate about recycling and upcycling clothing before it hits the landfills.
Reclaimed for Good was born.
“Reclaimed” because I work with rescued textiles. “For Good” because a portion of my sales go to support local causes like the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery in Spokane, WA.
“Reclaimed” because we have been reclaimed through Christ. “For Good” because we have the duty of caring for creation and each other.
We can all “be the change” in different ways.
Mine is through sewing, living slowly, and loving my family. And it’s a work in progress. Every day.
