My project contributes to the transition to a circular economy because we can reuse more textile locally. Especially because the type of material that is very suitable for needle felting (like acrylic knits), is difficult to sell abroad. The process is intensive, therefore impact will not be large, unless I industrialize the process. But it creates opportunities for job creation (for unemployed).

 

I am encouraged to bring this project further. Although it will be a challenge to earn back the added value in the Dutch clothing market as labor is expensive and clothes are cheap. They advised me to seek collaboration with education institutes, fashion hubs and (high end) designers. This will also prevent my project from becoming a fussy initiative.

 

As I volunteer at a clothing bank, I can bring my ideas in practice, as we have a sewing atelier (with an embellishing machine). I also want to share my findings with designers (to be) by seeking collaboration will the local fashion hub and a fashion school. I also want to explore the options to apply for funding. And if we can create new garments out of old this way, we can enhance our collaboration with local (social) textile ateliers.

2. Can I develop a businesscase 

As this technique will be developped to make circular impact, I want to make this impact as large as possible. Situation 0 is that sweaters are likely to end up in landfill or incineration as they are often made of combined fibre or acryl fibre. Reuse of sweaters is extra difficult because it is hard to sell it on the second hand market. Lengthening the lifetime of this material by at least 1 year is the minimum impact I want to start with. In my first sample I used 3 sweaters to create 1 new (bigger sweater). The average weight of a sweater is 500 to 1.000 grams. To measure the total impact of my project, I want to use these indicators:

To follow the development a frequentie of quarterly monitoring is nessessary.

This can be achieved by giving workshops or masterclasses. 

Another way is to dive into the 'free economy'. If people experience the activity of reusing old garments as a hobby, they are not only more willing to spend time, but also money. My aim is not to become a rich woman, but to save sweaters (at least one life cycle) from incineration. The more people save sweaters (this way) the more value we create. If all the people making jig saws during lock down, would engage in reusing their old garments, the impact could be enourmous. To achieve this, I need to develop a good DIY kit and share the fun of doing it.