Last Updated on May 9, 2025
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to sew but felt overwhelmed by where to start, you’re not alone. Sewing is an incredibly empowering and useful skill – one that not only saves you money but can also help reduce your environmental impact.
Whether you’re hoping to tailor your clothes, repair old favorites, or dive into the world of DIY, the right tools (like a sewing machine for beginners) and a bit of guidance can make all the difference.
some of the links below are affiliate links
As someone passionate about sustainability and mindful consumption, I believe sewing is one of the most underrated skills for living a low-waste lifestyle. I learned how to sew in the costume department and school, and was able to refine my skills with my mom – whose quite handy with a needle!
I hope this beginner’s guide will walk you through everything you need to get started, and show you how this hobby can be both practical and planet-friendly.
why learn to sew?
Let’s start with the why. Sewing allows you to:
- Extend the life of your clothing by mending tears, replacing buttons (here’s how to sew a button), and fixing zippers.
- Repurpose fabric into new, useful items like turning old sheets into reusable produce bags or rags.
- Avoid fast fashion by making or tailoring garments that actually fit and last. You can even upcycle clothing creatively instead of buying new.
- Express creativity while building a wardrobe (or home) that reflects your values.
- Reduce waste by skipping single-use items and crafting your own reusables like DIY cotton rounds, cloth napkins, tote bags, and more.
It’s a skill that pays for itself both financially and environmentally!
choosing the right sewing machine for beginners:
When you’re starting out, the sheer number of sewing machines can be overwhelming. I promise you don’t need a top-of-the-line model with every bell and whistle – all you need is a reliable, easy-to-use machine that lets you grow your skills without frustration.
I’ve tried a few different machines, and was gifted a Brother a few years ago, and it has been my old faithful. It’s really basic, not too expensive and perfect for what I need – which is sewing things like curtains, decorative pillows, hemming and light tailoring etc.
my pick: brother CS7000X
The Brother CS7000X has consistently proven to be a fantastic machine for beginners and intermediate sewists alike. Here’s why I love it:
- Beginner-friendly: Clear instructions!! (they are clearly listed on the machine and there’s even a qr code that will take you to digital instructions) automatic needle threader, and easy bobbin winding make the setup painless.
- Lightweight and portable: Great if you don’t have a dedicated sewing space or perfect to carry with you to the theatre.
- Versatile: It comes with 70 built-in stitches, including decorative and buttonhole options.
- Affordable: It’s one of the best price-to-quality machines out there.
- Durable and steady: With a fixed needle bar and metal frame, it offers stability and clean stitching lines.
If you’re new to sewing, investing in a quality beginner machine like this will set you up for long-term success.
beginner sewing supplies to get you started:
In addition to your machine, here are a few beginner essentials:
- Fabric scissors (don’t use them on anything else!)
- Straight pins or clips
- Measuring tape
- Seam ripper (trust me, you’ll use it)
- Thread
- A small cutting mat and rotary cutter (optional, but helpful)
I also have this little beginners sewing kit which I carry with me to the theatre in case anyone needs any last minute costume fixes and it has saved me on multiple occasions! You don’t need to buy everything at once. You can just start with the basics and build your kit as you go.
easy projects to build confidence
The best way to learn is by doing. Start with simple, useful projects that teach you key techniques without requiring advanced skills.
If you’re looking for a more structured approach to learning, you can check out Skillshare where they offer all sorts of classes on things like sewing. I also happen to teach a class on sustainable living – and you can get a free month of skillshare when you sign up through my teacher link. Click here to check out the class.
Here are a few beginner projects:
- Start with a drawstring bag, which is a great way to learn to sew straight seams and create a casing for a drawstring.
- Cloth napkins are another beginner-friendly project that lets you practice hemming while creating something practical for your home.
- Scrunchies or headbands make excellent use of fabric scraps and offer a fun, low-pressure way to practice basic techniques.
- Reusable produce bags are a sustainable swap that help you ditch plastic while reinforcing sewing fundamentals.
- You can also try making your own reusable cotton rounds which is a quick project that’s both eco-friendly and satisfying to complete.
These types of projects help build your confidence and show just how useful sewing can be in daily life.
how sewing supports sustainable living
Sewing is more than a hobby. It’s a way to slow down consumption, take better care of your belongings, and reduce your dependence on fast fashion and disposables.
Here are a few ways sewing supports a more sustainable lifestyle:
- Mend, don’t toss: Visible mending and learning how to repair clothes can greatly extend the life of your wardrobe.
- Upcycle: Turn worn-out items into something new and useful. Need ideas? Here’s a guide to upcycled clothing for a zero waste lifestyle.
- Custom-make reusables: From napkins to snack bags to gift wrap, the possibilities are endless.
- Value what you own: When you make something by hand, you’re far more likely to cherish it.
- Responsibly dispose: If you’re wondering what to do with old bras and underwear, sewing can help extend their life or guide your reuse decisions.
- Shop less, but better: When you do buy clothing, support ethical and sustainable brands that align with your values.
final thoughts
Sewing might feel intimidating at first, but like any skill, it becomes easier the more you practice. You will make mistakes, but it’s not that big of a deal. You can always use that aformentioned seam ripper!
To help improve my sewing, I’ve volunteered at my local community theatre on costumes. And I think that’s one of the best places you can start. There’s usually someone quite skilled who can instruct you – and the clothes only have to look good from 10 feet away.
It’s a low pressure way to start and you get to give back to your community – what could be better than that?
So whether you’re sewing to save money, express your creativity, or reduce your environmental footprint this is a skill you’ll always be grateful you learned.
The post Sewing Machine for Beginners: How to Get Started (and Why It’s a Sustainable Skill to Learn) appeared first on Going Zero Waste.
Sewing Machine for Beginners: How to Get Started (and Why It’s a Sustainable Skill to Learn)
Just like fashion has been overrun by fast fashion, home goods and furniture have similarly seen a rapid decline in quality. Rugs are no exception.
And similar to fashion, these cheap goods come at a high cost — namely, to the planet and to people. In fact carpet and rug production is rampant with exploitation.
On the other hand, fair trade rugs present the best of what a rug can bring to your home: artistry, craftsmanship, and heritage.
The brands featured in this guide are partnering with (and fairly paying!) skilled artisans who are using generations-old — and sometimes even centuries-old — techniques. These artisans are sustaining long lines of crafts, preserving their cultural diversity, and celebrating the richness of their time-honored crafts.
There’s simply no replacement for a timeless, quality artisan-made rug — they’re like pieces of art you can lay out on your floor or hang on your walls.
So, enjoy browsing through this guide to sustainable rug brands listed out below and best of luck on your search for the right fair trade rug!
Where to Find Ethical and Fair Trade Rugs
Note that this guide includes affiliates and partners. As always, brands must meet high standards for ethics and sustainability to be featured and all opinions are my own.
1. Obakki
Best for: warm-hued handwoven wool rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Runners, Accent Rugs
Obakki partners with artisan weavers primarily in Oaxaca, Mexico — including individual makers like José — who hand-dyes and weaves rugs on a traditional pedal loom using locally sourced sheep’s wool and natural dyes derived from native plants. The brand also works with Rrres Design Studio, a Latin American studio dedicated to preserving traditional Oaxacan weaving techniques, and sources handwoven textiles from artisan communities beyond Mexico as well, including Morocco.
Each rug is made from 100% wool with no synthetic dyes or backing. Most pieces are made-to-order with a 4-8 week production window, shipped directly from the artisan partners.
Price Range: $460 – $4,159
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Natural Dyes, Craft Preservation
2. Kiliim
Best for: modern wool kilim rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
If you’re well-versed in rug terminology, you may recognize that this brand’s name looks similar to the word kilim.
Kiliim’s rug are made using authentic kilim rug craftsmanship by artisans in Egypt coming from generations of kilim artisans. To ensure ethical production and to support the preservation of this heritage craft, Kiliim pays living wages to all artisans.
Price Range: $95 – $4,812
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Heritage Craft Preservation, Natural Fibers
3. Urban Natural
Best for: browsing fair trade rugs in lots of styles and sizes
Categories: Outdoor, Area Rugs, and Accent Rugs
This natural home and lifestyle retailer has a beautifully curated selection of sustainably-made rugs crafted with materials like jute, sisal, wool, and cotton.
Several brands on Urban Natural are also ethically hand-loomed or hand-knotted, such as Loloi — a GoodWeave partner — and Jaipur Living — a brand that partners with thousands of local artisans to sustain heritage crafts.
Price Range: $259 – $9,755
Conscious Qualities: Eco-Conscious Materials
4. LOOMY
Best for: pet-friendly and performance rugs
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs, Runners, Outdoor Rugs
Founded by a weaver, LOOMY is dedicated to crafting beautiful artisan-made rugs that will last for decades to come.
LOOMY partners with highly-skilled artisan weavers who craft quality rugs made from eco-minded materials like banana silk, jute, and recycled cotton, plus performance options made from 100% recycled polyester built to withstand whatever life brings you.
Price Range: $298 – $8,298
Conscious Qualities: Natural Fibers, Craft Preservation, Vintage Options
5. West Elm
Best for: fair trade rugs in on-trend mainstream styles
Categories: Area Rugs, Accent Rugs
West Elm is bringing ethical rugs to a broader market with their collection of Fair Trade Certified
wool and cotton rugs. While I recommend browsing the smaller shops listed above first, West Elm is supporting the movement to responsibly-made, fair trade rugs.
Price Range: $$$
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade production, Majority Natural Materials
6. Jubi
Best for: Modern rugs in vibrant prints
Categories: Accent Rugs, Circle Rugs, Runners
Jubi is a Brooklyn studio founded by textile designer Cassie Dagostino. Every rug is handmade from New Zealand wool by fourth-generation weaving families in Bhadohi, India using traditional techniques. Each rug is made-to-order, meaning no excess stock. Since everything is made to order, expect between 3 and 7 weeks for your rug, depending on the technique used.
Conscious Qualities: Pays Above Market Rates, 100% Wool, Made-to-Order
Price Range: $228 – $668
Shipping: Free worldwide shipping
7. Rejuvenation
Best for: Classic rug styles made in Fair Trade factories
Categories: Accent Rugs, Runners, Area Rugs
Home retailer Rejuvenation has a selection of rugs made in Fair Trade Certified factories. Their collection includes undyed hand-loomed rugs to geometric flatwoven wool rugs. And while I’d typically avoid synthetics, it tends to be unavoidable for outdoor rugs — so Rejuvenation’s Fair Trade 100% recycled poly rug is a good option.
Conscious Qualities: Fair Trade Certified, Mostly Natural Materials
Price Range: $79 – $1,649
Shipping: Contiguous U.S. shipping for 10% of product price (add $20 for HI, AK, and US. territorries)
Liked this guide to ethical rugs? You might also enjoy:
Ethical Home Decor Brands to Curate a Beautiful, Conscious Space
Eco-Friendly Furniture to Furnish Your Home Sustainably
Fair Trade and Eco-Friendly Blankets to Cozy Up With
The post 5 Best Ethical Fair Trade Rugs to Elevate Your Space appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
As a longtime book lover, I may be biased, but I think a full bookshelf is one of the most beautiful additions to a space. There’s nothing better than seeing a showcase of your favorite reads alongside a TBR list.
A bookcase, though, can of course be used for all sorts of purposes from placing your favorite photos of family and friends to showcasing treasured vintage finds.
Whatever the case, this guide will help you find the right sustainable bookshelf for your living room, office, or wherever you like to cozy up with a good read!
So what make a bookcase more sustainable? What makes a bookshelf non-toxic?
First of all: sustainable and non-toxic are two overlapping — but distinct — criteria. And both of those terms can come with a lot of opinions and varying definitions.
When it comes to sustainable bookcases, I look for:
- Responsibly Sourced Materials: most bookshelves are made primarily with wood. While natural, unsustainable wood sourcing can be a cause of deforestation, so we want to see that the wood was from responsibly managed forests or made from reclaimed or repurposed wood. Some bookshelves may feature metal, in which case recycled materials here are important.
- High Quality Construction: sustainability includes longevity — how long will you be able to use that furniture piece before it goes to the landfill and gets replaced? Look for transparency around craftsmanship and woodworking processes. Another sign of quality is the length of warranty a company has for its products.
- Ethically Made: this one is straightforward in theory — were the people making it paid fairly and working in safe conditions? — but is unfortunately not always easy to find information. In this category, I look for transparency in practices, what relationship the brand has with the manufacturer (some produce in-house which is the best case scenario for transparency!), where it was made, and how well the makers were paid.
Ideally a sustainable bookshelf would also be non-toxic — as toxic chemical fumes aren’t exactly sustainable! But this isn’t always the case. For example, if a company prioritizes upcycled materials, they don’t necessarily have control over what inputs were part of the original materials. And sometimes a company focuses more on ethical artisan partnerships and sustainable wood sourcing, more than, say, using non-toxic finishes.
But when it comes to non-toxic bookshelves, this is what I look for. (Note that non-toxic doesn’t necessarily mean safe for all chemical sensitivities. Nor does it mean zero potentially irritating chemicals.)
- Solid Wood (where possible): MDF or pressed wood contains glue to stick the various wood pieces together, which can contain added formaldehyde. I prefer solid wood, or if it is engineered wood, I’d make sure the company is transparent around the type of glue used and/or they at least have a product certification like GREENGUARD. (More on that in a second.)
- Low or Zero VOC Finishes: most wood furniture is completed with some sort of finish to provide a protection against scratches or moisture. Many of these finishes are synthetic, and some can contain high levels of toxic chemicals. Look for a natural finish like linseed oil or beeswax or a low VOC synthetic finish.
Relevant Certifications
You’ll see a few certifications referenced throughout this guide. Here’s what each one covers:
- FSC Certified = the wood sourcing was responsibly managed; this is not a finish, foam, or textile guarantee.
- GREENGUARD / GREENGUARD Gold Certified = the finished product was tested for low chemical emissions, including VOCs, with Gold representing the stricter tier.
- Fair Trade Certified
= verifies that a factory meets standards for fair wages, safe working conditions, and ethical labor practices. - Cradle to Cradle Certified (Gold) = evaluates a product or material across material health, circularity, clean air/climate, water/soil stewardship, and social fairness.
Where to Find Sustainable Bookcases and Shelving
I’m always a secondhand first proponent, and that goes for furniture, too. While your local thrift store might not have used bookshelves, check for dedicated furniture resale shops near you or estate sales. (I use EstateSales.net to find ones near me.) You can also find gently used pieces on online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or AptDeco.
If you can’t find something you love secondhand, and you don’t want to DIY your own bookshelf, then the next best choice is to shop from one of the sustainable furniture companies below. (If you’re simply looking for a bookstand, I’d suggest browsing Etsy for a collection of solid wood, bamboo, and reclaimed wood book stands and cookbook stands!)
Note that this guide includes affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links which helps us continue to run this website and create resources like these. As always all brands meet strict sustainability criteria and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. Medley
Best for: low VOC wood bookcases
Medley’s bookshelves are elegant and elevated, perfect for a living room. Each piece is made with 100% solid FSC-certified hardwood for the tops and sides, though low-VOC CARB 2 compliant plywood is used for the shelves.
Every eco-friendly bookcase is handcrafted in the US (California or North Carolina) and completed with a low-VOC wood finish.
Price: $2,395 – $2,995
Materials: White Maple, American Walnut Wood
Conscious Qualities: Made-to-Order, US-Made, FSC-Certified Wood, Natural Finish
2. Thuma
Best for: non-toxic modular bookshelf
Thuma’s eco-friendly bookshelf is made from upcycled wood sourced from rubberwood trees no longer being used to source rubber. The brand’s bookshelf is also GREENGUARD Gold certified.
What makes Thuma’s bookshelf stand out to me, though, is its modularity — their Pillar Bookshelf can be set in 10 different configurations. And if you start with just a f