At Topstitch Label, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Altering clothes and mending garments is naturally a sustainable practice as it helps maintain what we already have and reduces our impact on the environment. By fixing and mending clothes we keep them out of landfill and reduce the need for people to buy more, increasing the longevity of our clothes – and reducing the cost per wear. 

There is a whole host of behind-the-scenes steps we take to ensure we are always being as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. 

Our sustainability practices include:

  • Ensuring that our alterations and repairs increase the lifespan of a garment by focusing on what will last the longest and make it easier to alter and repair in the future (such as by leaving excess fabric in the seams for any future alterations the garment may require).
  • We recycle all loose threads and fabric scraps through Upparel, a Melbourne based business that turns fabric waste into usable materials for a number of uses via environmentally friendly techniques.
  • We prioritise local and Australian businesses for supplies and materials that also have a focus on sustainability.  
  • When sourcing fabric, Topstitch Label chooses brands that have a proven track record for environmental sustainability and fair-work/anti-slavery practices. We look for environmental certifications for all fabric we source.  
  • Any usable fabric scraps and materials are kept for future alterations and repairs for other garments, ensuring that we make the most out of what we have
  • We also donate fabric scraps to organisations such as schools and daycares for use in craft projects

It’s important as a business to put our money where our mouth is and uphold these practices as a core part of Topstitch Label’s business values. We aim to close the loop on everything we do, so that we can be an example of how to operate a fashion industry business in an environmentally-friendly and sustainable way, and all our customers can have confidence that we are doing everything we can to leave the world a better place for generations to come.  

The fashion industry is one of the biggest sources of waste in the world, but by mindfully focusing on sustainable practices through every step of the process, we can reduce our negative impact on the planet, one outfit at a time/one thread at a time.