Vintage & reclaimed notions

For those of you that don't know what 'notions' are...

Notions is a term used in the textile industry for smaller items used for making products.

In this case I am talking about, zips, buttons, ribbons etc, but it also includes (which I have just found out myself) small tools like a seam ripper.

Today I received a package of pure vintage goodies from my 'secret' supplier. It is all very random how my sourcing is done. One of my main sources is a good friend of mine that is active on the vintage scene. Sometimes she will give me bags of fabrics, which really inspires me. I work in a very organic way, whatever comes my way, I will work with it. I make clothes bags, cushion covers, storage hangers, anything goes really, although I am limited with space on my boat, so smaller items are better. I find charity shops a good source for notions too, and antique shops will often have an old sewing box, full of delights. As I am getting more well known in my local area, people will often give me a tin or box of sewing goodies from a relative that may have passed away. As a little girl one of my favourite things for entertainment, was going through 'grandmas' sewing box, it always appealed to my imagination.
Who knows what I will do with this little bag of goodies. Vintage zips are always a good resource so I can be authentic when I say something is made purely of vintage materials.
The downside of the 60s and 70s fabrics is that most of the are man made synthetics, which is not good for the environment. However, by re-using them and making good items that will last, means that at least they are not going into landfill. If I make items other than clothes, then at least they don't need washing and the fibres aren't going into the ocean. So any clothes I make, I recommend that they are washed irregularly.
But is this sustainable? I hear you cry. Surely at some stage you will run out of cloth from these eras. Well, then it will be 80s fabrics, which actually is probably classed as vintage now eek! An like I said my business is organic, and I go with the flow. I also use remnants and bizarre things like upholstery samples, so their will always be something for me to upcycle.

Now, I wonder what I will do with them over sized buttons???

Update Feb 2022

I have a new supplier for my notions, my good friend and soon to be business partner has an expansive range of old, and reclaimed buttons, zips and other delights, so much so, he has started an online shop to sell them. Please check out Button Boatique.com