Look at what my co-worker made me for Valentine's Day!!
+ our regularly scheduled textile waste newsletter
Welcome to Better Together’s bi-weekly newsletter, where we believe that the more we work together, the greater impact we can have! Stemming from the merger of FABSCRAP and Reclypt, a significant step for the future of circular fashion in NYC, this newsletter encourages and provides a platform for the industry to be better together.
🧶 Crafts, on crafts, on crafts!
Can every night be craft night? & while we’re at it… every day too!
Firstly, we’re learning to knit ya’ll!
FABSCRAP’s next workshop we’ll be learning the basics of knitting AND learning how to unravel knits using sample garments (aka our “mendables”). This is the 3rd and final workshop in our “Identifying Fabric Workshop” series to help our community make informed choices whether you’re thrifting, making, caring for, swapping, or repairing anything with textiles! Perfect for anyone building a sustainable, thoughtful closet, too; this series teaches skills that last a lifetime. Join Us 👇
Next, if you’re not joining a craft night, craft circle, stitch & bitch, mending club, or whatever you call it… What are you waiting for?
We need community more than ever now & crafting is the BEST form of rebellion!
I had the JOY of attending two craft nights this week!
Tuesday 2/11 was FABSCRAP’s monthly craft night! New crafters, experienced menders, knitters, friends, and DIYers all showed up for a lovely evening of crafting. Someone even wrote a poem about craft night!
Thursday 2/13 the Reclypt gang & friends got together for an evening of crafts, snacks, and catching up! Some would call it Galentine’s Day <3
FABSCRAP is hosting out first Makers Show & Tell of 2025 in March!
You know when you show off your crafts to non-crafters? It’s kind of a bummer, right? We created this event so you can show off with people who get it!
Finally, look at what FABSCRAP’s Reuse Coordinator, Alicia, made for me & ALL team members for Valentine’s Day 💌!
🔗Textile Resources
10 sustainable fashion trends to watch in 2025
Circ Launches ‘Fiber Club’ With Bestseller, Eileen Fisher and Everlane
New Yorkers: Rag Rug* Study Group is a research project that facilitates dialogue about textiles produced using worn, surplus, and discarded materials.
Nadler, Chu Reintroduce Legislation to Make Polluters Pay for Fueling Climate Crisis
Gap to launch seasonal vintage drops throughout the year.
FABSCRAP is hosting a Panel on SUSTAINABLE TEXTILES & MICROPLASTICS Thursday 3.19 @ Impact Hub NY & (trying) virtually. Learn about our panelist below:
Laura Sansone is a textile designer, activist, and consultant. She is the creator of New York Textile Lab, a design and consulting company that supports environmentally responsible textile methods, and regional systems of production.
Yoni Ronn is dedicated to combating the growing threat of microplastics to human health and the environment as the CEO of Moby Filter.
Mary Bemis is on a mission to remove all of the plastics from our clothing as the CEO of Reprise Activewear, a plant-based brand made out of Tencel.
& yours truly is moderating: Rachel Ceruti, Community Director @ FABSCRAP!
📰 What We’re Reading
“TO DYE FOR”
Join FABSCRAP & ALDEN WICKER to discuss her book!
Grab your copy with discount code “WICKER15”
from Books Are Magic -
a family-owned independent bookstore with locations in Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens and Brooklyn Heights in Brooklyn, committed to being a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive space for all people.
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“GARMENT DISTRICT”
Important Letter to the Editor in the New York Times urging City Planning to prioritize historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and garment industry protections while coordinating with relevant agencies. Written by Historic Districts Council (HDC) and the New York Fashion Workforce Development Coalition. it expressed concerns about the Midtown South Mixed Use Plan. While the groups support some aspects, they believe the plan will lead to the demolition of historic buildings and the loss of garment manufacturing jobs in favor of luxury housing.
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“TRUMP ERA”
BEFORE I LOSE YOU - THIS IS POSITIVE! The U.S. is drowning in textile waste, with millions of tons discarded each year and little of it recycled. As federal action stalls, states and brands are stepping up with new policies and initiatives—so what’s next for fashion’s sustainability push? Quick read to learn about hopeful legislation next steps in this uncertain time.
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***Lots of ya’ll email me/reply to this saying how much ya’ll love this newsletter, more info, and general engagement. It’d be ~great~ if you could do that, here, in Substack. Please like, comment, and…
Thanks for reading!