#179: The Five Fabrics Rule with Judith Staley

As makers, we need materials to create with. And a love of beautiful textiles is often part of why we got into sewing in the first place. But as residents of a planet experiencing a climate and ecological crisis, we need to be mindful of what we’re consuming and how much. So is there a way to indulge in fabric purchasing that’s also inline with what’s best for our planet? My guest this week, Judith Staley, has recently implemented a system for herself that is backed by research called the rule of five, and it could be the answer for all of us! We also talk about Judith’s personal challenge to track everything she wore in 2024, and she shares what surprising and valuable insights she gleaned from it.

Support the podcast over on Patreon!

You can follow Judith on Instagram (@judithroaslind).

Judith founded and co-hosted the @sewover50 account.

Listen to Judith’s first appearance on Check Your Thread:

• Ep. #12: Sew Over 50 with Judith Staley

Judith is involved in The Water of Leith Conservation Trust.

Read more about the Rule of Five as invented/interpretted by Tiffanie Darke.

Judith discovered the concept via Gemma Metheringham’s excellent IG account, @the_elephant_in_my_wardrobe.

The WRAP NGO is an excellent source of information about the impact of consumption, and how we can move towards a circular economy.

The Hot Or Cool Institute is the source of the research that informed the Rule of Five.

Read more about Judith’s interpretation of the Rule of Five.

One tactic for reducing your fabric stash is to participate in the Last Sewist Standing challenge, invented by Lise Bauer.

Judith makes most of her fabric purchases at Merchant & Mills.

Hear from Tiffanie Darke about the Rule of Five on this podcast:

• Ep. 4, Season 2 of The Enoughness - Tiffanie Darke: How to be in fashion now, finding purpose, the joy of being less greedy. 

Judith also volunteers at The Remakery in Edinburgh.

Previous-guest, Wendy Ward (@thatwendyward), is doing interesting work tracking the frequency of wear of her garments.

Check out the 1908 diary (@the1908diary), an account run by Louise (@theknitnurse).

Judith’s quarterly wardrobe tracking updates were posted to Instagram on:

• 2nd April 2024
• 1st July 2024
• 1st October 2024
• 2nd January 2025

Judith’s method for recording her garment wears:

Read the article ‘Forget Fitness Tracking: Wardrobe Tracking is All the Rage in 2024’ by Emily Chan for Vogue, 21st January 2024.