We’ll be featuring some fantastic leaders in sustainability in our new Sustainability Spotlight series. We’re kicking off the series by sharing a conversation between Circular Thrift Founder Lisa Goldsand and Shailah Maynard, the founder of Sew Valley. We chatted about Sew Valley and domestic textile waste solutions in central Ohio.
Lisa: Shailah, I’ve been an admirer of your work for a few years now. Could you share your “Why” with us and what inspired you to open Sew Valley?
Shailah: Sew Valley exists to help apparel entrepreneurs and brands manufacture locally, sustainably, ethically and efficiently. We have a long-term vision of creating a local garment manufacturing industry that empowers people to realize job stability, security, and career paths. In short, we believe that sustainable and ethical apparel manufacturing is possible, it can be done right here in our backyards, and it can be a sustainable and rewarding career path for anyone looking to expand their skills.
In 2017, my co-founder, Rosie Kovacs, and I launched Sew Valley in response to a significant gap in resources and services for apparel businesses in our region. With Rosie’s background in fashion design and entrepreneurship, and my experience in corporate fashion merchandising, we recognized a unique opportunity to support local designers and small apparel companies. We envisioned a space that offered cut-and-sew services, studio and equipment rentals, and educational workshops — a game changer for businesses in need of these critical resources.
After securing our nonprofit status, we set an ambitious 8-month trial period to test our concept. Almost immediately the demand became clear. Our phones began ringing, and they haven’t stopped since. What started as a two person operation has since grown into a thriving team of 12 highly skilled professionals capable of developing and manufacturing a diverse range of soft goods products.
Lisa: What has been the most rewarding part of your journey since Sew Valley opened?
Shailah: When we launched Sew Valley, we knew there was a demand for services, space, and equipment. What we didn’t fully anticipate, however, was how deeply we would be able to create jobs and build meaningful career paths for so many people within the local sewn goods industry. I’m incredibly proud of the talented team we’ve built over the past seven years. Each member brings exceptional skill and dedication, and the quality of our products and services is a direct reflection of their expertise.
This small but mighty group of apparel engineers has the know-how to develop any type of garment, consistently delivering to spec and on time — no exceptions. Together, we’re proving that our long-term vision isn’t just possible, it’s already happening. Now, it’s time for the world to recognize the incredible potential we have.
Lisa: What excites you most about the future of sustainable fashion?
Shailah: I feel extremely encouraged by the collective efforts of like-minded individuals and organizations all working toward our common goal of turning the industry around for the better. Although the future of both our industry and our planet can often seem bleak, it’s these efforts that inspire me to keep moving forward. From engaging with advocates like you, Lisa, to being a part of Cynthia Powers and Laura Novich’s Circular Fashion Coalition, to being involved in the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network in support of the SDGs. None of this can be achieved alone, and these groups give me hope. I’m also encouraged by the push for legislative support. The pro-labor bill, The Fashion Workers Act in New York and the ongoing efforts to pass the FABRIC Act are incredibly encouraging. There’s still a ton of work to do, but these are just a few examples of collective efforts that will make a significant impact and drive meaningful change.
Lisa: What is your favorite product that has been produced inside the walls of Sew Valley so far?
Shailah: We just celebrated the culmination of a 5-year partnership with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, where we designed and manufactured the Cincinnati Pops’ new red jackets to reflect contemporary style but incorporate more functionality for ease of comfort and movement for the musicians. Sew Valley’s product developers are truly engineers, and we are extremely proud of the end result. Our team engineered a product that seamlessly blends form and function. Engineered for musicians of all instruments and body types, the Pops jackets preserve the sophisticated, and contemporary feel of a tailored jacket. No easy feat! Check out our web page highlighting the partnership here: https://sewvalley.org/cincinnati-pops
I also love the products we’ve been creating for the Chicago-based brand All We Remember. Their commitment to responsible manufacturing and ethical material sourcing perfectly aligns with our own values, making this collaboration especially exciting. It’s been a true pleasure bringing their designs to life. Be sure to check out their product line at allweremember.com.
Lisa: I’m excited about the planned acquisition of a shredder at Sew Valley. What made you decide to launch this project? Tell us all about it!
Shailah: Sustainability has always been at the heart of Sew Valley’s values. Since our founding, we’ve been searching for solutions to address our fabric scrap waste. Until now, we’ve shared our excess materials on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, offering them for free rather than sending them to landfills. While it’s great that people pick up the scraps, we know that much of it, especially the smaller pieces, isn’t being fully utilized.
As our network grew, we saw more organizations creatively repurposing their fabric waste. We were particularly inspired by initiatives like FABSCRAP and Upstate NY brand Like Minded Objects, who used shredding technology to turn fabric scraps into valuable new materials, such as upholstery fill and shoddy. This motivated us to pursue a similar approach, and after over a year of searching, we found a machinist in Cleveland who specializes in building plastic shredding and sheet pressing equipment. We modified these machines to meet our fabric processing needs, and with the help of a grant from our county’s recycling resource, we are thrilled to share that the machines are finally here!
So, what does this new initiative look like? Sew Valley’s Zero Waste Program will take fabric scrap waste and process it through a shredding machine, turning it into smaller pieces that can be repurposed as a sustainable fill material commonly known as “shoddy.” This fill can replace virgin polyfill in a variety of products, such as pillows, benches, dog beds, and more. It can even be used as recycled insulation in home improvement projects. Additionally, we’ve acquired a sheet pressing machine that transforms the fabric fill into large 3’ x 3’ fiberboard sheets, which can be used for items like bulletin boards, soundproofing panels, furniture, and decorative items.
This program will not only help us address our own fabric waste, but it is also designed to scale with demand. We’ll be able to offer fabric waste disposal services to individuals and businesses for a small fee per pound, as well as sell the processed fill and fiberboards for those who want to use them in their own projects. We’ve already received significant interest from local and national organizations who are all looking for solutions for their fabric waste, and we are thrilled to be able to provide a solution.
We’re excited to officially announce the program on International Day of Zero Waste, March 30th!
Lisa: How do you see the mission of Sew Valley as connected with addressing textile waste in the short term? What are your goals and how can people reading this know what to do to help / support you?
Shailah: We hope to continue to challenge the “race to the bottom” mentality that has dominated our industry for decades. US consumers are so far removed from even the thought of apparel manufacturing, and no one takes it seriously, unfortunately. That $5 T-shirt you’re wearing? The only way that T-shirt was able to be made that cheaply was because of both human and environmental exploitation. If the general public doesn’t understand that, then they most certainly won’t understand what needs to be done with the T-shirt after they’re done with it.
In order to combat this we hope to continue to prove that sustainable apparel manufacturing can be done right here in our backyards. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk. We pay our workers living wages and foster a safe, comfortable, and empowering work environment. We believe ethical apparel manufacturing is not only possible, but it can also be a fulfilling and sustainable career path for anyone looking to expand their skills. Since 2017, we’ve supported more than 300 entrepreneurs by providing access to space, equipment, on-the-job training, and educational resources.
Looking to the future, our vision is to create a thriving local garment manufacturing industry that offers job stability, security, and clear career pathways. After all, a “sustainable” product is only truly sustainable if the people who make it can live a sustainable life.
We’re excited to see our vision unfold and have some incredible projects on the horizon. Stay connected with us on social media and sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear about the exciting programs we’re working on!
Thank you so much for sharing Sew Valley’s story, Shailah! Be sure to follow Sew Valley online here:
Sewvalley.org
instagram.com/sewvalley
facebook.com/sewvalley
linkedin.com/company/sew-valley
