In an era of fast fashion and instant retail, Macy Gilliam chose to slow down and reconnect with the origins of clothing by creating a fleece sweater entirely by hand. Her months-long journey sheds light on the skills, time, and respect that true garment making demands.
- Spent four months making a sweater from raw fleece
- Learned all steps except shearing by hand
- Highlights value of slow, fair fashion
What happened
Macy Gilliam embarked on a unique adventure starting in May, when she gathered four pounds of raw fleece from a Merino sheep named Frannie at a New York farm. Although the actual shearing was done by a professional due to the skill involved, Gilliam personally undertook every following step: cleaning, scouring, carding, spinning, dyeing, and finally knitting the sweater. Along the way, she discovered just how labor-intensive and detailed the process is, even with some modern tools.
After countless hours spent untangling and preparing the wool, Gilliam realized she initially spun less yarn than needed, resulting in going back to the beginning to produce more material. The full project took $736 in costs and four months, culminating in a finished sweater that stands as a testament to traditional textile craft and slow fashion values.
Why it feels good
This hands-on experience gave Gilliam a profound appreciation for the people behind the clothing industry, especially the often underpaid workers who contribute valuable labor in garment creation. By personally investing time and care into every fiber, she connected with the long history of textile craftsmanship perfected over thousands of years.
Her journey reveals not only the tangible skills involved but also the deeper respect and mindfulness that come with understanding how clothes are made. This fosters a greater sense of gratitude for everyday items and challenges the fast-paced convenience culture that separates consumers from the real stories behind their fashion.
What to enjoy or watch next
Gilliam documented her entire ‘Sheep to Sweater’ project in an exhibition allowing others to explore the intricate process of making clothing by hand. Those interested in sustainable living and mindful consumption can find inspiration in her story to try crafting something themselves or support brands that prioritize fair wages and thoughtful production.
For an immersive experience, viewers can watch her full journey which highlights each stage of turning raw fleece into a wearable sweater. It’s a compelling invitation to slow down and reconnect with the roots of our wardrobes, fostering appreciation and respect for the art and labor woven into every stitch.