WALK THE TALK

Take a look at your clothing you’re wearing right now! It was 100% made by a highly skilled individual with a lifetime of experience & training. The majority of the clothing in your closet is likely made by an individual paid as little as $1-$3 per hour, who is also likely subjected to unsafe & unhealthy working conditions. 

With the offshoring of manufacturing since the 1990s, and the rise of fast fashion over the past few decades, our industry has shifted from a respected trade to an exploitative and deceptive industry that is now the 2nd largest pollutant on earth, and it's on track to contribute 25% of the world’s carbon budget by 2050.

Sew Valley exists to prove that this does not have to be the way. Ethical apparel manufacturing can be done, it can be done here, and it can be a rewarding career path for anyone looking to expand their skills. Since 2017, we have helped over 300 entrepreneurs with services, space, equipment access, on the job training, and educational opportunities. We walk the talk. We pay our workers living wages, and provide a safe and comfortable work environment. We assist anyone from emerging designers looking for help launching their dream lines, design graduates looking for work, to larger organizations, such as the Cincinnati Pops (who just debuted their new red jackets designed and manufactured by us!)

Your support of our walk the talk campaign will help us continue our mission to assist local entrepreneurs and brands manufacture locally, sustainably, ethically, and efficiently. In addition, your support will help us see our long term vision of creating a sustainable local garment manufacturing industry that empowers people to realize job stability, security, and career paths.

How Your Donation Helps:

• General Mission Support: Sew Valley serves as a hub for local 
  makers, providing resources and training to help individuals turn 
  their passion for sewing and craftsmanship into sustainable 
  careers. Your contribution helps us expand our programs, reach 
  more participants, and foster a creative, inclusive community.

• Sustainability Efforts: We're passionate about reducing waste and 
  creating a more sustainable apparel industry. Donations support 
  our zero waste efforts of designing for circularity, sourcing 
  eco-friendly materials, upcycling fabric, and providing education 
  on sustainable practices, all while helping us develop innovative 
  solutions to the apparel industry's environmental challenges.

• On-the-Job Training: One of the cornerstones of Sew Valley's 
  work is offering on-the-job training for people in our community 
  who want to learn practical skills for careers in the sewing and 
  textile industries. Your donation helps fund programs that provide 
  real-world experience, mentorship, and pathways to long-term 
  employment for people from diverse backgrounds.

So… Do you want to talk about how our industry is problematic, and can turn around for the better, or do you want to actually walk it? Every dollar you contribute to this fundraiser will directly support the above initiatives, proving that apparel manufacturing can be sustainable, ethical, and equitable, with positive impacts benefitting our community and planet for the long term. By supporting Sew Valley, you're helping cultivate a more sustainable, inclusive, and creative Cincinnati!

Thank you for your generosity and belief in Sew Valley’s mission. Together we will walk the talk and prove that sustainable and ethical apparel manufacturing is possible right here in our backyards.

With Love,
Sew Valley

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Click here to learn more about the fashion industry's environmental and social impacts, and what you can do to help.