Ethical clothing, handmade in the UK

Sewing patterns

As part of our goal to make sustainable fashion as accessible as possible, we also sell our designs as sewing patterns, with instructions for you to make up the items yourselves.

Each pattern is an instant PDF download that you can print at home on A4 or have printed on A0 paper. We provide step-by-step instructions on how to print the pattern, cut the fabric and sew the project. Moreover, we include a: glossary; size guide; and information on how you can alter the project for your preference.

Note: our patterns are for your personal use only.

About ford & guy

Started by Suzie Ford in 2020, ford & guy is passionate about playful and expressive fashion that is both sustainable and ethically handmade. We do our research to ensure we only use fabrics that have evidenced sustainable credentials. This limits the range of fabrics we can work with, but ensures that we do not greenwash you.

We design, pattern cut and make each product in our workshop in Nottingham, England:

“My main aim is to increase access to and choice in responsible products. This is not to increase overall product consumption, but to change the way that we think about the fashion industry.” -Suzie

We use a mixture of certified organic, fair trade and locally-sourced fabrics with a rich plant-based content and that reduce damaging farming practises, pollution and evidence worker conditions. Moreover, we make our products to-order so that we do not produce waste. What small scraps we do produce, we repurpose into other projects or pay to be fully recycled within the UK into loft insulation.

*Important note on greenwashing*

Many brands right now claim they are ‘sustainable’ but use 100% cotton- we cannot stress enough how misleading this is. Regular cotton is actually one of the worst fabrics for impact on the environment due to the farming methods. Please look for organic or recycled cotton!

Sustainable Fabric Directory

We have put together a sustainable sewing directory that links to a number of resources, including where to source sustainable fabrics and haberdashery, along with amazing learning materials.

Mindful Maker Collective

Many people in the world are working hard to develop ethically and sustainably-made products. The Mindful Maker Collective aims to bring together a selection of these items and the amazing people behind them. We host 30 amazing makers in our store (96 Chilwell Road, NG9 1ES), alongside our products. You can also find them listed in our Mindful Maker Collective page here.