|
It’s been asked if the Trek2Tiny is about weight loss, and while there are no recipes or exercise programs involved, I did lose hundreds of pounds, but was shedding the weight from decades of accumulated stuff. During the frozen January of 2016 I began to wonder what was next for me. My youngest child was graduating high school, leaving me with an “empty nest” that was a very full nest! It became clear that I was ready for something very, very different.
Small spaces have always intrigued me, and I wondered how much space is enough for me to live comfortably. Paying close attention to how I moved through the rooms in my house and how I used the spaces, I started to research and design a tiny house. After many sketches, models and floor plans, I settled on 270 square feet of living space. With three kids and 25 years of family life behind me, there were many decisions to be made and the downsizing began in earnest.
I decided to start with something that seemed manageable - my clothing. Having resided in Sandpoint for three decades, weathering all four seasons, my clothing collection reflected this journey. Being ensnared by the allure of cheap, trendy seasonal items from popular department stores and online shops, I realized I was a casualty of the fast fashion industry. With only a coat closet, a small hanging closet, and a handful of storage baskets in the tiny house, a minimalist wardrobe was a necessity.
Dumping all my closets and drawers onto the living room floor revealed a surprising amount of
clothing! Sorting through the heaps, I kept only the items I cherished and regularly wore. I
remember the feeling of lightness I had when that first closet was completely empty, it motivated
me to keep going. I wanted more space, less stuff. I made a promise not to purchase any more
clothes while working on building my house. During construction, I delved into the Japanese art
of sashiko and visible mending. Sashiko reignited my passion for embroidery and sewing, while
also prolonging the life of my most worn and beloved garments.
Constructing my own house presented significant learning challenges yet residing there full-time
since 2018 has brought forth additional insights from the small space. Embracing the Slow
Fashion movement, I have radically reduced my consumption by creating, thrifting, or repairing
clothing items. My view on textiles has broadened to encompass wider sustainability principles,
considering the origins of clothing and what happens to them after we discard or donate them.
Throughout the years, embracing a minimalist lifestyle has reshaped my priorities and artistic
vision. I view thrifted items as opportunities for creativity, like blank canvases, and have fun
teaching others the beauty of Slow Fashion and mending. By cultivating mindfulness, we can
find creative opportunities with patches, embroidery, sashiko patterns, plant-based dyes, and
upcycling. My favorite art is wildly inspired, often using repurposed materials.
I hope to have the opportunity to meet some of you and your favorite worn out jeans….
-Hillary DeCecchis
| 
