Decorator Profile Protecting our planet
Embroiderer Tracy Tuckett wanted to help the planet. And so, she created clothing brand POP, a range of garments made from recycled fabrics and plastics. P&P editor Melanie Attlesey finds out more.
To help the planet. To protect the planet. Warwick-based Tracy explains: “After watching documentaries on what state our world is in, I wanted to do something about the plastic problem taking over our oceans. As I don’t live near the ocean and wasn’t able to partake in actively doing beach clean ups, I thought about my own industry and how I could utilise that in a positive way to fight against the plastic crisis.” It was around three years ago that garments made from recycled fabrics and plastics began to become available from various suppliers within the printwear industry. Tracy took note of this and saw this as her answer. And so, POP was launched.
Tracy Tuckett wearing one of her favourite pieces from the POP collection – the sports T shirt
M
ore than 15 years ago as a single mum of two small children living in South
Africa, Tracy was eager for a career that gave her the freedom to work from home while generating an income. Along with her retired mum Liz, who was looking for something to fill her time, the pair formed Creative Embroiders, a small family-run embroidery business.
“I taught myself to digitise and naturally we had some training on how to run industrial embroidery machines,” explains Tracy.
Eventually Tracy sold the business and moved to the UK. Loving what she did Tracy started the business all over again five years ago. “Embroidery is like colouring in for adults, it’s fascinating watching the machine work. ‘Colouring in’ a design I created never gets old. I love a challenge and get a buzz from my clients’ reaction when they see the finished item. Embroidery makes me happy,” she adds.
A growing yearning
But Tracy had a growing yearning to do something more worthwhile with her skills.
| 56 | October 2021
“I was fascinated by the texture of the recycled garments I’d received as samples for the range. They are incredibly soft and really feel lovely against your skin. When you tell someone that a POP shirt is made using six plastic bottles, the imagination doesn’t think comfort and softness – I
Left and above: Items from the POP collection
found this amazing and the reaction by customers has been the same. The launch came about because I want people to know that there is an alternative range of everyday garments available and that by choosing to purchase recycled plastic and organic cotton options this helps our planet. Fashion will not change the world – people’s choices will.”
POP
POP stands for Protecting Our Planet or Playing Our Part. The POP range is primarily a leisure range of garments including hoodies, sweaters, joggers, T shirts, dresses and bags. It is designed to be comfortable, eco-friendly and easy to wear. The products in the collection are made from recycled polyester made from plastic bottles and other sustainably sourced materials. In simple terms the plastic goes through a process whereby it is washed, shredded, melted and then spun into thread. This thread is then used to make a fabric. Tracy also chooses to use garments made from organic cotton. Organic fabrics
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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