August 19, 2026

What Does It Really Take to Make a T-Shirt?

Kevina-Jo Smith

What Does It Really Take to Make a T-Shirt?

At the MTNS MADE Sustainable Textiles Symposium in October 2025, three local makers, Lina, Laetitia and Jaime, were invited to make a MTNS MADE t-shirt from start to finish. From a roll of cotton supplied by Minerva's Bower, and the Myka Top pattern from Tessuti. Using industrial sewing machines, the team cut and sewed the Tessuti pattern before Freedom Wilson screenprinted the MTNS MADE logo onto the finished garment.

We commissioned Matt Jackson from Hey Action Productions to film the process so we could show what actually goes into making a t-shirt, time, skill, equipment and materials, and to help us work out the true cost of making a t-shirt. When we ask, “How can a t-shirt cost just $10?”, this video helps make the answer visible and keeps the conversation going about sustainability, fast fashion and what we can do differently.

Members mentioned

Lina Zainal
Laetitia Lopez
Jaime Fergusson
Matt Jackson
Minerva’s Bower
Freedom Wilson
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF NGURRA

The City of the Blue Mountains is located within the Ngurra (Country) of the Dharug and Gundungurra peoples. MTNS MADE recognises that Dharug and Gundungurra Traditional Owners have a continuous and deep connection to their Country and that this is of great cultural significance to Aboriginal people, both locally and in the region. For Dharug and Gundungurra People, Ngurra takes in everything within the physical, cultural and spiritual landscape – landforms, waters, air, trees, rocks, plants, animals, foods, medicines, minerals, stories and special places. It includes cultural practice, kinship, knowledge, songs, stories and art, as well as spiritual beings, and people: past, present and future. Blue Mountains City Council pays respect to Elders past and present while recognising the strength, capacity and resilience of past and present Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Blue Mountains region.

MTNS MADE is proudly delivered by Blue Mountains City Council