Episode 110—A Journey Towards Circularity
In this episode, we're joined by Justin Barry, owner of Fdes (Functional Design) in Whitefish, Montana, to talk about designing and making with recycled textiles—and why constraints can be a powerful creative tool. Justin shares how a summer job with the Montana Conservation Corps led to an unexpected career working with reclaimed and repurposed materials. Hear what shapes his design process, from sourcing textiles to adapting patterns and construction methods around what’s available, and how function, durability, and intention guide his work. Justin is also very involved with The Making Place, a local makerspace. This conversation is for makers who are curious about sustainable sewing, interested in using what already exists, and drawn to the challenge (and satisfaction) of turning overlooked materials into something truly useful.
SHOW NOTES
Fdes: Functional Design—Justin’s website
The Making Place Facebook group
The Tremont Jacket by The Sewing Workshop
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Janet Szabo’s website
Big Sky Knitting Designs website—Purchase digital copies of Janet’s knitting patterns and order copies of her books.
The ‘Suck It Up, Buttercup’ Blog—Janet’s commentary on life in Montana
Janet will be teaching at Sew Expo 2026 in Puyallup, Washington, in February!
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