Sew 315 – Creative second-hand combo

Jane Milburn wears upcycledIn this era of conspicuous consumption, it is refreshing to come across people from all walks of life who deliberately make thrifty choices and consider secondhand-best whenever possible.

At a check-up with my dentist yesterday, Bruce asked me what I’d been up to since I last visited, I told him about Sew it Again and that the upcycled outfit I was wearing (right) had cost me less than $2. He was completely with the program. Bruce said he loved fossicking through second-hand clothing stores and that his med-student daughter had upcycled his wife’s wedding dress for her Year 12 formal outfit. Fabulous thrifty values, reusing what already exists instead of always buying new! 

I flew to Western Australia late yesterday for one last visit to finalise my late brother Paul’s estate so I needed a few quick upcycles to tide me over. For Sew 315, I pulled together these two pieces (opshop fill a bag for $2) – a cotton/viscose maxi skirt which doubles as strapless dress and a checked-linen short skirt (note the crushed look) with the zip undone to feature as a creative collar. Both items were probably not going to be worn in their existing format but together they make a second-hand combo that is comfortable, creative and unique. Surely this kind of upcycling is not hard, requires no sewing, regenerates cast-off clothing, and enables one to dress in a style that work for oneself.

creative original upcycled