Tag Archives: Jade

Sew 301 – Upcycle by extending hem

Ellie wears upcycled skirtThere are no rules about the length of your hemline, unless you mix in Royal circles. It is really just a matter of what feels comfortable for the wearer and appropriate for the situation.

This soft blue cotton skirt was in Lily’s exit pile – most likely because it is too short, even for slim teenagers. The upcycling solution is adding a piece of fabric to extend the hem to a more agreeable length.

At our weekend workshop, Jade and I decided what length we wanted the finished skirt to be (to suit her younger sister) and then tore two extender strips of lightweight white linen fabric (from my stash). After fringing away the excess threads, Jade sewed the strips together into one long piece then zigzagged the edges to stop further fraying. This was then zigzagged onto the existing hemline, with the excess twirled into a loose floret (and secured by machine stitching). We then found a white doily and sewed it across the join to link new with old. See Jade’s work in progress photos belowContinue reading

Sew 299 – Jade upcycles cotton top

Jade wears upcycledOur style and taste in clothes changes over time, and those we no longer wear can be moved along by donating to opportunity shops, given to friends, swapped, sold online or at suitcase rummages – or as we are doing in the Sew it Again project this year, we can upcycle them by resewing.

My daughter Lily is in the United Kingdom at the University of Leeds this semester and before she left home, we sorted her clothing into keepers and stuff she no longer wanted.

At a Textile Beat workshop with young teenage friends yesterday, Jade found a summer cotton top and Canterbury shorts in Lily’s exit pile. She reshaped the top by cutting off the bodice, neatening the cut edge then reapplying the spagetti straps in a new way. The Canterbury shorts continue to be favourites among school girls – all they needed was a new owner and that’s Jade. Great to work with young girls interested in learning sewing skills that will last them a lifetime.  Continue reading