Tag Archives: To Die For

Sew 59 – A striking silk suit

upcycled silk suitThis striking green silk was a short collarless jacket and long skirt, upcycled by cropping skirt and attaching offcut as a double collar.

Upcycling is a way of valuing natural fibres as precious resources and this year I’m demonstrating simple ways this can be achieved by resewing at home with my Sew it Again project.

I’m enjoying reading London journalist and environmentalist Lucy Siegle’s book To die for: is fashion wearing out the world – an authoritative and entertaining read.

As Siegle says, silkworms die so their silk cocoons can become fabric (1500 little critters for each metre of silk) – which is why it’s doubly worthwhile refashioning silk garments for a second/third life until they’re worn out.

On March 30, Siegle will be in Australia as part of the All about Women festival and speaking at Sydney Opera House on the topic Is fashion wearing out the world?  Continue reading →

Sew 40 – Changing clothes and habits

seablue muumuuSkirt becomes one-shoulder dress by creating an armhole, lifting the hemline in a few minutes to create a second life.

I’m refashioning a garment a day as a creative way to distil wardrobes of clothing horded or rescued from op shops because I appreciate their intrinsic value as natural resources.

For me this is not just about remaking and selling clothes at places like Reverse Emporium, it is about leading – demonstrating by actions – how simple old-fashioned home-sewing skills can empower us to dress in a different way.

My Sew it Again project emerged from postgraduate study with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation through James Cook University which was transformative – it led to eco-leadership in an authentic space of my own making.

I’m tapping into a global sustainable fashion movement in the United Kingdom and United States which is raising awareness about where clothes come from and what is their true cost. Continue reading →