Refashioning, upcycling, altered couture - a craft by many
names, but whatever you choose to call it, this is a fun way to exercise your
creativity while keeping older clothing out of landfills! This is a sub-genre of sewing that I love. It makes me feel super creative while I divert fiber waste from the dump. Here are 5 "Non-rules" to get you
started on this creative path.
1. The sky is the
limit (to your collection)! Unless your
storage space is extremely limited (ok, whose storage space isn't somewhat
limited?) amass a collection of garments for refashioning. Sometimes a garment on its own is pretty
uninspiring, but when two or three of these ho-hum garments are put together,
ideas for what they might become begin to flow!
Putting two or more disparate pieces together yields something I like to
call a Frankengarment, because you're sewing pieces from different garments
into one. If you crave organization, put
like-weight fabrics into a bin together, or group by colors.
2. In this case, size
definitely does not matter! By this, I
mean the size of the original garment.
All garments are eligible for refashion whether they are miles too small
or swimmingly large. Even a tiny baby
dress can be reused in embellishment on an adult garment. If you love something about it - the print,
the color, or the hand of the fabric - you are more likely to incorporate the
piece into your art.
3. The world is your
source! Be open to traditional and
non-traditional means of acquiring materials for your art. Start, of course in your own closet, looking
for garments you have not worn in a year or more. Expand into the closets of your family and
even friends! Thrift stores, yard sales,
estate sales and consignment shops are another source. And, don't forget scavenging and dumpster
diving. With a little fortitude, you can
score great items for refashioning.
4. Forget what the
garment is now! A dress need not stay a
dress, a blouse is not always a blouse, and trousers are not forever sentenced
to trouserhood! Open your eyes to the
possibilities and liberate the garment within the garment. While strictly not a refashion in the truest
sense of the word, sometimes you can just re-use the fabric from one garment to
create another.
5. Start simple - do
what you know! My first upcycle was the
simple addition of an appliquéd dragonfly to a denim jacket. Years later, I still wear that jacket
frequently because I love it. You, too,
can start by embellishing already existing garments. Wear them out and about. Soon you'll be complimented on your lovely
and unique creations. Compliments are
like crack to the crafter - oh so addictive!
You'll soon want more, and begin to push the creative envelope further
and further. Who knows where your
creativity can take you?
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