Sew Your Own
I have just dusted off my sewing machine, vowing to finally make some of my specially hoarded old clothes into new style items. For the last couple of years I have held onto redundant Tshirts, skirts and badges from jackets I no longer wear with the dream of fashioning the materials into a unique bag, belt or other cool accessory.
Now, as the threat of economic meltdown looms over my ad hoc shopping sprees like a Grim Reaper of Spontaneous Spenders, it’s high time I curb splashing out on new knick-knacks and get out my needle and thread.
Once you learn how to operate a sewing machine, the possibilities are endless. I recently updated a plain white T with cuttings of material from my dad’s dodgy Paul Smith shirt and I’m looking forward to turning my old Brownie badges into a belt or beret.
I’m not alone in my quest for frugality,
according to Sarah Drinkwater, editor of The
Textile Directory, who says it is both hip and
green to make or revamp your clothes. “We are
seeing a sea change in the market and a
growing interest in reusing and updating
clothes,” says Sara. “This is being driven by a
need to be greener and because people have
less money to spend on buying new clothes.
Also, it is much more fun and creative.”
www.thetextiledirectory.com
- Grainne Byrne