This summer I joined a new group of keen stitchers who met at Pensychnant Nature Conservation Centre each week to rescue, recycle, upcycle and embellish old or broken clothing to produce new and unique garments. It was a pleasure to be among like-minded people in such a creative and positive atmosphere. The results of these workshops spoke for themselves, with one lady creating a stylish long jacket from several pairs of her son’s discarded jeans, another fashioning a gorgeous tiered skirt from old tops and T-shirts, while another member took a pair of unused curtains and made them into a striking red ball-gown, complete with matching mask!
Pensychnant, a uniquely special place where nature and creativty can thrive!
I attended in my needle felting capacity, upcycling some of my own clothes so I could wear them again. I gave a pair of tatty, paint-stained jogging bottoms a brighter look with felted flowers, fungi and a few celestial motifs, and I completely transformed a sweatshirt that I had avoided for years. It’s my old leaver’s hoodie from my senior school, where I wasn’t very happy.
Although I liked the colour and style, it was covered with pupils’ names and the school logo, and I didn’t want to be reminded of what was, for me, a very painful time. So rather than throw it away, I decided to give it a personalised makeover. I covered over all the writing and logos with images of some of my favourite marine animals. I’ve always loved sea creatures, and find them fascinating and therapeutic to watch, so the old leavers’ hoodie I once avoided has become a garment I want to wear, and I wear it with a smile!
Now I wear my transformed leavers’ hoodie with a smile!
The names on the back have now been replaced with a humpback whale!
At the end of summer we all got together one sunny Saturday for a fun and informal fashion shoot to display the fruits of our work, and the parade of unique and colourful outfits proved a great attraction. The day was such a success that the group decided to carry on meeting, so the inspiring Zero Waste Fashion Project are still busy creating new clothes from old.
The Zero Waste Fashion Project ladies modelled their creations at the fun fashion shoot.
So next time you think about throwing away a piece of clothing, why not think about transforming it into something new instead?
