This linen bias-cut skirt turned dress with addition of a bodice made from scraps sewn to an old piece of sheeting.

If you’ve been following Sew it Again, you know I’m on a 365-day journey devising and sharing ways we can take unworn clothes from our wardrobe and resew them for a second life.

Yesterday I attended the Meet and Greet at International House college at The University Of Queensland in my capacity as a director/honorary secretary on the Board of Management and spent time with the fabulous 2014 student leaders.

I was wearing Sew 47 and thrilled by their interest, quick understanding and excitement about the concept of resewing and reusing existing clothing – because as uni students they need to be thrifty and resourceful in the way they dress. 

Today’s post includes a word about ironing – because linen and need-to-iron usually go together. Ironing has its place ahead of a very important meeting or special occasion but I’m not convinced we need to do it as often as we think.

My perspective is wash, shake and hang – then have your body heat work out lingering creases as you wear – and embrace the slightly crushed look of un-ironed linen as a statement of quality, natural fibre. For better or worse, none of the Sew it Again linen garments are ironed.

I love linen and have lots in my wardrobe. I made this Irish linen skirt cut on the cross about five years ago and wore it lot but had moved on from its style. To convert to a dress, I undid the elastic waist and took it in at the sides to fit me under the arms (pin, try on, adjust, sew). I drafted a bodice shape from another dress, and cut a backing piece from an old sheet. After uncovering the linen remnants from my stash (yes, hoarded for a rainy day) I sewed them directly on to the sheet bodice, neatened the edges then attached that front and back to the skirt. Any contrasting fabric would work for the bodice, if I didn’t have matching scraps to use (note the darker, unwashed shade).

This was all done without ironing which explains the slightly crushed look of the bodice which will settle with washing – always done in cold water which is easier on clothes and on electricity.

Why iron when you don’t have to? Devising strategies to get away with not ironing saves time, money and effort.