This embroidered silk wrap-around op shop find had a belt-tie waist which I upcycled by adding two buttons/buttonholes to secure the garment more definitively.

Sometimes we need to see things done before we can conceive of different ways of working and wearing – which is why I’m demonstrating upcycling ideas every day with this Sew it Again campaign.

Being in Western Australia for the next couple of weeks, I was lucky to be inspired by a whole bunch of creativity in the annual Sculptures by the Sea at Cottesloe Beach. Several of the textile creations which took my eye are photographed below. 

Meanwhile back to my upcycle for today, and this silk wrap dress is embroidered with metal thread. It looks striking but originally had a belt-tie waist that gave it the look of a dressing gown. I made two buttonholes at the waistline and sewed on interesting vintage buttons (from my op shop collection) so the garment was fitted at the waist. From my perspective, this small and simple change makes this lovely natural fibre garment work much better.