Setting up the Upcycled exhibition at Pandora Gallery in Coolah has helped consolidate the purpose and messaging around my 365-day Sew it Again campaign. Once people think about how our relationship with clothing has changed over the years, they understand why we need to adjust our behaviour to reduce textile waste.

Because country people live close to nature and are naturally resourceful, they’re really receptive to the upcycling concept. We workshopped the Upcycled values for a sign on the gallery wall and keeping adding more – they include being mindful, thrifty, ethical, resourceful, sustainable, creative, original, zero waste, eco-friendly. 

Today’s upcycle is a linen jacket and skirt, of beautiful quality fabric and design but out-of-date style. For the jacket, I cropped the hemline and used the ends of that to become a part-collar. For the skirt, I removed the old waistband and neatened the cut edge with bias tape, cut it to above the knee, took in the side-seams to be straight (not A-line), then created a circular frill to groove up the hem.  My friend Ele Cook will be wearing this later today.