When in Malaysia, do as the Malaysian people do. Dressing for local conditions is practical and respectful. I don’t always wear a head scarf here, but it is certainly good to pack a few so one can blend into the local streetscape. I made this blue cotton scarf from a five-metre length I picked up at a Warwick op shop a while back. It had been in someone’s fabric stash then discarded before they did anything with it. It was lovely light loose-weave cotton which is quite hard to come by, so naturally I snapped it up and stored until I had a use for it. It was just a matter of cutting a length about 1.75m long, folding over lengthwise then sewing together while leaving a gap of about 8cm so it can be turned inside out to become a scarf. Good for sun protection, mopping a perspiring brow, and to dress as do many locals with the hair covered. 

There were amazing runway creations on the final day of Kuala Lumper Fashion Week #KLFW2014 at the Pavilion KL shopping centre, none of a traditional nature that I saw. Fun to watch and admire the spectacle though – as it is to enjoy to view from Tony’s apartment looking out at the stunning landmark Petronas Towers.

The more substantial upcycle in Sew 173 is my blue cotton and silk history skirt made from eight panels pieced together from waste garments and pillows. I gathered about six garments and cut off useful features from each – button fronts, sleeves – stitched them together and added several pockets made from pieces of sleeves and skirts for phones and keys. These panels are stitched together, a hem trim is added at the bottom (about 4m around the hem and whatever depth you want) and a stretch knit band used to secure the waist with elastic.