There are only 100 days left in the year. Sew 265 heralds 99 refashions remaining in my Sew it Again journey of upcycling every day during 2014 for pleasure, reward and sustainability.

Individual action in our own backyards to reduce resource use and minimise environmental impact is the best way we can help the sustainability cause. Although Sew it Again is raising awareness about textile use/reuse/waste, that is just one element of choosing to live in a way that does not harm people, places or planets.

My Townsville friend, veteran bush photographer Fiona Lake, has solar power, chooks and recycles green waste. She washes clothes in cold water, doesn’t iron linen, and wears vintage clothing that belonged to her mum. 

This linen skirt was a rare dud purchase, bought in a rush in Sydney while Fiona was preparing for her Bondi exhibition of photographs from outback cattle stations. Even though she wasn’t wearing the skirt because the style was unflattering, it was kept because she valued the fabric.

So it was great to be able to upcycle this skirt as Sew 265, cutting off the narrow waistband (it becomes necklace) and adding a new waistband cut from the bottom of a white t-shirt (see how-to-photos below). This extends the skirt to a more flattering length and removes the puffy gathering at the waistline. Fiona models the upcycled skirt with a linen shirt on The Strand in tropical Townsville.