The 2014 National RIRDC Rural Women’s Award dinner is done and dusted, with environmental advocate and grazier Pip Job from New South Wales named the winner and Jackie Jarvis from Western Australia the runner-up.

It is such a privilege to be invited to this prestigious award that celebrates Australia’s inspirational rural women, after having been a bit player in 2010 as Queensland runner-up.

My current Sew it Again is a continuation of the journey that began with RIRDC (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation) and the Australian Rural Leadership Program as I learned to bring together my skills and knowledge in a meaningful way.

So of course, I had to sew something original to wear to this black tie event – turning an old blue men’s wool jumper into a skirt to anchor a flash of purple silk. Jenny from Coolah in New South Wales gave me this beautiful purple shot-silk outfit for upcycling and I’ve been reflecting for a while on how best to utilize it. 

Here’s the story of how Sew 268 was created. I decided to use the top part of Jenny’s silk skirt as a frill collar, measuring my preferred length (shoulder width) before snipping then tearing the silk, removing stray threads and zigzagging to secure. I set aside the bottom of the garment for my jumper skirt and have the middle portion left for another project. From one of the sleeves, I cut the bottom portion off one, sewed the cut edge together then added a strap to become a carry pouch (with the rest of the shirt also set aside for another project). The old blue jumper is lovely soft wool that needed a small patch on the waistband. I cut off the jumper sleeves then sewed the side-seams back together before using part of one sleeve to fill in the V neckline. I sewed some bias-binding to the inside of the waist and threaded elastic through to create a waistband. I then sewed the bottom of Jenny’s full skirt to my wool skirt, stretching the wool as I sewed to give the flared effect. The reason I have done this, is because I believe natural fibres are valuable. Just because the original garments are no longer useful the way they are – is no reason to see them go to waste. A little effort and creativity can bring them into service again. I also believe REfashion will become more mainstream as we begin to understand the ethical, sustainable, and unique reasons for that. See how to photos at bottom.

It was great to catch up with many friends and sponsors at the awards dinner in the Great Hall of Parliament House – with particular thanks to the Australian Government and Westpac Agribusiness for making it possible.