I believe in creative, individual dress that doesn’t exploit people or the environment.

I believe we can extend the useful life of existing natural fibre clothing by mending, adapting and refashioning them to suit ourselves.

And I’m living what I believe every day this year by posting resewing, repair and refashion projects as a way of demonstrating ways we can individually reduce our clothing footprint.

Today was difficult because my sister Jo and I finalised our late brother Paul’s estate – including his Mercedes Sprinter Van, right. Thank you to those who have helped along the way. Losing a much-loved younger sibling makes us think a lot about our purpose in life and how best to spend the limited time we have on Earth. 

Today’s upcycle involves mending. The elastic waistband of an Italian linen skirt I made years ago and still love had become loose and needed a small hand-stitch repair. The cotton knit (from opshop fill a bag for $2) had a top button which was constantly coming undone, so I reduced the side of the buttonhole by hand-stitching one side to narrow the opening. I like the way the textures work together, and go with my op shop shoes.  The gorgeous dog Bella, below, belong to my dear friends Pat and Bruce with whom we’re staying in Western Australia.