Social media is a powerful tool that enables us to self-publish, share, connect, engage and conduct business with others around the globe in ways that were barely possible 15 years ago.

I wrote my first story about the internet when I was Queensland correspondent for Australian Campus Review Weekly newspaper back in the mid-1990s. Obviously Campus Review is now itself online – and this reflection of change prompted me to search for a brief history of social media

I’ve been online everyday this year with the Sew it Again project and yet I still marvel at the fact that I can read through social media (Twitter) about the first Refashion Day which is planned for 26th November at Somerset House on The Strand in London on the other side of the world.  

The invitation says: Discover creative ways to make clothes last longer. Look great, save money and do good. “The UK throws out almost 1 million tonnes of textiles every year. If we extend the average life of our clothes by just 3 months we can reduce their environmental impact by up to 10%. There are lots of fun and creative ways to do this, so we’re hosting our first Refashion Day on the 26th November at Somerset House to share ideas. Join us for refashioning and up-cycling workshops, swap shops, talks from the ‘Queen of Upcycling’ Orsola de Castro (and Fashion Revolution day co-founder) and much more.”

Great to see refashioning and upcycling motivations and activities aligning on opposite parts of the globe. Wish I could be there – maybe next year if I can work out a way to fund the trip and fulfil my goal to travel the world inspiring creative upcycling of nature fibres.

Meanwhile back on the ground in Brisbane, Sew 306 is from last week’s home-schooling refashion workshop, at which Jasmyn advanced her t-shirt upcycling skills from when she first appeared on the blog as Sew 216 after the Redcliffe workshop back in June.

This time, Jasmyn used a sewing machine to take up my suggestion of stitching the shirt sleeves together create a belt-tie which brings her t-shirt and t-shirt skirt together as a creative, comfortable outfit to suit her active lifestyle. Well done Jasmyn!