Category Archives: refashion

Sew 274 – Three-quarters sewn-up

One of the interesting things about a 365-day project is that you are conscious of each passing day – and October means my Sew it Again year is three-quarters complete.

The six key learnings so far are:

Two-thirds of clothing today is made of synthetic fibres, which are derived from petroleum. The other third is natural fibres (mainly cotton, but also wool, linen, silk)

We each consume 80 percent more clothing than we did two-decades ago – annual individual consumption now 11kg per person compared with 7kg per person in 1992

Based on UK statistics, nearly one-third of waste clothing ends up in landfill if it doesn’t become part of the global used-clothing trade or turned into rags Continue reading →

Sew 273 – Cut frills from silk rejects

Refashioning clothing you already have instead of buying new is what I, Jane Milburn, am doing every day this year as a mindful, resourceful and purposeful project demonstrating sustainable ways to dress by upcycling unworn natural-fibre garments.

To create Sew 273, I took a plain black silk skirt with frill hem and randomly altered the hemline before embellishing it with fringing cut from two butter-cup yellow unworn silk garments – a jacket and a striped shirt.

To begin, I cut on the diagonal across the bottom of the skirt to create a more interesting sloping hemline. I cut the bottom frill from the offcut and stitched it to the new hemline. I then cut a strip from all the finished edges (including buttons, button-holes, collar) of the silk jacket to create a long and continuous hemmed silk length which is about 4cm wide, and zigzagged it in place above the bottom black frill. Continue reading →

Sew 272 – Sew it Again interview

One of the affirming outcomes of my recent trip to Canberra was the opportunity to be interviewed by Afternoons broadcaster at ABC 666 Alex Sloan.

During the interview, I felt Alex’s active interest in Sew it Again as a values-based project and now that I’ve learned we have a shared career history as ABC rural reporters, I understand that. Thanks so much Alex for your life-affirming interest in my endeavours to bring attention to the sustainable and ethical clothing choices we all can make. Continue reading →

Sew 270 – Gemma upcycles shorts

It was great to have my friend Georgie Somerset staying the other night, this time with her daughter Gemma who is studying textiles at Fairholme College in Toowomba (which has its own Fairholme Fashion Week in October).

Gemma was a willing candidate for an upcycling project. We had a rummage in the cupboard and found this pair of orange cotton romper shorts suitable for a quick restyle and a green top that needed a few buttons replaced.

Buttons often fall off clothes these days, so knowing how to replace them is a useful life-skill. From the button stash, Gemma found four matching buttons of the required size and sewed them in place. Continue reading →

Sew 268 – Refashion makes Great Hall

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. Continue reading →

Sew 266 – Adding sparkle to black

The future is not a destination, it is a journey made up of small steps. We need courage to design our future with purpose and deliberation, to be the change we want to see.

I’m in Canberra and reflecting on these words articulated by Federal Member for Indi Cathy McGowan in a Charters Towers speech last week at the QRRRWN conference. Cathy referred to visionary garden designer Capability Brown who created landscape legacies in the United Kingdom with instructions for 200 years into the future. Cathy challenged us to project ourselves into the future, to get involved, put up our hands for leadership and influence outcomes. Continue reading →

Sew 265 – Entering upcycle countdown

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. Continue reading →

Sew 259 – Streamlining a favourite

This year I’m on a creative journey that integrates my professional expertise with a desire for sustainability, ecological health and wellbeing – that is woven with threads of childhood, thrift, empowerment and a love of nature.

My goal is to travel the world inspiring creative upcycling of natural fibre clothing. And I’m working to achieve that goal in five steps, with this Sew it Again year being step three.

That may sound structured but it’s a fluid process – I’m writing the script as I go along, drawing on universal intelligence and fresh input, ideas and opportunities that emerge along the way. Continue reading →

Sew 257 – Change T-shirt to suit you

Just a quick post today because I’ve flown north, back to the old stomping ground of Townsville, north Queensland where we lived for many years.

I’m enroute to Charters Towers for the upcoming Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Conference, where I’ve been invited to present a Sew it Again Jane workshop on refashion and upcycling. The Women of the Worlde conference from September 16-18 promises to be enjoyable and enriching because there are so many enterprising and inspiring women in the network.

And tomorrow I’ve been invited by Charters Towers Regional Council to present a workshop on turning your creative passion into purpose, which is another exciting opportunity to reiterate ‘start where you are, use what you have, do what you can’. Continue reading →

Sew 254 – Silk restyle overcomes tear

Clothes don’t last forever but when they have treasured memories attached, it is great to be able to extend their lifespan through restyle and repair.

My friend Lisa bought this gorgeous silk outfit about 12 years ago for a special occasion and it has served her well since, being hand-washed and worn at least a dozen times.

Recently when she was warmly hugging friends farewell at a function, Lisa felt the underarms rip in what she laughingly describes as a ‘blow out’ which left the delicate silk torn and frayed.

After umming and ahing over upcycle options and green tea, and seeing that Lisa had already hand-repaired the same area once before, we decided to remove the sleeves altogether. Continue reading →