My name is Eimear and I live in Galway, west of Ireland, When I left school, I trained in pattern drafting and factory cutting, and then went on to fashion college and was originally intent on completing but I left, did other stuff and then went back and did BA in fine art printmaking instead.
This blog started for various reasons, In the last 2 years, I began to try and sew using upcycled/recycled fabrics as much as I could , especially after I found a selection of wool coats for 2euro in a charity shop last March 2014. I wanted to see if the re-made could be well-made, and a blog seemed to be a good way of letting the idea develop, and give it some semblance of structure. I was also trying to avoid quick hacks as I want to achieve a more tailored look that will give the garment genuine years of wear as well as effective use of the fabric (those days of cutting paying off).
Since Rana Plaza disaster, I am getting a bit obsessed about the limitations of fast fashion, and the negative environmental and social impact it is having, (fashion is the second most polluting industry) and while this blog is hardly going to change any of that, seeing if a handmade wardrobe made from upcycles and remnants was too much fun of a challenge to pass up!
So now I am just seeing where it goes from here..................................
Hi Eimear! I just found your blog through one of your ravelry patterns. I love all of your transformation designs and convertible garments!
ReplyDeletethank you very much Chi - glad you dropped by and hope you try the pillar to post yourself - as I just uploaded it yesterday to ravelry, and it seems to have a lot of downloads so, I am hoping some people try it and looking forward to seeing other peoples interpretations of it!
DeleteLook forward to following your refashioning. it's helpful i am sure that you have done some pattern drafting.
ReplyDeletethanks kazza, the pattern drafting training and cutting has helped, but over the years I developed some dreadful shortcuts so I am also trying to sew better, and finish things properly so I suppose this blog has also become my conscience! Your facebook page, rude record personal blog, is great, and I have been browsing a lot of the posts - they are superb
ReplyDeleteJust been having a read through some of the posts on your blog and am loving the concept. I look forward to following you further.
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DeleteThank you so very much - years ago, I would have done basic changes when altering clothes, but in the last few years I am beginning to really see the advantages to the remaking/upsewing, (as well as financial, and eco) as for one, the fabric has been laundered so I get a better idea of the quality, and for another, I get a better idea of the 'hang' of the fabric (I think some refer to this as hand). After seeing your jones machine in your blog post today, and your beautiful stitching, I am definitely getting the donated brother/jones one serviced soon now - once I gather the strength to move it - they weigh a ton!
DeleteI've only just seen your reply now - I am a bit of a latecomer to the blogosphere! I didn't get a notification so only saw it when having a look through your blog this evening. Really appreciate your generous comments on my fledgling sewing venture - it's really encouraging. Once you've got your vintage machine up and running, please post about it as I'd love to see it in action. I owe mine an apology - I was berating it for lack of tension adjustment and it was totally user error. I have now learned when working with any new fabric / thread, that I need to fully test on scraps before getting going. I did so on my last skirt and the topstitching went without a hitch. I'm not trading in my Jones until it dies - I hear these old machines are so superior to a new entry level model. I did a quick ebay trawl and I think mine is semi industrial - I love it!
Deletei dont think blogger gives notificaitons - the brother / jones will get serviced before the end of summer (we have just gotten new windows...) and i may even try a proper pair of jeans on it as its maiden sew! (the trouser pattern i am working on is kinda working out)
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