A few photos taken as the sun was setting over Weston-Super-Mare. Dismaland was a thought provoking exhibition/sort of sarcastic ‘fun’ fair with a selection of some of my favourite artists’ work (Damien Hirst and David Shrigley to name just a couple). An impactful, awe inspiring exhibition showcasing incredible talent and insight with some hard-hitting messages. I love that materials from the site were reused in the ‘Dismalaid’ project to help build housing for refugees in Calais.
Original Brown Leather Shoe. I love these shoes but find that they don’t compliment my wardrobe so I’m dying them black!
Remove Laces, make sure leather is clean and dry. An inconspicous test patch is recommended to make sure that the dye works.
Stuff with newspaper to keep the shape when wet
Paint on the leather dye
Repeat if necessary!
Make sure you get in to all the creases for maximum coverage
Shine with black leather polish
New Shoes!
This week my shabby old coat has been rejuvenated! Â The A/W 2009 Primark number was ripped at the arm, the fur trim was falling off and the colour had faded to an unsightly grey.
Restorative Process:
A new coat for under a fiver. Â Super Chuffed! Â Has anyone else got an upcycled/recycled garment they are really pleased with? Â I’d love to hear about them.
This event was on Friday and it was a great opportunity to meet some fellow independent Bristol designers and to see some of the creative ways they upcycle and reinvent clothing. Â Hopefully we will be showing the Beautiful Plumage S/S range at the next event.
In attendance were:
And after a short interval:
And here are a few of my favourite pictures from the evening…
If you need further excuse to be outside in this gorgeous weather try this crafty little project of covering flower pots with recycled fabric – really adds a nice bit of colour/texture/pattern to your garden. Just cut fabric to correct size and glue on with spraymount or craft glue. Stretch fabrics e.g. jersey are easiest to adjust. Simple!
Over 900000 tons of shoes and clothes are thrown away in the UK each year.  I like to minimise my ‘landfill footprint’ as much as is fashionably possible by wearing vintage, taking old clothes and accessories to charity shops, attending/organising clothes swap parties and customising/refashioning items.  Transforming a garment which is considered un-wearabe or outdated into something fresh and fashionable is a great feeling.  Over time I will be sharing ways of upcycling various vintage items.  Tutorials will also be added to show how you can modernise old pieces from your wardrobe.  Here is a quick and easy way to shorten a cotton (or similar fabric) skirt or dress.  If there are any other fashion/textile processes that you would like to know more about, please comment below and I’ll create a How To just for you lucky reader!  Happy Sewing!
Beautiful Plumage. 