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filler@godaddy.com
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Despite being from a city renowned for sewing and shirt factories, I had never touched a sewing machine until 2019. I attended a week long upcycling fashion class at the Fashion and Textile Design Centre on Shipquay Street.
During that week I managed to make a large shoulder bag out of an old shirt and jeans. It is my first, and proudest make. That big shirt bag started a passion for upcycled fashion that brought me here.
That newfound passion for fashion took a rain-check in 2020 for Rona related reasons, but I was back at the FTDC ASAP in 2021 to learn how to master their embroidery machine.
My wonderful Mum wanted a navy table runner with sun, moon and stars design. I hunted online and in person, and none could be found.
Well, if you want something done . . .
Thank God for Youtube tutorials!! I taught myself how to use the embroidery machine software and drew up a sun, moon & stars design. I'd never used the machine before, so was hoping for beginners luck.
After the success of the starry table runner, I became the resident embroidery expert at the FTDC.
I began challenging myself with different design ideas and sewing different styles and shapes of accessories.
Just as I was getting into a sewing stride, I got some bad news. I would have to have massive heart valve replacement surgery.
Thankfully I had sewing to keep me distracted. I made so many purses out of ripped pyjamas...
I spent the last few weeks before surgery sewing up some Bernie Sanders-esque Christmas jumper mittens. It was the most challenging make yet, and kept me well distracted from my heart woes.
The irreplaceable Deirdre Williams encouraged me to sell my mittens at the Re:Imagine Shop. She also told me I should start my own business...
The name is based on the idea of textile regeneration, mostly using denim jeans.
It's in part inspired by the charity Jeans for Genes, and their work supporting young people with rare genetic disorders.
**The heart logo was just a funny coincidence**
It was a quick recovery from heart surgery. No sooner had I re-learned to walk upstairs, I was on stage giving a business pitch for Enterprise Week.
I had huge help from the Fashion Hub making prototype bags, and to my absolute shock, we won the Social Impact category!!
This is where all the work really starts....