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Pride Patches & Joy: Living in Color
Vibrant color stories are not part of my everyday life. My design aesthetic, my personal wardrobe, and even my favorite colors are devoid of bold color choices. This preference dates back to hyper-masculine brainwashing of the 90’s. Back when television, magazines, and newspapers ruled the social zeitgeist, it was fairly taboo to stray from the…
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Upcycled Denim Throw Pillows: A Hexing Patchwork
Turning ordinary objects into something extraordinary is so satisfying. A couple years ago, I transformed denim scraps into a denim trench dress. I couldn’t stop imagining other ways to upcycle denim and before long, I was sketching designs for denim throw pillows. Among the eight designs, I created a pillow with a repeating hexagon pattern.…
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Upcycled T-Shirt Quilt: A Blanket Statement
Someone contacted me with a stash of old t-shirts that their significant other hesitantly parted with. The shirts were secretly stockpiled over time, with the intent of preserving them as a quilt. They originally took on the project by themself, sewing the quilt with a needle and thread by hand in hopes of finishing as…
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A JEAN-IUS COLLABORATION
There’s something incredible about the creative process. A spark of inspiration takes an idea from your brain to a sketch on paper and with proper tools you can materialize it into something tangible. It’s not until I find a sketch of a finished project that I realize how mind blowing it is to birth an…
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Upcycled Denim Trench Dress: Conquering a Rough Patch(work)
I was eager to pursue fashion after sewing my first upcycled project. I researched Seattle’s fashion scene and found Chance Fashion, a non-profit which organized monthly runways for new or up-and-coming fashion designers. I saw an Alternative Fashion & Clubwear runway on their calendar and paid to reserve my spot immediately. I sketched out a…
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Upcycled Memory Quilt: Sew Many Memories
My parents had a sewing machine collecting dust in their office for years. One day I asked for it and they agreed without question. I excitedly told a coworker about my new machine and they asked if I’d be willing to sew a quilt. I hesitantly agreed and, before I knew it, I was sewing…
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DIY Floor Mat || Upcycled Carpet Squares
So, I have a confession – I think most welcome/floor mats are ugly and I fully understand how ridiculous that sounds. Why should something intended to remove dirt be visually appealing? I can only counter with “why not?” I scored carpet squares when I visited Zerolandfill (ZLF) Seattle’s annual event. I knew if I snagged…
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Upcycled Throw Pillows || Upcycled Pants
I made my original denim throw pillow on a whim – I wanted to try sewing a pillow but also wanted the challenge of upcycling. I brainstormed a few ideas (over a few drinks) and the rest is history. There was no way to anticipate how much I would love making throw pillows. While I…
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Upcycled Pillows Teaser || Upcycled Pants
I was so inspired by my Denim Upcycled Throw Pillow that I had to create more. I raided my large pile of pants, bought a few pairs of colorful chinos at a secondhand store, and let my creative juices flow. This resulted in a collection of eight pillows that I am so proud of. I’m…
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Denim Throw Pillow || Upcycled Denim
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I decided to make a pillow out of denim jeans. When I think of denim, I imagine stiff, durable, or rugged textures so there was no way to know how comfortable and plush this pillow turned out. The chevron pattern is an immediate draw, making the pillow easy…
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