For my passion project, I aspire to learn new skills to upcycle old clothing and give life to pieces I would otherwise give away. Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is defined by Wikipedia as transforming by-products, waste materials, or unwanted garments into new materials perceived to be of greater quality (Wikimedia Foundation, 2025).
I plan to repurpose old items from my wardrobe and unwanted clothes, textiles and fabrics anywhere I can find them, including asking my friends, roommates, family members and classmates for any materials they no longer need and intend to throw away. Implicit in this goal, I wish to avoid falling into the trends of consuming mass-produced, low-quality clothes in a world of fast fashion while creating unique pieces and inspiring others to do the same. Starting a small business in designing and upcycling clothing is an aspiration I have toyed with for many years; I hope this project will be the spark I need to dedicate the time and effort to making this ambition come to life.
I have been upcycling thrifted clothing for years, however, the extent of this hobby ends at hemming them to fit me properly and sometimes adding accessories such as safety pins, lace, etc. Additionally, some new ideas I could try throughout this project are:
- Embroidery
- Cutting and Cropping
- Dyeing
- Hemming and Resizing
- Layering and Mixing Fabrics
- Beading and Sequins
- Bleach art
- Split-weaving
Bleach Art by Mea via Pinterest
Split-Weave Design by Yasmin Dilone via Pinterest
I have had a lot of experience with hand sewing from a young age; however, my greatest goal for this project will be to get my hands on a sewing machine and then teach myself how to use it to create new clothing from old garments and textiles. In the spirit of reusing and recycling materials, opting for an alternative to buying a new sewing machine could help counteract the growing attitudes of consumerism.
Because of this, I have identified The Community Art Hub, a neighbourhood-based library of art-making tools and supplies that provides a shared workspace and workshops for artists, located inside the Quadra Village Community Centre. This will be a good place to experiment with new creative means without the risk of wasting supplies or money. If this passion continues to grow and I use a sewing machine frequently, I am a member of a few groups on social media that promote the sharing and recycling of various commodities around the city; thus, I can reach out to see if anyone is looking to get rid of a sewing machine or other useful supplies.
Ideally, my final creative product will combine new skills I have practiced throughout this project to create a unique, multi-modal piece I can wear and be proud of. Now that I have decided on my topic, potential skills to employ and a rough idea of my final product, the next step will be to acquire the materials needed to attempt my first upcycle!