For my final free inquiry post, I wanted to summarize a list of important things that I learned throughout this upcycling journey this semester, along with some potential directions for the future.
Firstly, I learned how to split weave, something I have wanted to dive into for years now, after seeing this design all over the festival scene. I am proud of what I created, and although I don’t think that I will end up wearing these pieces myself, I have identified many people who would be interested in buying the clothes that I created. Based on the abundance of interest I had received from my friends, I think that, after figuring out how easy it is, when I have more time outside of school, I would like to commit more time to this medium and try to make a small business out of it! Plus, now I can gift these pieces to my festival friends, which allows me to create free, thoughtful presents while turning unused clothing into unique pieces.
Second, I reignited my passion for hemming, cutting and resizing clothing. Fixing up the dress my roommate was going to donate made me realize how quick and minimal effort it is to bring life back to most of the clothes we have. I will be remembering this when I am busy with my practicum or professional life, taking a screen break does not immediately mean I need to go to the gym or read, I can also do quick and creative projects. While I never got around to learning how to use a sewing machine, this is still on my to-do list, and I think this inquiry project has been the perfect prelude to my sewing machine endeavors.
Even more, I became very into bleaching denim, and I learned that this is an easy and creative way to bring some new love into old pairs of jeans and jackets that have not been worn in months, or ever. I am really happy with how my Teach Peace jacket turned out, since I never really loved the plain jean jacket look, and also because I’ve been looking for a new teacher jacket for the spring! It feels great that I was able to make one, from an old unused item that was just collecting dust in my closet, for free. I think that I will try to sell the jeans, since they are from a renowned brand of jeans and are high quality, with a creative flair to them that I think many people on Facebook Marketplace in Victoria would love to buy.
I also learned that dyeing clothes can be tricky and even harmful to the environment (and people), and that a lot of brands will not disclose this on their packaging. This is a big lesson that I will take with me from this project. I think that dyeing clothing, or anything for that matter, is not worth it unless we make sure the dye is natural and able to be safely discarded when finished. I, personally, will not be using dye myself or in the classroom unless the packaging clearly states the type of dye that is being sold and how to dispose of it. And I am disappointed with Dollarama and the brand Tintex for not disclosing that this dye was harmful and should not be poured down the drain, as well as not having instructions for proper disposal.
Lastly, I realize from this project how easy it can be to bring new life into old shoes that I may have given up on or opted to purchase new. From now on, unless the shoes are truly not a style that I would ever wear again, I will not be throwing my shoes away until they are falling apart; even then, they can be resoled and brought back to life if they are high enough quality or otherwise in good shape. It is very easy to clean up old shoes, and with some time and effort, even the most beat-up shoes can be salvaged.
Overall, I think this project has sparked an old passion in me to reuse and recycle old garments and accessories. I realize that not every endeavor needs to be time-consuming. This project reinforced the belief that I can create and dedicate time to pouring love and effort into my wardrobe, which has creatively rewarding and financial benefits as well. When I am tired of homework, professional work or going to the gym to take my mind off my priorities, I don’t need to paint or journal to have a creative outlet. Fashion upcycling is an important skill I will continue to refine and build on in my life and I am so happy I had the opportunity to identify some projects that I enjoy.