Sewing through Fog

Pair of light jeans laying on a table with a large patch on the leg made out of thin strips of t-shirts is bright colors that have been woven together.

Pair of light jeans with a large patch on the leg made out of thin strips of t-shirts is bright colors that have been woven together.

Most recent finish — patched these 501’s with t-shirt scraps I wove together and then added a bunch of stitches to hold it in place.

A protest sign held up in the air that says protect our democracy.

A protest sign held up in the air that says fuck trump

Two half circles cut out of jeans that have bits of fabric cut out on top to make it look like there are eyes, eyebrows and fangs.

Two half circles cut out of jeans that have bits of fabric cut out on top to make it look like there are eyes

Two half circles cut out of jeans that have bits of fabric cut out on top to make it look like there are eyes and eyebrows

Two half circles cut out of jeans that have bits of fabric cut out on top to make it look like there are eyes, eyebrows and fangs.

What denim Pac-Man are you today?

That is the most accurate statement I’ve ever read.

An arm chair with wooden legs covered with patchwork denim with a denim side pocket.

The back of an arm chair with wooden legs covered with patchwork denim.

I love how this chair turned out! It was actually a fairly quick project—I’d already done some of the denim patchwork. And now I have a chair pocket for snacks!!
#denimupcycle #upcycling #creativereuse #textileartist

Cream colored fabric with little bits scrunched up and rubber bands around the little knots.

A giant silver bowl with folded fabric that has been dyed blue, waiting to be rinsed out.

Did shibori dying today it was super fun. We didn’t really follow the instructions…

#textiles

The bottom of a chair at an angle on the floor while a women pulls off the fabric covering it.

The bottom of a chair, lying on its back on the floor. You can see the wood bottom because the fabric has been removed.

Current project: recovering this chair with patchwork denim. So far I’ve done a great job taking it all apart…

Thanks Ben!

I’m so proud of how this dress turned out. I just love turning scraps or discarded fabrics into something beautiful that I know I’ll wear.
#upcycledfashion #creativereuse

A grey sweatshirt with orange lines and lettering being covered up with hand sewn chain stitches with sashiko thread.

I have this sweatshirt that is super comfy but I don’t love the colors of the screen print, so I’m experimenting by embroidering with Sashiko thread on top. I think I like it… not totally sure where this will end up.
#upcycledfashion

An orange and white cat laying on the floor making a backwards C shape reaching for a toy.

Troy is a weirdo.
#catsky

Thanks!

Pieces of denim that are being made into a dress sitting on a work table with pins and some pattern pieces.

Close up of four pieces of denim sewn together with a flatlock stitch

Not that I needed an excuse, but I decided to make an upcycled patchwork dress for H+H next week.
I’m newly obsessed with using a flatlock stitch to make patchwork.

Anyone else heading to H+H Americas in Chicago next week?

Yep, I’m going to a trade show for new product when my focus is upcycling and secondhand. But that’s exactly where we need more sustainable voices!

To create real change you can’t just yell into an echo chamber, you need to reach out.

A dress form that is being used to work on a shirt that is made from old jeans that were made into appliqués that were made into a clockwork orange bear wearing a hat and sunglasses.

A dress form that is being used to work on a shirt that is made from old jeans that were made into appliqués that were made into a clockwork orange bear wearing a hat and sunglasses.

You might be wondering, what the heck is that? Well, it’s old jeans I made into appliqués I made into a clockwork orange bear wearing a hat and sunglasses that I’m now making into a shirt to wear to a sustainable fashion event for San Francisco Climate Week. Duh.
#sustainablesewing #upcycledfashion

Yes!

Dilute calico cat sitting with her arms over the arm of a couch, like a human would sit.

I think my cat is broken. She almost fell asleep sitting like this.

Screen shots of Google maps showing red dots where secondhand fabric stores are located along with the names of those stores.

Screen shots of Google maps showing red dots where secondhand fabric stores are located along with the names of those stores.

Screen shots of Google maps showing red dots where secondhand fabric stores are located along with the names of those stores.

Screen shots of Google maps showing red dots where secondhand fabric stores are located along with the names of those stores.

More secondhand fabric shops by state! These are all small businesses and/or non-profits ❤️♻️
The live map: www.sewingthroughfog.com/thriftyourfabric

#shopsecondhandfirst #creativereuse

I visited the scrap exchange last year and loved it! Such a great space.

That floral sheet is lovely!

A location icon with the words “Used Fabric and Craft stores to shop instead of Joann” written on top.

An image from Google maps of California and Hawaii with red location icons and the names of secondhand fabric stores.

An image from Google maps of washington, Oregon and Idaho with red location icons and the names of secondhand fabric stores.

No time like the present to start shopping secondhand! I will be sharing other states this week and Canada. These are all small businesses and/or non-profits ❤️♻️
The live map: www.sewingthroughfog.com/thriftyourfa...

#shopsecondhandfirst #creativereuse

My favorite play in the world. There is a PBS version from the 80’s that I used to watch all the time growing up.

#handsoff

Protest sign that reads “ikea has better cabinets”

Protest sign that shows Trump in a triangle like the KKK

Protest sign that shows Smokey the Bear and says “only you can prevent fascism.

My mom’s photos from her protest in Santa Rosa, CA.

I just remembered to post it. I can’t sew past sundown because I refuse to use lights that actually produce light, and instead stick to pretty vintage ones 😅

Strips of denim underneath red leather clamshells and one white leather clamshell.

Me: I really like simple, minimal quilts, I want to make more like that.
Also me: what if I did appliqué leather clamshells on top of pieced denim strips?

#quiltsky #upcycled

Chartreuse 💚💚💚

Normally I do buttonholes on my machine but this was through 6 layers of fabric and the machine buttonhole was super wonky—I was pleasantly surprised how well this worked with all the bulk!

Close up of a denim coat just showing the front where there is one button covered in wool.

Close up of a buttonhole half sewn and a needle and thick thread attached.

Today I did my first hand sewn buttonhole. Why did I wait so long?? So easy and perfect way to finish this upcycled denim coat.

I’m not on here a ton but I’m trying!