Liné Cowley

Upcycled Clothing Projects: Turning a Shirt Into a Girl’s Dress

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When my husband tore a brand new shirt, I decided to turn it into an upcycled clothing project. It was only the second time that he wore his new shirt, so there was nothing wrong with the fabric. Normally he would have worn the damaged shirt when working in the garden or doing dirty jobs around the property. Eventually, I would finally send it off to textile recycling.

But I thought: Why do you want to waste a lovely cotton shirt if you can upcycle it?Upcycling a damaged shirt

So the shirt was going to become a dress for our granddaughter.

But before we get into my project, I can hear you say “but what is upcycling?”

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Mechanical vs Computerized Sewing Machine: an easy guide

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I have been sewing for nearly fifty years and the question I often get asked is ” should I buy a mechanical sewing machine or an electronic or computerized model?”

So let’s take a look at a mechanical vs computerized sewing machine, the main differences between them and what to keep in mind when choosing a sewing machines.

Considerations when looking at sewing machines

  • Your budget is often the first thing to keep in mind. Budget constraintsMechanical machines are normally cheaper than computerized machines, but with fewer features and options.
  • I suggest that you take a good look at the type of sewing that you do and also how often you do sewing. This should give you an indication as to the type, and also the features, that you want in a machine.
  • One of the biggest decisions you’ll make, is between a computerized and a mechanical sewing machine, because it directly affects the features and the price of the machine. Make sure you are not paying for features that you don’t need and / or won’t use.

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Fish skin leather – is that really possible?

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Leather can be made from almost any skin and that includes making fish skin leather. It might be difficult to imagine fish skin as leather because the skin is very thin, but it is very strong and has good water resistant qualities.

Fish skin leather is made from skins of non-endangered fish species including salmon, shark, carp, bass, sturgeon and catfish. The art of making leather out of fish skin, is an ancestral craft, which has almost been lost due to industrial techniques that have taken over in leather production.

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Fabric Dye: How eco friendly is it?

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Fabric dye and fabric dyeing techniques have a very high environmental impact. The use of harmful chemicals in fabric dye and the high amount of energy that is used and waste water that is produced, it leaves a big negative footprint.

With an increasing number of consumers looking for more sustainable and eco friendly fashion items, manufacturers and retailers are exploring alternative processes. We will first look at the traditional ways of dyeing fabric and then at the latest developments in new fabric dye.

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Viscose fabric – the textile made from cellulose

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Viscose fabric is made from cellulosic fibers which might make you wonder, what is a cellulose fiber?

To get a better understanding of what is a cellulose fiber, we will look at what cellulosic fibers are used for and how is viscose made. We will also explore the types of natural cellulosic fibers and man-made cellulose fibers like viscose and rayon, as well as the difference between rayon and viscose.

So what is a Cellulose Fiber?

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Fast fashion and slow fashion – which is best?

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You have most probably heard about “fast fashion and slow fashion” and wonder what it actually means. Here we will look at what is fast fashion and the problem with fast fashion and also the difference between fast fashion and slow fashion. At the end we will also make suggestions about sustainable slow fashion brands.

What Is Fast Fashion?

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How Bamboo Flooring is Made

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Eco friendly floors make an attractive addition to a “green” home and bamboo flooring is one of the options. Bamboo is a sustainable renewable flooring alternative that is eco friendly, durable and affordable. It is one of the toughest natural materials, but still flexible. Here we will be looking at how bamboo flooring is made and the options available. We will also look at bamboo flooring: the pros and cons. This is where you can read about other bamboo fiber products.

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How to choose the Best Beginners Sewing Machine

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Sewing is not only a useful hobby, but it is fun and can also provide your with income. It’s relaxing and creative while also being sustainable. Choosing your first sewing machine can be daunting. So I will endeavour to take you through the initial questions and options you may find useful, and to look at the best beginners sewing machine available for you today.Sewing project

Creating something that is original and YOU, is possible if your have a sewing machine. Should you see a dress or garment that you really like, but don’t quite fancy the fabric or colour – make it yourself. It becomes that easy!

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Vegan Leather or Real Leather – which one will you choose?

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The new buzz word in the fashion industry seems to be vegan leather. So what is vegan leather and is it ethical, eco friendly and sustainable? In this post we will look at what vegan leather is and the options that are available and also look at vegan or bonded leather vs. genuine leather.

What is vegan leather?

Vegan leather is an alternative to animal leather and comes in a range of different materials from synthetic to natural. It is basically any kind of substitute for leather that is not made from the skin of dead animals.

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