Image: sxc.hu

It implies high fashion and enables people to take pride in using their creativity to make use of worn and worn out items in their closet…or ones they find at rummage sales and second hand shops.

In addition to altering used clothing, these new designers (whether it’s someone who does this for a living or you simply stretching the clothing budget) use embellishments and embroidery in creative ways.

Some of the pieces of altered couture I’ve seen are:

• An apron made by cutting away jeans except for the front with side pockets.
• A lightweight jacket created from a sweatshirt with added embroidery.
• A skirt or tote bag utilizing neckties for the fabric.
• Tote bags made from jeans and denim skirts.  (One lady came to our yard sale looking for just these items and showed me the totes she created.)
• Clothing mended by adding applique, embroidery and/or embellishments.
• Small purses made from jeans’ pockets.

What have you done in the way of making altered couture when you thought you were only recycling or budgeting carefully?

Post from: Blisstree

Altered Couture or Recycled Clothing

A hand-me-down sweater … a raggedy old skirt from the thrift store … a plain T-shirt … Using just a few tools coupled with your creativity, all of these items can be transformed into fantastic works of wearable art!  The publisher of Belle Armoire and Somerset Studio invites you to submit your own altered and embellished clothing and accessories to be considered for this exciting publication. The special theme for the next issue will be Altered Suits!

Deadline for artwork to be received: September 15, 2009. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · C/O: Altered Couture · 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B · Laguna Hills, CA 92653

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Call for entries: Altered Couture

Deadline for artwork to be received: June 15, 2009. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · C/O: Altered Couture · 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B · Laguna Hills, CA 92653

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Call for entries: Altered Couture

I shared this pair of painted sandals before, but I thought I should show you a second pair and maybe suggest that it might be a nice project for a quick pair of summer wearable art.

I don’t like buying new shoes. In fact, I tend to wear the same pair of sandals all year, even in the snow. When they get worn out, I do buy a new pair (the exact same style…aren’t I exciting?), but I can’t stand to just throw out the old pair.

So I usually paint them.

The Owl and the Pussycat

After a friend saw my re-furbished sandals, she asked for a pair. This is what I made for her, but unfortunately, they didn’t fit. So we ended up donating them to a local school auction!

Baa baa, Black Sheep

Tomorrow for Technique Tuesday, we’ll talk about the particulars. In the meantime, find a pair that you’re willing to sacrifice, and make sure the surface is good and clean!

Post from: Blisstree

Summer sandals

Altered Couture
A hand-me-down sweater … a raggedy old skirt from the thrift store … a plain T-shirt … Using just a few tools coupled with your creativity, all of these items can be transformed into fantastic works of wearable art! The publisher of Belle Armoire and Somerset Studio invites you to submit your own altered and embellished clothing and accessories to be considered for the second volume of this exciting publication. Chapters will include Skirts & Dresses, Pants & Overalls, Jackets & Vests, Shirts & Tops, Children’s Wear, Sassy Shoes, and Accessories.

Deadline for artwork to be received: March 15, 2008. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · C/O: Altered Couture · 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B · Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Post from: Blisstree

Call for entries: Altered Couture

Altered Couture (Newsstand Date: February 2008)
A hand-me-down sweater … a raggedy old skirt from the thrift store … a plain T-shirt … Using just a few tools coupled with your creativity, all of these items can be transformed into fantastic works of wearable art! The publisher of Belle Armoire and Somerset Studio invites you to submit your own altered and embellished clothing and accessories to be considered for the second volume of this exciting publication. Chapters will include Skirts & Dresses, Pants & Overalls, Jackets & Vests, Shirts & Tops, Children’s Wear, Sassy Shoes, and Accessories.

Deadline for artwork to be received: September 15, 2007. Please read submission guidelines before sending your submissions to: Stampington & Company · C/O: Altered Couture · 22992 Mill Creek, Suite B · Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Post from: Blisstree

Call for entries: Altered Couture

I’m not much for buying new shoes. In fact, I tend to wear the same pair of sandals all year, even in the snow. When they get worn out, I do buy a new pair (the exact same style…aren’t I exciting?), but I can’t stand to just throw out the old pair.

So I usually paint them.

“The Owl & the Pussycat” Shoes

Post from: Blisstree

Time to break out the summer shoes…

If you ended up getting excited about Altered Couture, which I wrote about last Thursday, you’ll certainly want to make sure that you’ve got an accurate set of measurements for yourself! All the work that goes into making these one-of-a-kind pieces…it would be absolutely criminal if it ended up not fitting properly. Threads Magazine has an online feature which will teach you how to take those measurements accurately.

Post from: Blisstree

Taking measurements for wearable art

This special publication by Stampington is now available. You can get information and place an order here.

Post from: Blisstree

Altered Couture