Tuesday 17 October 2023: Jody Halliday upcycles because there’s really no need to create new clothes from fresh fabric.

The British Fashion Council tells us there are enough garments already on planet Earth to clothe the next six generations of humanity.

The fabulous coat you can see above is the coat Jody created for her son to wear at Burning Man 2023. As Jody says, ‘Burning Man 2023 – what an adventure! While I was prepared for what I would be seeing, I wasn’t prepared for the vastness of it – a pentagon shaped piece of desert property 3000 ft above sea level measuring 6 miles top to bottom and 5 miles across with acres and acres of artwork and a gridded city of, by one count, close to 100,000 people.’

‘Black Rock City is formed every year by like minded individuals who want to get away and explore the edges of their lives. When I asked what brought them back each year, “community” was an often heard response. As I reflected on that I realized how fortunate I am to be a part of a community year round that I don’t have any desire to escape from.
Many of the participants are professionals-firefighters/ nurses/ landscape architects/ software designers/ mortgage bankers and business people who gather to spend a week where they can let loose and party and costume themselves in some pretty outrageous kit that would have no place in their daily lives.’

‘I invite you to join me in using upcycled, existing materials as you continue your sewing journey.’

Join the #sewupcycle23 sewing challenge with Karen from @sew.little.time and @notes_from_the_sewing_room.

You can post pictures of your works in progress throughout the month using the hashtag #sewupcycle23wip and then reveal your final make on 31 October 2023.

All entries should be posted on Instagram on 31st October, tagging in @sew.little.time and @notes_from_the_sewing_room.