Denim, denim, dreams . . .

Portfolio building within the NC is currently considering denim and recycling/upcycling sack fulls of denim clothing.
This provides many challenges, practical and intellectual and certainly provides lots of fun. Here are some images of group ones explorations.
Next week if they do not overcome me with bleach and vinegar fumes (or break my sewing machine) I will share some of group two's work.

Jessica Bell

"You gave me a headache and I sewed through my finger. Tomorrow I'll know if you were worth it." Jessica Bell

This work is part of a series called "Weather System" by Jessica Bell.

Jessica uses found fabrics and creates collages with them to explore different themes and ideas.

The way Jessica Bell quilts fabrics together would be a good method to use to create a new fabric from old garments and then start again.
(Thanks)

Maison Martin Margiela

Upcycled denim from Maison Martin Margiela.

Ropa Exodo

A workshop facilitated by the artist Rustha Luna Pozzi-Escot, in Bordeaux resulted in this collaborative piece upcycling denim. Rustha is an incredible artist who has produced some amazing works dealing with identity. (Thanks)

John Brooks

Interesting upcycling of denim by John Brooks. John runs a small independent label 'Looming' making textiles for fashion and homewear.

"I enjoy the process of hand weaving and like the idea of carefully made textile products which reject the notion of fast fashion." John Brooks

Renilde De Peuter

Renilde De Peuter made these textile samples in denim for an exhibition at Mr Kitly . Look at all the wonderful textures and effects Renilde achieved with this wonderful versatile fabric. Renilde De Peuter also has a wonderful blog.

Roy Jeans

A really inspiring man, Roy started making jeans in his apartment. Roy's jeans are made by hand by Roy, everything from the pattern cutting to the cowhide leather tags. These are beautiful jeans with soul because they have been lovingly hand crafted from stunning 15oz unsanforized fabric woven at Japans Nihon Menpu Mill. As he became more skilled Roy broadened his range and invested in quality antique machinery. Now he has honed his production to one style that he likes, he has a studio but he is still experimenting. There is an interview with Roy on Grain and Gram

Workclothes Quilt

1950's American work clothes quilt, denim is abundant and cheap, I like the shapes made where the pockets have been removed revealing the unfaded denim.

Heidi Moon

Heidi Moon is a graduate of Greys Art School, she currently reclaims, upcycles and refashions textiles into clothing, jewelry and soft toys, she is very daring and experimental and uses lots of different techniques to style her pieces. There is lots of inspiration to be drawn from Heidi's work, she is also a member of Denim Surgery and Trashionista on flickr .