Hello Hive! Here we go, let me show you through the process of upcycling a Bamboo shirt.
One project I am working on currently is to create a series of upcycled men shirts. And with you I want to share this project. I want to show you the process it takes to transform an ordinary shirt into a unique top. I am going to talk about the different techniques I use and show them step by step. Also, I am going to share my inspirations that lead me to this Upcycling project.
Why men shirts? Why upcycling?
In my introduction post I started to explain, my approach to the fashion world and how important it is to me to come up with an answer to the constantly growing world of fast fashion. One answer I have is not to produce new, but to use existing objects and materials. In that case I use shirts.
If you are familiar with flea markets or secondhand shops, you might have noticed what an abundance of old men shirts you can find in those places. I made that observation in so many different places and countries, that I had to conclude that there is definitely an abundance of shirts in this world, that will never fit the demand. There are just too many.
I do wear shirts sometimes, but when I do I like to wear them oversized. So, what is there to do with all those slim fit shirts no one wants to buy? What is there to do with all the shirts that have weird patterns, that are completely out of fashion?
When I got interested in the abundance of shirts and started to look at them more closely, I got to realize that a lot of them are made of high-quality materials, such as pure Silk, Linen or organic Cotton. Another aspect where I feel ashamed, that no one can appreciate those materials anymore.
Specially silk is mostly produced in such bad conditions (silk is made from the cocoons of the Silkworm, to produce the best quality the cocoons get boiled alive, even though there are people coming up with more “vegan” versions of silk they are a minority). The material though is very comfortable to wear and falls beautifully on one’s body. I would never buy new silk fabric, but working with existing pieces of clothing, transforming an old-fashioned silk shirt into a new top someone will wear and appreciate, seems to be an adequate thing to do.
Not all the shirts I will upcycle are made from silk, I like to choose natural materials such as Linen, Hemp and so on, for their amazing qualities. This time I came across a shirt made of 100 percent Bamboo. Very cool, isn’t it?
I had no idea that it was possible to make fabric from bamboo. But now that I worked with it, I must say it’s amazing. Love it:)
So, I got that shirt, where I really like the color and the fabric, but I wasn’t happy with the overall look of it, especially the round tight neck. I already had in mind, that I wanted to turn the shirt in some sort of a wrap top. Meanwhile, I wanted to go for a casual but elegant cut.
First, it’s all about cutting off everything I don’t need. And figure out where I can spear fabric to use for parts I need to add.
That means I cut of the buttons, the front pocket, the neck and I shortened the shirt to the length I wanted it to be.
Then I added the front “wrapping” where I used a so-called French seam, to make the seams look clean from in & out. Afterwards I did all the finishing and made some ribbons.
In the whole process it is a lot about using the fabric carefully. Because I am obviously limited on how much material I have available.
The most fun part to me, is always to create some little extra details, using up the last awkward offcuts I have left. Therefore, I came up with a free interpretation of a tie. Using the neck and bottom offcut of the shirt. It gives the top a little extra, that you can add if you want, but you don’t have to. Just like a tie.
And at the end I take off the old tag and replace it for mine.
I am very pleased with the result I must admit. The fabric feels so nice, I just fell in love with bamboo fabric and I like the fact, that you can wear the top by itself, for a more casual look and add the “tie” when you want to be fancier. It makes two completely different looks with the same clothing.
It also fits perfectly into the whole idea I have about fashion, that maybe it makes sense to own fewer items, and instead we can use and reuse them in different ways.
Thanks so much for reading! I am very curious what you might have to say about this Upcycling-project:) Until soon, cheers.