A Second Life for an Old Tunic
The topic of upcycling and giving clothes a second life is becoming increasingly popular. It is a continuation of eco-activism and the antithesis of the modern Fast-Fashion trend. I have mixed feelings about upcycling – on one hand, it's a second life for items, a wardrobe refresh, and a way to save money when you want to create something but can't afford a trip to the fabric store. On the other hand, my inner perfectionist screams at the violation of sewing techniques. For example, an old cotton skirt and a poorly chosen knit tunic turned into this cute dress. The knit fabric is quite thick and has almost no stretch.
It all started with the tunic – I was annoyed by its awkward length; it looked ridiculous with pants and was too short to be a dress. I left the tunic as it was, only removing the cowl neck. In its place, I sewed on a turn-down collar. I had to make a slit in the back for easier wear and finished it with bias tape.
I stitched a piece of fabric to the front, folding the edges. I serged the bottom piece of fabric, gathered it with a thread, and stitched it on.
In its original form, the tunic was similar to these, but with short sleeves.
Overall, the garment has taken on a completely different look. How do you feel about upcycling?
