What do you make?
Reconstructed clothing: all wool collars, arm and leg warmers, scoodies (hood with a scarf attatched) hooded jerseys and cardigans with zippers. I'm also frantically finishing off a pile of iron-on patches, a brand new product for rethreads. Looking forward to introducing them at A Craft Affair!
Why would you buy something handmade?
Because I value people and relationships much much much more than money.
Where else might we see your work?
Come and find me in my studio if you can! That is a challenge (even for me at times) as I am living a 'pop up' life right now, moving every few days or weeks, including Canada and Australia. So, the best place to see my work is my Felt shop.
How did you get into your craft?
I made a couple of things from patterns as a teenager, then, when I was 16 I turned an old pair of overalls into a great sling bag. I wish I still had it! Since then, I've always played around with stuff, from felt penning punk slogans onto specially cut and ripped t-shirts to hand dying old sheets which I converted into layered kimonos.
I've always worked with natural fibres. In Vancouver in the 1970s, my mother, who was allergic to polyesters and nylons, could only find good quality wool, linen and cottons in thrift stores. I used to trail along behind her while she kept up a running commentary of the quality of the fabric and the methods she used to identify imposters (like polyester masquerading as silk.)
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
I had two years of sewing classes in high school, which taught me to be accurate. In 1988–89 I did a full time Craft Design Certificate at the Southern Institute of Technology. Even back then, it was so well appointed with all the studio space, materials and tools a generalist crafter like me could wish for. I went for it, working into every evening and at the end of two years I knew without a doubt that I did not want to keep working with dyes and chemicals. I also did an industrial sewing course which taught me that it was valid to sew at speed without pins, something I had always felt slightly guilty about!
Is there a philosophy behind your work?
Well, obviously I am big on recycling. I hate the waste of the fashion industry and feel horrified when my stuff is referred to as "fashion". Of course, if there was no fashion there would be no 'rethreads' so it's an interesting love-hate relationship I have there. I hate fashion but I love buying your fashion mistakes and then selling them back to you in a way that makes you feel funky and colourful and gives me a nice profit. That's a secret, by the way.
What are your favourite materials, tools and/or processes?
I am never happier when I am sorting through a big bag of donated clothing and fabric, or spending the morning at the $2 recycling warehouse filling my car with old clothes. In fact, I am convinced that this is one of my personal keys to well being, which makes it neccessary and also much much cheaper than therapy! In fact, my 'therapy' makes money! Isn't that grand!
I design with a pair of scissors, no measuring, no paper patterns, and I work fast. I have a blast. It works best when I am off to a party and feel I have nothing to wear. Most of my designs happened that way.
rethreads.felt.co.nz
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