MISSION
The Upcycled Fabric Project strives to reduce the amount of fabrics that end up in landfills, one scrap or yard at a time. We provide only sustainably made products, and use only recyclable or compostable shipping materials. Our goal is to educate, inform, and enact positive social and environmental change.
HOW IT STARTED
Back in 2019, I was listening to a podcast about how pervasive textile waste is, in the fashion industry. It got me thinking about the fabric and textile waste in my own life. About the fabric I could save at my job, and about how many times I shopped fast-fashion.
I work in the theatre industry, which is inherently created to be temporary. Yes, we reuse and reconfigure things that we can, but overall it is often considered for it's negative environmental impacts.
I saw an opportunity at the theatre I work at, to redirect the fabric scraps that were destined for the dumpster. Any fabric I can gather, from all the various shops, I either recycle or upcycle.
For my own closet, I made a goal to not buy any fast fashion or anything new in 2020. I planned to buy everything secondhand. But then a global pandemic hit, and that goal quickly became impossible. I do think that is a pretty adequate reason to break a goal or resolution. Now that I can shop in stores and try on clothes, I'm excited to restart my thrift shop journey.
OUR JOURNEY
My initial vision for The Upcycled Fabric Project was pushed aside when the pandemic hit. I quickly shifted my shop to mask making, mainly for those in the healthcare field, as well as for friends and family. Originally making them with ties, when there was an elastic shortage early on in the pandemic, to perfecting a design that could include a nose wire, as well as adjustable, elastic ear loops. Roughly 700 masks later, as medical grade masks became more available to the public, and recommended by medical professionals, I knew I wanted to shift focus.
Adopting a rescue pup will certainly shift your focus! It only seemed natural to prototype and make pet bandanas, and I didn't look back.
While I do have plans beyond just your furry friends, seeing your pets in the bandanas and bows I made, brings the biggest smile to my face.
ABOUT JAMIE
Hi, my name is Jamie (she/her) and I live in central Florida with my parents, our cat, Shadow, and my pup, Sadie. I work as the Assistant Properties Master at a theater, and for those that don't know what that is, I basically build/pull/make/reupholster/etc anything an actor interacts with that isn't a door or window. The furniture, hand props, and set dressing you see on the stage is what I do! When I'm not working, I love wrapping myself in a cozy blanket and watching a good tv show, training Sadie, taking care of my plants, and sudoku.
I learned to sew in home economics class in seventh grade. We made small pillows and used both the sewing machine as well as hand-sewed it closed. I really enjoyed sewing. So much so, that my parents got me a sewing machine for Christmas one year. I attempted a quilt that I got approximately a quarter of the way through before I packed it up and never touched it again.
In high school and college, I grew my sewing skills through theater classes and productions. Now, as a props artisan, I often sew bed "clothes," tablecloths, curtains, bags, pouches, etc. that are used in our plays and musicals. But I definitely have to say, that making roughly 700 masks was where I saw the most improvement in my sewing, since my journey began.
I'm so happy to share sustainable items for your pet (and soon for you!) that make you smile.
Thank you for being here.
-Jamie
