Pages

Monday, January 10, 2011

Altered Couture for Home Decor

Have you ever heard of Altered Couture?  It isn't just a magazine (pictured above) made by the Stampington Company.  It is a movement in fashion that has taken hold (revived) in the last several years.  By this, hobbyist and artist create one-of-a-kind individual pieces with the recycling of past fashion materials.  A few examples that are a treat to look at are Armour Sans Anguish and  Supayana.

Image: Supayana

 Image: Armour Sans Anguish

Neat huh.  Imagine recycling clothes to look this good.  What if it was done for home decor?  I have seen a lot of things repurposed, upcycled, or altered, whatever you want to call it.  In home decor you really need a lot of yardage.  It isn't as easy to take clothes and recycle for the home.
You know my tea cozy.  It was altered from a Woolrich wool vest.

One commenter said it looked like a sweater for my teapot.  She was really close.  Here is the original vest.   

What do you think about upcycling?  


Do teapots look good in sweaters?

How about this table runner?

The shabby chic fabric for this table runner came from a Liz Claiborne dress.

Here it is after I used the bottom for the table runner.  These are the only two pieces I have ever upcycled.  I really found it fun to do.  I liked challenging myself to look at something and find another use for it.  Have you ever altered any clothes? 
The tea cozy in for sale in my Etsy Shop.
I will link to these ladies go and visit them.
Get Your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog
Toot Your Horn Tuesday at A Silly Little Sparrow
Second Chance Tuesday at Bella Rosa Antiques
Boring to Better Party at Savvy Southern Style
Whatever Goes Wednesday  at Someday Crafts
Show and Tell Wednesday at Blue Cricket Design 
Whassup Wednesday at Elements Interiors

15 comments:

  1. That was a great use of the Liz Claiborne dress!:) It's life is far better off as your table runner.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are so creative! I'm pretty good at decorating and putting things together but all thumbs when it comes to anything involving a needle and thread. I give you kudos for doing what I never could and I love both the tea cozy and the table runner.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful Ideas. You are one talented gal. Hugs, Ginger
    I am grabbing your button.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Sherry, What great ideas! Love the idea of skirts made into runners, now I have a great idea on what to use all those pretty skirts I see at sales for! Your tea loks cozy and very charming:-)
    Bella

    ReplyDelete
  5. This post is RIGHT up my alley and pushes my AHA button. I love that tea cozie. Currently, my daughter's recycle my Christmas sweaters and vests by wearing them to the school's annual "Tacky Christmas Party".

    Sigh and blush.
    I love your ideas.

    My mind is racing at the possibilities.

    ReplyDelete
  6. WOW!....how creative....love your upcycles.

    Jo
    LazyonLoblolly

    ReplyDelete
  7. I loved it that you added the word "revived" to the term altered couture. I recall my mom and her friends taking old clothes and making quilts. . . or revamping a blouse with sleeves in it so it became a sleeves number. However, my favorite recollection is that of my next door neighbor who bought my homecoming formal at our garage sale.....and made bathroom curtains out of it!! It was covered in pink ruffles! :)

    LOVE the tea cozy!!

    Dana

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love this idea. There was a couture house that tried to do the same thing about 10 years ago. Think it's much more practical and far more creative (not to mention affordable!) in blogland. Thanks for stopping by. Jane

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love this post! The tea cozy is awesome and so is the runner. I have thought about using clothes before for pillows but these ideas are even better. Thanks so much for linking up with SCT!

    Jillian
    Bella Rosa Antiques

    ReplyDelete
  10. Upcycling is good. Love the tea cozy and that runner. Cute ideas. Thanks for joining the party this week.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have those same dishes.....I really love that runner. Great re-purposing!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love these upcycles!!! As clothes they were both, well, hideous. LOL But they made adorable home accessories!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great ideas! I was thinking of making some pillows from old sweaters.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for giving my little mag a shout out. I welcome your submissions to ALT or any altered home decor to Somerset Home, another magazine I am in charge of. Please let me know if you have any questions : )

    ReplyDelete

Thank you wonderful people who take the time to comment. I appreciate them and love to connect with you.