JULIE'S 21ST
Julie's T-shirt throw, draped over the rocking chair her grand-dad made.
Rites of passage are celebrated in many different ways.
The '21st' is a significant transition from youth to adulthood.
Julie celebrated her 21st birthday by holding her first solo exhibition. There were 20 pieces of exquisite felted art and garments. The 21st piece was herself: present each day throughout the exhibition. Amazing!
My gift to her was a throw made from 21 of her cast-off T-shirts. I cut a 12" square from both the front and the back of each T-shirt. These were sewn together and backed with polar fleece. Using the scraps, I created guests for her 21st T-party.
The '21st' is a significant transition from youth to adulthood.
Julie celebrated her 21st birthday by holding her first solo exhibition. There were 20 pieces of exquisite felted art and garments. The 21st piece was herself: present each day throughout the exhibition. Amazing!
My gift to her was a throw made from 21 of her cast-off T-shirts. I cut a 12" square from both the front and the back of each T-shirt. These were sewn together and backed with polar fleece. Using the scraps, I created guests for her 21st T-party.
BILLIE JO AT THE T-PARTY
I am Billie Jo.
I work at this dead end job but I want to do better.
I'm trying to discover who I am.
I read heaps and do yoga and follow the stars.
I have this dream-catcher I made at a weekend retreat.
At the moment I am trying to de-clutter my life
and I thought one thing I could do is recycle my clothes
instead of buying more.
"The true antidote of greed is contentment."
14th Dalai Lama
Billie Jo and her dream catcher are made from recycled T-shirts, buttons and beads, used metal hoop, and fibrefill.
I work at this dead end job but I want to do better.
I'm trying to discover who I am.
I read heaps and do yoga and follow the stars.
I have this dream-catcher I made at a weekend retreat.
At the moment I am trying to de-clutter my life
and I thought one thing I could do is recycle my clothes
instead of buying more.
"The true antidote of greed is contentment."
14th Dalai Lama
Billie Jo and her dream catcher are made from recycled T-shirts, buttons and beads, used metal hoop, and fibrefill.
LARA AT THE T-PARTY
I am Lara.
I came along because I am curious.
There are always new things to learn.
I made this very useful tote.
I only like things that are useful.
Lara and her tote are made from recycled T-shirts and fibrefill.
AMY ROSE AT THE T-PARTY
Hi. I'm Amy Rose
and I, like,go into surf shops with my friends
and the clothes are, like, so expensive
and I think, like, 'I could so make that '
So here I am.
What do you think of this design?
"The wonder of a T-shirt is that it is all about what you bring to it.
The plain white cotton is a blank canvas for your individual stamp."
Designer Charles Nolan
Amy Rose and her design are made from recycled T-shirts, foam core and fibrefill.
and I, like,go into surf shops with my friends
and the clothes are, like, so expensive
and I think, like, 'I could so make that '
So here I am.
What do you think of this design?
"The wonder of a T-shirt is that it is all about what you bring to it.
The plain white cotton is a blank canvas for your individual stamp."
Designer Charles Nolan
Amy Rose and her design are made from recycled T-shirts, foam core and fibrefill.
MADELEINE AT THE T-PARTY
Hello. I am Madeleine ...
and the rugby fanatic is my daughter, Louise.
I came along to encourage her in her dream to be a designer.
We made these easy as bags ...
so roomy and kind of chic!
Louise fills hers with rugby paraphernalia.
Me ... I like to have room for my hat and gloves.
Madeleine and her bag are made from recycled T-shirts and fibrefill.
and the rugby fanatic is my daughter, Louise.
I came along to encourage her in her dream to be a designer.
We made these easy as bags ...
so roomy and kind of chic!
Louise fills hers with rugby paraphernalia.
Me ... I like to have room for my hat and gloves.
Madeleine and her bag are made from recycled T-shirts and fibrefill.
LOU AT THE T-PARTY
Hi! I like to be called Lou.
My full name is Louise ... but it is soooooo girly!
I love rugby ... fanatical actually.
I have ALL the NPC and Super XV jerseys and scarves and socks
and Dad is getting me an All Black's jersey.
I came along 'cos I have lots of training jerseys ...
you know ...
that are made of odd stripes and stuff ...
and I want to make some cool as rugby fashion for ... girls!
"The T-shirt was originally worn as men's underwear.
Not until the 1970's was the T-shirt allowed as outerwear in schools."
Lou and her tote are made from recycled T-shirts and fibrefill.
My full name is Louise ... but it is soooooo girly!
I love rugby ... fanatical actually.
I have ALL the NPC and Super XV jerseys and scarves and socks
and Dad is getting me an All Black's jersey.
I came along 'cos I have lots of training jerseys ...
you know ...
that are made of odd stripes and stuff ...
and I want to make some cool as rugby fashion for ... girls!
"The T-shirt was originally worn as men's underwear.
Not until the 1970's was the T-shirt allowed as outerwear in schools."
Lou and her tote are made from recycled T-shirts and fibrefill.
MARTHA AT THE T-PARTY
Greetings.
My name is Martha.
I saw the notice ... sounded like an intriguing way to pass the time.
Don't wear t-shirts myself ...
but there is always a first time!
I love patchwork though ...
I brought along this one to show.
"Art and beauty soothe my soul,
inspire and invigorate.
But I also turn to creativity in times
of uncertainty, anxiety and grief."
Barbara England in 'Cloth Paper Scissors'
Martha and her patchwork quilt are made from recycled T-shirts, denim jeans and fibrefill.
My name is Martha.
I saw the notice ... sounded like an intriguing way to pass the time.
Don't wear t-shirts myself ...
but there is always a first time!
I love patchwork though ...
I brought along this one to show.
"Art and beauty soothe my soul,
inspire and invigorate.
But I also turn to creativity in times
of uncertainty, anxiety and grief."
Barbara England in 'Cloth Paper Scissors'
Martha and her patchwork quilt are made from recycled T-shirts, denim jeans and fibrefill.
EVELYN AT THE T-PARTY
Hello!
I am Evelyn
and I'd love to learn how to design clothes
that are elegant and
fun and
flatter my figure and
... don't cost the earth.
Evelyn is made from recycled T-shirts, lycra and fibrefill.
I am Evelyn
and I'd love to learn how to design clothes
that are elegant and
fun and
flatter my figure and
... don't cost the earth.
Evelyn is made from recycled T-shirts, lycra and fibrefill.
JUDITH AT THE T-PARTY
Hi! I'm Judith.
I sing in a band. It's kind of alternative.
I love Crunchies and voodoo dolls ...see this one?
I came along because I want to make funky clothes to wear in the band. You think of people like Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi and Sid Vicious and Elvis ... they wore the coolest T's.
I want to be as cool as them.
"Be daring, be different ... assert imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary."
Cecil Beaton, fashion designer
Judith is made from recycled T-shirts, buttons and fibrefill.
I sing in a band. It's kind of alternative.
I love Crunchies and voodoo dolls ...see this one?
I came along because I want to make funky clothes to wear in the band. You think of people like Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi and Sid Vicious and Elvis ... they wore the coolest T's.
I want to be as cool as them.
"Be daring, be different ... assert imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary."
Cecil Beaton, fashion designer
Judith is made from recycled T-shirts, buttons and fibrefill.
ABBY AT THE T-PARTY
Gidday. I'm Abby.
I work as a graphic artist.
I LOVE colour and having fun and I am sure there will be both here today.
I love to laugh!
Look at this yarn I made from T-shirt scraps ...
Ain't it sooooo funky?
"The T-shirt became a canvas for free expression in the 1960's, when silkscreen inks were developed. This technology paved the way for a new phase of T-shirt slogans ("I'm with stupid"' "I ran the concession stand at the BOSTON MARATHON") and images (The Rolling Stones tongue, the Superman icon)"
Abby and her multi-coloured yarn are made from recycled T-shirts, paper clips and fibrefill.
I work as a graphic artist.
I LOVE colour and having fun and I am sure there will be both here today.
I love to laugh!
Look at this yarn I made from T-shirt scraps ...
Ain't it sooooo funky?
"The T-shirt became a canvas for free expression in the 1960's, when silkscreen inks were developed. This technology paved the way for a new phase of T-shirt slogans ("I'm with stupid"' "I ran the concession stand at the BOSTON MARATHON") and images (The Rolling Stones tongue, the Superman icon)"
Abby and her multi-coloured yarn are made from recycled T-shirts, paper clips and fibrefill.
CLARA AT THE T-PARTY
Hi everyone!
My name is Clara.
I love gardening and especially roses.
Do you like these roses I made?
I am such a romantic ...
I am wearing my mother's wedding dress.
I came along because I love making things.
"A desire builds up in me to work in materials of waste and softness. Something yielding ..."
Robert Ruaschenberg, artist
Clara and her bouquet are made from recycled T-shirts,
used plastic-coated wire , and fibrefill.
My name is Clara.
I love gardening and especially roses.
Do you like these roses I made?
I am such a romantic ...
I am wearing my mother's wedding dress.
I came along because I love making things.
"A desire builds up in me to work in materials of waste and softness. Something yielding ..."
Robert Ruaschenberg, artist
Clara and her bouquet are made from recycled T-shirts,
used plastic-coated wire , and fibrefill.
HOLLY AT THE T-PARTY
I'm Holly.
My Mum made me come. She said that if I won't get a job, then I need to learn how to make over last year's fashions.
You know, seeing you guys, it might be cool.
I brought along my lucky charm doll ... a ray of sunshine.
"If you see something you like in a magazine,
tear out the picture and copy the design.
Chances are you can make it - or something better."
Holly and her lucky charm doll are made from recycled T-shirts and fibrefill.
My Mum made me come. She said that if I won't get a job, then I need to learn how to make over last year's fashions.
You know, seeing you guys, it might be cool.
I brought along my lucky charm doll ... a ray of sunshine.
"If you see something you like in a magazine,
tear out the picture and copy the design.
Chances are you can make it - or something better."
Holly and her lucky charm doll are made from recycled T-shirts and fibrefill.
MORAG AT THE T-PARTY
Hello.
I am Morag.
I want to travel.
I thought I'd be mainly wearing T-shirts and jeans. T-shirts can roll up so small ... you can even stuff them in your shoes!
So I thought I'd come along and see how I could adapt the regular T-shirt to make something more ... mmm ...flattering!
Without a sewing machine, of course!
Do you like these roses I made?
"Heavy duty: a 1000 acre cotton farm can produce enough cotton (about 500,000 pounds) to make more than one million T-shirts)."
Morag and her roses are made from recycled T-shirts, second-hand plastic-covered wire, and fibrefill.
I am Morag.
I want to travel.
I thought I'd be mainly wearing T-shirts and jeans. T-shirts can roll up so small ... you can even stuff them in your shoes!
So I thought I'd come along and see how I could adapt the regular T-shirt to make something more ... mmm ...flattering!
Without a sewing machine, of course!
Do you like these roses I made?
"Heavy duty: a 1000 acre cotton farm can produce enough cotton (about 500,000 pounds) to make more than one million T-shirts)."
Morag and her roses are made from recycled T-shirts, second-hand plastic-covered wire, and fibrefill.
WINNIE AT THE T-PARTY
They call me Winnie.
I am a bit of a Star Wars nut.
I like collecting clothing about outer space,
and thought I might be able to get some interesting T's here.
Anyone to swap?
I have made some yarn from a blue T-shirt ...
any ideas?
"The T-shirt has always been an icon of freedom."
Dov Charney, American Apparel
Winnie and her ball of yarn are made from recycled T-shirts, second-hand safety pins and fibrefill.
I am a bit of a Star Wars nut.
I like collecting clothing about outer space,
and thought I might be able to get some interesting T's here.
Anyone to swap?
I have made some yarn from a blue T-shirt ...
any ideas?
"The T-shirt has always been an icon of freedom."
Dov Charney, American Apparel
Winnie and her ball of yarn are made from recycled T-shirts, second-hand safety pins and fibrefill.
HARMONY AT THE T-PARTY
HARMONY AND FRIEND
Peace everyone!
I'm Harmony.
I like pretty clothes and accessories.
I would like everyone to be friendly toward their neighbour and to strangers.
Everyone should have a doll to hug like this one.
"The Zen law of crafting asserts that there are no mistakes -
only variations.
What seems like an error may be the hottest new trend."
Harmony and friend are made from recycled T-shirts, buttons and fibrefill.
I'm Harmony.
I like pretty clothes and accessories.
I would like everyone to be friendly toward their neighbour and to strangers.
Everyone should have a doll to hug like this one.
"The Zen law of crafting asserts that there are no mistakes -
only variations.
What seems like an error may be the hottest new trend."
Harmony and friend are made from recycled T-shirts, buttons and fibrefill.
AROHA AT THE T-PARTY
AROHA AT THE T-PARTY
Gidday.
My name is Aroha.
My mother and grandmother and aunties all make quilts
and patchwork from old clothes and suchlike.
I'm kind of interested but don't want to be just like them.
So, I want to try using all my old T-shirts because they mean something to me, and making something using the old skills.
I tried using scraps to make this strip quilt.
"It takes about six million miles of yarn to make one T-shirt.
(Think about that when you're about to throw those scraps away.)"
Aroha, and her strip quilt, are made from recycled t-shirts, lycra and fibrefill.
My name is Aroha.
My mother and grandmother and aunties all make quilts
and patchwork from old clothes and suchlike.
I'm kind of interested but don't want to be just like them.
So, I want to try using all my old T-shirts because they mean something to me, and making something using the old skills.
I tried using scraps to make this strip quilt.
"It takes about six million miles of yarn to make one T-shirt.
(Think about that when you're about to throw those scraps away.)"
Aroha, and her strip quilt, are made from recycled t-shirts, lycra and fibrefill.
PANIA AT THE T-PARTY
Kia ora!
My name is Pania.
My Mum was always 'making over' my clothes. I was soooooooo embarrassed because I thought it meant we were poor.
Now I know she was ahead of her time ... a visionary!
It is so 'in' now.
I made this rug to say 'thank you'.
"Why transform a T-shirt into a T-shirt?
Now here's the answer: For you.
No matter what store you go into,
you won't find anything with your look - your signature."
Pania, and her Mum's knotted rug, are made from recycled T-shirts, lycra and fibrefill.
My name is Pania.
My Mum was always 'making over' my clothes. I was soooooooo embarrassed because I thought it meant we were poor.
Now I know she was ahead of her time ... a visionary!
It is so 'in' now.
I made this rug to say 'thank you'.
"Why transform a T-shirt into a T-shirt?
Now here's the answer: For you.
No matter what store you go into,
you won't find anything with your look - your signature."
Pania, and her Mum's knotted rug, are made from recycled T-shirts, lycra and fibrefill.
J BOND AT THE T-PARTY
I'm Bond ... J Bond.
I'm here because I want to do my bit to save the world.
Did you know that two rivers in Central Asia are drying up because of irrigation for cotton plantations?
So I don't want to buy new cotton clothes ...
I want to
Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!
And try to save the planet.
You with me?
"Reuse reduce recycle: When environmentalism surfaced as a hot fashion issue in 2001, designer Giorgio Armani responded by making T-shirts out of organic cotton, hemp and flax, complete with biodegradable buttons, labels and stitching."
J Bond is made from recycled T-shirt, denim jeans, second-hand safety pins and fibre-fill.
I'm here because I want to do my bit to save the world.
Did you know that two rivers in Central Asia are drying up because of irrigation for cotton plantations?
So I don't want to buy new cotton clothes ...
I want to
Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!
And try to save the planet.
You with me?
"Reuse reduce recycle: When environmentalism surfaced as a hot fashion issue in 2001, designer Giorgio Armani responded by making T-shirts out of organic cotton, hemp and flax, complete with biodegradable buttons, labels and stitching."
J Bond is made from recycled T-shirt, denim jeans, second-hand safety pins and fibre-fill.
