Wednesday, June 16, 2010

The Wearing of the Green – It’s Not Just for the Irish!

Memory Jacket designed by Linda Watson, Artist, Second hand Levi jacket with embellishments - on display in the Art, Music and Recreation Center, 4th floor, Main Library

"Going Green" is the hot new trend in the fashion world. The appearance on the runway of haute couture made from organic cotton, hemp and bamboo indicate that more designers are leaning toward an eco-conscious clothing industry. Closely related to this trend is a growing interest in upcycling, recycling and refashioning old clothes into new garments. Using worn-out clothes as raw materials offers a creative person the opportunity to experiment freely without having to worry about making mistakes with expensive yardage. A few yards of lace and some cleverly placed beads can transform a used pair of pants into expensive looking designer jeans.

Through its Green Stacks programming, the Library is committed to providing information on green living through its resources and its programs. One such event will take place on Saturday June 19 from 12:00 to 4:00 at the Main Library. A free class called Recycled Clothing: Creating New From Old will help participants create “new one-of-a-kind works of wearable art.” Call (415) 557-4400 for more information.

For those interested in this topic, but unable to attend the Saturday class, the Library has plenty of books filled with inspiring and innovative ways to refashion any wardrobe. A few are listed below:

Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing : Fabu-Low-Sew Projects for the Everyday Crafter by KathyCano-Murillo (Potter Craft, 2009).

Denim Revolution: Dozens of Ways to Turn Denim Cast-Offs into Fashion Must-Haves by Nancy Minsky (Potter Craft, 2008).

Embellished Fashions by Mickey Baskett (Sterling Pub., 2008).

Exquisite Embellishments for Your Clothes by Valerie Van Arsdale Shrader (Lark Books, 2006).

Jazzy Jeans by Mickey Baskett (Sterling Pub., 2006).

New From Old: How to Transform and Customize Your Clothes byJayne Emerson (Firefly Books, 2006).

No comments: