Take care of your things, and they'll take care of you.
Caring for your gently used garment.
With the right care, your garment has a long life ahead
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Fill a basin or clean sink with lukewarm water. Add Soak detergent or baby shampoo.
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Let the garment soak for 15 minutes. Swirl it around once in a while.
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Take the garment out and refill the sink or basin with clean, lukewarm water and place the garment back in.
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Never place your garment under running water as it can damage the fibers.
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Roll the garment into a ball and GENTLY squeeze out the excess water.
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Lay your knit garment flat on a clean, white towel to air dry and hang a woven shirt on a hanger to dry.
What is upcycling?
Upcycling is the process of taking a discarded object, in this case a sweater or a shirt, and reworking it, to create a one-of-a-kind piece.
Upcycling isn't new, but luckily our methods to care for garments have vastly improved. Our ancestors upcycled garments for centuries. Originally, cashmere garments were passed down to children and grandchildren, becoming softer and more supple with each wear. The American tradition of patchwork quilting is a wonderful example of upcycling at its finest.
My mother grew up during World War II in Denmark, where even the sewing thread in garments was saved and repurposed. An adult's worn clothing was resewn to create dresses or trousers for their children. My mother's confirmation dress was made from one of her mother's dresses.
UPCYCLING BENEFITS YOU
Recently, I fell in love with a designer sweater that I saw online. It was wool and had gorgeous, delicate embroidery on it. The problem was that it was close to $3,000 because it was new. With gently loved, embroidered garments, you get access to the most exquisite quality of cashmere, wool and cotton without the price tag, and the one-of-a-kind garment is, in many cases, pristine. What’s not to love?
UPCYCLING BENEFITS OUR PLANET
Fast fashion is a new concept. The fashion industry today accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions and is the second largest consumer of water on the planet. Every year, you could completely fill Sydney Harbor with discarded clothing! The good news is that people have started taking a greater interest in selling or donating their gently worn garments, and just as many people have starting enjoying quality clothing that is pre-owned. With proper care, the clothing can have a stunning second act.
UPCYCLING BENEFITS YOUR CLOTHING
Upcycled, quality clothing, with the proper care, can last for generations. A little moth hole in your sweater doesn’t mean you have to throw it out. Not only can a delicate embroidery on your garment be a great way to hide some everyday wear and tear, but it can also transform the clothing into a unique treasure. By handwashing your sweaters and storing them in sealed containers with cedar blocks, you protect them from moths and mice. If you regularly brush and ‘rake’ them, you will remove the pilling, which is just the result of the yarn’s having a high pile. Remember to rake and brush your sweaters in the same direction.