Sewing from
scratch
I knew the style I wanted to make was going to feature sheer fabric that I had previously thrifted. The biggest challenge would be creating my own pattern and making sure I had enough of my now customized material to create the jacket.
By using the sheer in the chest panels and the large back sections, I was able to utilize the whole pair of up-cycled pants and a bulk of the sheer fabric. I was also able to use up some scrap denim from previous projects!
I used a jacket similar to the style I wanted to create a custom pattern using tape and brown paper, then I got to cutting and assembling which took roughly two days on top of the 1-2 day dying process.
The Process
I wanted to create a complete outfit featuring a reclaimed and re-dyed textile. I found the perfect pair of pants at a local thrift store that was ripped and stained and set to work.
Step one: Soda Ash Bath
Step two: Spot dye with natural dye made from Avocado, Paprika, and Turmeric.
Step three: Dry for 1 hour
Step four: Get to Sewing!
Viva Botanica Showcase 2025
This year I was invited to participate in a sustainable fashion workshop in partnership with the San Antonio Botanical Garden. As a workshop participant, I was tasked to present a piece to be displayed at the garden as part of the Fiesta 2025 celebration.
