Article: Upcycling: How to Turn Damaged Jeans into Embroidered One-of-a-Kind Pieces
Upcycling: How to Turn Damaged Jeans into Embroidered One-of-a-Kind Pieces
With our upcycling project Art on Broken Pieces, we transform jeans with minor production flaws into truly unique pieces and give them new life with colorful embroidery and patches.
This project got its start together with Swedish artist Sofia Holt. In addition to developing the designs for the embroidery and patches, Sofia has also hand-embroidered many of our Art on Broken Pieces products herself. In this interview, you'll learn what she enjoys most about her work, what the biggest challenges of Art on Broken Pieces are, and how you can repair your own clothes.
Hi Sofia, could you please introduce yourself briefly?
Hi, my name is Sofia and I love developing creative concepts that are good for us and our planet.
What do you love most about your work?
When I hear that other people feel inspired by what I do.
How did your collaboration with Dawn come about?
I met Marian, one of the founders, when we both lived in Saigon. He asked me to work on a few projects, one of which later developed into Art on Broken Pieces.
What do you like most about your collaboration with Dawn?
That we share the same vision of producing thoroughly fair products.
What do you like most about Art on Broken Pieces?
I like that the project raises awareness about how we consume fashion and inspires others to be creative. I've also always loved the special thrill of a surprise. Every production flaw is different, which means you don't know beforehand what artwork your new trousers will have until you open your package. Your trousers are a true one-of-a-kind piece, and how cool is that?
What is the biggest challenge when repairing a pair of jeans?
The hardest part is when the fabric is badly damaged. For example, if I want to cover a hole with embroidery, I have to secure the thread at the edge of the hole. But if the edge is very badly damaged, I have nowhere to secure it. In most cases, I use a patch instead.
How long does it take you to complete an embroidery?
Usually 15–40 minutes, but it depends on many factors. Sometimes the thread unravels or the flaw is in a difficult place, such as on a pocket or next to a seam where several layers of fabric meet. Sometimes the fabric itself is a bit delicate and needs to be sewn more carefully. It also depends on the size of the embroidery, the type of stitches, and the design.
Do you have any tips for anyone who wants to try repairing their own clothes?
Don't use a needle that's too thick, as it can be harder to push through the fabric. Start with simple stitches and patterns. You can also watch some YouTube tutorials beforehand. And above all: Have fun and don't let overly high expectations discourage you! 😉
If you'd like more inspiration from Sofia's work, feel free to check out her Instagram profile @sofiasillu!
