mhippisley@ecuad.ca
Repurposed Material Gown
Womans Small
Repurposed curtains, tablecloths, pillowcase
Starting materials
The gown was made using a variety of repurposed materials, including a pair of throw pillowcases, curtains, a tablecloth, and a green thrifted fabric. The back of the pillowcases was used as the corset lining, while their decorative trim became the corset’s finishing detail. The green thrifted fabric served as the main corset material, providing structure and visual contrast. For the tiered skirt, I combined the tablecloth and curtains, making use of their existing textures and patterns to add depth and movement to the design.
Process
In the past, I had worked on several repurposing projects using a patchwork method, such as a pair of overalls made from old jeans. For this project, I initially sketched concepts inspired by that patchwork style, exploring dress and skirt designs. However, as the project evolved, I decided to focus on creating a gown, which led me to refine my sketches with that goal in mind. Once I had a clear design, I moved on to developing a pattern for the gown.
To make the corset, I draped the pattern on a dress form and then used the materials from the pillowcases and thrifted fabric to construct it. I created the boning channels using bias tape and repurposed old zip ties as the boning, so I wouldn't need to buy new materials and could stay true to the project’s goal of repurposing. For the finishing touches, I hand-sewed details of the rope lacing across the top and added eyelets, adding a personal, crafted element while making the most of the leftover materials.
To make the skirt, I repurposed the curtains and tablecloth, creating a tiered design with a zipper and hook-and-eye closure. I gathered the layers and serged the edges as I went to prevent any fraying, ensuring a clean finish. Finally, I completed the skirt with a neat rolled hem for a polished, professional look.
Final Desing