Julieann Upcycler

How did this all start? 

It all started with my daughter asking me to upcycle her father’s jeans into overalls for our then 3 year old grandson. It grew from there.  

Plastic shopping bags are being phased out in Australia. There are lots of alternate bags available however I wanted to go one step further and help the war on waste by upcycling jeans into products that could be reused over and over again. 

Every bag, apron and accessory is unique and different according to the jeans I find to upcycle. They are lined with material from bridesmaid dresses, evening ware, men’s shirts, tablecloths, fabric off cuts – whatever is useful that I find in op shops, garage sales etc. The items are washed and hung out to dry and air. I endeavour to use every part of the jeans; waistbands as belts, pockets, zips etc.  

Where possible buttons are either upcycled or repurposed to keep with the upcycled theme. If I can’t find the appropriate button a new one is used. The thread used to sew the bags is usually the only new item used in the production of the items. 

Even the sewing machine I use belonged to my mother in law!
A Bernina Record purchased in 1972!