The Re-Launch

Hello and welcome back to the NOTHING NEW blog...

I'm feeling the need for a more articulate outlet, sometimes Instagram just doesn't hit the spot when talking about the issues I care about. And now more than ever, these issues are growing in popularity which is awesome!

Recent social movements such as Fashion Revolution and Plastic Free July have brought more awareness to everyone which is a great thing, as well as mainstream channels bringing informative programs right into our living rooms. I believe it is all about education. Alot of the bleakness in this world could be overcome with education, and I'm not just talking about schools putting climate change and yoga on the curriculum (however that would definitley help!) But at home, with our friends, our colleagues....learning happens everywhere, and I'd love to make this blog a bit of a resource you can dip into.

I definitely don't  have all the answers, but whilst I try and figure them out why not share it? It's what I intended to do in the first place! I'll be looking at the big stuff like; Why should I be a conscious consumer? (Because you're a Global Citizen) Will I lose all my friends if I bang on about single use plastic? (Maybe) What do natural/plastic free toothpastes taste like? (Some are gross)

So here we go, first post up next! Eeek I'm excited!

Eco Love Is In The Air!

Stuck for a thoughtful, eco-friendly Valentine's gift that has the wow factor?

Look no further than gift vouchers from Nothing New - Choose from a GreenSeam made-to-measure dress or Sewing Tuition by the hour...Click here to buy now and receive 10% off using the code VAL10, plus a FREE upcycled jewellery gift with every order!

Can be posted directly to the lucky recipient. The vouchers all feature a unique laser cut design, and will be wrapped up with your complementary gift all pretty as a vintage button using the finest pages of old Mills and Boon, just to get your love in the mood!

Don't be wasteful, just be thoughtful!

Don't Be A Wasteman!

In November last year I was asked to show off my skills at the TeamV Upcycling Fair  "Don't Be A Wasteman" at The MAC Birmingham. It was well received day,  put on by an inspiring and passionate group of young people. I put on mini workshops making Christmas decorations from upcycled fabrics, and rose to the ultimate upcycle challenge by raiding the donations area and transforming an old curtain into a dress, totally on the hoof, no pattern, a time limit of 2hrs! All good fun! One of the TeamV ladies, Ayesha, made this video of the day....take a look and see what it was all about! Watch it in its full glory HERE

The workshop area complete with some awesome TeamV volunteers!

Happy upcyclers, making gifts for loved ones

 

 

The curtain, soon to be dress!

The finished upcycled dress

Sustainable NYE Style

Happy 2014! I hope you all had joyful Christmas and have been packing away decorations for next year - no need to keep buying new every year (duh). And of course there is all the fun and frolics of bringing in the new year....in sustainable style of course!

I was a bit stuck for an outfit, so decided to tailor one of my GreenSeam samples for myself, the cut out shouldered Lucille. I was less than prepared for the 'Getting Wiggy With It' theme, so made do with a spare pair of bunny ears...which happened to work perfectly! I made this sample dress (now mine, mwahaha) from an old fancy dress outfit that someone was throwing away; a poorly constructed vampire cape, but unpicked and ironed it was a decent piece of material. You can find eco-friendly and sustainable fabrics everywhere if you look hard enough!

A great time was had by all, rolled into bed at 7am, and pub lunched it for most of new years day. I hope some of you may make some sustainable resolutions for the coming year, and just get in touch if you need any encouragement or advice!

Launch Party Time!

I am proud to introduce two brand new services to the NOTHING NEW family, and to celebrate we are having a party!

Goody bags and drinks will be dished out, and after a short showcase of the new services available, then you are free to browse the GreenSeam collection. I will be able to answer any questions or give advice on how to make the most of your wardrobe, what’s involved in the sewing tuition, measure you up and help finish off the free booze!

There will be a special prize for the best NOTHING NEW outfit, so don your most stylish and glamorous charity shop finds, hand me downs, vintage and upcycled pieces to be in with the chance of winning a FREE bespoke item up to the value of £200. I must be in a generous mood!

My New Services;
GreenSeam - A new fixed price made to measure service, offering a capsule collection of carefully curated styles and ethically sourced fabrics, ready to be handmade just for you.

Sewing Tuition - for those who want to learn how to make their own clothes, I am now taking on students! Professional and friendly one-to-one tuition by the hour. No block booking required, but lovely discounts if you do

You are free to drop by anytime, as this event is being held in my studio, you will need to call 07957983974 so that someone can let you in. Don't be shy now, come and check out the studio and have a free drink on me!

Same Dress Syndrome: The Facts

For 80% of women in the UK, Same Dress Syndrome (SDS) is a real and gripping fear, with one in four experiencing the full horror of turning up to the annual festivities all dolled up, only to find that b*tch from HR also found the bargain Topshop Unique (oh the irony) dress at the back of the rails. Research also finds that 18% of those affected took drastic measures to sabotage their rivals gowns, eeek!

The good news is there is time to eliminate SDS from your list of things to worry about, along with 'Be more eco friendly' and 'Support local businesses' - I offer a fully bespoke dressmaking service from my Birmingham studio, all handmade by myself.  Sourcing ethically made, industry 'waste' and vintage fabrics to keep environmental impact to a minimum. Just email with your requirements, lead time from 3 weeks and starting from just £50.00 depending on style and fabrics.

Browse these dress patterns for inspiration, I can make alterations and changes to the pattern to create your own, actually unique style, that is guaranteed to be the perfect fit.

Vogue       -        New Look        -        McCalls        -        Simplicity        -       Butterick

Keep an eye out soon for the new website and dressmaking gift vouchers that will be available in time for Christmas!

Customisation Services in Selfridges Department Stores

Myself and Laura Loves, after the success of our ReThinkReMakeReLove workshops, had been asked by Selfridges & Co. if we would run customisation services throughout their Manchester and Birmingham department stores as party of their Denim Lovers summer campaign - we jumped at the chance! Being able to spread the upcycling bug to unsuspecting shoppers, mwahaha! We have already completed three weeks, but check out the dates below for where we are next;

19th-21st July - Birmingham Bullring

26th-28th July - Manchester Trafford Centre

2nd-4th August - Manchester Trafford Centre

16th-18th August - Birmingham Bullring

Here are some pics of what we have been getting up to so far!

Our first set up in Manchester Exchange Square this weekend

Some of our beautiful vintage trims

We got our nails done by the super duper Amy at The Nail Lab

So you can figure out who we are - I made us a little uniform! charity shop tees with bleach painted logo.

Laura working hard on customer jobs!

This sweet Aztec print remnant materials got put to good use, no scrap is too small!

Love this combination of studs, leopard print, neon and chain!

We can do monogramming too - in studs or embroidery!

Pretty shorts with added vintage lace trim, beading and embroidery

Floral cuffs on a denim blazer

Some of our designs available for sale in the Bullring store