We started end of last summer with the #100greenstatements project, to upcycle 100 t-shirts into a green statement. So every week we are collaborating with new artists or designers, they will all show ways to create, repair, or style their old t-shirts in new ways. Can’t wait to see what they will make. And of course, we are curious: What is their story?
This week we are joined by Rianne from Kick Ass Quilts. She inspires people to start quilting with scraps. Very mindful thing to do & a great way to work with what you have. Can’t wait to share what she makes from a t-shirt!
How did you start your business
Hi! I’m Rianne of Kick Ass Quilts. My business was started out of a personal love for quilting and upcycling any kind of fabrics into quilts and quilted items. After 10 years of developing and quilting in my own style, I realized it’s a method that other people are interested in. Part of the interest came from the method being sustainable.
I use whatever materials are available and don’t rely on extra tools such as specific rulers or mass-produced pattern templates. For example, I use newspaper and graph paper to make my patterns, and let the fabrics inform the design of the quilt. This not only makes quilting sustainable, but also a good way for creative self-expression and to show your identity in the items you make.
So I started my business where I teach people to quilt sustainably, with old fabrics and clothes, without complicating the beautiful process of quilting with extra tools, complicated patterns, or worrying about neat corners and perfect seams and such. The focus in my teaching method is the process: A moment for yourself, meditation, creative expression and giving garments a new life. And the added benefit of that is that every quilted item is meaningful because there are memories attached to the fabrics!
How do you see the future of fashion?
Another thing I realized is that people don’t want blankets only. They want something made by themselves they can use in many aspects of their day-to-day life that reflects their values and identity. And the best way to do so is by repurposing and engaging yourself in the creative process.
The future of fashion, to me, should be a place where the focus is on self-expression rather than on consumption. By teaching people quilting techniques to upcycle, everyone is able to modify their clothes and home goods to suit their current mood and identity. The future of fashion is about self-expression with your own hands, and not on buying an identity society has told you suits you. Because that is never the correct identity for you. Knowledge of who you are and what your values are becomes clear with creative expression.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Read more?
To see more Kick Ass Quilts check kickassquilts.org or go to Instagram and see tutorials, tips & inspiration!