Stitches and Sutures (2022)

  • Converse ANZ sent Converse All Stars an Indigo Dye Kit and challenged us to reimagine style, refresh & rework our old garments & shoes to give them new life! - in celebration of the launch of their new Renew Labs Store in Fitzroy (Melbourne, Australia).

    I indigo dyed an old t-shirt and some old fabrics which I cut up and made into little patchwork stars. I then appliquéd them onto the shirt, and also onto my indigo dyed Converse.

    On the shirt, I embroidered a little self portrait and words about tending to my worn garments, and taking care of my trans body. Drawing parallels between sewing stitches, surgical sutures and a second life worth living.

    Text on the shirt says “I mend this garment. And give it new life. In the same way. I tend to my body. The stitches and sutures. Hold me together. While I find my place.”

    I love combining textiles and storytelling. It’s important to me to use the materials I have, repurpose them into a new narrative, and cherish the new creations.

    I used a lot of this renewed fabric from this indigo dye workshop in my ‘Baby Blue’ quilt.

Dyeing Process Video: 

  • First, I indigo dyed a lot of old cotton T-shirts and calico tote bags that were either stretched out, stained, discoloured, or just sitting at the bottom of my drawers.

    It’s important to use what clothing/materials we have, to mend them, and repurpose them, into something new we can continue to use and love wearing.

Creation Process Video: 

  • I love combining textiles and storytelling. It’s important to me to use the materials I have, repurpose them into a new narrative, and cherish the new creations.

    I cut up some of the dyed fabrics into stars, and appliquéd them onto my indigo garment and renewed Converse Chucks.

    I embroidered a little self portrait and a little message about tending to my worn garments and my trans body. Drawing parallels between sewing stitches and surgical sutures. A gentle nod to my trans experience and the delicate nature of a second life worth living.

    Text on the shirt says “I mend this garment. And give it new life. In the same way. I tend to my body. The stitches and sutures. Hold me together. While I find my place.”