Blog
Our projects and articles all in one chronological place. You can also browse by category from the side menu.
Most of of our pieces are either one of a kind or limited edition. However some pieces can be replicated. Feel free to get in touch for any made to order commissions.
Eco Snoods and Wrist Warmers
Magpie Recycling ends up with a load of old woollen jumpers that people either shrink in the wash or can't be bothered/ don't know how to repair. Natural wool is such a high quality material compare to acrylic yarns that are made synthetically, I can't bare putting...
How to Bleach Dye Cotton Clothes
We all know that bleach isn't very environmentally friendly. But if you can update a garment that you weren't wearing with it, I'm pretty sure it's more eco than buying new. Also, you don't need much of it so it gets the go ahead from me. This is how to; You will need...
Alternative Wedding Dress
Making someones wedding dress is always a little nerve wrecking. The pressure to get it right and everything else that goes with it. But I loved the challenge of making this dress for my very stylish friend Chani. We chose a 1940's Vogue pattern and used the reverse...
Vinyl Fascinators
Ready for the Races. I love a good fascinator. But I see nothing fun in those beige and boring "mother of the bride" numbers. If I was going to make them they had to be made from found trinkets, lost toys and records of course. The 7" vinyl makes a perfect base to...
Screen Printing and Bleach Dyeing
I have always wanted to have a go at screen printing. Of course it had to be creepy crawlies. We developed three different images. Stag beetle, rain beetle and a flying ant. Before printing I sprayed some of the t-shirts with a bleach+water solution for more depth....
Customised Jeans
Repair and Embroidery. Everyone loves a pair of jeans. Whatever the cut might be is a personal choice, but when I find a pair I love, I wear them until they are shreds. The places that tends to wear out first are usually pockets, crotch, and knees. So instead of...
Retro Off Cut Purses
Pretty Purses. I got given some lovely but very small pieces of 1950's retro print fabrics. I had them for a while and wasn't really sure what to make out of them. I had a little fabric purse that was wearing out so I decided to make not just one but a few! Fully...
Summer Collection
Ethnic Prints and Folky Fabrics. For the summer I wanted to create a collection that was vibrant and casual but using some more traditional fabrics. The lovely Chloe is my model and the award winning Naomi from Namnam's did the face painting. South American Cloth....
Upcycled Steamer Earrings
Hot and Steamy! Brighton and Hove residents can recycle their old metal pots and pans with Magpie Recycling, or drop them off at Shabitat. Sometimes the odd broken vegetable steamer end up there too. If one or two of the "leaves" are missing it can't be resold so I...
Made to Order Evening Dress
Blue Bow Dress. Lucia wanted something stylish for a wedding. Again, I used my basic pattern that I also used for this dress. Hot!
Hand Embellished Hat and Jacket
Made to Order Luxury Jacket and Hat. Kim works for the sustainability team at the Council. She wanted me to make her a striking stage outfit. We decided on a blue-purple colour palette. I think I got a little carried away with the beading. Hours and days later I...
Customised Two Piece Suit
Made to Order Pimped-Up Suit. I like guys and girls in suits. But sometimes they can be a little formal and plain. I experimented with adding a some lines by stitching on the jacket and trousers. I also changed all the buttons to match the thread colour. Here is the...