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Learn with Juliette Goggin

Upcycling: Vintage Textiles

Learn how to create a cushion cover from silk scarves, make a handbag or upcycle a charity shop coat.

Course overview

The course guides you through what textiles to look for and where to find them, plus tips on what to avoid. A suggested list is given to indicate how you might use individual types of fabric, as well as buttons and haberdashery. The first project is a simple patchwork cushion, followed by repurposing a silk scarf as a cushion, including tips on how to make the fabric more hard wearing. This is followed by ideas on a selection of textile bags in varying styles from small bags made from linen tea towels and featuring webbing, or textile belts as handles, to larger shopping bags with a gusset and a selection of short or long messenger style handles. Suggestions are made to use old leather belts for added strength. The last project is more detailed but very rewarding. An old, but previously good quality tweed coat with a ripped lining found in a charity shop is remade with a new, bespoke pattered lining which completely transforms it from a cheap, tired garment to a fabulous new coat worth far more than you would have paid for it originally

Meet Juliette Goggin

Hello, I'm Juliette Goggin. Crafting has been a way of life for me since I first became inspired by the infamous sticky back plastic and other assorted odds and ends featured on BBC television’s Blue Peter. As a child I was never happier than making something. A career in product design and development, where I have worked with fashion designers such as Cath Kidston and Julien Macdonald has helped me to understand and appreciate both the creative and the manufacturing process. This in turn led me to create my own fragranced gift and home collection, Juliette at Home, which reflected my love of all things recycled and vintage. It became a great success with independent retailers and department stores who loved the upcycled cake stands and candles in repurposed cups and vintage glassware. It also gave me the excuse to spend a lot of time scouring carboot fairs and second hand shops in search of all manner of things that I could repurpose into my own quirky range. I was thrilled to be asked to take part in Super Scrimpers on Channel 4 where I shared this love of crafting with the show’s participants, whilst also giving lots of money saving tips. At the same time I also co wrote my first book, Junk Genius, with my talented friend Stacy Sirk. The book featured endless ideas for repurposing everyday objects and encouraged anyone with a creative flair to have a go at lots of simple, step by step crafting projects in their home. I have just completed my second book Hand Made Beauty which is designed to encourage the enthusiast to create their own home made skincare products using natural materials and even plants from their garden.

Course description

Juliette Goggin (acclaimed upcycler and author) will teach you how to find and upcycle clothes and vintage fabrics.

She'll inspire you to get out to local auctions, markets and car boot fairs to search for some vintage textiles, fabric and clothes to upcycle and repurpose in your own home, or to wear.

Collecting and using textiles is a fantastic hobby which is practical, useful and great fun. Textiles take up little space and this course will give you tips on what to look for in terms of both fabric pieces and also haberdashery trims and buttons. Plus ideas on storing and cataloguing a growing material collection.

You will then find lots of projects and ideas which you can make from your own fabric selection.

You will learn how to transform silk scarves, tapestry and tweed into cushions; and create fabric shopping bags from curtains, sacking or old vintage linen tea towels, with handles made from webbing straps and leather belts.

We'll also tackle more challenging projects with detailed sewing, cutting a pattern and even creating a tailored fit by relining a vintage coat.

If you have been meaning to make some unique cushions for your home, fancy making a few fabric bags to take to the shops or the beach, or get really adventurous and return a tired old coat into a modern, couture fashion piece then this is the course for you.

You'll learn:
  • what textiles to look for and where to find vintage material
  • collecting and storing fabric
  • what to look out for when you're buying old clothes or vintage material
  • how to use different types of fabric, buttons and haberdashery
  • how to transform silk scarves into a patchwork cushion
  • how to create bags from vintage textiles
  • transforming a charity shop find into a chic coat
    • The course includes:
  • 1 on-demand video lesson - presented by Juliette Goggin
  • lifetime access to the videos, notes and interactive class
  • flexible classes - join and learn when and where you like
  • downloadable lesson notes
  • practical fabric upcycling project (with tutor feedback available)
  • access on your mobile, PC, Mac or laptop
  • small interactive online classroom - chat online to students from around the world and share your creative ideas
    • Time to complete the vintage textile upcycling course:

    Every student is different but in general we think the whole course will take around 3 hours 20 minutes to complete including:

  • Video lesson: 20 minutes in total
  • Course notes: 30 minutes per lesson
  • Your upcycling project: at least 2 hours
  • Interactive classroom time: 15 minutes per lesson
  • Tutor feedback review (Expert level): 15 minutes per lesson
    • You'll need:

    This course includes an optional practical assignment - for which you'll need two upcycling projects to work on - including the textiles or clothes you want to upcycle.

    Varying options are given so that if you cannot find exactly what is shown in the lesson, then you can find ways of creating your own versions, with your own signature and creativity.

    You'll need the fabrics or clothes you want to upcycle, a tape measure, pins, scissors, iron, zip, tailor's chalk and a sewing machine or a needle and thread. Plus a camera or phone for your all important before and after photos!

    The course is suitable for all levels of upcycling enthusiasts - from beginnners to experts looking for some creative inspiration.

    Ready to get started?

    Just add the course to your basket above - choose the 'Expert' option for personal feedback from Juliette on your upcycling project.

    Any questions? Contact us by clicking on the orange speech symbol - we'd love to hear from you.