September 14, 2023
Used tea bags, discarded envelopes, plastic lids from cottage cheese containers…when it comes to ASG members’ creativity, the sky’s the limit!
Three members of Seattle ASG recently took part in the challenge of using trash, recyclables, or upcycled materials to design and sew a garment for a “Trashion Show,” an event that was part of a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. The gathering, held on the manicured grounds of a luxurious venue called Lairmont Manor in Bellingham, took place on September 14.
The Trashion Show was one of the highlights of the evening. The fashion show featured nine entrants, including Seattle ASG members Barbara O’Steen, Therese Stein, and Cynthia Blair.
As they strutted their stuff on the runway, posing like pros for the enthusiastic audience, two other members, Patty Buckingham and Janis Rose, were in the audience, cheering them on. All five who attended the event are members of the Seattle Wearable Arts Group (SWAG), a Special Interest Group of Seattle ASG.
Barbara O’Steen’s lovely kimono-style jacket, named “Tea Party,” was made out of papers from tea bags that were dyed with walnuts and sewn together.
Therese Stein’s outstanding outfit, called “Bride of Tin Man’s Bride,” was chosen as one of five finalists. The short flapper-style dress was made from silver side of plastic coffee packages, silver insulated envelopes, silver yogurt lids, clear plastic ruffles, and a clock face Therese purchased to serve as the “heart”. The veil was made from more clear plastic.
Cynthia Blair’s 60’s mini-dress, named “Feeling Groovy,” was made out of reusable paper shopping bags, including the handle (the bow in front), cottage cheese containers (the daisies), an ad from the New Yorker magazine, and the packages from dahlia bulbs. It was lined with a sheet that was literally shredding from age.
In addition to being loads of fun, the evening was a successful fundraiser for an extremely worthy cause. But the real highlight for the participants was taking on the challenge of stretching their creativity to design and make clothes using unique materials—materials that were rescued from the recycling bin.