Feb - Lina Zainal
Welcome to another (somewhat delayed) Creative Mind Newsletter!
I visited Lina Zainal on a beautiful sunny afternoon to roam her beloved garden and chat about her upcoming pieces. I hope you enjoy this peek into Lina’s studio and home.
THIS NEWSLETTER IS BEST VIEWED ON DESKTOP
1.What inspired you to start upcycling second-hand fabrics into clothing?
I went to art school to study painting and had always loved making art since very young. The last several years I have really struggled with creating in this medium with anxiety stemming from the sustainable aspect of making art in our modern landscape. Collaging has been another favourite approach to harvest my creativity where you can re-use from already made materials like magazines and photographs. Then one year I was gifted a domestic Singer and absolutely loved the process, to me sewing was just another form of making collages but instead of creating something that is a moment frozen in time which you hung up on the wall I was able to create something versatile, useful, comfortable and shared with others.
2.How do you source the fabrics you use for your creations?
Every piece of fabric, threads, buttons etc. etc. are all sourced from opportunity shops, these places are endless wells of possibility in all forms. I have basic patterns that I would use and so I can imagine certain fabrics to be repurposed into one of those set pieces without being overwhelmed by the amount of fabrics that are available in the op shops.
3.What challenges do you face when working with pre-loved materials, and how do you overcome them?
Sometimes you get a piece of fabric that looks great but then it would be made from polyester so it wouldn’t work from the functionality perspective or the origin is of natural elements but either the pattern is bland and would need more work into making it special or it may be too thick/thin to what I would want to turn them into. There is so much, I kid you not, SO MUCH stuff in op-shops because people are continuously buying and getting rid of their stuff all the time. Fast Fashion and capitalism together have created these nightmare landscapes all around the world with throwaway culture steeping to different aspects of everyday life. I make sure that before cutting the pattern that the material will work for what I want to turn them into so I don’t end up wasting the fabrics.
4.How do you decide what designs or styles to create from second-hand fabrics?
I have less than ten patterns that I continually use, three dress patterns, an elasticated skirt with pockets, a simple top and a few jackets. I would imagine whether this particular fabric could be turned into one of those things. I try to perfect the patterns rather than making too many when I am quite happy with the ones that I have
5.What’s your creative process when turning a vintage or old fabric into something new and wearable?
I have trouble with reworking vintage fabrics especially things like quilts because I know how much love and effort goes into making such pieces, I struggle to cut through them! Unless the piece has parts where it’s worn and torn and cannot be salvaged for its original purpose then I would try my best to see if I can make use of what can be saved. Naturally sourced materials like silk or cotton, can be hard to work with if they are old and if they haven’t been taken care of properly. These materials are not meant to last forever unless of course they sit in a museum with controlled temperature and care. Wool is quite hardy so I love working with it and again, it is of naturally sourced material, it will biodegrade back into the earth when it is it's’ time to go.
6.How do you ensure that your upcycled pieces maintain both quality and style?
Similar to vintage pieces, when thinking of creating a piece of garment I have an instilled motto that this piece of clothing will be thrashed through general wear and tear and how people do their laundry. I always put a little note that goes with the clothing to say handwash or delicate wash but I don’t know how people would actually do their laundry and whether they even read or care for such things (I hope they do!) so I try to make them with a hardy finish so hopefully they wouldn’t break as easily. Making sure that I work correctly with each fabric and choosing a certain seam for each type of fabric is another aspect I put into consideration.
7.Can you share a favourite story or memorable moment from working with second-hand fabrics?
The most memorable are always when I see my creations in the wild. I remember most of the pieces that I’ve made and the occasional glimpses of these garments living their life by someone who appreciates them is really rewarding and encouraging for me. They always look so good when worn!
8.How do you balance sustainability with the need to create fashionable and unique designs?
I think only working with patterns that I’ve perfected makes it a lot easier to focus on the fabric itself. I’m not trying to make as many different types of garments as possible, my main passion has always been for the process of upcycling and repurposing these materials. Most of the time I chose to use fabric where I wouldn’t really need to do much for them to be beautiful, I find that the simple designs could actually highlight their beauty rather than lowering it. When I think of unique design I prefer how I create something that is versatile so that it is loved and can be worn with other things, making sure that it doesn’t just sit in the closet and become an obsolete piece. A simple but timeless design that can be appreciated over and over again.
9.What’s the most rewarding part of upcycling second-hand fabrics for you?
I hope in some ways while I feed my hunger for creativity that I am somehow using it as a solution to fight against these problems of our times. I choose to work with second hand materials rather than new ones. Fast fashion and overconsumption are big ones but also how we value the things around us. I read somewhere that the amount of textile being produced (in the form of clothes, linen, housewares) are enough to supply several earths, to me that number is baffling when most of these would then go on to landfill. I look at sewing, reworking materials from one form into another like giving them a new lease on life to continue on being useful.
10.What advice would you give to others who want to start upcycling or working with second-hand materials?
That going with what you already have in your closet is the best place to start! Reworking the clothes you don’t wear as much into something that you would wear more often, fixing things like torn buttons or hemming your clothes to the desired length, patching up holes in your sweaters or using your old blankets to copy your favorite oversized jacket as winter approaches. I think a lot more people are learning these traditional and old school skills which is great. Self sufficiency is amazing for highlighting your own power, self worth and exploring creativity.
Thank you for being here!
Keep an eye out for this months newsletter, this March ill be visiting cook Erin Alison in her stunning Katoomba abode.
Don’t forget to follow along or show your support over on instagram, I love hearing from you so if you’ve liked this newsletter please let me know!
If you’d like to be involved REACH OUT!
Much Love,
Heather x