Hi , I’m Rachel and I started Something Old Something New in 2021.
I have always had a deep love of textiles. From my teens when I used to make my own clothes, usually just in time to wear on a night out, to my 20s when I learnt a bit more finesse while attending a City and Guilds course in Fashion and Dressmaking at night school.
In my 30s I had my dream job designing and buying my own range of household textiles for a large mail order catalogue. Later with two young children I had plenty of opportunities to make outfits for them giving satisfyingly speedy results.
Fast forward though a decade (or so!) and I have combined my passion for textiles with my deep desire for sustainability and concern for the environment.
The principle behind Something Old Something New is that by using existing textiles (garments and home textiles), items are saved from landfill and a precious resource isn’t squandered.
I turn once loved but since forgotten fabric into ribbons and then weave them. The act of weaving gives everything intrinsic strength and stability and allows me to play with colour and texture. Because of their source, the items I make are often truly one of a kind and always entirely handmade.
As the business is still young, I haven’t got a website yet but it is definitely on my wish list. If you like any of my designs, or indeed if you have some treasured garment, maybe from a loved one that you would like me to breathe new life into , then please message me on Instagram
