The story behind discarded clothing never dies...
Backstitched was born out of a love of second-hand shopping, recycling, repurposing, and creating. It started with an epiphany of sorts after intensely pondering a creative path, and has progressed over the years into a union of passions.
The name backstitched is a double entendre. A 'backstitch' is first and foremost a stitch at the end of a line of sewing that locks the stitch into place. A common usage of the word is "damn, i forgot to backstitch and now the seams are all coming undone!"
Secondly, backstitched alludes to recycling and repurposing second-hand clothing and textiles to create something new.
I am a fervent second-hand shopper, and have been since I was old enough to buy my own clothes and embarrass my parents. I think my first purchase was a floor-length flowered chiffon gown that I wore to my sophomore homecoming dance. My mother was mortified, but i was in heaven; and it only cost 12 dollars. Since then I've been hooked, and naturally will choose second hand over new for almost anything.
The active choice to not buy ready-made consumer goods, where almost everything is made with unethically sound practices and in an environmentally unfriendly way, can help us shape a more respectful and conscious lifestyle. This is one of the central reasons why I choose to use repurposed clothing and textiles over new fabrics at backstitched. Plus, it's so fun knowing that the bag you are buying is a combination of an old leather jacket, tweed skirt, and canvas pants. It adds a depth of character and life-story to your new accessory!
About my materials
As 95% of my fabric comes repurposed from second-hand clothing, every bag, purse, wallet, pouch, etc. is unique. I work mostly with leather coats and clothes made out of materials that are durable such as canvas, twill, and wool. If I choose a lighter weight material it is reinforced, so the durability isn't jeopardized. I not only choose clothing based on the material, but also the re-usability of the item. There are so many clothes that are discarded because of a missing button, a small snag or blemish. This might make it unacceptable as a wardrobe piece, but as material it's great. Every piece can have variations from the repurposing process, but this is a sign of uniqueness, not imperfection!
