we all reuse

The Vision
Revamps vision is to build a collective of creative minds who will become the foundation of this design cooperative. Revamp is
launching for you the . . insert discipline . . an innovative new concept of retailing and we want to create future prosperity for
all involved. We aim to bring professional people together to create a design forum that can raise awareness for good causes
whilst supporting creative individuals through the production of sustainable product.

Submit Images to: jen@revampfashion.co.uk

When cleaning reclaimed textiles it's hard to know if the items are safe to be machine washed.

In addition garment labels may be hard to read or missing.

It's generally safe to assume that hand washing in cold water will be safe, but for many projects, it's too time consuming.

Wool and viscose shrink the most, so look out for these, and handwash. Everything else will probably come out OK, but may loose special finishes or colour.

It hard to know which articles have dye that will run, so when washing coloured items throw in an old cotton t shirt or pillowcase.

Many zips that seem broken are just stuck or have come off their teeth. There's a simple trick to fixing a stuck zip or to putting it back together, even if the 'puller' has come off one or both of the ends of the zip.

Most stuck or gaping zips can be fixed by holding the top of the zip together, and then pulling the zipper down firmly. In most cases the zip will now do up again with ease. You can also avoid damage to your garments or the pain of delicate skin being caught in a zip by holding the index finger between the zip and the fabric or your skin as you go.

It's a bit indelicate to mention this, but it's really important when sourcing vintage fabrics and materials - other people have worn these clothes, and chances are they've not been washed since.

Check for

• moth holes, moth eggs (whitish tiny pearl like things, often seen with the cigar shaped husks of the already hatched wrigglers)

• fleas, lice or their eggs along seams.