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love again
We work with a philosophy inspired by old traditions; we source unique heritage prints while reinterpreting them in a modern manner. We want to create an impact to create change beyond textiles by ensuring that rural artisan production is sustainable, and process based. Unwanted garments tossed into clothing bins have faced future as filler for stuffing for toys, donated or burned. The globalization of the fashion industry is giving old clothes second chance. We at Matter Prints believe that the fashion industry has more exceptional ability to move old fibers, yarns, of reclaimed fabrics back into new material. Design plays a crucial role as it affects all process steps, from raw materials to end of life. We foster new industry partners and creative collaborations to create the materials needed and to
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fill the factories, mills, and producers from industries to innovate products. We work with technologists, artists, designers, and consumers to create the finished product. We believe in educating all parts of the chain to reduce the impact of fabrics to focus on extending the active life of the garment. We want brands to play a significant role to help change the negative notions that still exist around using recycled materials by looking at it as a desirable and luxury instead of tired and unwanted. Get ready to transform your fabrics by upcycling them to create new products like drawstring bags, tassels, pouches, patches, pillow cases and many more. All you will need are some old clothes and relove craft kit. This book is packed with easy and exciting projects, so say bye to hoarding old clothes and love your clothes again a new way with relove!
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Relove by Matter helps to create products by reusable fabrics. We target young adults between 18 - 37 -year-olds in the form of upcycling workshops as this community needs opportunities to play a vital role in impacting people around them. Our workshops serve to make our clients aware of upcycling and reusing waste fabrics with activities and hands-on approach. We want to encourage our consumers to make a difference by doing things! We consider upcycling to be the conversion of waste into a product of higher value and quality in its next cycle. Throughout the campaign, we reach out to our target audience through social media, relove’s website, and different community outreach events. We also conduct hands-on activities; consumers take home an upcycled product and instructions on how to make this within the comforts of their own home.
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about
To engage our consumers, we post regular updates on social media (Instagram) page, as well as organize upcycling workshops. It may seem counter-intuitive for us to teach our consumers how to make things instead of just selling them. But we believe that workshops teach people to value our products more, by participating in the activities it will increase their appreciation of the skills of the designers behind them. In a busy retail environment, we offer these workshops to differentiate ourselves from our competitors. At the same time, build a community of craft lovers around our shop. Matter launched a series of workshops from January to March. The workshops were held in our new adjoining space. The classes are typically conducted by local and rural creatives and cover topics such as tie and dye, block printing and weaving. We also offer essential family-friendly sewing, art and printmaking workshops.
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garment care Preserve
At Relove, we believe in consuming less and investing in better quality items. We want to avoid hoarding of clothes with great quality of clothes, the other is taking care of them the right way. Taking care for things, will ensure they last a long time it cannot be more true for the garments than anything else. Good garment care is not time consuming and takes less effort. In fact, it will help save you time and money. You just need a little know-how, simple tricks and we’re here to help you master it.
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Reduce washing
Wash mindfully
Many garments can be treated by airing it out in the sun. Washing less can significantly reduces tears and fading of your favourite garment. Denim jeans that are worn often should be washed less in the machine - it only needs a wash when they start to smell.
Be careful of the fabric of your clothes before putting them in the wash. You should know the right way to care for each garment will help in prolonging their lifespan. Each piece of garment comes with a care label that will advice you on how to care for the garment.
Wash with cold water
Skip the dryer
Washing with cold water will ensure that your clothes will last longer, shrink less, fade and spoil the clothes, washing with cold water can also reduce wrinkles on clothes, saving you time and cost. Some stains like blood or sweats can actually set into fabric in hot water.
Skipping the use of a dryer helps to reduce the carbon footprint, as it saves the cost of electricity usage and leaves your garment in better condition to stay in shape for a longer time. Drying can cause your garment to shrink due to the heat and tossing motion.
Use environmentally conscious cleaning products Conventional detergents contain synthetic surfactants, harmful dyes and pungent smell which may cause allergic reactions and to our skin and eyes. Switching to an environmentally friendly laundry detergent but don’t use too much of it. Softeners helps to eliminate static and wrinkles making clothes feel softer they can interfere with absorption properties of the garment. Relove
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contents 10
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Drawstring Bag
Rag Rug
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Patches
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Scarf
Scrunchie
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Pencil Pouch
Pillow Case
Tassels
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drawstring bag Relove
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drawstring bag Drawstring bags are perfect for sports camps, players, and schools because they make great items for team spirit. This bag can be made really easily by recycling old clothes and materials around the house. They are also trendy bags that can be used to carry uniforms, water bottles, extra shoes, clothes, and many more. You’re going to need: Two rectangles of fabric 36 x 30cm Two rectangles of fabric around 8cm x 30cm Two lengths of ribbon double the width of your bag around 60cm long Scissors Pins Sewing machine Iron
Step 1: Pin the two large pieces right sides together and pin around three edges, leaving the top open. Sew the fabric together with a 1.5cm seam allowance, pivoting at the corners.
Step 2: Using an overlocker or a zigzag stitch, finish the three edges you have just sewn. Don’t clip the corners, we’ll keep these for strength.
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Step 3: Finish the short edges of the drawstring casing pieces, and fold these edges in 1.5cm and press before stitching in place.
Step 4: With wrong sides together, fold the casing pieces in half lengthways, and pin to the top of the bag, right sides facing. The raw edges should be aligned at the top. Pin and sew with a 1.5cm seam allowance.
Step 5: Finish the seam allowances together with an overlocker or zigzag stitch. Press the finished seam allowance down onto to the inside of the bag and press.
Step 7: Pin in place and from the right side of the bag, topstitch around the top of the bag, a few milimetres away from the seam. Similar to an understitch, this holds the seam allowance in place on the inside of the bag
Step 8: Using a safety pin to help guide it through, insert one length of ribbon in one end, bringing it all the way back through to where it started and tie. Repeat with the other length of ribbon from the opposite side.
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Drawstring Bag
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rag rug A rag rug is a small carpet made of old pieces of cloth stitched or woven together. You can find rugs in just about every room in the home, from kitchens to bathrooms, bedrooms to offices. There’s no guarantee that you’ll find the perfect rug in a store. Luckily, it is easy to make a rag rug, there are lots of ways to make a rug. You’re going to need: Pieces of old facrics 23 X 43 inch peice of cardboard Needle, thread and sewing kit Fabric scissors Masking tape Marker Ruler
Step 1: Use a sewing machine or handsew peices of fabrics to make it big fabric to cover a king size bed
Step 2: Use your ruler and marker to make a mark every 2” across the longest side of each of your bedsheets. Use the scissors to make a 2” cut at the mark.
Step 3: At each cut, rip the fabric apart, and it should tear evenly all the way across the sheet. Repeat process until each sheet is ripped into even strips. Sort out the strips by color and pattern.
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Step 4: On each of the short ends of your cardboard, start 2” from each end and mark 2” long lines every 1/2”. Use the scissors to cut 2” slots at each mark.
Step 5: Gather three fabric strips of various colors into a group, fold the group in half lengthwise, and place one end into the first slot. Place the end into the corresponding spot on the other side. If you have a lot of strings on the sides of your strips, try and pull the big clumps of strings off before you place into the cardboard slots. Repeat this process for each strip across the cardboard. It will get pretty full just keep going until you are done.
Step 6: Designate one color as your weaving strip, and wrap a piece of masking tape around one end to make it easier to weave through the strips. Starting about 2” in from the cardboard slots, begin to weave the weaving strip under and over each group until you get to the other side. Make sure to leave a 6” tail at your beginning spot. Because the cardboard is so full, the first row of weaving will be the hardest since it’s difficult to tell one group from another. Once you get to the other end with your weaving strip, make a U-turn by going over or under the last bunch and weave back to the other side.
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Step 7: To finish the ends, make a U-turn where your weaving ended, and thread your weaving strip down through the first exposed section of your last row of weaving. Pull tight. Again, cross over to the next exposed weaving and thread down through that section and pull tight. Continue the weaving and repeat process on the opposite end.
Step 8: Place a ruler or a piece of cardboard inside of where you want to trim your ends. Once the ends are cut, you can remove the cardboard backing. You did it! You just made a rag rug!
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patches Relove
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patches Patches can be a simple and creative way to showcase your personality, on everyday items. Give your old and beloved shirts a new life by making some very nice looking patches out of them. You’re going to need: Some old shirts and fabrics Beads, buttons Iron on interfacing, Glue gun Sewing kit or sewing machine Scissors Electric iron and ironing board
Step 1: First you have to choose the images you want to use from your old clothes. Then cut out a piece from the Iron on interfacing, make sure it is slightly larger than the image.
Step 2: Iron the interfacing to the back of the image. After the workpiece gets cold, cut out the image but keep a little edge to sew.
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Step 3: Sew around the patch edge to fix the shirt to the interfacing. Without this step the shirt will peel off.
Step 4: If you don’t have a iron on interface you can sew a hard fabric or board to the patch and use a glue gun. Iron the patch to your clothes till the glue melts and sticks to your clothes
Step 5: Finish the patch with beads, colours and accessories, Now your very own vintage - style patches are ready to stitch or glue on to your bag, clothes, jackets, anything you want.
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scarf Scarves are wonderful gifts, you can raid your closet for shirts you don’t use anymore and sew up a colorful and unique infinity scarf for everyone you know this holiday season! You’re going to need: Two t-shirts without printed images Fabric shears Ballpoint pins 90/14 stretch needle Walking foot Sewing kit Scissors
Step 1: Iron the shirts and lay them out flat. Cut off the bottom hem and then cut across the shirt just under the armpits. If the shirt has no side seams, cut down one side to open the loop into a long rectangle. If the shirt does have side seams, cut one off, thereby also removing any annoying labels.
Step 2: Pin together and sew one short end of each rectangle, right sides facing. Remember to use a stitch that can stretch with the jersey fabric.
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Step 3: Fold the now very long rectangle in half lengthwise, right sides facing, and pin the long sides together. Make sure that you open the seam from step to avoid excessive bulk. Sew, thereby creating a long tube.
Step 5: Reach your hand through the tube, grab the far edge and pull it through the center so that you can line up the two raw edges, right sides facing, making sure that the seams match up. Pin the edges, then sew around, leaving an opening wide enough to fit your hand through.
Step 6: Reach your hand inside the opening and pull the fabric out through it so that the entire scarf is right side out. Close up the opening with a ladder stitch, and you’re done!
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Scarf
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scrunchie Relove
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scrunchie This project is perfect to finally put your tiny scraps to good use, The days of throwing away pieces of clothing orfabric that you fell in love with because of the pretty print or soft material, you can turn them to hair scrunchies. You’re going to need: Old shirt or a piece of fabric Measuring tape Scissors Pins Elastic Sewing Machine Textile glue Safety Pin
Step 1: You will need one piece of fabric in the size: 56cm x 9cm. (22” by 3,5”) You can use the bottom of an old shirt or a simple piece of fabric for this.
Step 2: Cut one piece of elastic* 23cm (9”) in length. The stretchiness of elastic can vary. it’s best to test it by holding the ends together.
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Step 3: Place the fabric right side down on a flat surface and fold one side 1cm inwards. Keep the fold in place with a few pins.
Step 4: Fold the fabric horizontally down the middle. (right sides towards each other) Pin the fabric together to keep it in place.
Step 5: Sew along the pinned line with your sewing machine. Use a serger or a zigzag stitch to finish the edge
Step 6: Wrap the tube of fabric inside-out. You can iron the seam flat if you prefer that look. We choose not to iron the fabric, to keep the tube nice and round.
Step 7: Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic. Pull the elastic through the fabric tube and collect the safety pin on the other end of the tube.
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Step 8: Pull both ends of the elastic out of the fabric. They should stick out a bit for the next step.
Step 9: Tie a knot in the elastic ends. Test the knot by pulling on the elastic, making sure that the knot is secure enough to hold your ponytail on windy days.
Step 10: Slide the elastic knot inside the fabric the tube. Align the seams on both ends of the fabric. Slide the elastic knot inside the fabric the tube. Align the seams on both ends of the fabric. Most fabrics will be suitable to glue together. In case you have a fabric that doesn’t glue, you can hand stitch the fabric with needle and thread.
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pencil pouch When you are in school or college there is always writing, for all that you need countless pens, highlighters, pencils, gel pens, sketch pens and many accompaniments to this like erasers, post-its, mini stapler, and other knick-knacks or you are always in need of pencil pouches to carry all these. It’s very easy to create your own pouch. You’re going to need: Some old shirts and fabrics Zippers Scissors Electric iron and ironing board
Step 1: Cut out a 10 inch square fabric piece. Keep the fabric right side up in front of you. Keep the zipper face down along one edge of the fabric. Sew it in place.
Step 2: Fold the fabric and join the remaining zipper edge to the other edge of the fabric as in the illustration.
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Step 3: Keep the tube you have now flattened and arrange the zipper to the center. Stitch the side edges closed.
Step 4: Clip the corners, pinch one of the end and sew across one inch from the corner. Remember to keep the seam allowance open as you sew.
Step 5: Do this for all the corners. That is it. Turn your pencil box right side out. Now you can stuff the pencil pouch with anything you have a mind to. You can use tack stitches to keep the inside corner neat and tidy – they do give some sturdiness to the pouch so you may not want to trim it out.
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Pencil Pouch
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pillow case Relove
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pillow case Kids sometimes have trouble parting with favorite T-shirts after they grow old them. Instead of getting rid of the old tees, upcycle them into pillows for their bedroom or playroom. Making T-shirts into pillows is a fast and easy sewing project that anyone with new beginner-level sewing skills can work on. This activity works best with knit T-shirt fabric. You’re going to need: Scissors Pins Sewing machine Needle and Thread Large (or xl, xxl) t-shirt Pillow stuffing
Step 1: Based on the pillow measurements, cut the back pillow pattern pieces first. There will be two pieces fabric (envelope-style) in the middle of the pillow. The preexisting hem on the bottom of the T-shirt will serve as the ends. Cut the front and back of the shirt’s hem the same width as your pillow, and three-quarters the length of the pillow.
Step 2: Cut the remaining top of the shirt, the same exact measurement as your pillow (length x width). This will be the front of your pillow.
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Pillow Case
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Step 3: Place the front pillow piece (the graphic) right-side up. Then place one of the back pieces on top of it, right sides together. Match up the three raw/cut edges.
Step 4: Take your other back pillow piece and place it on top of that, right side to face down. Place it on the other raw edges of the pillow, so that the hems overlap in the middle. Pin around all four edges and then sew. Use a zigzag stitch on your machine to avoid the knit from stretching.
Step 5: Turn the pillow cover right-side out. Stuff the pillow through the envelope opening at the back.
Step 7: Pull both of the back pieces over the pillow form and smooth. The form should now be safely enclosed inside the pillow cover. You now have a perfect pillow for your child’s bed, couch or anywhere else you want to put this comfy keepsake.
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Pillow Case
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tassels Fabric tassels are a quick easy way to add colour to your favourite tote, the corner of a cushion, under a lamp shade, a gift topper‌ anywhere! Use this tutorial to make your own fabric scrap tassels and create a colourful garland or a sweet mobile. If you sew this is a great stash buster too. You’re going to need: Fabric scraps Ribbons Twine Scissors Beads, Buttons
Step 1: Tear fabric strips to make fabric scrap tassels you can use any fabric for this project including thrifted garments or linens, or leftovers from your sewing stash. As long as they are consistent, the fabric strips can be any length. We use 8 inch strips to make small tassels. Cut the fabric into pieces about 8 inches square. Along one edge of the fabric make small cuts about an inch long and three quarters of an inch apart. Then, with the cuts to start you off, tear the fabric into strips. Keep the different fabric strips grouped.
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Step 2: Select colours For each tassel you’ll need about fourteen strips. Design your tassels using a mix of all the fabrics or make them with select colours. Lay the strips in a group with the printed side facing up, and shuffle them around so there is a pleasing combination of colours and patterns on the top.
Step 3: Make the tassel Take a piece of ribbon and tie it around the centre of the tassel with a double knot. Fold the fabric strips in half, take another strip and tie it around the tassel, about three quarters of an inch from the top. Tie a double knot and flatten the ends of the tie down so they merge with the tassel. That’s all you need to do to make fabulous scrappy tassels! They’re so fast and easy to make and they add a decorative touch to many different products and clothes.
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coasters Relove
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coasters One of the household items one can take for granted are coasters. It is really nice to have coasters around. It is really easy to make some coasters that are on hand for any occasion. You’re going to need: Decorative fabric Felt Mod Podge Paintbrush Ruler Scissors and/or rotary cutter Craft knife
Step 1: Using a ruler and a craft knife, cut out 4” x 4” squares of felt. Cut out swatches of your decorative fabric that are closer to 5” x 5” in shape (you do not need to be exact with the decorative fabric).
Step 2: Apply a medium coat of decoupage medium over the felt square. Firmly press the decorative fabric over the glue and felt, smoothing out any rough corners and bubbles.
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Step 4: Brush a thin coat of decoupage over the top of the decorative fabric. Make sure to cover fabric that extends out beyond the felt square.
Step 5: Once the Mod Podge is dry, carefully trim the excess decorative fabric away from the felt square.
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appendix References
Drawstring Bag DIY Drawstring Bag (Sew over it). Retrieved from https://sewoverit.co.uk/ diy-drawstring-bag/
Rag Rug Make your own woven rag rug (Gummeran, L.). Retrieved from https:// abeautifulmess.com/2014/04/make-your-own-woven-rag-rug.html
Patches Make patches out of your old shirts (Instructables). Retrieved from https:// www.instructables.com/id/Make-patches-out-of-your-old-shirts/
Scarf Refashion Tutorial: Make a T-shirt Infinity Scarf (Cucicucicoo). Retrieved from https://www.cucicucicoo.com/2016/11/refashion-tutorial -make-a-t-shirt-infinity-scarf/
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Scrunchie Old T-shirt hair scrunchie (Lana Red Studio). Retrieved from https://www. lanaredstudio.com/2018/11/upcycling-diy-old-t-shirt-hair-scrunchie.html
Pencil Pouch Pencil Pouch (Sew Guide). Retrieved from https://sewguide.com/diypencil-case/
Pillow Case How to Make Throw Pillows Out of Old T-Shirts (Jess Abbott). Retrieved from https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/crafts/ how-to-make-throw-pillows-out-of-old-t-shirts
Tassels DIY: Scrap Fabric Tassels (Holly Becker). Retrieved from https://www. decor8blog.com/blog/2013/09/18/make-me-pretty-scrap-fabric-tassels
Coasters DIY Cloth Coasters (Instructables). Retrieved from https://www. instructables.com/id/DIY-Cloth-Coasters/
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our workshops Our upcycling trainings and our collaborations with different crafters have had a huge response and drawn interest and participants from all over Singapore. Our upcycling activities went from self-doubt about their ability to upcycle garments around them to create refined products. The participants were convinced about the effectiveness of hands on approach and class activities by using materials around them.
Printmaking Workshop Redesign your garments by exploring new printmaking techniques such as silkscreen printing, monoprint, linocut relief printing, drypoint, Intaglio and collograph. Upcycle your fabrics and create new products. Duration - 4 to 5 hours Venue - Matter Prints, Singapore
Textile Art Workshop Redesign your garments by using traditional batik and block printing techniques. Give your old garments a new lease of life by attending our textile art workshop. Duration - 5 to 6 hours Venue - Matter Prints, Singapore
Sewing Workshop Learn basic weaving and sewing techniques. Mix and match your old fabrics to create new products, This course is suitable for beginners and those who are interested in learn new upcycling skills. Duration - 3 to 4 hours Venue - Matter Prints, Singapore
For more information regarding our workshops go to our website www.relove.biz Relove 50
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Relove by Matter Prints Creative techniques for upcycling
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Relove by Matter Prints Creative techniques for upcycling
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