Funky Wearable Art Tote Bag Made From Recycled Clothing by Susan Barton

To go along with my previous post, I'm sharing my latest creation...my funky wearable art tote. I love the way this came out. I had a bunch of leftover pieces from other projects so I decided to put them together to create this wonky, roomy tote! 

© 2017 Susan Barton

I added some shabby, primitive style embroidery stitches and my own handmade patches. The skull was made from a piece of white denim, that I cut out and added features with fabric markers. Super simple!

I encourage you to try this. It doesn't have to be at all perfect...mine clearly isn't, but that's the funky part. This one measures a generous 18" x 12", excluding the strap - which was made from T-shirt yarn by the way - but you could start with a smaller project. Please let me know what you think about this idea by leaving a comment below.

Wearable Art Clothing - My New Love

Have you seen the gorgeous wearable art that's been popping up all over the internet? If you're up on these things, then maybe this isn't anything new to you, but for me....I'm in LOVE with this idea!

Repurposed denim skirt from the hubster's jeans (pant legs)

© Susan Barton, 2017

Basically, what you do is upcycle (sounds so much fancier than recycle, don't you think?) used clothing. You take things apart and repurpose them in new and funky ways. The result is sheer gorgeousness!

Denim skirt from old jeans, with handmade skull applique

© Susan Barton, 2017

You can keep things fairly simple like I did with the jeans skirts in these photos or you can go crazy by taking apart shirts, sweaters, etc. and using the different elements to create an entirely new work of art with skirts, dresses, tunics, jackets and so much more. The possibilities are truly endless. All you need to do is a quick Google search for wearable art and you'll get tons of ideas!

Denim scraps from other projects into art wrap skirt with
hand painted crow applique.  © Susan Barton, 2017

So what do you think? Is this something you'd do? Clothing you'd wear? Let me know in the comments below!