How I upcycle

Several years ago, when I started my business, I used to gather fabric from charity shops and rely on donations.  These days, thanks to a chance meeting, I now source my fabric from a local sofa company.

They make sofas for department stores, like Selfridges; restaurants and hotels.  I have a bin in their workshop and they collect the fabric offcuts for me which I collect every month.  Because they’re making fancy sofas and furniture for top end places, I get some amazing fabric that’s sometimes designer – in the past I’ve had Mulberry and Laquoix (darling!)

The upcycling begins when I collect the fabric – it’s like Christmas to me as I never know what I’m going to get!

Then I dump the fabric in the kitchen and begin the sorting.

I sort it into colour – this makes it easier when I’m putting my creations together and finding just the right fabric.  Freddie likes to supervise!

Once sorted into piles, it gets added to the overflowing workshop.  I’m very lucky to have a dedicated space – we recently converted our garage into my workspace.

Then that fabric gets made into all sorts of things – I’m very often inspired by the fabric I get when I’m making new items.  Nothing goes to waste – smaller off cuts then get made into stuffing etc.  And I always hang onto things – you never know when it may become useful!!

It’s so satisfying to make things using fabric that would otherwise go to waste.  You can buy my creations in the ‘Shop’ section of my website.  I also supply hotels and shops with my wares – people really appreciate the ethical value of them.

If you’d like me to supply your shop, hotel or restaurant on a wholesale basis, do not hesitate to contact me sarah@delaneydesigns.co.uk