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About Me

In 2010 my family took over running a very large thrift store in Nelson, BC. We soon discovered that there was an abundance of textile waste that was hitting our landfills. We quickly rectified the situation and began sending our textile waste to a recycler. This abundance of “waste” got our creative juices flowing. We decided to network with others that were up-cycling textiles in our community to see what others were making and to share what we had come up with. What we discovered is that many everyday items could be turned into new usable products. Fast forward a few years.

 

I am a self-taught seamstress. I have followed patterns as a youth with my mother and have been sewing and crafting all my life.  At the age of 36, in 2012 I taught myself how to use a serger sewing machine. I fell in love with making pixie clothing, and just could not get enough of the inside out seams that seamed to be popping up all over fashion. I tried my hand at duplicating a few of my favourite clothes. I used old bed sheets as a test and to get the hang of sewing on a serger. My plus size mother and inspiration for crafting, asked if I could alter the patterns to accommodate her figure. I was also larger at the time and took the patterns and enlarged them to accommodate the full figured lady.

               

My close friend brought me a photo she found of a crazy recycled sweater coat with the $1500 price sticker she found on line, and asked if I could possibly make her one. I knew as a first attempt I would never be able to make the coat she showed me and began pouring over the internet looking for a simpler design. I was so fascinated with the recycled sweater coat idea and that there seemed to be so many variations. An acquaintance of mine, (also a seamstress among many other artistic talents) bought a pattern from Cat Wise who sells her recycled sweater coat design on Etsy. She knew I was interested in making these coats as well and asked if I could supply the sweaters needed to accommodate her attempt at making a coat. I was happy to accommodate her and in return she gave me a coat. Not long after that she moved away and with her blessing I began to make coats.

 

The design of my gifted coat was not quite to my liking. After I took a look at the coat, I thought why not give one a try. With a steady hand and no pattern I began chopping up sweaters and started sewing. Oddly enough my first sweater although very simple was actually very nice. The friend who originally brought me the photo a year earlier gave me 7 of her departed mothers sweaters and said I trust you… cut them up. What happened next was amazing… her coat was so beautiful. Even to this day that coat I made in 2013 is still one of my favorite.

 

I quickly became obsessed with cutting sweaters and gradually added details like pockets and stuffed hoods. I still ran my family business and had only ever made a few coats. In 2015 I stepped up my game and made 35 coats to attend Shambhala Music festival with coats and used clothing from my thrift store. That year I also attended Arts Alive in Langley. I was shocked at how well my coats were selling and decided to double my production and started applying for larger shows. In 2017 I made a total of 112 coats and travelled to big shows.

 

One of my local stores asked if I would consider consigning my coats and asked if I could make legwarmers. I have now been making legwarmers and gloves since 2014. In 2017 I asked my mother to help me with production and she made a majority of my legwarmers for the 4 Christmas events I attended. Legwarmers are made from 4 sweater making 4 legwarmers. Gloves on the other had are made from the leftover of the coats.

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I feel so blessed to be able to explore by creative side and to have the support from all my customers. 

 

Thank you for reading my story

 

 

Aviva Keely

Contact Me

Aviva Keely

721A Front St

Nelson BC

V1L 4B8

Phone: 205-505-5444

avivakeely@gmail.com

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