Lisa Curry wears Textile Beat

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Lisa Curry wears Textile BeatAs the fabulous Lisa Curry stepped into Blackall Cultural Centre on her Aussie road trip inspiring health and wellbeing, Textile Beat can report her attention was immediately captured by our statement skirts.

While Lisa’s eyes were drawn to its colour and creativity, her decision to purchase this upcycled natural fibre garment demonstrates support for slow fashion as one small way to boost ecological health and reduce our carbon footprint.

Lisa’s Orange and Avocado History Skirt has a story to tell. It was handcrafted by Jane Milburn from at least 10 upcycled fabric sources including an Italian linen dress, silk shirt and tie, rayon vest, cotton scarf, floral cotton from Nana’s fabric box, vintage buttons and more.

History skirts are an original design and concept by Jane Milburn and Ele Cook of Textile Beat in Brisbane, Australia in 2013. Working with integrity, creativity and purpose, Textile Beat is inspiring the upcycling of natural fibres for pleasure, reward and sustainability.

Col Jackson from Blues Country Magazine happened to capture this image of Lisa and Jane at the QRRRWN annual conference held in Blackall.

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History Skirt to benefit Hear and Say

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Dimity Dornan in History Skirt for webThe gorgeous 2013 Queensland Great Dimity Dornan is well-recognised for her outstanding work in setting up the Hear and Say Centre.

The Centre has been so successful helping the hearing impaired that it’s outgrown its premises at Auchenflower in Brisbane and is fundraising for a bigger home nearby.

At the upcoming Hear and Say annual fundraising ball to celebrate 21 years, one of the silent auction items will be this Blue Butterfly History Skirt donated by Textile Beat.

Textile Beat is proud to support such a great cause. Find out how you can donate here.

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Rural leaders stitch together

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Article by Ali Francis

Queensland Country Life newspaper 25/7/2013

Jane and Ele with heartstone

As a guest of Jane Milburn and Ele Cook at Brisbane’s TextileBeat studio, it is safe to say their passion for “upcycling” is infectious.

After being personally instructed on how to transform a slouchy old jumper into (a totally wearable) skirt, the two vivacious women behind this marvellous concept outlined their appreciation for nature, agriculture, sewing and holistic living.

Intrinsically connected through a genuine concern for rural Australia, these soul sisters met through the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, were both recipients of the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award, and are now “study buddies” for their leadership courses through James Cook University.

In a freakish coincidence, further reflecting their grounded love for nature, both Jane and Ele are avid collectors of heart stones that have been perfectly shaped by nature. Read more here

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Creative ways to cherish and value natural fibres

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Textile Beat studioIn a finite world, we need to treasure our limited natural resources … beautiful things made from fibres, wood, leather, stone and shells.

Instead of tossing them away when they have fallen out of favour, we are exploring creative ways to repurpose them for a second life.

The mountain of textile cast-offs is growing by the year as our consumer society chases bigger, brighter, newer … rather than utilising and valuing the resource they represent.

At the TextileBeat studio, in Brisbane Australia, we are upcycling natural fibres, fabrics and found objects … and following the heart on a creative journey. In so doing, we are combining wellbeing and passion for creativity with social enterprise.

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