Recently I had a thoughtful conversation with Susan Cleveland about her current endeavor, sewing women’s hats. How does that fit into Kermit’s Corner? She is making Cloche hats, reusing men’s ties as her fabric! Obtaining neckties from secondhand stores, donations from friends, online purchases and rummage sales she has a colorful & diverse inventory of fabrics to choose from. This is a true effort to reuse, reduce & recycle in an artistic fashion that I find very exciting.
Sue shared, “When the Pandemic started, everything stopped. Scott & I went to Vermont.” Not wanting to go to the store to shop for supplies Susan had the gift of time to sort through generations of treasures left to her by family members, including her mother, grandmother & Scott’s sister Ellie. She rekindled her interest in sewing, which had brought her much joy as a child. Having sewn many of her own clothes and recently watching YouTube videos, she was able to teach herself new sewing techniques, make button art and tie necklaces. She fell in love with Jerry Garcia ties. After finding a pattern for a Cloche hat she watched more videos, perfecting her skills and highlighting her creative talents.
Sue found images that showed mountains of discarded clothing on the beaches of Sierra Leone to be very disturbing. Using everyday items she’s been able to create extraordinary hats. Using ties, costume jewelry pins from Scott’s sister, buttons from her mom & grandmother and a pattern she is giving new life to discarded & unused items. In the process she is developing new skills with items that are low cost and keeping items out of the waste stream. She told me “I love putting together pretty things!” and “It’s wonderful to reuse items.”
I love wearing the hats she’s made for me. They make me smile.
Joanie White for the Green Team