I’m Jil of Reclaimed by Jil. Owner and seamstress/designer/tailor/artist at Reclaimed.
My love for sewing began when my mom was my Girl Scout leader. She was teaching us to sew and earn our patch. I’d grown up sitting in her sewing room watching her & helping make clothing for herself, my sister and I. She’d create outfits out of thrifted or hand me downs as well as fabrics she’d pick up. She would give me all her scraps to make things for my dolls and their houses. I’d never want to wear the same outfit to school as I got into high school. So I’d come home from school dig through my closet or head to the thrift store. I’d lay it all out and start cutting so the next day I’d have a new fabulous outfit. Everyone was always asking me to make them new outfits. It became how everyone knew me in school because of my eclectic wardrobe.
After I graduated from college, I started my career working in a showroom in the Chicago Merchandise Mart. I was in charge of samples & merchandising for Olga Lingerie. My career continued to grow with the brand even when purchased by the Warnaco Brands-Warner’s, Calvin Klein & Olga Intimate Apparel Women’s & Men. I became a fitter for the brands where I helped determine product introductions and best fitting garments from fit to fabrics and laces. Spending 23 years of my career. Over the years I continued to do work for myself and sew for clients. Making my own clothes because I always needed to be edgy and fashion forward. Also doing skilled alterations and mending for clients. I continued to love repurposing garments and committed to being environmentally and sustainable through my own work.
People constantly asked me to alter and tailor garments. I love working with clients to redesign garments to create new pieces, memory keepsakes and restyle pieces they love wearing. I feel I am more than a seamstress when I’m recreating a piece, I’m using my vision as an artist.
As a seamstress I feel in repairing and repurposing clothing we are serious about the need for constant consumption of new clothing and are taking steps to live a more conscious lifestyle. Reuse, reduce and recycle is so important. Beyond helping our environment we creating pieces that build memories and making us feel good about how we preserve textiles.
Reclaimed by Jil 