Artist turns unwanted clothing into repurposed, sustainable art
Published 1:30 am Thursday, January 29, 2026
Felicity O’Brien transforms unwanted and discarded clothing and fabrics into new products through the art of weaving. She creates blankets, also known as rag rugs, to reuse and upcycle clothing into art.
The artist first began showing her work to the public in 2010, with an online shop and local vendor festival booths. Her mission stems from her passion to upcycle and repurpose. “I wanted to inspire others to start weaving, repurposing, and reusing clothing,” said O’Brien. “I challenge myself to not let a single fabric scrap be left unused. Of course, zero waste is a lofty goal, but not always achieved. After all this time, I finally consider myself to be a fiber textile artist, upcycling enthusiast and educator, as well as an unfinished seamstress.”
O’Brien now teaches others how to perfect the craft. She hosts workshops at Olympic College in Bremerton and at the Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN). “My teaching philosophy is simple. Creativity should be accessible, hands-on, and joyful,” she said. “I encourage students to slow down, enjoy the rhythm of the loom, and find satisfaction in transforming everyday materials into something meaningful.”
The rug rag workshops run every two to four months with about 15 people in total, expanding a new way to be resourceful in the community. “My goal is to create a welcoming, relaxed environment where everyone feels successful—whether they’re learning basic weaving skills or exploring their own artistic expression through sustainable craft,” said O’Brien.
The community can come together at O’Brien’s workshops to learn how to create pieces sustainably. “Many people arrive not quite knowing what to expect, and that’s part of the beauty of it,” said O’Brien. “Once they give themselves permission to slow down, learn something new, and work with their hands, something special happens. They leave not only with a finished, handcrafted piece they made entirely on their own, but also with a sense of accomplishment and calm and a fun memory is made.”
Weaving is a traditional practice and technique, combined with sustainability when discarded cloth is included. “It’s inspiring to watch participants transform old or unused clothing into something meaningful and beautiful. In a way, it feels like turning straw into gold, a timeless theme from the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, that reminds us of the value hidden in what we already have,” said O’Brien.
O’Brien’s next workshops are Feb. 21 at BARN as well as Feb. 28 at Olympic College in Bremerton.
