Some people see an old sweatshirt, a forgotten quilt, or a secondhand piece of fabric and see something that has reached the end of its usefulness. Nancy Petit sees possibility.
The Georgia native is the founder and creative genius behind MĀDENEW, an upcycled clothing brand transforming gently used and vintage finds into one-of-a-kind apparel. From her home in Woolsey, Nancy creates tops, bottoms, and coordinating sets that have found their way into closets across the United States and as far away as Europe, Dubai, and Australia.
For Nancy, however, creating is nothing new. She remembers being fascinated by her grandmother's sewing machine when she was just six years old. As a teenager, her father bought her a sewing machine of her own, nurturing a creative streak that would remain a constant throughout her life.
Years later, as a stay-at-home mother raising her three children, now 27, 24, and 21, Nancy put that creativity to work making costumes for school and holiday events and special birthday outfits for her daughter. Her children remain her "why" in life.
Eventually, her creativity became a business. Nancy launched an Etsy store, which she operated for 15 years. But after years of producing the same items over and over again, the repetition began to wear on her. "I didn't want to do it anymore, so I stopped," she recalls. "But then I got the itch to make things."
That itch, combined with Nancy's love of thrifting, eventually sparked an entirely new idea. "One day I had the idea to take one of my old sweatshirts apart and use it for a pattern," she says. The goal was to take something familiar and give it a completely new form. "I enjoy giving new life to old pieces."
In December 2023, Nancy decided to turn that idea into a business. By January 2024, MĀDENEW was born. She launched an Instagram account and built a website, neither of which came naturally after years of relying on Etsy. "I didn't know how to do any of it," she says. "It was all a learning process."
Today, most MĀDENEW pieces begin with something Nancy discovers while thrifting at secondhand stores, antique shops, and estate sales. Other materials arrive directly from customers. Sometimes it is a brand-new item someone wants transformed. Other times, it is something sentimental, such as a family quilt ready for its next chapter.
The result is clothing that combines individuality with sustainability, keeping existing materials in use while creating something entirely original. "People love having something that no one else has," Nancy says.
Throughout the week, followers of @madenewupcycle get glimpses of works in progress through Nancy's Instagram Stories. Once several pieces are completed, she prepares for a "drop," typically on Fridays at 7 p.m. On drop day, she posts the finished collection, including sizing information, before the pieces become available at www.madenewshop.com.
Nancy's oversized sweatshirts accommodate a broader range of customers, while pants can be hemmed after purchase. Nancy, who is 5-foot-8, intentionally makes them long, then alters the length before shipping. And … the pants have pockets. Her first pairs sold almost immediately after she posted them; perhaps confirmation that women appreciate a great pocket just as much as anyone else.
"I like having the creative freedom to do what I want," Nancy says. That freedom has produced something Nancy never anticipated: an international audience. "I've shipped items to Europe, to Dubai, to Australia, and it is just incredible to me." She continues, "Anyone in the world can purchase through my website."
As Nancy approaches a milestone birthday this year, there is something especially fitting about building a thriving business around reinvention. When she is not creating something, Nancy’s mind is still "going, going, going," searching for the next thing to create. MĀDENEW allows her to work when she wants, create what inspires her, and generate income doing something she genuinely enjoys.
"I love being creative and making something that someone else loves," Nancy says. "I love what I do, and I'm glad people like it."
OLD FAVORITES, NEW POSSIBILITIES
Upcycling does more than turn yesterday’s finds into something fresh. Giving clothing and textiles another life can benefit your closet and the environment.
- Keeps textiles in use longer. Repurposing clothing helps reduce the amount of apparel that ends up in landfills.
- Makes fashion more personal. Upcycled pieces often incorporate unique fabrics, patterns and details, creating clothing that truly stands apart.
- Reduces demand for new materials. Reusing existing textiles can lessen the need for resources associated with producing new clothing.
- Preserves meaningful pieces. A favorite shirt, vintage textile or family quilt can become something wearable rather than remaining tucked away.
- Encourages creativity. Upcycling proves that something old doesn’t have to be finished.