At Magg’s Rags, no two pieces are ever the same. Founded by Pittsburgh artist Maggie McLaughlin, the brand is focused on breathing new life into discarded fabrics by turning textile scraps into one-of-a-kind Magg’s Rags creations. Every piece is hand-stitched, using up-cycled materials to create wearable art that celebrates sustainability and individuality.

Over the past five years, Maggie has reshaped the contemporary sewing landscape, setting distinctive trends and revitalizing the appliqué sewing technique with her unique take on free-motion embroidery. Her designs are instantly recognizable—whether it’s a lobster sipping a martini, a rat in a bikini smoking a cigarette, or a giant alligator wrapping 360° around the base of a dress. 

Each piece she creates is thoughtfully designed to stand the test of time and weaves together a story of secondhand textiles, further preserving their lifespans.

Maggie often looks to her family for inspiration. Surrounded by artisans, interior designers, ceramicists, and woodworkers, Maggie was always tinkering and building alongside her father, brothers, grandpa, and many others. Growing up on her family farm, she learned to appreciate the beauty of nature, care for farm animals, and ultimately, let her imagination run wild. This is where she first started altering found objects and fell in love with all things handmade.

Maggie’s work challenges conventional ideas about fashion and waste, using what we have around us as inspiration for something new. Through brand collaborations, weekly website drops, and her drive for change, Maggie remains a fierce voice in the sustainable fashion industry. Utilizing her unique take on up-cycling, Maggie has designed collaborative clothing lines with Urban Outfitters, Free People, Dickies, and given lectures on sustainability and entrepreneurship at her alma mater, Penn State University. She believes her funky clothing can be the entryway into a broader conversation about change.

The future of Magg’s Rags remains exciting. Maggie plans to expand her brand into the realm of homewares and interior decoration, offering customers unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that can transform any space into a whimsical world of Magg’s Rags.

Her work can be explored further on Instagram at @maggs_rags. Contact the artist at MaggsRagsBusiness@gmail.com.