August 2021
Hi Everyone,
Welcome to the August Newsletter!
It's the final day of lockdown here in South Australia, only a 7-day one. It feels strange when you live in an isolated country area - like you're the only people left in the world. We are well aware of how lucky we are tucked away here.
Lockdown confessions:
It's often advised during stay-at-homes to maintain routines to give the days structure etc, but things loosened up here considerably from Day 1.
No-one got out of bed before 9, and my children stayed in their pajamas for the entire week. They were happy, and didn't see the point of getting dressed. (Maybe they're onto something here!) I didn't mind as long as they got their schoolwork and jobs done. Gotta pick your battles, parents!
New zero waste pattern - the Xanthea t-shirt
It’s in my Etsy shop now - please enjoy 25% off until mid-August.
The Xanthea t-shirt comes in nineteen sizes, to fit a 86cm/34″ bust to a 177cm/70″. The fit is loose and slightly boxy. It can be made in knits or wovens and included is a long sleeve option.
See more photos in this blog post, and here is the top made in stripes.
Zero Waste Legacy Sewing is back!
If you missed out back in May due to crazy time zone differences, I'm repeating the zoom workshop at a time more suited to European residents.
We’ll be looking at three historical zero waste garment’s patterns and I’ll show you some ways we can use them today. They are: Bog coat (Bronze age), Eura costume (Viking) and a Mr Darcy shirt (Regency).
It’s on September 18th, 7.30am-9.30am USA Eastern Daylight time. If you live in South Australia, it’s at 9pm on September 18th. In the UK it’s at 12.30pm and for Central European time it’s at 1.30pm.
Registration is $US35 and the session will be recorded to watch later. You can register here.
Save the date 7th September
Patternmakers and fashion students: I'm currently preparing to present a zoom class on grading strategies for zero waste patterns. I'll be giving a refresher course on pattern grading (including plus sizes) as part of this, so if grading is something you struggle with, don't know much about, or want to know more about large sizes, then this is for you! I'll also be showing some ways to plan for grading in a zero waste layout. Zero Waste Design Online are hosting the session.
Some things you might enjoy
Could you write a recipe in just 4 words?
How to handsew faster (and other great tips). It's not often that I learn new tricks! (12:46mins)
Ghosts of manufacturing past: an abandoned textile factory in Brisbane.
Good on ya Norwegian Womens Beach Handball team! It's time these attitudes to women in sport changed!
Online courses at the V&A, including fashion ones.
Put a smile on your face with some Adelaide stobie pole art.
Fashion Half Cut, a fortnightly patternmaking podcast.
Aussie readers:
(All of these are closed at the moment)
An embroidery exhibition is on at the David Roche Foundation in Adelaide, 17th June - 25th September.
A dollhouse exhibition in Melbourne, Como House, 22nd June - 29th August.
The Art Gallery of South Australia has a free exhibition called A Vast Emporium. This exhibition of Asian art includes 12 ceremonial cloth hangings and 6 pieces of clothing.
On the blog lately
Tutorial with video: how to sew on a button FAST!
Introducing the Xanthea t-shirt with lots of photos.
Xanthea in stripes, modeled by moi.
Making a scrap-busting heat bag.
From the blog archives
Read about The Aquascutum suit I couldn't bear to cut up. In Part 2 of the story I unpicked part of it, in Part 2.5 I re-fitted the sleeves, and I wore it during Me-Made-May here and last May as well.
Wishing you a creative and inspirational day,
Cheers!
Liz