July 2023
Hilarity with long covid, a new skirt pattern and zero waste news
Hi Everyone!
A warm welcome to the July newsletter, and a special hello to new subscribers.
I’ve just had my covid anniversary - it’s been a year now since I got covid and then long covid. The fatigue has to be experienced to be believed, and my brain is not so sharp as it was. It’s hard to tell if I’m getting better or just getting better at managing it, but I think I’m recovering, slowly. Emphasis on slowly.
I don’t want to bore you with my heath details, but this will amuse you:
When I got covid, my eyesight deteriorated practically overnight (I googled this, and apparently it’s not uncommon). At the same time, my skin was beautiful! I remember thinking: Gee, isn’t it ironic that I’m so unwell, yet my skin looks amazing! Oh well, got to embrace the positives. I enjoyed it for about 8 months before I twigged that my skin was unchanged - I just wasn’t wearing my glasses when I looked in the bathroom mirror! Hahaaa!
New zero waste pattern: Bryer skirt
Yes, it’s finished and I’ve been holding off with this newsletter so I could show it to you.
It’s in my shop now - please enjoy 25% off. You can read more about it here.
A skirt for all seasons, Bryer comes in 20 sizes, to fit an 86cm/34″ hips to a 183cm/72″. It has two generous pockets which form the skirt’s closure, comes in two lengths, and has an option for back adjustable elastic.
I’ve been wearing the samples LOTS, and think this could be my new favourite-ever zero waste pattern.
In zero waste news…
My website now has a zero waste resources page, accessed from the top header menu. It lists resources for zero waste patternmaking (mainly my own but some others too) and every zero waste pattern I’ve published.
Ronan Silve of Maison Deis has released a zw mens trousers pattern. I've just bought one to make for Mr H (we're a similar size so they might fit me).
The second edition of Holly McQuillan and Timo Rissanen's book Zero Waste Fashion Design is now available for pre-order (publishing date 2nd Nov). This is the book that got so many people, including me, started with zero waste. A table of contents is here.
Some zero waste fashion businesses I’ve come across lately:
US designer Gregory Joseph Lagola’s glamorous evening dresses.
Zero London menswear.
Omahkreashe in (I think) Indonesia.
Upcycled fashion from German designer Birgit Käufer.
Some things you might enjoy
The history of Norman the Sock Monkey.
freesewing.org generates made-to-measure sewing patterns for free.
Tips for traveling with a capsule wardrobe, taking only a carry-on bag.
British Airways new uniform includes a jumpsuit.
Wow! Knitted jumpers that blend with their surrounds! (Instagram, scroll down a bit)
Two friends model the same outfit together to show how fashion looks fabulous on different bodies.
A nifty way to sew a placket (must try this).
A timeline of "How Australian Fashion Fell to Pieces". I was a fashion student at the beginning of this timeline, and have watched this unfold (as I and others lost our jobs). In related articles, the Australian Fashion Council has launched Seamless, a scheme to change the way we design, consume and recycle clothing. You can read the full report here. (Thoughts: are we “mopping the floor without turning off the tap?” As in, are we ever, really, going to get on top of this while we keep allowing cheap imports into the country? Should the tariffs be put back?)
Styling cotton pajama pants for street wear, with a cool rhyming poem.
What is a crios? Weavers might know. Find out here.
South Aussies:
Do you live or work in South Australia and want to learn industrial sewing machining? Heavily subsidized courses are available from TAFE.
LGBTIQA+ and allies are invited to Sustainable Style, a monthly maker’s space hosted by SAMESH. Details are here.
On the blog lately
A roundup of the past month’s blog posts from my website, lizhaywood.com.au.
Feel free to subscribe to my blog for weekly posts direct to your inbox, however, if you don’t need more emails in your life, I always do a roundup here.
Indigo fabric meets Xanthea, where I show the zw Xanthea top made in indigo dyed fabric in preparation for a course I’m co-hosting. It’s actually not too late to join this course - it’s part-way through now but the content can be accessed at your own pace.
The zero waste bumbag, made bigger into a sling/crossbody bag. It was very successful! Part 1 and Part 2.
6 Things I didn’t predict with zero waste patterncutting (5 good, 1 bad).
From the blog archives
Writing the index for The Dressmaker’s Companion, and some insights into the world of indexing.
Cheers!
Liz x