June 2024
101 ways to wear pajamas and a towel, zero waste news, and some links you'll enjoy
Hi Everyone!
Welcome to the June newsletter, and a special hello to new subscribers. I hope you enjoy it.
Last month this newsletter’s subscribers clicked over 5K readers. I thank you all for reading and your thoughtful comments and emails.
Did you happen to see the outfits for the Met Gala ball? (yes, old news now, but being a monthly newsletter I rarely get scoops). Commentary fell into two camps: either It’s like the Capital in the Hunger Games - decadent and costly while everyone else struggles with the cost of living, or Maybe it’s just what we need to brighten these difficult financial times. I’m not sure what I think.
My children, who are now both in their teens, had a giggle at some of the outfits. Actually, it was interesting to see their reactions. Some months ago, we watched the Oscars on TV, which had similar types of outfits. It was years since I’d watched a full awards night, and the first time for them. Afterwards, I heard hysterical laughter from the bathroom, where they were supposedly getting ready for bed. I investigated, and saw what they were doing: re-creating the Oscars outfits using pajamas and towels, then laughing at themselves in the mirror.
This happened again when they saw the Met Gala outfits. They treated me to a parade of fantastical creations. There was huge turban-esque headwear fashioned from large bath towels, risqué plunging necklines, flowing toweling robes, backless numbers, outfits that relied on the wearer not wanting to lift their arms (or sit down, or stand up, or move in any way), and pajamas worn upside down, back to front, wrapped, tied and knotted. So inventive! Really, apart from the fabrics, many of them wouldn’t have looked out of place. I cannot post photos, but here’s a sample in sketches:
Making Zen
The Making Zen Online Retreat is over now, and many thanks if you attended and tried my low waste sunhat pattern.
If you missed it and wanted a VIP pass, they’re still available until the end of this weekend (midnight Sunday night).
In zero waste news….
Maison Deis has a new backpack pattern, with a cool urban utilitarian vibe.
No-one does relaxed wardrobe staples like Emily Klug, and her new shirt pattern is just that.
Coming soon: The low-waste sunhat pattern I made for the Making Zen retreat is having a few little tweaks including an option for a narrower brim, making it more of an “everyday” kind of hat.
I have not forgotten the Optimatium dress! The re-graded pattern is nearly ready. I got a little waylaid with hats.
My new book, A Year of Zero Waste Sewing, is available to order direct from me if you’re in Australia, or from your local bookshop/online bookseller for the Rest of the World (the distributor is Ingram).
Some things you might enjoy
Making tutus for the Royal Ballet's Swan Lake. (YouTube, 6mins) I was surprised they used a regular domestic sewing machine.
A short reel on spinning and weaving a cotton scarf. (Instagram)
Meriel Chamberlain is about to embark on a Churchhill Fellowship for textile circularity in Australia. I corresponded with Meriel when I was doing the Zero Waste Sewing book; I bought the cream fabric for the hooded robe from her.
An upcoming documentary follows men in prison making quilts. Watch a short trailer here. (1.20min)
Making a woven basket from junk mail (Instagram). Can’t even tell!
Interviews with participants in Eco Fashion Week Australia.
Finally! Someone complaining that non-zero waste patterns are "boxy and voluminous"! Haha! The article also has thoughts on beginner patterns, boring design, plus-sized sewists and indie pattern companies, with more thoughts in the comments section.
For denim lovers: Endrime's archive vol 1 is available to order.
The Aussie team's uniforms for the Paris Olympics are being made in China by Sportscraft. Should they be? Do we have the skills and capacity to do this anymore?
The Specky Seamstress’s video on the Clair and Bryer skirts. (20min)
Very saddened to hear that Marta Alto has passed away unexpectedly. A long-time associate with Palmer/Pletsch, she co-authored the books The Palmer/Pletsch Complete Guide to Fitting, Pants for Real People, Jackets for Real People, Sewing Ultrasuede, and The Serger Idea Book.
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.
On Designing a Zero Waste Hat - a short post with a video about the challenges of designing zero waste hats.
A review of three very different books: Ametora, I Can Make Dolls’ Clothes, and Zero Waste Fashion Design (2nd edition).
I finally finished those UFOs! Or most of them, anyway.
From the blog archives
Two mending posts:
Repairing my slippers, where the mended version ended up far superior to the original.
Making the waist of RTW jeans bigger.
Cheers!
Liz x