March 2021
Hi Everyone!
Welcome to the March newsletter.
February has been a big month for zero waste!
It pleases me greatly to see other pattern designers making zero waste patterns and people trying zero or minimal waste patterns for the first time.
thesewcialists.com hosted a month long zero waste/minimal waste theme; a list of all the zero waste blog posts is here, including mine :)
If you're a podcast listener, Cassandra and Holly of the Zero Waste Online Collective were interviewed about how we can design waste out of the fashion system.⠀ For home sewers, Cassandra shared some recommendations on how to reduce or eliminate waste in your making process. The take-away line for me was: we are all responsible for our own waste. (34mins)
Ineke tried out 3 garments from Zero Waste Sewing: the hooded blouson (to which she added sleeves!), the wrap trousers and a one-seam top with her own interesting neckline. Her blog is in Dutch, so you'll need Google translate. This is exactly how I hoped this book would be used - she took the patterns and adapted them to the fabric she had and her own style and tastes.
You may have seen my newest zero waste pattern: The Compact Backpack. It's been very popular, especially as a first-time zero waste project. There's still 25% off this pattern (until March 4th) so if you're thinking of buying it, now's the time. Shop here.
Sue Stoney made one to use as a swimming bag.
2021 Fibre Craft Retreat
Friday May 28th - Sunday May 30th.
A weekend of workshops, creativity and fun at Hummocks Station near Snowtown in South Australia, a 2-hour drive from Adelaide. Registrations open today, March 1st.
I'm hosting some sewing workshops at the retreat - the first ones I've done since March last year. On Saturday we'll be making a zero waste Compact Backpack, and on Sunday there's a Sit 'n' Sew (or backpack making if you missed out the day before).
The retreat is intended to be economically inclusive, with a range of accommodation options and reasonably priced workshops.
ASG Autumn Sewing Celebration
The Australian Sewing Guild are hosting an online sewing event featuring 14 presenters (including moi) speaking on a wide range of sewing subjects. We pre-recorded the sessions, and I'll be there on the day to say hi.
It's on Saturday, 27th of March (UTC+11:00).
Register here (bookings close 20th March). Your ticket includes a "virtual show bag" of goodies.
You don't need to be a member to attend, and as it's online you don't even need to be in Australia!
Some things you might enjoy
Enschede Textielstad is a sustainable fabric mill in the Netherlands. The mill was founded in 2014 with the goal to make sustainable fabrics accessible for as many people as possible. Listen to Annemieke talk about the mill and how it was started. (20mins)
A quick photographic step-by-step on how to transform a sweater into pants.
Have you read the book The Secret Lives of Colour? The book has its own Instagram page - a feast for the eyes!
Wow: Frieda Khalo's clothes were locked away for 50 years after her death. They've now been photographed and documented.
Christian Dior's "Bar" suit, examined in detail at the V&A museum (4:32 mins)
Have you ever wondered exactly how fashion museums X-ray garments? Several Balenciaga dresses are being X-rayed in this video (4mins). If you look closely at the 52 second mark, you can see a pin left in the garment!
Rachel Breen and Alison Morse visited Bangladesh in 2015, just 2 years after the Rana Plaza collapsed, and met some of the survivors of the disaster.
I've just read Austin Kleon's book Show Your Work! - 10 ways to show your creativity and get noticed. Authors, artists and entrepreneurs: it's the antidote for every well-meaning friend who unhelpfully says "you've just got to get your work out there".
I highly recommend this book!
A year ago I reviewed Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald's Modern Mending. A second edition has just come out, with 36 extra pages added during Melbourne's mega lockdown last year. Read more about the new edition and buy a copy here.
Aussies:
The V&A Mary Quant exhibition will be at the Bendigo Art Gallery in Victoria from March 20 to July 11. Of course, you'll need to dress appropriately!
Btw, the gallery now has The Dressmaker's Companion in their gift shop.
On the blog lately...
Book recommendation: the new mending book Mend it! Wear it! Love it!
New zero waste pattern: The Compact Backpack. Scroll down to the bottom to see some photos of a 75% sized one made for a 7-year old.
I made Holly McQuillan's zero waste spiral trousers - the most unusual trouser pattern you've ever seen, yet it works!
The Craft of Clothes blog turned 5! Take a browse through the top 7 most popular posts ever.
My first experience sewing with hand woven fabric. If you're a weaver, this might be a pattern you'd like to try.
...and on the blog archives
Ticking off that sewing bucket list. I could probably tick off a few more things now, and add some.
Doing a small bust adjustment - my way!
I pulled apart a 1970's body shirt which belonged to my late father. It has a few interesting things to look at if you're into shirt making.
Cheers! Liz