March 2023
What do authors think when they see their book secondhand?
Hi Everyone,
Welcome to the March newsletter.
I always wondered how I would feel if I saw my books (The Dressmaker’s Companion and Zero Waste Sewing) on a remnanted book pile or in a secondhand shop. I know this happens for all sorts of reasons, but would I feel bad that they weren’t wanted? Rejected? Does that sound silly?
A few weeks ago, I chanced to see Zero Waste Sewing for sale on an Etsy site, along with other secondhand books. Surprisingly, I felt fine. I felt glad that my book is being passed along.
In zero waste news…
Mindful Fashion NZ is hosting a zero waste pattern design workshop presented by zw swimwear designer Emma La Rocca. The cost is only NZ$25 or free if you’re a Mindful Fashion member. It’s on March 27th, and at a very good time of the day for Kiwis and Aussies. I’m going!
Zero Waste Design Collective (formerly ZWDO) have launched their zero waste online course. View the curriculum and register here. This course is designed for those who are interested in zero waste design, but don’t know where to start. I’ve heard excellent things about this course already.
In case you missed it, the next 3 instalments of A Year of Zero Waste Sewing are ready. This project is a book I’m writing and publishing in instalments as a zine. The first one is complimentary – read about this project and download your free copy here.
Some things you might enjoy
A scarf by Madeleine Vionnet with bold colours and a bias section in the centre.
A reader alerted me to this documentary on a pair of trousers found in a grave in China. Archeologists make a replica and try them out; the discussion on construction is fascinating. (45min)
Making the most of the waste fabric from a circle skirt, and using it for bias trim.
Simple, ecological, shoemaking. If you can cut and sew, you can make these.
Aussie costume designer Catherine Martin describes designing the costumes for the Elvis movie (10min).
Slow clothing, precious cloth. A beautiful short film on The Nettle Dress by Allan Brown (2:20min). The dress took 7 years to make, starting from gathering the nettles. Note the zero waste cutting layout at the 1:34 mark, very similar to Viking dresses.
Introducing Marilla Walker's sewing zine. She shows-and-tells in this video (9min).
Emily Handler's zero waste base layer knit top, showing the design progression from the Eura dress to a fitted knit top.
We The Makers Sustainable Fashion Prize is open to emerging designers with less than 10 years industry experience. Hosted by the National Wool Museum in Geelong, Australia, entry is open to residents of any country.
Emilia, a sewing enthusiast living in Tokyo, shows how to cut an authentic kimono. Introduction, Part 1 and Part 2.
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.
Zero Waste and Fabric Economy, where I compared the fabric usage of two blouses.
3 Buttonhole Woes (and how to fix them).
Revisiting the Zero Waste Bra.
From the blog archives
The Curse of the Elastic Waste. An old post from very early blogging days, but even more relevant now!
Cheers!
Liz x