March 2026
On kitchen table sewing, the Louvre beret, zero waste news and some links you'll enjoy
Hi Everyone!
Welcome to the March newsletter, and a very warm hello to new subscribers.
Circa 2012, I set up my sewing machine on a small portable table in the kitchen and told my family it was temporary. I was sick of setting it up and putting it away each time I sewed. 14 years on, it’s still here! and no-one’s said anything yet either.
Although I longed for a dedicated, light-filled airy studio with a great view (don’t we all?), I found I preferred being in the kitchen. I could sew and keep an eye on dinner and little people. The kitchen table has extendable leaves which is great to cut out on. Fabric is stored in boxes, squirreled away in spare places around the house and shed, with just the essential supplies stored with the machine. Hand sewing gets done lying on my bed. I don’t sew every day; I tend to sew in blitzes, but having everything set up means I don’t put off small jobs.
One day my old high school art teacher (now a textile artist) came to visit, and in the course of the visit asked to see my studio. I told her with outstretched hands You’re standing in it!
Maybe the dedicated sewing studio I always dreamed of was the wrong thing to desire? Maybe what I really wanted was just a convenient, happy space to create, and I have it.
New pattern: Louvre Beret
The Louvre Beret was published in Tauko magazine last year. The copyright has now reverted to me and the pattern is in my shop. Please enjoy 25% off until March 12th.
More about this pattern can be found here, how it arrived in Tauko mag, and five ways to wear it.
Louvre has a YouTube sewalong – in the first few minutes I give a little show and tell of berets.
Sewn magazine
I’ll be in the April edition of Sewn magazine, talking about my five favourite garments.
Sewn is an independent print magazine, based in the USA. The April issue can be ordered here until March 27th, however note they don’t ship international. Enjoy their Instagram page here.
In zero waste news…
In New York? Danielle Elsener of DECODE is exhibiting at LOT-EK studio, 620 East 9th Street. The opening is March 4th 6-8pm, with popups on March 7-8 & 14-15, 12-6pm.
Meanwhile, take a look at Danielle’s mini riso-zines, every month a fun mini zero waste project.
French speakers: Mylène L’Orguilloux invites you to an 11 week online course on minimal waste patterncutting, starting on May 18th and running to July 31. Details are HERE.
Some things you might enjoy
The Elevate Your Sewing Pattern Making Summit is on from March 23–25. Hosted by patternmaker Christina HadleyDike, the event has an impressive line up of presenters and topics. Gain clarity in pattern making, understand how to break down garments, and draft with more confidence, even if you’re beginner. I’m not presenting a session but I’m planning to go. Read more and get your FREE ticket here (please note this is an affiliate link).
Big 4 sewing patterns will no longer be sold in Australia, due to the shutdown of the distributor.
Did you watch the figure skating during the Olympics? Amy Odell on why big fashion doesn’t dress Olympic figure skaters.
A magnetic cord closure that can be sewn to garments. It doesn’t replace zips, but can be used to bring edges together on lightweight fabrics.
A 3D printed vest made by artist Freddy Schramm. It looks very futuristic.
An interview with Carry Somers, author of the new book The Nature of Fashion and co-founder of Fashion Revloution, the world’s largest fashion activism movement.
Have president Trump’s tariffs stopped fast fashion? Sort of but not really. According to Stanford Business, it pushed up the prices and created some shortages, so people bought less which was good, but fast fashion has merely pivoted to concentrate on other markets, including Australia. Aussies have surpassed the US as the biggest consumers of fast fashion in the world.
Podcast listeners: Kenneth King talks about his fashion career, untraditional path in publishing, Elton John, and his new book Doll Couture - The Red Carpet Edition.
Applications are open for Season 13 of the Great British Sewing Bee.
Aussies: mending guru Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald is presenting a workshop at Rare Trades Centre in Ballarat on March 15th, 10.30-4.30. It’s suitable for beginners and focuses specifically on knitwear. Bookings here. The cost includes a copy of her book Modern Mending, essential mending supplies and a knitting practice swatch.
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.
New pattern: the zero waste Coatigan featured in Cotton Time magazine.
Making the Marx-Etzel trousers from Bog Fashion, with the finished trousers here.
From the blog archives
Nine ways to style linen trouse
…and an oldie: free pattern for a pussycat bow to add to a shirt.
Cheers!
Liz x