May 2021
Hi Everyone!
Welcome to the May newsletter.
The new zero waste pattern I showed you in the last newsletter is still a work-in-progress but the end is in sight! It's now low waste and comes in 14 sizes (up to a 60" bust). It also has some fun variations.
I was reminded during the month to stop being impatient and instead concentrate on taking the time to get the pattern right. It's easy to compare yourself to others who are bringing out exciting new patterns while you're bogged down in the middle of one that's taking ages, but that's an unhappy path to go down. I need to keep my eyes straight ahead on my own road! It will be ready when it's ready! (Which is soon!)
Meanwhile, here's another photo...
Backpack sewalong, anyone?
If you bought the Compact Backpack pattern (or are thinking about it), here's an opportunity to join a sewalong.
Andrew of sewandrew.com is making one live on Pfaff UK's Instagram, this Tuesday April 27th at 6pm GMT. (If you're in Australia it's at 3.30am Central time, but it can be watched later.) There's 20% off the pattern - the link is in Andrew's linktree.
He has some cool ideas and I predict he's going to take this pattern to the next level!
Not on Instagram?
The Australian Sewing Guild is hosting a backpack sewalong for the whole month of May, and you don't have to be a member to join in. You can also enjoy 20% off the pattern. Register here.
The Pattern Pages Learn-to-Sew
I'm now a content writer for The Pattern Pages, a bi-monthly digital sewing magazine. I'll be writing Learn-to-Sew posts which are free to read on their website and full of tutorials and tips.
My first one's already up there: Making a lining for a skirt.
Zero Waste Legacy Sewing - a Zoom workshop
In a month's time I'll be presenting my first Zoom workshop, hosted by Lisa and Lara of Twins N Needles. I'm really looking forward to it!
We'll be delving into three historical garments which are all zero waste: the Bog coat (bronze age), the Eura dress (Viking) and a Mr Darcy shirt (Regency). I'll show you how the patterns work, how they're constructed, and ways we can use these patterns to make clothes now.
The time is 7pm-9pm USA Eastern time (8.30am June 2nd Australian Central time), and the cost is $US35. It will be recorded for viewing later. Book here.
2021 Fibre Craft Retreat
Friday May 28th - Sunday May 30th at Hummocks Station near Snowtown in South Australia, a 2-hour drive from Adelaide. Registrations are open.
A weekend of workshops, creativity and fun. There are a range of accommodation choices and the retreat is designed to be economically inclusive.
I'm hosting some in-person sewing workshops at the retreat - the first ones I've done since March last year.
There are still spots in my workshops; some people are coming to sew for the entire weekend, free of all domestic responsibilities!
Some things you might enjoy
Vale Carla Zampatti. Yvonne Dite kept the Carla Zampatti dress she was wearing the night she met her husband in 1968, and wears it on their anniversaries.
Making paper from jeans (10mins)
7 year old Kamryn Gardner wrote to Old Navy (US fashion chain) and asked if they'd put real pockets in their girls jeans, not fake ones.
Mila Povoroznyuk dresses in Edwardian clothes every day. Her instagram is here.
The Dictation of Materials certainly applies to sewing too. This is what designers mean when they say design according to the fabric or let the fabric dictate the design.
A list of places where you can recycle your clothes and shoes in Australia. BATA will recycle your rubber boots.
Podcast: listen to the fascinating story of Lee Miller, photographer for British Vogue during the war. The "play" button is right at the very bottom of each episode's page.
Amazing bags beautifully made from ordinary things.
3 ways to sew a scrunchie.
Low tech meets high tech: Bolivian women knitting a surgical device for children who've been born with a hole in the heart.
Online sewing-themed jigsaw puzzles can be found here and here.
Aussies:
The V&A Mary Quant exhibition is 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.
The RMIT gallery in Melbourne has an exhibition of Easton Pearson fashions. It finishes up on the 8th of May.
Still in Melbourne, fans of Miss Fisher will enjoy Rippon-Lea Estate's exhibiton of Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears, featuring costumes designed by Margot Wilson. Until May 23rd.
On the blog lately...
Apologies, my website had a hiccup during April and I lost some of the details on the sidebar, including the "subscribe to posts" button. You can still subscribe if you scroll down to the comments department and tick the box.
Did you follow the posts on the zero waste underpants? The final post is here.
Blast from the Past: I dug out my 1991 grad collection.
Getting in early with some resolutions for Me Made May.
Twenty Two years - I tried on my wedding dress for our anniversary.
...and on the blog archives
The Afternoon Handbag Challenge.
A pair of bathing beauties and their swimming dressing gowns made from towels. The larger of the dressing gowns is still in use.
Cheers!
Liz xo