Hello All!
Welcome to the November newsletter, and welcome to new subscribers.
I’ve been holding off sending this newsletter while madly finishing a new pattern, so I could tell you about it.
It’s an extension pack to the zero waste cloth doll pattern, with 9 outfits all with a storybook costume theme. The pattern is now in my shop; please enjoy 25% off, and the original cloth doll pattern is 25% off too.
Read about this pattern and view a gallery of costumes on my blog.
Xanthea as a dress
In breaking news, I think I’ve worked out how to convert the zero waste Xanthea top into a bias-cut dress. I’m very excited about this! This top comes in 19 sizes, up to a 70” bust, is very economical on fabric and works well for large busts.
Fittings have so far been good but there are still a few things to work out.
Here’s the progress so far - I know, it doesn’t look like much but bias garments never do until they’re being worn. I’m trialing a new zero waste sleeve too.
When all is ready, I’ll put the update on my blog for those who have the pattern already, and on the shop listing for future makers.
The Craft of Clothes blog
I’ve been writing a weekly blog for almost 7 years now, with a short annual break over Christmas/New Year. I write a new post every Monday (but sometimes Tuesday or occasionally Sunday).
Some years ago, my website did something funny and I lost the “subscribe to this blog” button. I couldn’t work out how to put it back, but was motivated to try again this week.
So now I have it back! In the sidebar, above the blog’s categories, there’s a spot to subscribe to blog posts via email.
However, if you don’t need more emails in your life, I always round up the previous month’s blog posts in this newsletter in On the blog lately.
Some things you might enjoy
Are you a podcast listener? Check Your Thread podcast has inspiring interviews on the theme of sewing and sustainability. Recent episodes include sewing to save money and to keep warm.
James Williams of Historical Tailor has a free online class for handsewn buttonholes. Register here.
L’Etoffe Fabric’s zero waste Moroccan caftan - a great dress for a hot day (free pattern).
At home with children? A 1969 video of Jim Henson and his puppet maker Don Sahlin making effective puppets from things you have at home (15mins).
While on the subject of puppets, here’s a tutorial for making a hand puppet in the style of the Sesame Street ones.
A pair of Levis from the 1800s were found in an abandoned mine. They look a bit scruffy but are among the best preserved ones found and could be easily be worn now.
5 good, succinct, tips on overlocking/serging can be found here, with good information on thread flow.
Repair what you Wear has YouTube tutorials on mending skills. There are lots for "everyday mending".
On the blog lately
A new zero waste sewing book has entered the world! Read a review of Stefanie Kroth’s new book Zero Waste Nähen.
Overlocker Woes: The Curse of the Lower Looper.
Last month I visited the swimwear factory where I started as a junior cutter/patternmaker exactly 30 years ago.
The Wardrobe and the Zero Waste Archive. Wardrobe true confessions and a discussion on the usefulness of an archive.
From the blog archives
Knitted beards: a great addition to any dress-ups box!
Cheers!
Liz x