November 2025
Reviewing #MakeNine2025, Making Zen, zero waste news, and some links you'll enjoy
Hi Everyone!
Welcome to the November newsletter, and a warm hello to new subscribers.
As we wind down to the end of the year, I thought I’d review the #MakeNine2025 I optimistically drew up in January.
Four out of nine, with another two on the way, isn’t too bad, is it?
#1. Newsboy hat. Roll that one over to next year. #2. Jumpsuit thing. WIP. I’ve got the fabric sitting right here and I’m looking at it as I type. #3. Vest. Next year, or whenever - still thinking about it. #4. “Surprise”. TICK! It was a zero waste beret. #5. Party skirt. WIP. Working on it atm. Can’t believe I started it back in January, but health matters and some side quests have got in the way. #6. Toy pattern. TICK! A Humpty Dumpty toy, unveiled at Making Zen earlier this year. Next month the pattern will be in my shop, with some bonus features. #7. Crownless sun hat. TICK! #8. Something bias cut. TICK! Yes, ready for next year. #9. Beach parka. Nay. Changed my mind.
Making Zen starts TOMORROW
I can’t believe I missed this one for the October newsletter, so I’m sending this newsletter early in order to include it.
Making Zen Online Retreat starts Monday 27th October and runs for the whole week, with a different set of workshops each day. It’s free to register, and all the workshops are free to view for 24 hours. You can have lifetime access with a VIP pass. I’m not presenting a workshop this time, but this is a great event to try new crafts and find new artists.
In zero waste news…
If you’re in New Zealand, Emma La Rocca is presenting a workshop on zw patternmaking for beginners.
Some things you might enjoy
The International School of Tailoring has many free resources for learning how to tailor jackets, including YouTube videos, book downloads and some patterns. (Thank you S Bryans from the Aussie Patternmaking for Fun fb page for this.)
The Vogue Business Size Inclusivity report on the fashion weeks catwalks. The lack of diversity was noted by many...but will they listen to the people?
Mylène L’Orguilloux shows how a conventional pair of trousers from the brand I.CODE is adapted to a minimal waste pattern in this short clip.
How parents want school teachers to react to a missing jumper. I am that parent.
Audrey Kalman visited the Carhartt archive in the USA. Carhartt makes heavy duty workwear and also general street wear, and the family company dates back to 1889.
Maths nerds alert! Lutterloh patterns featured in a short article in the Australian Senior Mathematics Journal, citing the application of polar co-ordinate axes plotted on a curve. Related, but a much lighter read: my blog post on Lutterloh.
Lindy of Stokx patterns, making a reflective vest for winter in Berlin.
A list of free sewing patterns to try. If you use one, please consider supporting the makers of these patterns by purchasing a pattern. In a forgivable oversight, the list’s compiler neglected to include the free patterns on The Craft of Clothes website.
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.
How to Sew in Bed. Here are my four best tips for sewing in bed. There’s some cool ideas in the comments, too.
New Tips for Sewing Rouleau. Some great new ideas to make sewing rouleau easier and give neater results, generously shared by a bridal sewing friend.
Home Ec at Home. A sewing project by a non-sewing teen.
Apologies to those who subscribe or comment on my website. The site had some sort of hiccup in early August and unsubscribed some people, and disallowed or declared “spam” on some comments. I still haven’t gotten to the bottom of it yet, sorry.
From the blog archives
Trying to fix the world’s problems, one pajama at a time. I tried, but failed.
In a happy postscript to this blog post, one child has since converted to nighties and the other has somehow attained Good Pajama Management skills.
Cheers,
Liz x