October 2024
Zero and Zen, free update for modular jacket, zero waste news, and some links you'll enjoy
Hi Everyone!
Welcome to the October newsletter, and a special hello to new subscribers.
With the ink barely dry on A Year of Zero Waste Sewing, I’ve started writing another book. There. I’ve said it. Now I’m even more committed! It’s a book about pattern grading, so I’m not expecting to make a million on it, but I think I have something to offer on the subject. Going by my previous track record, it will probably take about two years to write. Alas, I’m not an “up at 5am with 5,000 words done before breakfast”-type person.
I was telling Mr H about writing this book, and he was very supportive of the idea. I mentioned that, although I was yet to verify this, it’s the first Australian pattern grading book, or one written by an Australian. (Happy to be proved wrong - please leave a comment.) Mr H suggested I could therefore use the title Pattern Grading: Your All-Aussie Guide! or even Lizzy’s All-Aussie Guide to Pattern Grading! Hmm…
Zero and Zen
Zero and Zen is nearly here and there’s still time to register.
This popular course is presented by artist Kate Ward and myself. You’ll make your own minimal/zero waste jacket and add sashiko stitching for a beautiful and unique garment. The course costs US$147 and consists of step-by-step modules you can watch right away, and three zoom sessions with myself, Kate and everyone. As a special bonus, you get access to Kate’s sashiko stitch video library until the end of the year, worth over $500.
The first of these zoom sessions is this Friday (for North America)/Saturday (for Down Under).
Below is my project to sewalong with everyone else. I’ve had a bit of a head start - read about my progress here.
New: modular jacket hooded version (free)
The versatile modular jacket from A Year of Zero Waste Sewing now has an option for a hood. (I’m using this pattern for Zero and Zen!) The update is free and can be downloaded HERE.
You’ll need the original modular jacket pattern, which is still available as a zine for a very modest sum, or in A Year of Zero Waste Sewing (the pattern is the same in both, but the book includes how to add a lining).
New pattern: beach towel kaftan
Introducing a new pattern, made in collaboration with alterations styling guru Nicole Akong. If you’re a Great British Sewing Bee watcher, Nicole was in the 6th series.
The kaftan is cut from three towels, in a zero waste arrangement. The pattern can be ordered here, and there’s an option to pre-register for a sew-a-long hosted by Nicole.
Read the story of this pattern on my blog.
In zero waste news…
A new zero waste sewing book has been published, in French.
Couture zéro chute by Charline Durpoix and Mylène L'Orguilloux has 6 modular pattern bases and more than 1000 options. The book is designed to serve all body types and genders, and offers 12 different sizes (chest size from 86cm to 142cm).
I haven’t seen a copy, but the cover looks very fun!
In other news, earlier this year I licensed my patterns to be translated and sold in Japan by Mirai Pattern @miraipattern. I’ve long-wanted to sell in Japan but didn’t know how, so I’m very excited by this opportunity.
Mirai Pattern is currently holding a series of trunk shows. If you happen to be in Tokyo, the last one is on October 11th (Fri) 10:00-17:00 and October 12th (Sat) 10:00-16:00 at the Saito Store, 4-33-3 Higashi Nippori, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo. (11 minutes walk from the East Exit of Nippori Station on the Yamanote Line.) They will have about 20 sample clothes of patterns for release in the next year, and a few paper zw patterns for purchase.
You may recognise some of the styles below. In the bottom right is the Smith pinafore worn with the low-waste sunhat, and the rest of the styles belong to Birgitta Helmersson.
Some things you might enjoy
Wow! A wall (or curtain?) made of flattened denim jeans, in Japan.
A Sense of Beauty - a documentary film exploring the development of Pre-Fall 2024 by Oscar de la Renta (YouTube, 1hour 2min)
Woolmark's new campaign is Wear Wool not Waste. Watch the film, which has clothes running with no-one in them. (1min)
Is there enough natural fibre in the world to clothe everyone? A short article.
Washing wool in snow? How? As someone who’s seen snow only twice in their life, I had no idea people did this.
For lovers of denim jackets: a review of Jackets of the World exhibition in Perth, Australia.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a non-profit that creates evidence-based original research on the benefits of a circular economy (including fashion), and how it can help to solving global challenges. But who is Ellen MacArthur? Watch her TED talk (17 mins) on becoming the fastest person to sail around the world to the founder of a foundation.
SkunkFunk clothing brand in Spain were early adopters of zero waste patterncutting for some of their range. Their zero waste pattern books are available in English, French, Spanish and Basque. I think the book is paper, not a pdf, and unfortunately Australian addresses aren’t accepted on their shopping cart (British addresses aren’t either - is Brexit to blame?)
Thanks to everyone who did Tracey Clement's temperature quilt survey. She had 176 surveys filled!
Clare Valley, South Australia: Clare friends, the Clare Show is coming up on Saturday 19th October. Are you entering something? It’s free to enter, and entries for dressmaking are due by the 11th. Di Scott is looking for someone to help on the day - give her a call on 0439884580 if that person is you :)
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.
A true story about a jumper of my dad’s, knitted four times. I have it now.
New pattern! The beach towel kaftan, and three ways to style it.
The free hood update for the modular jacket.
From the blog archives
Finishing a sashiko embellished jacket, which I made for Zero and Zen two years ago, and saving a design which I really didn’t think through properly to start with.
Sending big hugs to readers affected by Hurricane Helene. We’ve been following the devastation on the news and hope you’re OK.
Best wishes,
Liz x
What a fantastic idea to use beach towels for a kaftan! I loved reading about your Dad's jumper. Wool's beauty lies in its ability to be reused. :)
The beach towel kaftan looks so cozy. Really delicious. Love your dad's sweater...now yours. Beautiful. I will try to find that pattern. Gorgeous color and looks so good on you.