September 2020
Hi Everyone,
Welcome to this month's newsletter. Today is the first day of spring here, and today is also the third birthday of The Dressmaker's Companion.
The Dressmaker's Companion is a textbook-y sewing reference, with step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting and fitting advice. This hefty tome features solutions to sewing's tricky problems, such as...
what to do if you screw up a buttonhole
how to put a zip in pleats
how to unpick
what to do if you run out of fabric
how to finish the top of a zip
7 ways to make a cuff placket
how to fit a strapless top
ideas for adjustable waistbands
how to make a concealed front
how to adjust a dart if it's in striped fabric
And stacks more!
Book sales of The Dressmaker's Companion have climbed during the pandemic - whether this is due to the increase in sewing at home or the release of Zero Waste Sewing (which came out the week we locked down) I'm not sure. I'm just going to be happy :)
New zero waste pattern
I have a new zero waste pattern, the Sawyer Hoodie. It comes in 12 sizes, from an 87cm/34" bust/chest to a 142cm/56". It's suitable for men or women.
For something different, I wrote about the development of this pattern "as it happened" each week on my blog, which you can read about here.
The pattern can be purchased here; please enjoy 25% off during September.
The rise of the caftan
A few months ago I speculated that perhaps the jumpsuit could be the perfect lockdown attire, but I was wrong! I had forgotten that it was summertime for northern hemisphere dwellers, and it appears that the caftan is the garment of choice for many.
Take a look at the enormously popular envelope dress by @chriswoodsews - it's a very simple zero waste pattern with so many beautiful versions.
Designer Erin Kleinberg has a launched fashion brand that bravely consists of only one garment - the caftan.
Some things you might enjoy
An ode to the man who dressed Ziggy Stardust and a gallery of some of his spectacular costumes.
Elvis and Kresse transform old fire hoses and leather scraps into luxury handbags.
These charming and clever architectural photos will put a smile on your face.
Read about the iconic Norwegian Marius sweater.
3D printing and (interestingly) 3D knitting for fashion. Is this the way of the future?
Take a look at these painted denim jackets from Harriet Thompson.
Karin of @designbybjork designs jeans for wheelchair users, with some great design features.
Tales of Brick and Mortar shares the story of Ara's shoe repairs in Melbourne. Formally an orthopedic shoemaker, he talks about the difference between repairing and making shoes and how he came to have his shop.
On the blog lately...
The month of August documents the progress of the zero waste Saywer hoodie. Here's the final post with links to the full week-by-week story.
...and on the blog archives
A collection of stories of vintage fabrics and patterns:
A lifetime of sewing patterns: a tribute tells about Carol's pattern collection.
A time capsule of fabrics from the 1960s, belonging to four Australian country women. A Pinterest board of the fabrics is here.
Plans to make a Lego play mat were thwarted by finds of beautiful old op shop tablecloths. (The one with the yellow and pink roses later got cut up to make the geometric top in Zero Waste Sewing.)
Sewing classes update
Some people have asked whether I'm planning anymore sewing classes.
While the covid situation is pretty good here, my husband is high-risk and is not keen on group activities, so for the time being sewing classes are still on hold (unfortunately...but not forever!).
Cheers and very best wishes,
Liz