September 2024
The Dressmaker's Companion turns 7, Zero and Zen, and some links you'll enjoy
Hi Everyone!
Welcome to the September newsletter, and a special hello to new subscribers.
Yesterday was the first day of spring in this part of the world, making it somehow official that colder days are behind us now.
It was also the 7th birthday of The Dressmaker’s Companion. Not that I baked a cake or anything, but I like to mark the date.
This was my first book, which I started writing in 2007 and finally held in my hands 10 years later. It was a massive learning curve, and at times I wondered if it would ever be finished (so did Mr H!), but I was too invested to stop. (I also vaguely, crazily, wondered what would happen if I died before I finished it? Would my heirs, then only preschoolers, bring to fruition their mother’s legacy when they grew up? Who even thinks these things???)
Are you thinking of doing a book? You totally should! If you don’t have enough material for a whole book yet, you could write it in instalments like this. In case you’re interested, here’s the publishing story for The Dressmaker’s Companion, and how the cover was made.
Last days for 25% off hat pattern
The Zero Waste Warm Hat still has 25% off until September 5th, so if you’re planning to make this please take advantage of the discount. You can read more about this pattern here.
Zero and Zen
Zero and Zen is back! This popular course is presented by artist Kate Ward (she’s the “Zen”) and myself (I’m the “Zero”). Zero and Zen combines making a zero/low waste modular jacket with Sashiko embroidery.
The course starts on October 4th and goes for five weeks. The cost is US$147. Read more and enroll here.
Here’s the jacket I made last year - it could be the coolest thing I’ve ever made:
The jacket pattern is from A Year of Zero Waste Sewing. And just in time, the jacket has a update - see below.
Coming soon: modular jacket hooded version
The popular modular jacket from A Year of Zero Waste Sewing is getting an option for a hood. I’m nearly there with it - the instructions are finished but the little companion video is still being edited. It should be ready late this week or early next.
The modular jacket pattern 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).
Some things you might enjoy
Some beautiful and unusual pleating (Instagram; scroll down a bit to see it), not unlike my pleated top from the December zine (did Raffughar also read Shadowfolds by Rutzky/Palmer?)
Delightful sewing machine art and sewing machine-created art by artist Amnon Lipkin.
Ai for clothing factories will plan and control the work flowing through a factory, for the most efficient use of machines and staff. (This is what human production managers do - they assign jobs to staff on particular machines, and manage how long it will take.)
An article on how to firm-up flimsy fabrics using gelatine.
A very thoughtful and practical article on styling, looking objectively at your wardrobe and getting more comfortable with the clothes you own.
Loads of colour, fashion and fun at Country to Couture, part of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair last month. Some runway highlights are here.
Sustainable fashion magazine ALTR contains an article on zero waste patterncutting (Issue 3, page 44) as well as other interesting articles. It's free to read online.
A project to show visually how much human hands touch clothing as it's being made. (Instagram, about 20secs)
I chanced upon the 1898 Cutters’ Practical Guide to Cutting Every Kind of Garment Made by Tailors. The pages with text have beautiful borders with Celtic braid corners, but skip through to page 70 for the wonderful illustrations. There are Inverness capes, kilts, dressing gowns, morning coats, blazers for boating or cricket, chorister's cassocks, vests of all kinds, riding breeches, Little Lord Fauntleroy outfits and sailor suits for boys.
A side opening accessible bra, for independent dressing with a disability.
Knitters: fellow Aussie Jodie Morgan has an offer for Craft of Clothes readers of a complimentary month of What to Knit Next, a weekly subscription newsletter of curated knitting inspo and resources. Take a look! (This is an affiliate link.)
South Aussies: Australian Sewing Guild’s SA Inspiration day is on Sunday 27th October, 1pm-4pm at Unley Town Hall. The theme is Sewing Sustainably – To help ensure our sewing is both environmentally and budget friendly. This event is open to everybody, not just members, so bring along your friends and family. Entry is $10.00 (cash only) payable at the door on the day. Contact Susan Fulop to register your attendance asg.marryatville.sa@aussew.org.au I’m unable to go to this, regrettably, but I have inside information that it’s going to be great!
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.
Introducing the Zero Waste Warm Hat - after 18 months, I finally cracked a 100% zero waste hat pattern!
Out of curiosity, I compared the zero waste hat with a conventional beanie pattern. I know the zero waste one would be more economical, but I didn’t realise just how much.
Some gems from my home sewing library: books from the 1950s, 60s and 70s, and from the 1920s, 30s and 40s.
From the blog archives
What happens when PVC is left in a shed for 15 years?
Cheers!
Liz x
I can’t find it here in the US which is why I asked.
Is the DC book still available for purchase?