Have you noticed? Somewhere along the way, the environment stopped being about the largesse of recycling your empty wine bottles at the weekend and started becoming… Well. Really urgent.
All around us are images of micro beads floating in pacific oceans, sea birds drowning in plastic, and turtles caught up in nets. Young activists lead the way – god, don’t you love our future generations? – and I feel compelled to follow.
Sewing has a pretty good track record in terms of sustainability. As a community we:
turn our backs on fast fashion
regularly recycle fabric, patterns and clothes
use our craft to protest
pass down generational skills
rescue forgotten sewing machines
We can feel good about ourselves, but we could feel better. Shall we agree on that?
Do your eyes deceive you? Haven’t you seen this Deer & Doe Myosotis dress before? Why yes, you have – here!
I decided to pay an homage to Marie of A Stitching Odyssey. Oh, who am I kidding? I copied her. EXACTLY. Even down to the buttons.
Fortunately, Marie and I are good friends and I knew she wouldn’t mind. Love you, Marie! We’re now determined to bag a photoshoot together in our matching dresses. Wouldn’t that be fun?
My latest pursuit. I’ve been working with an embroidery kit. Oh yeah, I did tapestry and cross stitch as a child, but I’ve never before pursued the solitary activity of choosing which stitch goes where, with a tiny needle and tinier stitches.
It’s been a revelation.
Why did no one warn me? That embroidery could be so emotional? Every single stitch in this project hugs to it the most precious memories. I know exactly where I was sat the first time I punctured that black canvas with a glinting needle. I remember the joy and distraction of learning a French knot whilst watching a film. The mantra I repeated in my head as other parts of the embroidery took form and the times I cast it aside as the gloaming merged into night and I had no more light by which to see. All I had left to do was listen to the quiet.
Is there anything more delicious than the slither and hiss of silk as a pussy bow is tugged free, during gentle disrobing?
YES! The slither and hiss of £3 a metre polyester from TMOS!
This animal print is the bomb. Get some. It’s polyester – one assumes – but quality. A joy to sew with. Doesn’t wrinkle in your holiday packing. Shake out and wear. Fake sophistication, even if you’re feeling foolish and giddy.
It’s ages since I sewed a Sew Over It Pussy Bow Blouse, and I’m super-pleased that I returned to this pattern. It’s so satisfying to make and gives you real wardrobe stalwarts. Animal print is everywhere this summer, but this is a classic that will keep on giving. If I had to write a Top Ten of essential sewing patterns (and maybe I should!) this would be in there.
You can see previous versions I’ve made here and here.
The tenth anniversary of Me Made May has drawn to a close. Some of you will be silently raising a cheer of relief; others will be reflecting on their wardrobe choices. It’s an initiative that both divides and bonds, which I feel is just as it should be. How boring if we all agreed.
In 2019, I took part for the first time in eight years. I couldn’t quite let the anniversary slide with no acknowledgement. I mean, it’s a big deal and a massive achievement on SoZo‘s part – and says a lot about the online sewing community. We’re here for the long haul, man!
I decided to repeat my Me Made May experience of 2011 and add a twist – to be photographed with strangers each day because – you know – fun! I didn’t try to wear different outfits every day; I reached for whatever I fancied pulling from the wardrobe.
All great and highly wearable items. But my choice to be photographed with strangers also raised a few unexpected highlights.
First, what is my advice for approaching 40+ strangers in 31 days? (Some people declined and I missed one day.)
Look for an open and friendly face.
Don’t tackle people who are busy.
Avoid feeling insulted if people turn you down. (I mean, I’d probably turn this down!)
Expect to be surprised.
Stay spontaneous. I made it a rule not to go back once I’d walked past someone.
Have a cute, ice-breaker dog with you.
Be sensible.
Be respectful.
Bend the rules if you want to!
I loved the diversity of people I engaged with – it’s what I’ve always loved about London. If you didn’t follow along on Instagram, here are some of my personal highlights from the people I met:
Ella and I have a new garden bench and it’s become our favourite place to sit.
I drag out a blanket and cushions and lie with my legs dangling over an arm rest as I proofread pages. Ella keeps a keen eye on the comings and goings of local wildlife. It’s pretty blissful for a small London garden that’s fast becoming a meadow!
Last week I went to Oxford to talk to a bunch of Sewists about The Little Book of Sewing. It was SUCH a great event and I met fascinating people from sewing academics to sewing start-ups, teachers to parents to booksellers.
But there was one particular person who intrigued me because she named herself a Mender. It’s a thing! It must be, because it’s on Instagram:
This all happened in the same week that I repaired the neckline on one of my hand sewn dresses and put aside a pair of culottes for taking in. Was something in the air?
JL Martin – or Tinkymctiddles as she’s known on Instagram – is a writer, illustrator, coder – and, very recently, a sculptor of miniature models – models just like this!
These tiny pencils, miniature baguettes and eensy-weensie rows of knitting fascinated me when they began to appear in my Instagram feed. I couldn’t resist inviting Janet to be interviewed as part of my Meeting Makers series.
Keep reading to find out how you model a pencil from a toothpick!
Do you run an iron over your fabric before cutting out and, if so – why? I was thinking about exactly this question as I pressed some summer weight wool suiting to make yet another pair of culottes.
Here are my reasons to press fabric before cutting out – and they may not all be the obvious ones.
1. Getting In The Right Frame Of Mind
If you start your project in an organised, efficient way there’s a good chance that you’ll carry this attitude through the whole piece of work – or at least through the cutting out! Pressing your fabric takes a few moments of time, time during which your mind can settle into the work to be done. This activity can also be pleasingly mindful, emptying the brain with repetitive motions, and you know I’m a fan of that.
I bought this book for £1.50 from a shop on the Isle of Wight. What’s not to love? Liberty! Sewing patterns included! The Eighties! Not just a piece of history. There’s some pretty detailed information in this book, plus basic pattern blocks can always be adapted. I’m hopeful there’s something here I could sew.
Always check the line drawings…
But, oh these Eighties moments, frozen between the pages. Flipping through this book, I am swept back to an era when Princess Di pie crust collars were de rigeur, flounces ruled and Laura Ashley was a lifestyle goal.
. It was SUCH a great event and I met fascinating people from sewing academics to sewing start-ups, teachers to parents to booksellers. 
