This pattern photo from the latest Butterick collection stopped me in my tracks. Now, I know that a lot of indie patterns have already been actively moving towards more inclusion with the models they choose, using a range of sizes, body types, ages, ethnicities, abilities, and gender identities. But you know we’re in the throes of positive change when one of the big commercial companies … Continue reading Remember this moment
I’ve had trouble writing posts lately. I realized today I’m feeling entirely deflated by the political climate, both here in Ontario and abroad. Once upon a time I naively thought that political processes in my part of the world could, for the most part, be conducted with reason and civility, with evidence at the heart of decision-making. How quickly that changed. Anyway, I’m not here … Continue reading Aster Sewists Beware: Gratitude Ahead
I promised myself I’d never make a bad pun using the word Sew. But there it is. There is only so long you can resist before you get sucked over to the dark side. Sorry. But I really do have a lot to tell you! There was the visit from Clothes Making Mavens co-host Helena, all the way from California to Toronto, and that weekend … Continue reading Sew Much to Tell You
Hi friends. Just wanted to let you know that Barbara Emodi’s book is out, and I’m so happy for her! (And happy for me — it just arrived in the mail and I’m looking forward to some enjoyable reading and no doubt a few laughs!) As you may know, Barbara is a regular contributor to our Clothes Making Mavens podcast. If you want to know … Continue reading Barbara’s Book is Out!
Last week I was lucky enough to be able to travel to Los Angeles for a bit of a break from winter. (Although I seemed to have brought the winter along with me from Toronto — the LA newscasts were full of handwringing about how damn COLD it was there. Alas.) Anyway, one of the reasons for my trip was to hang out with Helena, … Continue reading Meeting an old friend for the first time!
Just a friendly reminder as we enter the holiday season and the shudder-inducing, pathological consumption of “Black Friday” approaches: we don’t need all that STUFF. We’re better with less. Stuff is what created the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an unfathomably huge area of plastic waste that doesn’t biodegrade, leaches harmful chemicals into the sea, and kills marine life. The manufacturing, shipping, packaging, and discarding of … Continue reading We Are Better With Less
Hi friends! Do you live in a remote place? (I’m open to various interpretations of the word “remote”– it’s all relative, after all.) I’m really interested to hear about the challenges you face when you don’t have fabric and pattern stores within a short trip nearby. Where I live, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, there’s an embarrassment of riches when it comes to places to purchase fabric, … Continue reading Sewing in far-away (close-by) places
Hey friends! Guess who won second place in the Pattern Review Handbag Contest?? Thank you SO MUCH for helping me out with your votes. I am very grateful and very happy! And I’m loving my new bag. I’ve been busy lately, including work on the next episode of the Clothes Making Mavens podcast which will be released soon, so things have been a bit quiet here … Continue reading With a Little Help From My Friends, Part 2: THANK YOU
My mother sewed my prom dress for me. It’s a MASTERPIECE. It was 1988 and we were big on, well, BIG. Big hair, big flounces, and lots of taffeta. Look at that sweetheart neckline and that flattering drop waist. And there’s boning in that bodice — boning! But wait, there’s more icing on the back: Look at those layers, and that BOW! Points to anyone … Continue reading Thanks, Mom, for Teaching Me to Love Sewing
Last week I did something pretty far out of my comfort zone, and discovered something delightful in the process. At first glance it seems like it’s got nothing to do with sewing or making, but stick with me for a moment… I’m a *somewhat* athletic person, but I don’t like to go to gyms or work out in the traditional sense. I keep in passable … Continue reading With a Little Help From My Friends
Frivolous At Last 