Posts by lizhaywood
Book Review: Zero Waste Patterns by Birgitta Helmersson
It’s my pleasure to review Birgitta Helmersson’s new book, Zero Waste Patterns. Birgitta is a Swedish/Australian designer and pattern maker based in Malmo, Sweden, where she and partner Sam Grose run a shop and studio. She has been making zero waste patterns for over a decade. Take a look at Birgitta’s website, where you’ll find…
Read MoreMaking Zen Online Retreat
Coming up later this month, I’m presenting a session at the Making Zen Online Retreat. This is a FREE online event that goes for 5 days, from Monday 15th – Friday 19th of May. It’s a 5 day happening where stitchers and crafters can learn new processes, improve their techniques and get inspired. If you’re…
Read MoreBatik and other fun stuff at the KSW Fibre Craft Retreat
On the weekend was the annual Knit-Spin-Weave Fibre Craft Retreat, and I went with my two girls. Hummocks Station, near Snowtown in South Australia’s mid north, was the venue again; it’s a sheep station that also has accommodation. We took our tent and camped. This is the third time I’ve been – I went with…
Read More4 Ways to Wear a Petrea Blouse or Dress
Last week I introduced a new pattern, the Petrea blouse and dress. It comes in twenty sizes, to fit an 81cm/32″ bust to a 178cm/70″. The dress is zero waste and the blouse is low waste. The pattern is in my Etsy shop now – please enjoy 25% off. Some of the Petrea samples are…
Read MoreNew Pattern: Petrea Dress and Blouse
Hi Everyone, I have a new pattern. Introducing Petrea, a dress and blouse. The pattern is in my Etsy shop now – please enjoy 25% off for the next month. This pattern comes in twenty sizes, to fit an 81cm/32″ bust to a 178cm/70″. The dress is zero waste and has generous in-seam pockets, and…
Read MoreLiterally, Wearing a Square
Curiosity overcame me during the week, and I tried out the square-shaped top I had in my sketchbook, originally from Pinterest. I was very interested to see what it would look like on a body. For fabric, I had some striped soft double-knit that Mum gave me. The stripes are narrow on one side and…
Read MoreChanging a Silhouette with Unexpected Armholes
I came across this little drawing in my sketchbook, while I was looking for something else. It’s a drawing of a top I saw on Pinterest ages ago: The neckline is on one side and the sleeves are in asymmetrical positions. I imagine it’s in knit fabric with ribbing arms and waist. There’s no picture…
Read MoreHaywood’s Hierarchy of Mending and Clothes Use
In acknowledgement of #MendingMarch, here’s a flowchart I whipped up reflecting my thoughts on mending and how textiles should pass through a household. Cheers!
Read MoreHow I came to write the Zero Waste Sewing book
Last week, the Zero Waste Sewing book turned 3. Many thanks if you’ve bought a copy or borrowed one from the library. I hope you enjoyed reading and making things from it. I thought you might be interested in how I came to write this book… Back in 2016, I happened to read about zero…
Read MorePresenting the Zero Waste Bra Pattern
Here’s the pattern for the zero waste bra I’ve been working on. The previous posts about this project are: June 2021 when I thought I could make a bra; this led to a zero waste bra in one size but I put the project aside; then I picked it up again some weeks ago; last…
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