As it happens: designing a zero waste top (part 1)
Many pattern designers and authors, including moi, like to keep their projects under wraps until it’s ready to show. Often it’s to stop someone pinching their idea before they bring it to fruition, but sometimes it’s because they aren’t sure of the outcome or how long it’s going to take. Over the next several weeks…
Read MoreMaking origami ribbon trim
While flipping through my sketch book looking for something, I found a page with notes for making a ribbon trim where the ribbon is folded origami-style. I’d folded some paper to work out how to do it. Luckily, I write the source of inspiration on all drawings, and it seems I saw a video of…
Read MoreNew zero waste pattern: Clair Skirt
Hello All, Introducing my new zero waste pattern: the Clair skirt. This skirt pattern is for sale in my Etsy shop. Please enjoy 25% off for the month of July. The Clair skirt + bag, hat or apron is zero waste; the offcuts from the skirt are used to sew an accessory. It’s an example…
Read MoreHow to sew a zip without using pins
Or: Sewing outside of your comfort zone. Like a sewing challenge? Yes, it’s possible to sew a zip without using any pins, just using your hands, technique and some practice. It’s a massive time saver (factory machinists do it) and it will generally boost your sewing speed and confidence. Our sewing teacher at TAFE taught…
Read MoreBreezy wrists: revisiting the zero waste Jedi coat
Regular readers of this blog may remember the zero waste coat that looked like a Jedi costume. It was adapted from the tessellated coat + dress from Zero Waste Sewing. Here’s the coat from the book: It was one of those garments which I was very happy with and thought I’d nailed every aspect: pattern,…
Read More3 sewing ideas to save your back and neck
If you’ve had your head down churning out scrubs and masks for the past few months, you’ll be familiar with how unkind repetitive sewing can be on the body. I have no idea how sweatshop workers cope, but my own clothing factory career (as a cutter) was only kept afloat with regular chiropractic care and…
Read MoreZero Waste Fashion exhibition
As restrictions ease here in South Australia, an opportunity which I thought was lost has been offered to me again. The garments from Zero Waste Sewing are now on display in a gallery here in Clare for the month of June. The exhibition was going to be in April but by then everything was in…
Read MoreReflections on Me Made May 2020
Me Made May is over for another year. This was the fourth time I’ve done it and I think it was the hardest. Me Made May is an annual event which you can read more about here, where you wear your me-made clothes during the month of May, as a way of wearing them more…
Read MoreMaking buttons from milk plastic
During the week I happened to see a homeschooling family’s experiments making buttons from milk. Since my children are still at home, we gave it a try. It was a big hit! Milk plastic, or casein plastic, is something I’ve vaguely heard of, but it was very common from about 1900 to WW2 and was…
Read More7 challenges of zero waste patterns
Zero waste patternmaking is going through a time of experimentation, both with actual patterns and how it can be applied to clothing manufacture. I’ve been experimenting with zero waste patterns for the past 4 years and been challenged, had fun, stretched my brain and found it unexpectedly freeing. Here are some of the discoveries and…
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