Posts Tagged ‘zero waste’
New book: A Year of Zero Waste Sewing
Hi All, This year I started writing a new book, which (at the moment) is titled A Year of Zero Waste Sewing – A year of exploration, making and musings on zero waste patterns and clothes. I’m hoping the title will bring me higher up in alphabetical book listings! Here’s the plan: I’m going to…
Read MoreNew Pattern: Zero Waste Culottes
Hi Everyone, I have a new pattern. Introducing zero waste culottes. The pattern is in my Etsy shop now – please enjoy 25% off for the next month. This pattern comes in twenty sizes, to fit a 66cm/26″ waist to a 163cm/64″. The culottes are A-line and have a waistband with a button fly. A…
Read MoreNew pattern: Zero Waste Cloth Doll
Hi Everyone, I have a new zero waste pattern. It’s a cloth doll with a wardrobe of zero/low waste clothes. The pattern is in my shop now; please enjoy 25% off for the next month. The pattern pieces for the doll are nested in a zero waste layout which includes a coat and overalls. This…
Read MoreZero Waste Toys
A short post of thoughts on toys… One of the nice things about having children in your life is going to toy shops to choose presents, or making toys at home. Or even showing children the toys from your own childhood that you kept. Some months ago I was challenged to try making a zero…
Read MoreFrom waist bag to backpack
Years ago, in the city on a stinking hot day, I saw a young woman on a bicycle, freewheeling along the city street. She was wearing a strappy sundress, sandals, and had a tiny backpack/handbag on her back. She coasted past me as I walked along the hot pavement, and I rather envied her looking…
Read MoreNew-ish pattern: zero waste tie front top
The tie front top is one of the most popular patterns in Zero Waste Sewing. It was the first pattern I made for the book; I made all the patterns just over 3 years ago now. The pattern in the book only comes in 5 sizes, to fit a 34″/86cm bust to a 42″/106cm. However,…
Read MoreNew pattern: zero waste bag duo
Hi Everyone, I have a new zero waste pattern. Actually it’s two patterns, both bags. It’s in my Etsy shop now; please enjoy 25% off for the next month. Both patterns are together in the same listing. They’re very suitable for walking, cycling….or making as presents for the walker or cyclist in your life! Both…
Read More“Let the fabric inform the design direction”
Let the fabric inform the design direction. What does that really mean, practically? It sounds a little nebulous and mysterious, like a departed guru appearing in a dream and bestowing wisdom in that echo-y voice they use in the movies, something like: You must listen to your inner voice, or Use the Force Luke, or…
Read MoreMaking Mompei trousers
Weaver Kaz Madigan of the Curiousweaver studio alerted me to a free pattern on her website for making mompei trousers, a traditional Japanese pattern. The pattern was originally published in Curious Weaver mag 25 years ago and is ideal for narrow widths of handwoven fabric. A Japanese friend said her grandma used to wear them.…
Read MoreThe Kiabi windbreaker: change of plans
Serious sewing has begun on the Kiabi windbreaker, a zero waste pattern which you can read about in last week’s post. I’m in familiar sewing territory with this project, because I used to work in a factory that made similar things. Don’t envy me; it was during The Great Parachute Tracksuit Era, circa early 1990s.…
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