It’s been quiet around here in these parts, no? Besides us moving house fairly recently, like many parents we find ourselves suddenly more busy and more tired than before. Having the kids at home 24/7 has taken some adjustment and mental capacity to adapt. So beyond #makeyourstash and the “use what you have and what is necessary” type attitude, my normal brain whirring around sustainability has definitely taken a back seat.
Does being isolated at home mean more sewing time? Well, yes and no. No, because there isn’t much kid-free time. But yes, because my life update … wait for it … is that I have a job which involves sewing! My title is Conversation Manager and proofreader and I work for Fibre Mood sewing magazine! I’m just a bit excited to see my name printed, feels official.
What is Fibre Mood all about?
Fibre Mood magazine is a fashion forward bi-monthly pattern magazine based in Belgium. For a review, you can check out what my sewing bestie Alex (@sewrendipity) wrote here on her blog.
And if you’re interested in trying any of the patterns or looking for inspiration from the books, you can purchase them here (affiliate link). This is the first time I’ve ever done any advertising but I can honestly say that Fibre Mood is excellent value for what you get. Each issue has designs that are fashionable, classic, and range from simple to involved. In fact, I actually purchased a number of back issues for myself and as gifts for my sewing friends (with my own money).
A breastfeeding friendly wardrobe?
I had been looking forward to getting out of my jeans as the weather warms up. But after a rifle in my warm-weather clothes box I found many of my favourite dresses aren’t really suitable at the moment, and won’t be this spring/summer since I’m breastfeeding (baby T is nearly 5 months!) So it’s back to separates, wrap dresses and shirt dresses. Here’s my favourite dress, an old make and old pic:
Last time I had ready to wear clothes with poppers, hidden panels etc. but honestly I find it all a faff so I ditched most of them. I’d rather just wear a regular top and be a little cold/exposed if needed. When it comes to a hungry baby, my priority is not about how I look at that moment in time.
Things I made recently
The timing has been fortuitous for me to start hosting weekly sewalongs on Instagram Live on behalf of Fibre Mood, as it means I’m feeling a great deal of sewing inspiration. And also it’s forcing me to dig deep into my stash, and I’m quite pleased with that actually. Peppered through this post is selection of my recent makes (all #makeyourstash), including the Ivory shirtdress that I made for the launch of the new Fibre Mood issue.
Fibre Mood Ivory Shirtdress
Just a couple of notes about this dress, because it took me a lot of hours due to the number of features. Set-in sleeves with 3 buttons on the cuffs, front yoke, back yoke, collar, 8 panel skirt … add in the shiftiness of being a lightweight linen and you have a recipe for a long, long baking time. So, obviously it’s my new favourite!!!
Sustainable sewing dilemma
i.e. The amount of fabric vs the amount of clothes. Currently I have 6 large storage boxes of fabric. But even if I have bought minimal fabric in the past 2yrs I find that I still have the same number of boxes. In theory, if I made everything in the boxes, I would have 6 boxes more of clothes in my wardrobe. Somehow I think that the fabric is ok because it’s a hobby, but to have 6 more boxes of clothes definitely does not feel ok.
What to do? Lucky fabric doesn’t go off, and no one ever said I had to sew through it all at once. So as long as I still like the fabric and make stuff that I either wear myself or for someone else, I think it’s ok. Shame that I typically only wear 1-2 outfits in a day!
I’ve also found I’ve been hoarding cuts of fabric (mostly linen). They are usually around 30cm long and in a weird shape, because I always buy either 1.5 or 2m and there is excess after cutting. I’m planning to sew them together at some point and use as quilt backing. Basically my approach is the buy nothing one!
On that note, I’m signing off until next time. I hope you are staying safe, keeping well, and being positive!
Till next time,
Kate
8 comments
Congratulations Kate, on your new role! Sounds perfect 😊
Thank you Susan! It’s working out well so far
You’re so perfect for the magazine and the job. Congrats! I love watching and participating in your live sewing sessions, and getting helpful tips along the way. Love everything you’ve made and shown here – from the complexity of the Ivory Dress to the simplest of tops, you totally made them perfectly suited to you and your lifestyle!
Thanks Sil, I really appreciate you joining in with the live sessions, it’s great to see familiar faces week on week and I really like doing them!
Congratulations! That’s the perfect job 🙂
Hi Chloe, thanks, and yes I”m happy about this. It’s totally different to what I did before, but so far I’m enjoying it!
Hi Kate, congrats on the new job. I’ve not bought a fibremood yet, but you might have changed my mind! I sometimes think about the stash that at least it can be made into something that fits your lifestyle and body shape in the future, so in that way it is different to having it all converted into cloths already. Also that in the event of some sort of breakdown in the way society currently runs, we’ll be able to make clothes for people that need them – or have something that we want to swap them for! Might be useful?! Always like reading your blog 🙂
Hi Emma, thanks for your comment. And you’re right about the stash, no need to make it all at once, and over time our tastes and body might change anyway! Mine certainly has. 95% of the time I never wear anything fitted anymore. I used to like pencil skirts and shift dresses etc… but nope, not anymore!