Weekend Review: Reclaimed Quilts

Reclaimed Quilts / Kathleen McVeigh & Dale Donaldson
Cpncord, CA: Stash Books, c2024.
128 p.

This was a fun one also found on Hoopla! It's written by a couple who own the sustainable clothing brand Kitty Badhands. They are based in Vermont and definitely have a bit of a hipster vibe. 

This book was a lot of fun to look through, even if I might not be able to carry off some of these extreme quilted looks myself. Their focus is to upcycle damaged textiles, mainly quilts and quilt tops, to make into garments. I have to say, my favourite piece in the book is the dress front and centre on the cover, but that's my taste -- you might find something else here that speaks to you. 

This one is really about reusing existing quilts (and little projects to use up the scraps) not so much quilting your own yardage. So you have to want to go all in on the quilt look! The book includes instructions on how to find, clean and care for vintage textiles (and talks about when you should probably NOT cut up a quilt), as well as including basic and specialty construction tips for quilted fabrics, such as seam finishes, binding, pockets and so on.  

There are 8 garment patterns and then a few smaller things like totes and pouches, ways to use the leftovers once you've cut out your garment pieces. I think it's a nice way to lay it out, with inspiration and practical guidance side-by-side. Also the sustainability piece is there at all times. 

There are many photos, mainly of the authors and some of their fellow young hipster friends, all modelling the various pieces. As I noted, not all of these items are to my own personal taste, but I might make a couple of them, like the dress or tote, if I had the right textile. In any case, those who do have an interest in this aesthetic will find this a cheerful, helpful book. I enjoyed it even if I don't end up making anything from it. So colourful and cheerful to look through.

 

Literary Sewing Circle Wrap-Up

Today is already our final day of the Literary Sewing Circle focusing on Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle!

I hope you've had the chance to read the book, and both the first and second inspiration posts, and are getting lots of ideas for a project of your own.

This is our final and roundup post. Share links to your projects here: as soon as you are done your project, just pop a link to your post into the comments and we will all be able to visit your blog/instagram etc. and explore your creation -- remember, it can be sewn, or knitted, crocheted, embroidered... any textile art that you practice. Or you can just tag me, @sewmelwyk on IG and use #LiterarySewingCircle as a hashtag.

We've discovered more about the author and this book in the author feature post. If that sparks any comments, please share those, too! 

Here are a few questions to ponder -- please add your thoughts to the comments! 

Did you like the fairy tale structure and subversion in this story? 

How did Sophie's sudden aging affect her personality, and what did you think of her character, especially as she finds her voice? 

Did you have a favourite character? Were there parts you related to more than others? 

Could you see the hidden bits of the story ahead of time, or did things surprise you - like Calcifer's story and the contract, or the actions of the Witch of the Waste? 

Did you like the inclusion of Wales as part of Howl's story? Do you think it added to the story or did it draw you out of the fairytale setting of Ingary? 

Howl is a tricky character. Did you believe everything he said (or that was said about him) or do you feel he was hiding his real character often?  Would you have been charmed by him if you were Sophie (or Lettie)? 

If you have watched the film, did you notice a lot of differences? If so, did you like one format over the other? Or did you find them both interesting in their own ways - and with their distinct takes on the story? 

Please share your thoughts on the book, its themes, characters, or anything you noted about it -- either in the comments here or on your own blog with a link to your longer thoughts in the comments so we can find it. I love to talk about the experience of reading so feel free to comment no matter when you're reading this post; if you've read this I'd love to hear about it!

Also please share a link to your project in the comments -- our linkup did not work last time, so we'll go with links in the comments -- if that doesn't work for you, please email me or tag me on IG so that I can see and share your project. Thanks so much for reading and sewing along! 

You have two more weeks, until Nov 21, to share your project, if you want to be included in the round up post. 

November Sewing Plans

 

It's already November, I can hardly believe it! What are my sewing plans this month? To get a bit of sewing done, essentially! 

I have my project for the Literary Sewing Circle underway, so I know that one will be done soon. But otherwise, my goals for this month are to get my late fall/wintery projects planned out. 

I have been feeling green & purple for fall, so was pleased to see that there were a lot of these colours on the recent runways. I also have a lot in my stash - even if the colours in these photos aren't quite true to the fabrics. It's always hard to get a clear picture. 

Anyhow, here are some of the fabrics and patterns from my stash that I'm thinking of using this November. 

A couple of sheets, a couple of smaller pieces of rayon and a knit.
 The top fabric is much more purple than it appears here. 

And some greens, of all shades! From dark to floral to a greeny-blue, I have lots to choose from

A few new-to-me patterns, an old favourite, and I also have a few Burda
magazines not in this photo that I've earmarked.
I want some skirts, tops and at least one dress!

Any big plans for November? I just want to fit some sewing in among all my other things I've got to do this month... including the holiday sewing of course. Thankfully not too much of that this year. How about you? 

Weekend Review: Sewing Quilted Patchwork Jackets

Sewing Quilted Patchwork Jackets / Rae Cumbie & Carrie Emerson
Mount Joy, PA: Landauer, c2024.
184 p.

I have been reading and enjoying the book over the last week or two, after having checked it out from my library. This might be one of those library books that I'm now going to have to buy for myself. Lots of good info in it! 

It's all about, obviously, quilted patchwork jackets. The subtitle is "Four approaches, Ten Distinctive Designs, Two Downloadable Patterns". This is slightly misleading, as the book is based on the Opus Coat pattern by Fit for Art, and the two patterns are the adult and children's sizes -- available for download but also included in the back of the book as photocopiable patterns. There are four approaches though: whole cloth, patchworked, collaged, or reworking an existing quilt. And there are 10 different projects here, which can look very distinct from one another thanks to small details, aside from fabric choices of course.

The pattern has options for a front band closure, a collar, or even a vest version (all shown on the front). You can adjust those to create a wide contrast front band, extend the jacket into a duster, add applique, pockets or linings, and choose from buttonholes, button loops or snaps as a closure. Lots of variety shown thanks to the many projects included. 

I was intrigued by a couple of the projects in particular, but each one is well thought out and has clear images and instructions. I really appreciated that there are tips throughout for garment sewists who aren't quilters, but also for quilters who aren't garment sewists, about the particular differences that each might need to be aware of. 

It starts with sewing tips, ideas for design, and construction and finishing steps to be aware of. Then it moves into the projects, each of which has large photos for each step and lots of instruction. Like I mentioned earlier, there is a nice variety in the finished projects -- she uses different colourways to show how the jacket can look quite distinct, from jewel tones to Morris prints to denim and orphan quilt blocks. They all give quite a different vibe. 

I think this is a great resource for anyone interested in making a trendy quilted coat from scratch; there is only one (the duster coat) that uses a premade quilt. Well organized, lots of inspiring images and tons of practical information. I was impressed.  

Literary Sewing Circle: 2nd Inspiration Post!

It's time for more inspiration for our sewing projects drawn from Howl's Moving Castle! This week I'll be looking at some of the places and the imagery mentioned in the book to spark some ideas for our own sewing. 
 

Let's start with some of the places in the book. We begin the story in Market Chipping. You could make this Market Skirt by Texture Clothing (including a hidden pocket!) to reflect that. 

Or maybe this cute little Market Dress by SewPronto would suit you! 

Market Chipping sits within the Folding Valley -- so perhaps you'd like to fold up some mountains and valleys in this origami inspired pleated blouse by Liz Haywood! 

If we think about the Moving Castle as Sophie first sees it, you might consider something windswept like the moors it travels on, like the men's Breeze shirt by Twig & Tale. 

Or perhaps you're more interested in the heather that covers the hills outside the castle. You could make a pale green and lavender outfit using the free Heather Dress pattern by Mood

Or go a little more streamlined with the classic Heather Blazer by Friday Pattern Company

Of course there are the other locations that the castle opens onto, perhaps it's one of those that will appeal most. You could try Porthaven -- there are so many inspirations there! You could go literal with the Port Haven beanie, if you know how to crochet

Or you could shorten the name a bit and make the plain Haven Hoodie Dress by CKC Patterns 

Or you could think about the many things found in Port Haven for your ideas. From the sea, to ships, to mermaids, there are many directions you could go! 

Try the Shoreline Top by Natascha Chambers for Tauko

Or the Shoreline Top & Dress by Blank Slate Patterns

Or you could try the Smooth Sailing set by Wearing History 

Or maybe the Wave Dress by Pearl Red Moon on Etsy, lots of options for flowing ocean colours here

Could be the magical fight between Howl and the Witch of the Waste that sparks your imagination! You might try the Cloud Dress over at FibreMood in a stormy colourway

Or something mermaidy that reflects those shrieking mermaids driven onto the rocks to escape the magical storm, like the Tisha Mermaid Dress by Tiana's Closet (another free offering!) 

Or anything really, from MadeForMermaids! 

Maybe it's the Porthaven Marshes that have stuck with you from the story. In that case, you might want to try out the Saltmarsh Skirt by Merchant & Mills. 

The Marshes are where Michael and Sophie go to try to catch a falling star. You could reflect that with the Etoile Dress by French Poetry 

Or Pattern Fantastique's Celestial Dress

There's also the field of flowers that Howl has encouraged to grow on the edges of the Waste, which provides the stock for the flower store they eventually open in Market Chipping. You could go with any kind of floral named dress or top, there are hundreds of them! 

But you might want to challenge yourself with a tricky Flower Patchwork Top from Roberts Wood for something a little different.

You could also just choose a floral fabric that includes some of the flowers from the descriptions in the book.

And speaking of the Waste - that's not a place that anyone wants to go alone. The Witch of the Waste is a villain to be avoided. We'd definitely want to use some "Zero Waste" patterns here 😂

You can find many options at The Craft of Clothes, Liz Haywood's shop. From dresses to tops and pants, to the origami blouse above, you will find a wide variety of low and zero waste patterns at her shop! Maybe even this sweet Lillypilly Dress, a zero waste floral reference ;)

Of course there are many low and zero waste patterns by Birgitta Helmerson, too, including ones in her book Zero Waste Patterns. There is also a New Zealand based research project that has made all their artsy zero/low waste patterns available on their website. MakeUse. You'll definitely get away from the Waste here! 

Or you might want to try this cozy Cardigan and headband set at Bernina - perfect for cozying up in front of Calcifer on a cold night on the moors...far away from the Waste. 

 

Besides patterns themselves, your inspiration might just come from some of the colours and images in the book, whether from the clothes characters wear, or just from elements of the story. Fabric choice can be your main inspiration! 

Calcifer's colours are described very differently in the book than he is shown in the movie version. Our book Calcifer is made up of spiky green and blue and purple flames, with just a hint of orange for eyes. You could find a beautiful print in all those colours and use that for your project, perhaps this batik from ColorMyFab

Or thinking about Sophie as a shop assistant in the beginning of the book, she is in grey as camouflage against busy market days - and then, once she's an old woman, seems to rely on grey as well. Lots of soft, subtle greys to choose from to make something comfy. Maybe this deadstock knit in Heather Grey from Riverside Fabrics would work - referencing both Sophie and the heather on the moors! 

But Howl's greys aren't subtle - they are mixed with scarlet in the suit that Sophie mends magic into. You could try a print featuring both colours, or just make something putting two solids into one outfit. Options could include this fancy floral jacquard, or op-art silk, both from Fabrics-Fabrics. 

Howl's other suit features blue and silver, and ends up as a triangular patchworked outfit. Lots to play with there. Colours, shapes or patchwork could reflect that one! Maybe a fabric to catch all three, like this African print by laprintmaven on Etsy! 

Or you could go with rich reds and velvets, inspired by Kingsbury and the king's messengers, as well as Sophie and Michael's fine clothes bought to visit the King on Howl's behalf. Rich colours, fabrics and designs are suggested in Kingsbury! This red velvet from Ann's Fabrics seems sumptuous enough. 

Sophie's family gives lots of inspo both via their names, as in our first inspiration post, or in some of their descriptions. The dress that Sophie makes for Lettie a year before the story begins is referenced as evidence of her stitching skill. Maybe you want to make a rose dress like that one, using a soft pink fabric in your own right. This 'Baby Noil' viscose linen blend from Fabricana would make a lovely dress.

Fanny swans into Sophie's new house near the end, finely dressed in cream silk, dress and hat, trimmed in roses (made by Sophie)  while mistaking Sophie for a servant at first. Cream silk would be a beautiful option for something luxurious, even if you haven't, like Fanny, married money. This silk crepe de chine from Gala Fabrics is a beautiful choice. 

Martha, meanwhile, works at Cesari's pastry shop; the distinctive packaging at Cesari's might also inspire you! Can you think of a fabric all in pink and white stripes like their cake boxes? Like this one at GK Fashion Fabrics. Or a fabric covered in a cupcake print? 

And finally, Sophie herself is a wonderful inspiration. You could consider making a hat, like she starts out doing, using any pattern that appeals. Lots of fun patterns at MadCap Hats, to start with. Add some flowers or a ribbon and enjoy yourself. Or there is always the classis Rosabelle cloche, a free pattern, that you might want to try out. 

Sophie's stitching is quite magical, and I'm not sure we could replicate that ourselves. But we could give her skills a nod by using any pattern at all from Stitch Witch, a company with a handful of unique patterns to choose from, many of which feel like they'd fit in a fantasy story! 

I'll finish this post with a quote, from when Sophie visits Mrs. Pentstemmon who recognizes the charm on Howl's suit. 

Sophie thought uneasily about the grey and scarlet suit. She had darned the seams without noticing it had anything particular about it. But Mrs. Pentstemmon was an expert on magic, and Sophie was only an expert on clothes. 

Please share in the comments if you have more ideas, or if yours is already underway. I hope you are enjoying your reading!

Community Sale goodies!

Do you enjoy searching community and church fabric sales as much as shopping at thrift stores? I sure do! There was a great sale near me last week & the funds were being raised for a charity organization. So I popped over to see what was there. It was primarily quilting fabric, notions and books (and a LOT of it) but I did find a lovely black and pink tweed/boucle -- and then noticed a few boxes of garment patterns in a corner :)

I had fun searching through them, and found quite a number that were from my fave 80s/early 90s era of patterns, and in my size. (And just realized I missed one of them in this photo, a summer sundress). 

I'm not yet sure what I want to use this lovely fabric to make, but I am keen to try out a couple of these patterns asap. So many of them are fun, look at all the blouses with the huge sleeves! (That's a plus, by the way...) I think I'll try out the McCalls wardrobe pattern and the Vogue first. Now to go through the stash and choose some suitable fabrics, not like I don't have a ton to choose from :) 

It was really fun to join the scrum and see what I could find. I do love paper patterns, especially of this vintage. Never have to worry about having something to do, anyhow!

Weekend Review: Crafting with Slander

 

Crafting With Slander / Barbara Emodi
Concord, CA: C&T Publishing, c2024.
242 p.

I'm going back a little in this series, as I had missed this one, the 3rd in the series, even though I recently reviewed #4! But it doesn't matter too much, as the stories do stand alone even if they are more entertaining when you read in order, since you can follow the characters. 

I really enjoyed this one. The set up was tricky and the solution unexpected. As the story begins, Gasper's Cove is being told that the larger town of Drummond across the causeway is going to amalgamate the community. The residents don't want this at all, but "Mighty Mike" Murphy, the mayor, thinks it's a great idea. (and the crafters start coming up with some wacky ideas to stop it, like blowing up the causeway that separates the two communities, or less violently, using their crafting skills to knit a giant barrier including a button up gate for emergencies.)

There is a municipal election, though, and Valerie's cousin Darlene decides to run. There are a couple of other local candidates, one who runs just to bring attention to the issues he is concerned about, and one more serious candidate, the son of a prominent local family hoping to use this as a stepping stone to bigger and better political roles. 

Valerie steps up as Darlene's campaign manager, and gets her crafters involved. They hand-stencil election signs, cross-stitch up some badges, and generally stump for Darlene. But then Valerie goes to complain to the mayor about some dirty tricks and finds him dead with one of Darlene's signs next to him. Concerned that Darlene is being framed, Valeried starts another round of investigations. 

This one was tricky and has some red herrings that were very convincing to me. There are also a few new characters added into the mix, and some moments where Valerie's nosiness gets her into some serious trouble. Thankfully, as always, Valerie prevails -- even if she starts by accusing a bunch of non-guilty characters! There was fascinating info about local Nova Scotia history, as always, and in this book it was focused on the famous painter Maud Lewis. Readers will always learn something even in these light and entertaining cozies. And as always, sewing and crafting talk is naturally woven into the story. Really enjoyable.