Literary Sewing Circle: Author Feature

SUSIN NIELSEN is a multiple award-winning novelist and screenwriter who recently wrapped the fourth season of her critically acclaimed hour-long comedy-drama series, Family Law. She’s written over a hundred hours of television and is also the author of seven best-selling young adult novels. Her books have won the Governor General’s Literary Award, the UKLA award and over a dozen young readers’ choice awards. In 2019, she was awarded the Writers’ Trust Vicki Metcalf Award for a body of work. Her books have been translated around the world.

SNAP is Nielsen’s debut adult novel. We are so lucky to have Susin with us today! 

Welcome, Susin, and thank you for taking the time to do this interview for the Literary Sewing Circle! Can you tell us a bit about how you came to write Snap? What was the genesis of this story?

The idea first came to me because, as the author of seven middle-grade/YA novels and a handful of picture books, I’ve done a lot of school visits over the years. A lot of surprises can happen during these visits, and I’m pretty good at rolling with the punches. But very early on in my novel-writing career, around 2010, I had a mortifying experience at a middle school that shall remain nameless. A young boy raised his hand during Q & A and said something misogynistic and just plain gross. I saw the shock on a teacher’s face. Afterward she beelined up to me, and I assumed she was going to say the boy would be dealt with and disciplined. Instead she asked, “You said you worked on Degrassi. Did you meet Drake?” 

I was furious. I asked if I had permission to talk to the boy, who was now almost out of the gym. I chased him down and gave him an earful, asking if he would talk to his mother like that, or his sister. I remember thinking, “Who is this person who’s taken over my body,” and also “I wonder who’s going to be in more trouble – the boy, or me?” A couple of weeks later I got a written apology from the boy, so I guess I was in the clear from the school. 

But by the time I was leaving the school, still shaking with disbelief, the voice in my head said, “This could be a hilarious scene in a novel.” It took me over ten more years to begin what became Snap.

I love the interplay of the characters in this novel. They are all so distinct, and their relationships make the story sing. How do you approach writing such different characters, while making their individual “snap” moments so relatable? And which character came to you first?

Frances came to me first, because she is closest to me in some ways. Geraint was the second. I love Geraint. Parker started off as quite a different character, her voice was harder to find. She had a different name in my first draft. But once I realized she was called Parker Poplawski, her character started coming to life. Regarding approaching them, I guess I just try to make everyone distinct, and it often comes from building small character traits or bits of background info. Small things like knowing Geraint was always big for his age and got teased for that and his Welsh accent as a kid, or Parker’s mom being so self-centred, or the fact that she’s into vision boards and manifesting - as you build these traits it starts to build out the character.

This story blends humour with the darker, or more serious, themes that the characters face. How difficult is it to do this?

This is a really tough question to answer. I have always loved blending comedy and humour, so I think that aspect comes naturally to me. Which isn’t to say any of it is easy; it isn’t. I find it never gets easier, either!

I really love Parker’s connections to sewing and creativity. Do you have connections to textile arts, clothing and/or fashion in your own life? If so, in what ways have you been involved in sewing or fabric arts over your life?

NO! I’m just the worst when it comes to that sort of creativity. I wish it wasn’t true, but there it is. I tried to learn to sew but it never stuck. I never learned to knit. I am creative but not at all artistic. 

Finally, there are so many threads woven in to this story for readers to explore. What do you hope readers will take away?

I always write hopeful books. I think what I would hope people could take away is that we all make mistakes, but we can also perhaps learn to forgive, and to also open ourselves up to new people, new friendships. 

And if you wish to share, are you working on anything else that’s upcoming?

Yes! I’m finishing up a new novel that should be out in 2027. We have a working title but I probably shouldn’t say it yet as it may still change. And my TV show, Family Law, is running its fourth and final season right now on Global TV. 

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I hope you are enjoying Snap so far! Please leave any thoughts on your reading or this interview here. You can also find more about Susin at her website or Instagram. 

April Sewing Plans

 

Well, March flew by! And I feel like I have an even busier April coming up. But one good thing, I did get to almost everything on my March plans list -- finished my patchwork vest, launched the latest Literary Sewing Circle, completed the Fabricville project I needed to get posted, and have made good progress on my Sudoku Wardrobe so far. 

The Sudoku wardrobe is the big thing I plan to keep working on during April. I've just finished the fifth piece of my plan, five more to go. Not sure I'll get there but it's still fun to make pieces that go together. I'll keep reviewing pieces as I go along. 

Other plans are to tentatively make a project from an IKEA duvet I picked up recently, for the Earth Day upcycling contest at PatternReview -- there is also a challenge at StyleArc for something similar so perhaps I will try one of my StyleArc patterns for this, the Bronte or the Xanthe, maybe. If I have time between my Sudoku sews! I've been enjoying sewing with a premade plan, it makes things a bit easier when it's time to head to the sewing room. But I also like having some freedom to switch things up so we'll see how this all goes. 

So April is already pretty full of plans, not much room for many more. I'm trying to stay focused and finish this plan off!

Weekend Review: Bog Fashion

 

Bog Fashion / Nicole DeRushie
Furulund, Sweden: Chronocopia, c2025.
192 p.

Now this was an unusual sewing book! Thanks to my library, I was able to travel back in time to find out all about Bronze & Iron Age clothing. History, examples, textile facts, plus pattern instructions to recreate tunics, capes, shoes and more. Absolutely fascinating. 

The author is Canadian but based in the UK, and is both a spinner and weaver herself as well as having a Masters in History from a UK university. So her degrees plus her hands-on experience combine to make this a great read. She covers so much about how we even know what we do about textiles from this era (hint: thank the preservative powers of a bog). She talks about important finds and places them in context, so you can understand the development of textiles in various communities in England and Scandinavia over the centuries. Absolutely riveted by this book! 

It's really well organized, covering prehistoric clothing sources, materials, tools and techniques, spinning and weaving, cloth, colours, pins and needles (plants and bone), various stitches that were found to be in use, and then the garments themselves. The projects include how to make a Blackthorn pin or bone needle, wrap garments, tunics, tubular garments, skirt, trousers, shoes, belt, and metal pins like the ones used to hold garments together. Plus a bonus hat at the end -- that one was very unusual. 

Each chapter was intriguing, and included many sketches and photos to show both historical info and her modern re-creations. It was so engrossing, looking at a garment and learning about the weave or fibres that might have been used, and how it may have been dyed or worn. And why certain things were preserved - usually as grave clothing. 

It is very well written, informative and not at all dry. So grounded in practical knowledge, and so full of human life in so many ways. I loved this one! The author includes a bibliography, some of which I've read (including Women's Work, which I also enjoyed).  Any sewist who has an interest in the past will find this book a wonderful read.  

Literary Sewing Circle: Book Talk!

Today's the day for some beginning book talk! How are you doing with the book? Have you started it yet? Finished it? Finding it slower or easy to get through? Do you have any reactions you'd like to share? 

Here are a few questions to ponder today and for the next while -- whether you have begun reading, or you've only read blurbs & author interviews so far and still have something to say, join in! Although there might be a few spoilers in the questions and discussion below so if you haven't got too far yet you might want to come back to this post.

You can reply to these questions, or add your own impressions. If you want to hear other takes on a part of the book that you are curious about, leave your own questions in the comments, too. Here is my own review of this book from the first time I read it. 

We'll be having another book discussion on the last post of this round if you would like to add more thorough comments there, after we've all finished it. 

 

1. If you decided to pick up this book and read it for this round, why? Was it the description or just the challenge that caught you first?

2. Are you at all familiar with the setting of this book? If so, does this add anything to the read for you?

3. Is there a particular character that you've enjoyed so far? Any particular themes that stand out for you?

4. Do you find the reasons behind the characters' "snap" moments believable? Relatable? 

5. What do you think of the structure, having the storyline shift between the three main characters? Does it work for you? 

6.  Is there anything specific  in the book that has sparked an idea for a project yet? Are you mulling over any ideas?

Counting on this Marcy Tilton top for Fabricville

I recently ordered this cotton fabric from Fabricville for my latest spring blogger project. I also ordered a Vogue dress pattern to go with it, but when I received the fabric, I thought that a cotton top would be a better fit for the hand of this fabric, and would also work better with the scale of the print. Fortunately, I'd just bought Vogue 2030, a Marcy Tilton woven top pattern that seemed like a better match.

I had to be so careful cutting this out, as I wanted to line up the pattern across the front, at the side seams, and at the lower pocket seam as well. Not perfectly, but at least get the lines level so it didn't disturb the eye too much. I think it worked out quite well, the pattern feels regular across the whole piece. 

I like the visual effect, rather like a smock. But this was a tough project overall! There were so many issues I had while making this, and it began to feel a little exhausting. 

The pattern itself was not the best I've ever experienced. The fit looks a bit relaxed on the cover, but the pattern is quite close fitting. I cut it at 16, the largest option on my pattern, which matches my measurements. However, while the seams are 5/8, I sewed up my side seams and underarm seams at 3/8 to give myself a bit more room once I'd tried it on. It's still a bit closer fitting in the bust and especially in the arms than I'd prefer, but this fabric does have a fair bit of give to it, so it's not uncomfortable, just that I like a bit more ease usually. It fits quite close overall so do be conscious of that if you choose to make this too. 

The other issues I had were the sleeve openings on the view I made - there are cute keyhole openings at the cuff, solely for decorative purposes as a band is also sewn on afterward. These took a long time to get right, and they don't sit flat at the top. I think there needed to be more of a curve at the top edge somehow. The angle at the top is kind of poky-outy. 

And that collar!! It took ages to figure out how to attach it so that the ends didn't poke out to the front between the attached facing seam. I had to fiddle with it, baste it, tear it out, adjust it again, try again, tear it out again, etc. quite a few times. I finally just fudged it enough that it looked alright and enclosed everything. I couldn't really make sense of the instructions or the illustration for this step -- I tried it as I could understand it from the drawings and it just wouldn't work. Still, now that it's done it is kind of interesting - I can wear it standing as designed, or undo the top button and then fold it down if I want a more shirt collar look. 

So I think I'd say that this pattern itself is not one I'm too keen to repeat any time soon. I do like the final product, although I'd like it even more if it were a touch larger. I'm not sure what I did wrong on this one - I thought I'd measured it all accurately, but clearly not. Still, it's wearable and the fabric is a lot of fun. And I love the pockets on the front, slightly slouchy and artsy. This one is right in the middle for me; I don't hate it but the issues with it mean I don't fully love it either. Oh well, I am sure I can make it work in my wardrobe! And one other good thing about it is that it matches with my ongoing Sudoku wardrobe project, so I can use it in one of my grid squares for that as well. One more down!

Weekend Review: A Sewist's Diary

Patchwork: a sewist's diary / Maddie Ballard
Portland, OR: Tin House, c2025.
144 p.

Today's book is a memoir in short chapters, arranged around garments sewn by the author. Each chapter starts with a garment and a list of what was needed to make it; then the essay goes in many directions, musing on life and larger issues. 

Ballard has arranged the book to follow her life chronology, at least loosely. In the first few chapters she is in love, living with a partner during Covid lockdowns. Then they have broken up and she is living with her grandmother (that relationship is really special), then she's going back to school and moves to a new city once more. She is a New Zealander, and this book takes place in that country. But there are many layers to her essays. 

She talks about her mixed Chinese heritage, while she sews a cheongsam embroidered with the names of her female relatives. There are discussions of friendship, family, the guilt she feels at not speaking Cantonese better, the way that clothing reflects her personal identity and more. There is some talk about fast fashion, the politics of making, and the way that hand making slows down the pace of life in a kind of resistance to capitalist busy work.  

I liked the way that sewing was the core of the book, and everything revolved around the project she was working on in each chapter. Sewing talk was a big part of the book, from fabrics to patterns to techniques, and her comment that sewing for yourself means believing in your future self. I thought that was a charming way to think of sewing a wardrobe. 

I found this a pretty good read - it's short, the hardcover includes sketches of the garments she's talking about, and sewists will relate to the crafty content. The writing is thoughtful and lyrical, but she is a younger writer so the book does contain its share of angst as well. Still, the concept is lovely and I appreciated the recognition that handcraft can help shape a life. 

 

Literary Sewing Circle: Inspiration!

 

It's the first week of our Literary Sewing Circle featuring Snap by Susin Nielsen! Have you found a copy yet? Have you started reading? If so, how are you finding the opening chapters? 

Today's inspiration is going to look at some of the characters in this story; we'll find ideas based on their names. Here are a few suggestions of projects you could make based on these elements. 

Let's start with our main characters. Frances, Geraint and Parker are the heart of this story. One name from this trio may be the inspiration to get you started. 

There are lots of great ideas based on Frances! You could start with some relaxed Fran pyjamas by Closet Core, hopefully they'll be in better shape than the ones Frances was wearing at the beginning of the book... 

Or you could try the Frances Tee & Dress by Victory Patterns, for a comfortable but slightly more elevated look than sweatpants. 

The Frances Shirt Dress by Pattern Sewciety might reflect the kind of outfit Frances might have worn for school visits or for court dates, to look respectable! 

Or this pretty tee, for backyard parties or coffee dates with her writer friends, the Frances Top by FibreMood 

Maybe it is Frances' swimming habits that appeal to you most, and you want to make something inspired by her days at the pool. You could try the Frankie One Piece Swimsuit by Edgewater Ave

Now for Parker - she has a much younger, DIY aesthetic, with her self-made outfits. You might be inspired by a loose tiered dress that could reflect her relaxed style, like the Parker Skater Dress by Styla Patterns 

Or self-drafting a tank top could be something to give a nod to her handmade designs, too. Maybe this Parker Panel Tank Tutorial by Sew Daily  You might even be able to make this using tea towels like Parker does. 

Or perhaps you're thinking of something fancy like the silver evening dress she dons during the scene at the hotel near the end of the book, in that case you could try out something like the Parker Pencil Dress by Luyion on Etsy 

There wasn't much out there inspired by Geraint, at least not by his name! But this Geraint Bag by IThinkSew could be just the thing for him to carry as he's rescuing odds and sods from around the bay! 

There are many inspirations you can take from the family members of our main characters as well. 

Geraint's son Keanu could inspire a backpack he might use to carry his schoolbooks. The Keanu Backpack by UhOh Creations  would be perfect! 

You could also make yourself a dress just inspired by the name! The Keanu Dress by MOCHA  is a lovely one. 

Geraint's estranged wife Darlene could inspire an outfit, maybe the Darlene Dress by Tiana's Closet - it's also a free pattern.

Or Parker's family might be your inspo. Her boyfriend Alexei could be reflected by the Alexi Knit Top by StyleArc

Or her mother Sharon could spark some ideas! The Sharon Bag by Ithinksew would fit Sharon's peripatetic lifestyle. She could tote stuff in this one for sure. 

Or the Sharon Ruffled Top by Tiana's Closet is a possibility - it reflects her lifestyle down in Mexico, quite light and holidayish. 

Frances' family provides a bunch of potential! You might be inspired by Daisy and her post-uni lifestyle, with the Daisy Dress by Winslet's 

Or maybe something more functional, with the Max Overalls by Minapop Studios as a nod to her son Max. 

The Jeremy Bow-Tie by Youtique Bridal (pattern link under video) is a great fit for Jeremy

Or, Jeremy's new partner Kelly could inspire a make of the Kelly Anorak by Closet Core 

Frances' mother might make you think of the Cordelia Dress by Veronica Tucker  - it's a pretty summer dress, easy to wear. 

Frances' best friend Jules might inspire you to make the Jules Woven Tunic by Style Arc - she might wear something this casual for one of her dinner parties. 

And then carry the Jules Bag by Lacus Bags  to complete the outfit. 

Meanwhile, Jules' wife Carmen might give you ideas for a whole outfit, with the Carmen Pants by Sew Creative Lounge

Made alongside the Carmen Blouse by BianSewStudio - a free pattern

It could be a few of the side characters who catch your interest. Their Anger Management instructor Dennis might show up with the Dennis Knitted Tie by Kathleen Dames on Ravelry

While their corrections officer Carol might wear something practical like the Carol Jacket by Silhouette Patterns 

Or she might even dress up a little with the Carol Sweatshirt Dress by Pattydoo -- not too dressy for Carol! 

Their fellow Anger Management class attendee, Byron, might inspire you to make the Byron Romper set by Sinclair Patterns 

Or when we meet Parker's former boss near the end, she could inspire the Wanda Wrap Dress by Wardrobe by Me

Or perhaps you might be thinking more along the lines of this simple Wanda knit top by Sirena Patterns, which would go very well under the denim overalls that Wanda wears when she meets up with Parker, Frances & Jules. 

Frances' new friend Eoin might inspire (using the more usual spelling) the Owen Trousers by FibreMood

While nosy neighbour Cheryl, who always gets her knickers in a twist about everything, might make you think of the Cheryl Panty by Pin Up Girls 😄

For more full coverage she might also go for the Cheryl Bodysuit by FibreMood

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I hope this journey through the character names has given you some potential ideas! If you have other suggestions or ideas for your own project, feel free to share in the comments for others to explore. And I hope you've gotten your hands on a copy and have enjoyed it so far!