Stitch it Good - Books!

 Well hello!

I've had such a hard time reading books over the last 12 months.  There are many possible reasons including moving, my spouse's cancer surgery, social-media, the election, etc.  But really I think the mental exhaustion from the Pandemic is the main culprit, at least for me.  My attention span has been distilled down to a few articles in The New Yorker, the "Home" section of the NYTimes and indie magazines including Taproot, Making, and In Her Studio.

But I'm not giving up on Books.  I just need to identify material that matches my current reading habits.  I'm delighted to shar my first find, Patch Work: A Life Amongst Clothes by Claire Wilcox.  I first learned about this book after reading a briefly-noted review in The New Yorker and truly believe it was the universe speaking to me.  Ms. Wilcox is the lead fashion curator at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London.  Her professional career has produced beautiful exhibits of the work by x, x, and x.  But this book focuses on her life before and leading up to her current work.  Each chapter is a vignette connecting the threads in her own life.  I now once again look forward to reading and am having to pace myself so that I don't finish it too quickly.

Zines and self-published books are alive and well.  I recently purchased How to Cut up Shirts by Zac Foster, a $3 little publication you can print at home.  It's adorable and perfect for our age of upcycling.  Take those patches and turn them into quilts, draft-stoppers, and masks.  

If instead of cutting apart shirts, you want to make shirts by hand, check out Hand Sewing Clothing: A Guide by Louisa Owen Sonstroem. I'm currently on the waitlist for a copy and can hardly wait for it to arrive! You do need to have some basic sewing skills but don't let that deter you from learning. Sewing by hand is all about the process, not about the product.

Looking for those quilt patterns? The Personal Library Quilt by Heather Givans can be found here. To download the Little Library set of 6 foundation paper pieced blocks, visit this link and to download the Tall Tales Quilt Block go here. Another favorite book pattern is Book Nerd by Angel Pingel. And don't forget to to check out Patchwork Please by Ayumi Takahashi for a number of lovely projects including a book block.

And last but certainly not least, do track down a copy of Gwen Marston's delightful book on how to sew fabric picture books. Gwen passed away in April of 2016 but we are so lucky that she wrote many books, gave many lectures and created many beautiful quilts from which we can continue to learn. I count myself lucky to have discovered her early in my sewing journey as her pure love of creating inspired me to be fearless in cutting up fabric!

I wish you a safe week. If you can, please take a few moments to read something that inspires your creativity.

Happy Stitching!

xoxo

Stitch it Good Wednesday Topics - Late!

Well hello!

I have already broken my New Year's Resolution of posting once a week following my radio show.  But I vow to get back to it!

This past week was a fairly quiet show due to the fact that I had recently received the second dose of the Covid Vaccine.  I'm feeling very well now and am so grateful for science and the possibility that we can once again start meeting with friends in person!

During last Wednesday's show I shared the concept of Wabi Sabi which is part of the Zen philosophy of impermanence.  Wabi Sabi has found a new life in our current culture as a way to recognize the value of "thing" contrary to our throw-away culture.  In my life I've incorporated this concept by repairing my clothes including sweaters, sweatshirts, jeans and accessories.  Sometimes an item is beyond repair and so it can be upcycled into something else entirely.  Jeans become a quilt, sweaters become mittens.  To learn more about the Wabi Sabi philosophy in Japanese culture, check out "wabi sabi: The Japanese Art of Impermanence" by Andrew Juniper.

With regard to upcycling, I recently became aware of two organizations that are taking fashion fabrics off the cutting room floor and turning them into something else.  FABSCRAP is a NYC-based non-profit that is taking textile waste and offering it to students, artists and others for reuse.  They also have a brick and mortar shop where one can shop for fabrics.  A local, Mercer based organization has been taking the knit fabrics (jersey, spandex, etc) from FABSCRAP and turning it into beautiful, one-of-a-kind blankets and accessories.  Inspired-Threads employs vulnerable community members to create each item and is days away from opening a workroom for their artists.  Be sure to visit their website to learn more and support their mission. 

As always, to view Stitch it Good playlists, visit this link for my recent shows.  Be sure to listen this week when I share some of my recent favorite books.

Happy Stitching.

xoxo

Wednesdays we wear pink

 Well hello!

Last week was the first show on my new day, Wednesdays.  Same time 10am - noon ET.  Grateful for all those who tuned in.

The week got away from me before I could write about everything from the show.  When the show was pre-recorded I would write this post while the show was broadcasting live.  Now I need to figure out a new plan to make sure that I do this in a timely manner so I don't forget everything!

Ok.  Back to the task at hand.  Last week's show.  So many topics!  Virtual craft workshops!  Superbowl parties! Valentine's Day Treats!  Curated gift box subscriptions!

My favorite local places for Valentine's Day treats and eats: Lillipies, The Gingered Peach, The Factory Girl and Terra Momo.

Looking for unique, crafty and vintage gift ideas?  Consider Antique Sugar ephemera and trinkets box or Hello Bargello needlepoint kits.  HiTops, a local organization whose purpose is to offer youth sexual education and support is sending Winter Cheer Boxes to kids in their support groups.  You can make a donation here.

Upcoming crafty virtual weekends: Vogue Knitting Virtual Live, QuiltCon, and Quiltfest.  Also be sure to register for Melanie Falick's next virtual Zoom presentation and interview.

I'll be watching the Super Bowl tonight and munching on: french onion dip, with Ruffles potato chips, 7 layer-dip, and Buffalo wings.  No fancy cocktails happening here - just regular old beer, probably this one.

I'm excited for this week's Valentine show.  I've been putting together the playlist and coming up with a bunch of activities for you including crafting, stitching and baking.  Until then.  Stay safe and be well.

And go build yourself a little snow person.  

Happy Stitching.

xoxo