stay home and sew!
Designing and making has always had a soothing effect on me, when I look back on my life I’ve often turned to the sewing machine when I’ve needed calm and quiet. Solving a pattern or a fit problem, working out how to best construct a garment, doing it over and over until perfect…patience, stillness, distraction.
This week, like millions of other people around the world, I was stood down from my job. I’ve been working 4 days a week making patterns for a bridal label here in Adelaide. Of course the brides have been postponing their weddings, and new orders are sure to drop off as brides put off planning a wedding amongst all the uncertainty. Who can blame them? I loved my job, have always enjoyed working in a design room with like minded people, hopefully they will have me back when the world returns to normal.
In the meantime I’ve turned to my studio and Daydream Patterns. I’m so grateful for it right now, I’ve got something to keep my mind and my hands busy, to calm this anxiety that I’m not used to feeling. My Pandora Pj’s pattern is currently being tested by ladies all over the world who are in lockdown or close to it. I’m happy to provide a little joy and distraction for them at least.
I’ve got lots planned to keep me busy besides testing and launching a new pattern. I plan to write a few tutorial blog posts that are long overdue. I want to play around with my website and change a few things, listen to podcasts and finish the book I’m reading for book club – ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ by Delia Owens. I’m planning a class for my Fleur flower pattern, and we’re going to start work on my daughters Year 12 formal dress – it involves lots of pink tulle! We’re not sure when her formal will actually be now, but we’ll be ready for it.
The online sewing community is a nice place to be at the moment, and I’m glad to be a part of it. Follow #stayhomeandsew on Instagram and see what everyone is up to. I hope you take this time to refresh, finish some projects or start some new ones, clean your sewing space, organise your patterns or use some of your fabric stash! Stay well. X
