I don’t know about you but I’ve found it hard to come into this space recently. I’ve been on Insta a bit, but have struggled to find words to do justice to everything that is happening in, and to, the world.
Other people have been far more eloquent than I. Suffice to say that I’ve been sitting with significant discomfort and distress, and working to educate myself and my family to enable us to be actively anti-racist going forwards. We hadn’t been doing enough. We are changing that.
We’re also making plans to change our lifestyle so that we can embrace the new slower pace enforced on us by the global pandemic, to bring the best bits of our pre-Covid life into a new, slower, more aware post-pandemic way of living.
Whilst many people have found the lockdown has given them time to be more productive, I’ve found the opposite. Having the whole family at home has been time consuming, in the nicest possible way, especially trying to “homeschool” (and I use that term VERY loosely) two small peeps.
I’ve not had much time to sew, but here’s a couple of things I have made for Summer.
First up is a wee Mini Ogden Cami by True Bias. This pattern has been in my stash for forever, but I’ve never actually made it. And theoretically it shouldn’t fit now, because Summer is 12 and this is a size 10. But she’s petite so we got away with it!
She’s styled it with jeans here because the weather in Lancashire at the moment is more October than July. Poor kid was shivering whilst I snapped these photos. I’m hoping for warmer days over the summer break where she can pair this with shorts and be cool!
I love this pattern. It’s so quick and simple to sew. And a great way of using up larger scraps from another make.
This fabric was bought when I went to RayStitch, and from two metres I got this Mini Ogden, a cami for me, and the lining of the blazer that’s up next.
It’s a light soft cotton with a sateen finish and it’s delightful. I love this colour so much.
The jacket is the Cadin Knit Blazer from Heidi & Finn. I love Heidi & Finn’s patterns. I’ve made the Cowl Neck Sweater so many times and Summer still loves that design.
This blazer is set to become another favourite.
Firstly it’s made from the last of the Ponte De Roma from Fabric Godmother that has been in my stash for ages. I’m on such a mission to sew up stash fabric this year, so that’s a win.
It’s a deceptively simple sew. The lining should be jersey, but I didn’t have any in stash, so used the same blue as the Mini Ogden Cami. In theory it shouldn’t have worked, but it did. Although Summer has requested jersey next time as without doubt it’s her fabric of choice (hello, sensory processing disorder!).
I also added the bright blue under the collar for a flash of colour should she need it.
One other change I made, at her request, was to put in three buttons rather than the proscribed single one. She chose the mod inspired buttons from stash.
I love this blazer. So does Summer. She’s already talking about future versions, but she’s going to have to wait because my wardrobe is looking bare.
However, both of these patterns are keepers and highly recommended.
I’ve also been sewing shorts and a cami for me. It’s probably the reason the weather has been so vile in these parts recently. I’m awaiting fasteners for the shorts and then I’ll be back to share them soon.
Until then, keep safe. xx
Kristin says
Summer is gorgeous. Those garments look great on her. And to veer sharply, I share that same sense of impending dread and concern that all of the things that need to change may end up being brushed off as sound bites on social media. I don’t know what the answer is. Sometimes I am “fine”, sometimes I feel like I’m losing my balance in a serious way. But truly, my life has been challenging on a number of fronts over the past few years (reno from hell, chronic pain, ongoing medical conditions, mental health issues, perimenopause – and my mother is just recovering from a second bout of cancer which she doesn’t want me to tell the world about. It resulted in a double mastectomy, 2 emergency surgeries and some seriously hard, hard months). Point is – am I losing my marbles cuz of COVID (which, at least, allows me to work in my pjs) or for all of the other reasons? I’m also absurdly privileged so shouldn’t I simply focus on the amazing things I do have (entirely by chance)? Now I’m just rambling…
Evie says
Oh Kristen, I’m so sorry to hear that you mum has been ill again. She is in my prayers for a speedy and full recovery. Cancer is such an insidious disease. But I suspect your mum is cut from the same cloth as you and is a strong lady. This will stand her in good stead.
Chronic pain is no small thing either. It’s exhausting and debilitating. Dave’s mum suffers from it and I’m in awe of anyone who has this and doesn’t just take to her bed and never come out. Chuck in hormones (they totally suck!), Covid, and watching the world burn itself, these are hard times. If your mental health is already challenged (and I think that’s most of us – I know our house is a directory of mental health and other challenges) then these are really hard times for the best of us.
Add in the guilt of having the privilege of being able to isolate your family in warmth and safety and have access to good food and everything you need, it seems churlish to be troubled by it all.
And our privilege doesn’t diminish the trials we are all going through.
For me, I’m trying to pay forward on that privilege by supporting the causes that are making the change, and educating myself and my children so that when we can be back in the world (please God let the schools safely open in September) we can be the change. If every one of us that can safely do so stayed home, supported small local businesses when we can, wore masks if we’re able when we do go out, and educate ourselves and our children, that would surely help.
If we can also financially support the organisations that are fighting for equality in all arenas, supporting children and women who are victims of abuse, and those that cannot help themselves due to circumstances beyond their control, then we can really change the world.
Steps off soapbox
Please stay safe, my friend. And send our healing wishes to your mum.
Kristin says
Your way of managing is excellent and I am in AWE of parents these days (I mean the parents of the kids who aren’t yet grown ups). You have multiple full time jobs. I’d have lost it 10 minutes in and I am not being hyperbolic. I too am putting my money where it matters and I am eternally grateful for my safety and the comforts of my lifestyle. Re my mum: The cancer has been very hard. Only 1 per cent of women get breast cancer twice (in diff breasts) of diff sorts. Mercifully, this one was hormonally receptive (another triple negative would have been a management scenario). But we’ve now learned that she has some serious (and not entirely knowable) issues with blood clotting and lymphadema. Her first surgery was in November. Her last one (rushed to ER during COVID in an southern American city) was the day after my 50th in June. (These bookended months of treatment that was awful – and she’d done it all before…) 2 of her 4 surgeries were very serious and I am grateful beyond all measure that she is still with us. But I know she will not take any more treatments regardless of what the future brings. I’m still grappling. I know you lost your beloved dad and we will all lose our parents eventually. But how does anyone ever recover from it?
Evie says
I’ll be honest, I don’t often last the 10 minutes! Ours is a loud household, and we wear our hearts on our sleeves. But love is always at the centre of it and we always work it out. But it’s hard. I think being a parent is tough at the best of times, but add in additional needs and the best part of half a year out of school and cooped up together, and even the most serene of us will be losing our shit!
The situation with your mum must be unbearable. Dad was ill and passed very quickly and whilst we lost him in the middle of the adoption so it took me many years to come back to it an grieve, I didn’t have a prolonged period of uncertainty. I think your mother is inconceivably brave to embrace life at it’s rawest, whatever that may bring. And you for supporting her decisions. I’m sending virtual hugs to you both.
I can’t say you ever get used to the loss. But you get used to living with it. And you learn to breathe again after the shock. But we are 11 years without dad and I still speak to him, often out loud.
I don’t know if that helps. I do hope it does. Stay strong and be kind to yourself.
Kristin says
What a beautiful response. Thank you xo