August Studio Newsletter
laying the groundwork
Announcing: In-Person Sewing Classes starting in September in Northampton, MA!
I invite you to take a class at Common Thread Studio, my new sewing school!
I will be teaching a few beginner sewing classes, where we will make a few simple but useful projects, including a tote bag and pajama pants.
There will also be classes for students to bring their own project or idea and get guidance and instruction in an individual process-based format.
I have the hope to also do a sew-along style class, where we will all work from the same pattern, but adjust the garment to our own custom measurements (such as a Button-Down Shirt, Trousers, or a Jumpsuit)!
I am currently working on getting all the listings and enrollment options online, and will send out another note with them soon!
Hello friends,
Where to begin? This letter is a few days late, simply because I realized it was August 1st a few days ago and knew that I couldn’t crank out a letter that very day. And as I’m a staunch imperfectionist, I had to let it go on for a few more days. :)
But really, I’ve been turning it over in my mind, what to write about this month? I haven’t started, or finished, any grand projects. There aren’t many photos, as my days have been filled by working with children and otherwise taking care of basic things.
I began the summer with high expectations. Somehow the brain smooths out all of the different tasks and tells me it will be simple. Oh, move into a studio? Start a sewing school business? Find housing for September, not to mention keep the cars in shape, eat as deliciously as possible, water the plants, swim in the ocean, and remember everyone’s birthdays? That doesn’t even touch on getting health insurance, or finding new doctors and dentists! All things needed when moving to a new area, even if we’ve lived here before. Phew!!
No wonder I see September on the horizon and feel as though I’m just beginning the actual tasks I have been wanting to do. There are building blocks, stairs, to succeeding what you wish to accomplish. And sometimes you do need to follow the path to get to where you want to go, however slowly it takes. That didn’t stop me from sewing on the living room floor to try and finish my Dad’s shirt, or starting a scrap yarn sweater to knit in slow moments at work. But that’s not really my ideal, and I think things are slowly steadying and galloping onwards.
Here is what I’ve been up to (other than all that above):
STUDIO
In early July I moved into a collective space where I have a 10x10’ (3x3 m) area all to myself. It has been perfect for storing my supplies and new loom but I really want to make it nice for creating. So far I am painting my floor, and plan on adding some more textile furnishings and shelves.
Enjoy this time lapse of me setting up my loom (which I have subsequently dismantled as space is a valuable commodity, and I don’t have all the weaving tools I need):
KNITTING
You may remember these socks from a few months back! Well there are two of them, and I’m creeping up on finishing the second one. As soon as I finish I want to cast on for another pair in another colorwork pattern, they are so much fun to make. The pattern is from the book Selbu Patterns and the yarn is Tynn Peer Gynt by Sandnes Garn.
I’ve also been starting to plan my fall knitting. I started knitting a Scrap Sweater, inspired by Kayla of Nap Time. I have sooooOOooo many yarn scraps from my 20+ years of knitting, and I am using a good chunky size 7 US/4.5 mm knitting needles so it is flying by compared to my Scandinavian-influenced tiny gauge.
There are lots of other knitting ideas on the back burner, including the red, white, and black “binge” (pronounced bingah in English) style sweater I started last winter… TBC!
DAD’S SHIRT
Here is my dad wearing an almost finished button down shirt I am making for him from some fabric I picked up at a secondhand store in Sweden. I hope to finish it soon! The pattern is the Negroni by Seamwork.
COMMON THREAD STUDIO
As I mentioned above, I am super excited to be launching a bunch of sewing classes for this fall and on into the future in my local area of western massachusetts!
Common Thread Studios is the name of my business, and I am teaching at a few different locations in the area. I have my own classroom and I also am teaching with Art Always, a local art studio. Both are located in Florence, MA.
Classes for September and October 2024 include:
Open Guided Sew (bring your own projects!)
Beginner Sewing classes
Private lessons (1 hr, 1/2 day, or full day)
Keep an eye out for sign-up links coming later this month!
Recommendations:
Lately my cartography interest led me to discover the national USGS Map Survey website, which has a very easy download option. I enjoyed looking at them and planning some projects I am working on. I hope to get a large-scale print out of them at some point to decorate my studio.
Beverage of the month is an avocado smoothie with mint! I don’t remember if I have mentioned this one before, but it is worth repeating! A local restaurant makes these and they are absolutely delicious.
My friend Sarah Jean, of @sarahjeanclothes, is teaching a class next month on Sewing Your Own 18th Century Shortgown. It looks like it will be a magical day filled with good food, interesting lectures by Sarah Jean, and lots of cozy hand-sewing. If you have been looking to get into sewing by hand or historical sewing, I highly recommend! It is just north of NYC.
I recently rediscovered Laine Magazine, a knitting periodical from Finland (in English). I have been looking for some fun magazines to subscribe to and this one looks to be full of beautiful photos, interesting patterns, and thoughtful stories about fiber. Do you have any favorite print subscriptions?
Thank you for reading. If you enjoy my newsletter please support my work with a subscription or share it!
to august,
Lily
Omg, I’m so excited to sign up for a class with you!