HELLO! YOU are invited to join me virtually on Sundays this summer for SUMMER SUNDAY STITCHING, a very chill virtual hangout for any type of stitching.
We will chat, we will stitch, you do not even need to have your video or sound on if you don’t want to, and we will just spend some time on our projects and cheer each other on.
I can’t wait to support you in carving out some creative time this summer. Mark your interest here, and please spread the word!
I won’t be able to write from the grave
so let me tell you what I love:
oil, vinegar, salt, lettuce, brown bread, butter,
cheese and wine, a windy day, a fireplace,
the children nearby, poems and songs,
a friend sleeping in my bed—
and the short northern nights.
- Fanny Howe
Hello friends,
Here we are on June’s doorstep. I feel delivered on a beach rose petal, carried by atmospheric winds and the deep blue waves. I have spent my last week in an in-between, liminal state of transition, full of rest and relaxation. This was much needed after the final push of the end of the semester, installing and presenting a spring exhibition at school and finally packing up and saying goodbye to the people and places of Sweden whom I have come to love so well.
For now I will be sticking Stateside and am feeling surprisingly good about that. I left in August very ready to “get out of Dodge” and now here I am blithely smiling at strangers who stop to talk to me on the street (which I genuinely find charming), wondering about people’s choice of bumper stickers anew and generally enjoying the peace that comes with being in a place that feels like home.
With that I have enjoyed some activities that did not happen in Sweden— such as driving around blasting music, drinking iced coffee and spending time with my husband and my family. I love that most of my friends are back in the same time zone again and I love chatting with the gas station attendant, waitress, and people who admire my sister’s dog. In short, it’s good to be back. New England inspires me to no end, as I have always known, but being back after nine months away has me singing her praises to everyone and sketching her architecture furiously.
I went on a walk to the local cemetery the other day and was reminded of one of my favorite elements of New England’s folk art, grave decorations in hand-carved slate. I have actually studied this quite in-depth with my mentor and friend Allison Steel, and am a big fan of The Farber Collection, an excellent database of this style of carving. But there is nothing like seeing it in place in a quiet, shady cemetery on a warm day in late spring. There is something to this place.
I think often about the artifacts and the objects that shape our lives, and enjoy visiting sites and archives to see some of these treasures. My time in Sweden was highlighted by visiting many such places from the large to small, personal and public.
I am renewed in my dedication to make objects that are beautiful, quirky, and carry a story. And so, I am happy to announce that I will be opening up my website again to sell some of my creations.
There will be a shop update on SATURDAY JUNE 8TH with lots of pom-pom goodness!!
Having these self-imposed “drops” of products really helps me stay committed to my art making. As is discussed in the podcast episode I recommend down below, the act of making our art and following our creativity and intuition is a perpetual, continuous practice that does not stop. As Autumn states about coming back from a sabbatical year, “I am always in the forest.” She is talking about always being in the creative space. Always needing to let that flow through her. I relate to that very much, and if you do too I hope you are able to give yourself permission to create. It’s hard, but worth it.
I am so excited to be writing to you each month and using this space to communicate my craft journey.
I am now transitioning to making my art and teaching crafts full time and I would deeply appreciate any support you are able to offer me during this transitory phase!
Subscribers will get an extra note every month as well as being added to my “close friends” list on instagram (very chaotic, I promise) and will maybe even get some treats in the real, old-school mail! It will be a fun time. Thanks to those who have already signed up!
Thank you for supporting my work as a craftsperson and an artist!
~LOOKING AHEAD~
I was quite burned out at the start of last month on sewing, and I am happy to say that with rest and other diversions taking up my attention I have gotten some of my sew-jo back. There are the 1780’s stays, there is the idea of some new clothes, as I wrote about last month (just need to set up my new studio space— more on that in the next letter!).
SWIM
A big goal for my summer is to DABBLE in making swimwear. I have sewn a few bathing suits, and am fairly comfortable with sewing stretch material in general, but I think sewing one or two bathing suits for myself could be a good challenge.
My current ideas are an underwire bikini and a vintage-inspired one piece with a sheer skirt, like my mom had in the 90s. Why don’t more bathing suits have skirts?? They really should!
I would love to become more comfortable with sewing lingerie/underwire— I am so inspired by my friend Bess’ stunning creations. Similar to some historical costumes, lingerie sewing has a lot of little bits and bobs that are so fun to gather and use. I also would love to get more experience with sewing sheer fabrics. So stay tuned on that!
1820’s Ball Gown
I am hoping to create an 1820’s ballgown this summer to wear for the Lafayette Tour which will be hitting many spots along the east coast.
Right now I am leaning towards something like this gown, which is from the collection of Tasha Tudor’s that was given to Colonial Williamsburg. I am also interested in some sheer overlay for the skirt and the sleeves, so that will be some more practice of sewing with sheer fabrics as well (though likely hand sewing).
I would love to start some historical costume events in Western Massachusetts. If you are interested in joining please let me know!
Last thoughts:
I listened to this episode of How to Survive the End of the World podcast as I was flying home from Sweden. I found one of the host’s experience of returning from a year of sabbatical to be incredibly resonant with my own experience of being at craft school for nine months. They reflect on time, orientation to life, making space and dedication to your practices, with lots of laughs along the way.
If you are a new to sewing OR haven’t picked up fabric and thread in a while, I wanted to shout out my friend Camille’s online sewing membership, Thimble Studios. She has, with care and a quality touch, filmed over five garment sew-a-longs, has virtual open hours, and offers an incredible amount of support and attention to detail. It is £25 per month, which I think is a great deal for the amount of information and attention you will receive. Wouldn’t you sign up for an in-person class at that price?
I will leave you once again with art from my friend Sophie (fellow air/earth/water sign) quoting Ursula K. Le Guin:
But we, insofar as we have power over the world and over one another, we must learn to do what the leaf and the whale and the wind do of their own nature. We must learn to keep the balance. Having intelligence, we must not act in ignorance. Having choice, we must not act without responsibility.
See you at the river,
Lily
Don’t forget to sign up for Summer Sunday Sewing (and I will offer a later time slot later in the summer, for all you sleepyheads and West Coasters ;))!!
And THANK YOU to my subscribers!
Lovely 🧡
Lovely read! Looking forward to seeing your Pom Pom creations in your shop