Our new issue is here! And its beautiful cover art by Lisa Congdon proudly proclaims a sentiment near and dear to our Peppermint hearts: you belong here. Yes, you do.

We interviewed Lisa for issue 64 and she said of this artwork: “We are in unprecedented times in the United States, at least in terms of having a government who openly and unabashedly disparages, rejects and causes harm to trans folks and other marginalised groups, including immigrants. So my team decided I should make a piece of art that included the words ‘You Belong Here’ that people could hang in their homes, and this piece was born.”

Our gorgeous summer issue is full of creativity, inclusivity and belonging. Our cover is the front door, welcoming you into our house of hope. You are welcome. You are valued. Take a seat at our table. YOU BELONG HERE. 🫶

Visit the tiny, off-grid house of Sophie Kovic, founder of Seed & Sprout, and listen and learn from four trans or non-binary folk championing their right to belong – Georgie Stone, Rudi Landmann, Sunday Jemmott and Kim Leutwyler. Hear about the power of preloved and style to reclaim identity with Nat Shehata, and Perth photographer Amanda Battle explains how her Women Of Water Project has brought sisterhood and second chances from the sea.

Read how zero waste designer and sewist Birgitta Helmersson is turning fabric scraps into fashion gold, while a sewing side hustle from Famin Ahmed has helped lift the lid on domestic violence. Indigenous filmmaker Rachel Perkins  shifts her focus to fashion with Atyene, and Amanda Hayman of Aboriginal Art Co helps us show solidarity with the oldest continuing culture on Earth with a roundup of deadly brands. Explore the handmade felt world of maker Cat Rabbit (plus a FREE Lucky Pickle DIY!), pore over the beautiful embroidered tapestries by the Porgai Artisans as documented by Melanie Hinds and be inspired by Jen Jeavons who decided to walk away from ‘having it all’.

And, of course, there’s a new sewing pattern – meet the Daisy Dress! Created with support from our pals at Potter & Co and Sew Your Way, this flowy, blousy dress offers a bounty of fun features and custom styling options. Raglan sleeves promise fullness and fabulousness, topped off by the optional insertion of lace or trim (swoon!). Designed with lots of ease (with a tie belt to cinch), a button placket down the front, pockets and a band collar, the Daisy can be easily shortened or lengthened to suit your whims or weather. The digital pattern for the Daisy is free with Issue 64! 

We’re so grateful to our sewing partners for helping make this pattern happen. Potter & Co, proudly based in WA, are a small-but-mighty wholesale and retail textile merchant that has been supplying fabric to the fashion industry for over 25 years. While they specialise in linen – all OEKO-TEX certified no less – their bricks-and-mortar and online store also carry plenty of other fabrics to tempt your textile tendencies. ⁠Thanks also to Sew Your Way and their stylish sewing accessories. Keep pins handy with the Magnetic Pin Cushion Wristband or the Terrazzo Pin Dish, and their SiliPins are a must; the heat-safe, silicone head pins are designed for accessibility and ease – game-changing for sewists with arthritis, grip issues or dexterity challenges.⁠ 

We hope this issue helps spread the important message of belonging, along with a liberal dash of sewing, style and sustainability. To get your copy, swing by our online shop or your closest stockist. Happy reading! 🌈⁠

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