Winter Issue 61

Our first Peppermint Pattern is here! Meet the Tansey Top • Embroidery joy from our cover artist Fleur Woods • The curious power of the compliment • Plastic-free beauty round-up • Colourful threads from Ellie Whittaker • Speaking out on mental health • Bangarra Dance Theatre • Building better communities • A fun thrift flip • 'Behind the seams' with Nancybird • Accessible art with Studio A • Visible mending • Using textile waste to forge connections

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A print magazine about style, sustainability and substance

Illustrator Claire Ritchie Talks Influences, Gardening and Studio Essentials

If you happen to have come across Claire Ritchie’s joyful, feel-good illustrations, then it will come as no surprise to...

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Creative Escape: Designer Carlie Ballard’s Guide to the Central Coast

Offering up glorious scenery in all seasons, NSW’s Central Coast is particularly appealing in the springtime, when the great outdoors...

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Dangerous Females Fundraising Runway: Fashion, Fun & All The Feels

Seeking to contribute to a good cause, indulge in creativity, connection and community, and you’d like it served with a...

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Clean + Conscious Awards Winners: The Best Serums, Swimmers and Snacks For A Green Glow Up

If you’re in the market for zero-waste skincare, tried-and-trusted period products, disposable nappies, ethically produced chocolate – ALL of the...

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Country to Couture: Fashion As A Celebration Of Culture And Creativity

Two sold-out shows, 20 collections and 60,000 years of culture woven together with modern innovation; the stunning spectacle that was...

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Join The Repair Revolution With These Stylish & Durable Textile Mending Patches

Meet Sophie and Megan Dyring, the sisters who turned a wardrobe malfunction into a nifty solution – beautifully designed textile...

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7 Acts of Everyday Activism to Drive Change in Modern Times

Global warming, plastic pollution, societal inequality, female education in the developing world, the plight of asylum seekers, animal rights –...

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Comfortable, Colourful, Cowboy! Upcycled Style With Arizona-Based Francisco Diaz

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Francisco Diaz (@CiscoSews) is a multidisciplinary artist, designer and sewist with a focus on upcycling. Through...

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The Major Labels Leading the Charge on Renewables (It’s Not Who You Expect)

In truth, the facts are pretty dire when it comes to Big Fashion’s use of renewable energy. But it’s not...

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Horticulture for Happiness: 5 Ways To Benefit From The Power Of Plants

Ever since the Persians began creating pleasure gardens back in 500 BC to indulge their senses through beauty, fragrance and...

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Forget the Dishes! Put Your Tea Towels to Work With These Crafty Upcycles

If you’ve been following us over the past few weeks, you know we’re already knee-deep in thrifted-goods upcycling projects (see:...

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The Waste-Free Kitchen: 6 Recipes From Scrap-Buster Alex Elliott-Howery

Despite knowing we need to reduce our food waste, we all sometimes end up with ingredients that leave us stumped....

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Stick to your guns about the things that really matter. You should never compromise on the right thing to do just because it's easier.

BRIANNE WEST, ISSUE 61

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1 DAY LEFT! 🌸

These words from the amazing @EllieWhittakerStudio just may have had us reaching for tissues. We see you, Ellie. 🫶🏼🥹

There’s one day left to grab this issue from the newsagents - the next issue is three months away and if these words from Ellie don’t inspire you to run and nab one, we don’t know what will.

“Why did I leave my copy unopened for 3 days? 🫣 …I doubted myself. Sometimes I get awkward and muddled in person. I worried about my (new!) dress not being perfect and my hair going wild and that my studio wasn’t “artsy” enough and that people will think I’m all fun and games and no brains and well…I had NOTHING to worry about. 😆 I never doubted @peppermintmagazine and @kelleysheenan or @_housefrau ! 

I doubted me. 

All of my fears were a reflection of me feeling generally unsure about myself at the time of the interview…but I think I had the wrong idea about this. @kelleysheenan and @_housefrau (the incredible photographer and awesome person!) weren’t trying to capture *my idea of what the perfect artist is*, they were trying to capture me. As I am. Puppy at my feet. Tongue tripping over my ridiculous ideas about trends and how I find inspiration from just having bad eyesight / misunderstanding the world… it was and really is the greatest honour to be “seen”. And they made me feel it.

I also spoke about how I use my designs to try and create shared connection and joy… and I hope that all of you here feel that.
The biggest thanks to all of you. For being here. For humouring me and my Big Dreams ☺️💖
Also. I can’t wait to show you this dress haha I’m in love!

Thank you @peppermintmagazine!”

#fabricdesign #elliewhittaker #textiledesign #textiledesigner #PeppermintMagazine #MeMade
3 DAYS LEFT! 🌸⁠
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A little reminder of why you need to run out and grab this issue before it's gone from shelves! ⁠
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In the pages of this cosy companion, you'll discover the exquisite work of our cover artist @FleurWoodsArt, peek inside the colourful world of fabric designer @EllieWhittakerStudio, try a fun DIY thrift flip with @Coolirpa and read about how @TheNestCommunity is using textile waste to provide a safe, supportive space to create. We’re choosing self-expression over perfection in our visible mending feature, speaking up about mental health with @SamLeightonDore, @TradeMutt and @IAmSallySteele and exploring innovative projects that are building better communities around the globe, while @DrRebeccaRay shares her thoughts on finding your rhythm in a world obsessed with productivity. ⁠
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Our sewing coordinator @Laura_The_Maker discovers the joys of giving compliments, while a round-up of plastic-free beauty products may have you garnering a few of your own. We go ‘behind the seams’ with @NancybirdDesign, talk accessible art with @_Studio_A_ and explore First Nations storytelling with @BangarraDanceTheatre. You might even draw some ideas for your creative ventures from stories on environmentalist and entrepreneur @BrianneMWest, scientist-turned-photographer @MarnieHawson and the magical ceramic creations of @Earth_Darlings. ⁠
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And of course, you'll also get the #PeppermintTanseyTop printed pattern FREE!⁠
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What are you waiting for?! Grab your copy today from your local newsagent! Happy reading ✨⁠
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#PeppermintMagazine #SustainableFashion #EthicalFashion #SocialImpact #NaturalBeauty #Handmade #SlowMakers #MeMade #BeKind #IndigenousDesign #ClimateAction #SewistsOfInstagram
OBSESSED! 💐

From @verdeflowerco: “I’ve had this idea for a bouquet bag in my head for months now, and then yesterday I sat down to turn it into a reality. With a wax fabric lining, adjustable straps and frankly the cutest branded embroidered patch in the world, it’s my masterpiece. I popped to the garden to test drive it today and I can confirm it’s GREAT. Maybe a small limited run on the way??”
 
#VerdeFlowerCo #TheBouquetBag #BouquetBag #GrownNotFlown
4 DAYS LEFT! 🌼⁠
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You better start hightailing it to the shops peeps, there are only four days left until your local newsagent will be taking this beauty from their shelves.⁠
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This gorgeous photo is from our friends at @YogiPeaceClub, who just happened to win gold for 🍃BEST ECO YOGA MAT🍃 in the @CleanAndConscious_Awards - congrats!⁠
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Yogi Peace Club gave our wonderful Letterbox writers a natural rubber and recycled PET plastic bottle mat in this issue. "As a small business it takes a lot of hard work and resilience. But when you have successes it makes it all worth it. Thank you Peppermint Magazine for this opportunity to feature our yoga brand in your thoughtful and uplifting magazine. It means so much to us."⁠
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#PeppermintMagazine #SocialImpact #ClimateAction #SustainableFashion #SustainableLiving #EcoYoga
Ever wondered how to piece together an A4 sewing pattern?

Good news, pin pals! You asked and we listened. We know that it can be tricky to navigate putting together an A4 / US Letter downloadable sewing pattern, and so Laura, our sewing expert extraordinaire, is here to help step you through the process. ✨✂️✨

Grab your (non-fabric!!!) scissors along with your printer, paper, pattern and playlist and let’s go!

#PeppermintMagazine #PeppermintPatterns #SewistsOfInstagram #MeMade #MeMadeFashion #SewingPatterns #HowTo