Jane of the Jungle
- Words by Peppermint
If there’s one woman who’s passionate about protecting the beautiful and biodiverse planet we live on, it’s the internationally renowned conservationist and humanitarian Dr Jane Goodall. To celebrate World Environment Day and Jane’s Australian tour, we’re giving away a double pass to her show at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast at 2pm this Sunday 8 June! Simply leave a comment telling us what action you’ll be taking to reduce your impact on the earth this World Environment Day (Thursday 5 June). And if you’re not our lucky winner, don’t fret! Tickets for the event are still available (and can also be purchased at the door for any last minute decision makers). We had a quick chat with Jane about food issues, the importance of inspiring others and creating positive change in the world…
How can each individual make a difference in the world?
One reason people do nothing is that they contemplate the damage to the environment that we have done (and continue to do), and have a sense of helplessness and hopelessness. “What difference can it possibly make,” they say to themselves, “if I pick up litter, buy organic food, conserve water and so on”. Indeed, if we were alone on the planet our individual actions would make no difference. But we are not alone, and when 100, a 1000, a million and more people start to make ethical choices every day this will start to make a bigger and bigger difference. So, let each of us spend a little time, each day, thinking of the consequences of our choices – what we buy to eat, to wear and so on. How far has each item come, was harm caused to the environment or cruelty to animals, is it cheap because it used child slave labour, factory farmed animals, sweat shops. Do we actually NEED yet another pair of shoes. Another car. Organic food may cost a little more, but then we will value it more and waste less.
Why is it so important to inspire the next generation to care for our planet?
Many of us are working very hard to protect wildlife and wilderness areas – and if the next generations do not grow up to be better stewards of the planet than we have been, all our efforts will have been in vain.
You’re very passionate about food. What are the most important food issues facing the world today?
Crops grown as monocultures, resulting in the loss of biodiversity. The use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. Cheap fast foods and the link to obesity. Genetically modified crops. The destruction of hundreds of square kilometres of forest and other environments to grow grain to feed the billions of animals in intensive farms, as more and more people eat more and more meat. And, of course, the industry subjects animals to the most horrible cruelty.
What would you like people to remember this World Environment Day?
That the main difference between us and other animals is the explosive development of our intellect. So how come a creature with such a clever brain is destroying the planet, our only home? Remember that every day, every one of us makes an impact. And we have a choice as to the kind of impact we want to make.
{WIN: If you’d like a double pass to Jane Goodall’s show at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast at 2pm this Sunday 8 June, leave a comment telling us what action you’ll be taking to reduce your impact on the earth this World Environment Day! The winner will be drawn after 4pm on Thursday 5 June 2014.}
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The fabulous Fern! We heart this make from the wonderful Trixie Johnston of @WithLoveTrixie:
"I’m chuffed to have collaborated with @PeppermintMagazine to bring you my version of the #PeppermintFernPleatedPants ✨
Featuring a wide leg fit with pleated front, slash pockets and a nifty centre back invisible zip. I really enjoyed the way this pattern is drafted to fit, which means a lot coming from a mum navigating postpartum curves. It’s tailored yet comfortable and hugs me in all the right places without any additional fit adjustments.
I also want to give a massive shout to the Fern’s sewing partners @Sohmo_Au for sending me a cookie tin of quality sewing goodies that I used throughout the project and @IndyBindyFabrics fabrics who provided the most incredible black cotton Sashiko-ori fabric. This fabric was made on a custom loom that weaves in a traditional sashiko (decorative running stitch pattern) and it’s a texture unlike anything I’ve sewn before.�
Details: �
• Size G – No mods. (I selected the size based off my waist measurements) Note: Size ranges from A-P (!!!)
• Fern Pleated Pants Pattern, SOHMO tools and Fabric were gifted however, Peppermint magazine’s ‘Pay what you can’ model provides such amazing patterns at a sustainable, affordable cost.
• Matching top is a modified version of The Carol Top from @SummerHaus_ (size 10)"
#PeppermintPatterns #IndyBindyFabrics #Sohmo #MeMade
“When people get old, they die. This art form is like a plant. You may think it has died, but nurture it, and it will come back to life. It lives on through generations.”
These words by Gami, an artisan who helped revive the lost tradition of Lambadi embroidery, speaks to the wisdom that Meanjin/Brisbane photographer Melanie Hinds (@WithThePeaches) experienced during her visit to Sittilingi village in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, India, in 2023. Melanie went there to document how the once-nomadic Lambadi tribe are reviving their traditional embroidery craftsmanship and transforming their community through the @PorgaiArtisans Association’s artists’ residency.
Her photos became part of the ‘Stitching Stories’ exhibition at the India Ocean Craft Triennial (IOTA24) Program hosted in Fremantle: an intimate portrait of the women empowered both economically and socially by the initiative, and their captivating work. Gaelle Beech of @TheAnjelmsProject also helped make this exhibition a reality.
Nothing goes to waste in their craft, says Melanie, with even the smallest fabric scraps transformed into toys for children or woven into ropes for beds. “Through their intricate hand-stitched work, these women are preserving a centuries-old craft.”
Discover the beauty in our ‘Pride of place’ feature in Issue 64, at stockists now.
#PeppermintMagazine #PorgaiArtisans #LambadiEmbroidery #Craft #TraditionalEmbroidery
West End inside and out!
How fabulous is this make from Lisa of @SunnySewsEveryday using the West End Jacket pattern (created in collab with Camille @CamiMadePatterns) for both a shirt AND jacket! 👏🏼
“Now have a Westend shirt to wear with my Westend jacket. I just can’t get enough of this pattern. I went down two sizes and used a brushed cotton from Pound Fabrics.”
Grab this gorgeous gender-neutral pattern from our website now!
#PeppermintPatterns #PeppermintWestEndJacket #JacketPattern #MeMade
Frame your face with the Peppermint Bucket Hat!
Stay safe and stylish in the sun with your very own self-sewn and self-drafted wide-brimmed bucket hat. This beginner-friendly sew is perfect for a sunny day. Get out your pencils – this pattern is created using equations and maths!
This DIY project was featured in Issue 53 and now you can access it for the lovely low price of only $5.
Sun-safe chic is always in style. ☀️
Find it via the link in our bio!
Photos: @KelleySheenan
#PeppermintPatterns #PeppermintBucketHat #BucketHat #BucketHatPattern #DIY
At @Life_Instyle, the focus is firmly on curating things that support real life: objects made to be lived with, loved, and returned to day after day. From tactile materials and emotional utility to Australian-made craftsmanship and slower, more considered production, the trends emerging may not be loud, but you can bet they’re lasting.
Ahead of their Sydney showcase this February, we asked Life Instyle’s Exhibition Director Nina Vidale to share her take on the values, ideas and rituals shaping the year to come, and the brands leading the way with care for people, planet and the creative process.
Read more about the top ethical design trends, and why values-led design (be it sustainability, craftsmanship, longevity, Australian-made) are resonating so strongly right now at the link in bio!
✨️ Life Instyle Sydney/Eora Country
📅 14-17 February 2026
📍 ICC, Darling Harbour
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #EthicalShopping #DesignTrends
Has the Peppermint Acacia A-line Skirt made it to your sewing list yet? It`s perfect for summer, and is great layered over tights for the cooler days. Lengthen it, or wear it short – you do you!🪡
Did you know if you buy the digital version of Issue 63, you`ll nab the digital pattern for free? And the printed version comes with the print issue of 63... winning all round.
Made in collaboration with our friends at @WeftAndWarpFabrics, our version of the Acacia A-line Skirt pattern was sewn using the Tollerton 100% cotton 9oz denim. We added contrast top stitching using Gutermann Professional Jeans Thread in Dark Gold 1970 for that classic look.
Head to the link in bio to nab this pattern now – or grab it free with Issue 63!🪡
Images: @KelleySheenan
Model: @LoveStepha
Artwork: @MelanieShmelanie at North Lakes Library
Fabric: Denim from @WeftAndWarpFabrics
#PeppermintAcaciaAlineSkirt #PeppermintMagazine #PeppermintPatterns #MeMade #WeftAndWarpFabrics
