Peppermintβs New Sewing Expert Commits To Shopping Her Fabric Stashβ¦
- Words by Peppermint
We are beyond thrilled to introduce Peppermintβs sparkly new Sewing Coordinator, the lovely Laura Jackson. Based on Gubbi Gubbi land (the Sunshine Coast), Laura is a wearer of all things bright and homemade and the master of all matters stitchy and crafty. This multi-talented human (she is also our People and Culture expert) is our go-to gal for pep talks, project inspiration and sewing conundrums. So, if youβve got a question, we reckon she probably has the answer; send it Lauraβs way at sewing@peppermintmag.com.Β
In her first article for Peppermint, Laura tells us about an encounter with a pattern designer that sparked a year-long shopping challengeβ¦Β
WORDS: LAURA JACKSON PHOTOS: KELLEY SHEENAN
I recently met a wonderful pattern designer who told me that she doesnβt have a fabric stash; instead, she buys material specifically for each project. Let me tell you, I had a physical response to this news. As someone who has a heaving stash of beautiful fabrics in her studio (see above), I just couldnβt fathom how this fellow sewist was able to walk past aisles and aisles β and trawl through pages and pages of websites β filled with colours and textures without accruing a little pile of treasure for her future self to sew.
Trust me, I know this new friend has the right idea. When we buy for a specific project, we purchase the amount of fabric we need, which leads to fewer kilos of textile landfill β and letβs face it, thatβs something we should all be striving for.
Which got me thinking, could I possibly commit to a year of βshopping my stashβ? That is, only using fabrics that I already have in my studio?Β
Being blessed (cursed?) with some healthy self-belief and a can-do attitude, I was quick to commit to the challengeβ¦ sort of. When it comes to new ideas, I have a tendency to be a bit gung-ho β I lean in just a little too hard. Over the years, Iβve learned that going cold turkey isnβt always the path to success. As a performance coach (my other career!) I know that sometimes smaller measures will get you closer to where you want to go. So, what does that look like for this βshop my stashβ mission?Β
The first rule is that I have to dig through my collection before I consider other fabric sources. If thereβs something that suits the pattern I plan to sew and itβs the right size, then β ding, ding, ding! β we have a winner! If not, my next step is thrifting. If I see something I love in an op shop, if thereβs fabric up for grabs on a community noticeboard or if I find a treasure at a destash market, I can buy it.Β
Gifted fabric is another exception. If my mother-in-law happens to give me the 1970s baroque gold bedspread thatβs on the downstairs bed in my husbandβs family home, then I can accept it and turn it into a coat (come on, Enid, hook a sister up!). If Iβm given new fabric for a Peppermint project, Iβll take it. And if Iβm sewing for a specific event or occasion, thereβs some wiggle room in the rules there, too.
While this might read like a rather long list of loopholes, my mission ultimately comes down to being more intentional about what I sew with. So many of us are trying to be more present in our daily life, to buy food and nurture our relationships in a more considered way, why shouldnβt we extend that thinking to our crafts?
So, I invite you to join me as I embark on a year of shopping my stash. Whoβs with me? Tag your Peppermint sewing pattern makes with #PeppermintShoppingMyStash and we can celebrate a year of thrifty, sustainable projects together (who knows, you might just find yourself in our next instalment of The Stitch Up!).
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Brighten up your inbox with our not-too-frequent emails featuring Peppermint-related news, events, competitions and more!
explore
MoreΒ articles
When you hang a painting on a wall, the story stays put. But when you wear a beautifully made garment that may as well be a piece of art? The story travels. It moves through the world with you β…
We all do it: fire up the car for a 5-minute drive to pick up groceries, drop off sewing supplies, or run a quick errand…
Hereβs a question: who decided that natural fibres arenβt a great fit in activewear? For Geraldton mum-of-four Jade Payne, that question became paramount after a…
Fancy a getaway in a heritage building that was once a hospital, an orphanage AND a school in a previous life? Despite what your initial…
When the algorithm gods reward dance trends over hand-thrown ceramics, and building a website feels more stressful than a tax return, whereβs a maker to…
Time-travelling lungfish floating in a mosaic of glass tiles, a four-breasted female empowerment goddess cast in bronze, and a striking botanical sculpture spanning 15 metres,…
Hang out with us on Instagram
βCrafting is something that has come naturally since I was small and I just havenβt stopped. When I was smaller, I was interested in the end result. As Iβve gotten older, I realise itβs the process that keeps me coming back to craft. Itβs a meditative state for me and I find the repetitive action of the stitching and felting quite therapeutic.ββ
β
Craving a world filled with warmth and whimsy? Itβs all in a dayβs work for textile artist @Cat_Rabbit, whose latest book, βTrinketsβ, is bursting with felty food friends to make and cherish. Cat invited us into her universe, filled with cheeky characters, layered storytelling and loads of humour. β
β
Plus: try the super sweet pattern for Catβs Lucky Pickle, perfect to make as a stocking stuffer, extracted from Trinkets. β
β
Read more from our βJust felt rightβ feature in Issue 64, at newsagents and stockists now!β
β
Photos: Tatanja Ross @On_JacksonStreet and Cat Rabbitβ
β
#PeppermintMagazine #CatRabbit #LuckyPickle #Craft #Crafting #Felting #FeltCrafts #Trinkets #ChristmasDecorations
Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the Bondi Beach violence, especially the Jewish community. Also to the beachgoers, those who bravely helped and the first responders.β
β
While it`s easy β and understandable β to get caught up in the horror of it all and direct anger at certain groups, remember this quote from teacher and author Erin Gruwell: "Don`t let the actions of a few determine the way you feel about an entire group."β
β
βYou don`t fight racism with racism. You fight racism with solidarity," said Bobby Seale of the Black Panthers. And solidarity is exactly what we need right now.β
β
If you are feeling overwhelmed, you are not alone. Remember there is much more kindness in the world than hate. β€οΈβπ©Ήβ
β
@LifelineAustralia has created a Bondi Beach Incident: Wellbeing support guide, where youβll find information about common reactions, reassurance that what youβre feeling is valid, and ideas for taking care of your wellbeing.β
β
https://lifeline.org.au/bondi-incidentβ
β
You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14, text on 0477 13 11 14 or chat at lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat anytime, no matter how this has impacted you.β
β
@BeyondBlueOfficial is also available with free 24/7 support by phone on 1300 22 4636 or webchat at https://www.beyondblue.org.au/β
β
Register.Find.Reunite. has been activated by @RedCrossAu to help people reconnect with family and friends. Visit redcross.org.au to access the service.β
β
@NSWPolice Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC) is operating 24/7 on 1800 227 228 for information relating to people impacted.β
β
@LifeBloodAu is supporting Sydney hospitals. O- and O+ blood are always in high demand in emergencies. To donate (from anywhere in Australia β all states are welcome and helpful!) call 13 14 95 or use the Lifeblood app.
Just a reminder⦠from @SugarHouseCeramicCo
This holiday season be kind, patient and shop local!
#ShopSmall #ShopLocal #SupportSmallBusiness
β¨οΈ Our website is getting a glow-up! β¨οΈβ
β
Sorry for the inconvenience but it will be offline for a few days. You can still purchase subscriptions (perfect for chrissy presents!) via the links on the holding page.β
β
Last year we were extremely excited to receive funding from the Meta Australian News Fund, in partnership with the Walkley Foundation. The result of this is a fabulous new website, with a sustainable fashion and sewing directory that will follow early next year. We`ve worked with the lovely Amy and Jenny at @CrumpetClubHouse who have been making the magic happen β we can`t wait to show you the outcome! β¨οΈβ
β
In the meantime, please get in touch if you need help with anything β hello@peppermintmag.com β
β
We`ll see you on the other side! π
π 12 DAYS OF XMAS GIVEAWAYS πβ
β
πOn the 12th day of Christmas, weβre giving awayβ¦ a GREENPAN FROST ICE CREAM & FROZEN DRINK MAKER! πβ
β
Ice, ice, baby! Calling all kitchen magicians and dessert devotees: itβs time to churn, blend and devour your way to frozen heaven. Itβs our final giveaway β and hoo girl, itβs a goodie! Thanks to the clever folks at @TheOriginalGreenPan.Anz, one reader will cool their mitts on the Frost Ice Cream & Frozen Drink Maker β perfect for conjuring up home-made gelato, sorbet, smoothies, slushies and more!
Valued at $599, the Frost Ice Cream & Frozen Drink Maker is designed with GreenPanβs signature Thermolonβ’ ceramic non-stick coating, so you can whip up summer-ready sweet treats free of PFAS, PFOA, lead and cadmium.
To snag this frosty prize, follow @TheOriginalGreenPan.Anz and tag a friend in the comments below before midday AEST 15 December! (Australian and New Zealand addresses only, please.) Good luck!
Update: The lucky winner of our final giveaway is @just__for__van - congrats! We`ll dm to get your details. Well done! π
β
#PeppermintMagazine #12DaysOfChristmas #12DaysOfGiveaways #GreenPan
Oh hey ππΌ Just a little reminder that our subscriptions are sent in paper envelopes, which is a bit of a rarity in our industry. π
πΌβ
β
If you need more reasons to subscribe, how about these:β
β
π Enjoy a new issue arriving in your letterbox every six months.β
π Subscribers exclusively receive FOUR digital sewing patterns per year!β
π Youβll be the first to get your hands (and needles) on our patterns with early access.β
π Get a 20% discount code on back issues of Peppermint so you can start your collection today!β
π Automatically go in the draw to win amazing prizes each issue.β
π Feel good about your subscription arriving in plastic-free postage.β
π Support a small, women-led Australian business.β
π Help us make the world a better place!β
β
And... it`s a perfect Christmas present! We have a downloadable card you can print to go with your gift. β
β
π Link in bio!β
β
#PeppermintMagazine #SupportSmallBusiness #ShopLocal #ShopSustainable #PlasticFree β
