Here we go – MARCHin’ on through 2021! Anyone else lost all track of time? I don’t even know what day it is anymore. But I do know that it’s time for a monthly list of what I’m lovin’ so read on!
1. Textile recycling
Trish Stitched has a post with tons of great resources for keeping your clothing from ending up in a landfill. Her post enlightened me to several places textiles in my life can be recycled:
- Clothes: Ensure your old clothes are properly recycled with a Take Back Bag from For Days.
- Underwear: Knickey will take your old undies and turn them into insulation, rug pads, and rags.
- Bras: Harper Wilde will recycle your old bras! Each order includes a Recycling Kit, but if you’re not in the market to purchase, you can still ship them your old bras by just paying for shipping (go here > click “Recycle Bra” to get started > Look for the link “Don’t have an order at home?“).
- Fabric Scraps: H&M will take them!
2. Quilts as Garments
This is making the list two months in a row! I just heard about Psychic Outlaw – they will turn your quilt into a garment. Look at these beauties!
If you are interested in making your own quilted coat, here’s all you need to know (and here’s another post about how to make a quilted coat with your scraps).
3. Sewing + advocacy
This combination is more generally known as craftivism. If you haven’t heard of it, here’s a great example!
An inspiring but incredibly heartbreaking (and eye-opening) article highlighted what happened when the Seattle Indian Health Board requested more PPE for Washington’s Native population: they received body bags instead. The public health researcher who was part of the Seattle Indian Health Board who made the PPE request transformed one of the body bags into a traditional ribbon dress.
Another sewing + advocacy example: This lovely profile of Chawne Kimber and her quilts from The Washington Post. I saw one of her quilts at QuiltCon in 2017 and have been a huge fan of her work ever since.
4. Coloring
One of my favorite activities to do with my toddler is color. It’s so relaxing. Spoonflower just released their 2nd coloring book that you can download and print for free! (Once you’re done with those pages, you can download the first edition here.)
5. Vintage Pyrex
My sister & I are big fans of vintage Pyrex (and love going antiquing for them together!). We have a small collection of special pieces we’ve gifted each other.
Apartment Therapy interviewed some Pyrex experts and spilled the beans on how to find the best pieces to add to your collection!
6. Cute animals (always)
It’s been a rough month. Getting lost among these 75 pictures of adorable animals was therapeutic.
7. Organizing
I am such a sucker for organizing. These 100 best organizing tips from Good Housekeeping are amazing.
8. Decreasing Food Waste
Have you tried a food waste app? These 7 sound really interesting.
9. Garment care for longevity
Recently I’ve started doing more repair on garments we already own (several pairs of the Hubs’ pants were my guinea pigs). This expert guide to making clothes last was full of some really great care tips (also included: how and why to feed your moths). Orsola de Castro (the expert being interviewed in the article) just released a related book: Loved Clothes Last* – it’s on my wish list!
10. Buy Nothing Groups
This article about how anything can show up on Facebook Buy Nothing Groups was a lovely read. If you haven’t heard of Buy Nothing Groups, go here and find one near you!
11. Empowering Women & Girls
Did you know that talking openly about periods can improve confidence among girls? Here are 10 ways you can help girls and women overcome period-related barriers (and build confidence!). The data included in the article is eye-opening.
12. Parenting from a place of simplicity
This interview with Michaeleen Doucleff about her research into parents around the world using millennia-old methods to raise good kids is incredibly fascinating.
13. Frugal Minimalism
It may sound like an oxymoron but Mrs. Frugalwoods shares all the secrets of balancing minimalism with frugality.
14. VP Harris visited fibre space
Not only do I appreciate that she visited a woman-owned yarn shop to highlight the importance of small business support right now, but she also confessed that she knows how to crochet!
15. Building a sustainable handmade wardrobe
I feel like this is my life’s never-ending mission since I’ll never have enough time to sew the capsule wardrobe of my dreams, BUT I love these 6 tips from Alexis Bailey.
Sewing Patterns I’m Lovin’ Right Now:
Goldfinch Limited: LAWRENCE TOP
The Lawrence Top is a recently released zero-waste pattern that I’m totally smitten with!
Zero waste sewing fascinates me and I just discovered there’s a whole database being built full of zero-waste patterns which is super exciting.
Versions I’m lovin’:
- Emily is wearing TWO versions in this post – it can double as a jacket!
J. Desirée Studio: ALLISON TENT DRESS
With the ruffles at the bottom and on the sleeves you can look chic while staying cozy (this dress is definitely pandemic-friendly! 😉 ).
Versions I’m lovin’:
- The drape, the print, and the boots!
- It even looks great in Essex linen.
- I dare you not to smile at this yellow dress!
- Using the ruffles to showcase an embroidered border print is genius.
Birgitta Helmersson: GATHER DRESS
Another zero-waste pattern! In fact, this designer has a full shop of zero-waste patterns.
Versions I’m lovin’:
- Swetha shared all the details about her beautiful Tencel version on the Hemline Eclectic blog.
- Mel’s pastel stripe version is dreamy!
- This tie-dyed version is lovely.
- Louisa’s army green version is simply perfect.
- Edina wore her mint green version at 40-weeks pregnant and postpartum.
- Anaise confirmed that the dress is perfect for twirling alone at home (#PandemicLife).
- Lou’s version looks like the celebration it should be! And her version made from a duvet cover is brilliant.
- Blue & white stripes are so classic.
- Ambrosia’s rainbow version makes me happy.
More inspiration (I fell down this rabbit hole): #ZWGatherDress
Podcast Episodes I’m Lovin’ Right Now:
Terrible, Thanks for asking: Who Cares? (Part 1): Fairplay at Home w/Eve Rodsky
- I’m a big fan of Eve Rodsky’s Fair Play*! This interview with her is so timely. Whether you are parenting through this pandemic or not, her message is one that should be universally heard in order for systemic change to happen (plus, you can hear my new mantra: “Be a cultural warrior!”).
Terrible, thanks for asking: What’s Negative About Positivity?
- Clearly I’ve been bingeing episodes of TTFA 😉 This episode is all about Toxic Positivity and brought me many epiphanies.
REveal: INTO THE COVID ICU
- This podcast follows a recent medical graduate as she embarks on her career as a physician in the midst of a pandemic. She raises an incredibly valuable point towards the end when she says that by calling medical workers “heroes” throughout this pandemic we have been able to distance ourselves from our personal responsibilities and opportunities to be the heroes ourselves (by saying no to parties and gatherings, avoiding travel, etc.).
Scam Goddess: The Maga Manipulator with Tahir Moore
- If you want to laugh hysterically while riding alone in your car, listen to this podcast. Seriously, I haven’t laughed this hard in a l o n g time! Highly recommend.
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Thank you for reading along & being a part of my community. ❤
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{Catch up on all of my monthly What I’m Lovin’ posts here.}
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*This post may contain affiliate links. If you use the link to make a purchase, I may receive a small compensation at no additional charge to you.
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