Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 1 2021 i Sew & Tell

Oh, hey there, sewing friends! Welcome to the first edition of Sew&Tell. I am beyond excited to present this special magazine to you all – it’s been such a long time coming. Sewing is part of Peppermint’s DNA – our stories and content have had tales of stitching woven through them since the beginning. There’s been a rise of people making their own clothes recently, with many even picking up a needle and thread for the first time over the last 18 months of #isewlation and #isolationcreation. Home sewing has grown exponentially thanks to mask-making, lockdown projects and stores closing their shopfronts. Sewing has given us purpose and community – truly the thread that holds us together. Not that we need to tell you, but whipping up your own wardrobe…

It seems to elevate any make while bringing a sense of playfulness. Gingham originated in South East Asia, and is thought to come from the Malay word genggang meaning ‘separate’ or ‘striped’. When gingham arrived in Europe it was actually a striped fabric! The checks that now define it were an eighteenth century addition from the mills of Manchester, where they were a popular fashion statement among the young cheeky chaps and mad lads. Pick a bolt for your next picnic here.…

With just a few creative nips, tucks and stitches, op-shopping queen Hannah Klose from Never Ever Pay Retail, gives these preloved business shirts a new, and on-trend, lease on life. What you’ll need Thrifted men’s business shirts Sewing machine Sewing thread Pins Elastic – thick (1.5cm) for the matching set and the balloon sleeves A well-fitting singlet to use as a template for the shoulder tie top Ruler (or old Peppermint magazine!) for drawing straight lines for the square neck Vanishing fabric marker or pencil All tied up This summer, so many local and international labels have released cute shoulder bows in their collections and I’m here for it. I’ve always been a fan of bows on clothing – kinda makes you feel like you’re wrapped up like a present!…

Tell us a bit about how you discovered sewing? At the risk of sounding like a cliche, I was that kid who was dressing my dolls up in tissues. Luckily I grew up in a creative household and had access to a sewing machine early on. My mum and nanna taught me the basics and from then on I was hooked. I took classes in high school and went on to study fashion and textile design at university where I learned patternmaking.  What inspires your patternmaking process? I don’t really have a set process. There are too many ideas in my head and often I just run with the one that is inspiring me the most at the time and think there might be a gap in the market for.…

FIND YOUR CRAFT TRIBE Stitch ‘n Bitch While there’s no official group or website, search on Facebook for a local sewing group in your area. Ministry of Handmade Connecting crafters with online (and Brisbane-based) tutorials, patterns, ideas and workshops.  ministryofhandmade.com.au Craft Swap A new platform for Australian makers, crafters and creatives to sustainably buy, swap and sell.  craftswap.com.au The Australian Sewing Guild Become a member to access tips, tutors, sew-alongs, events, directories and a skills library. aussew.org.au Class Bento Craft boxes, classes and online workshops for learning or gifting; supports mental health initiatives.  classbento.com.au Work-Shop Short courses and workshops Australia-wide where top creative minds share their skills.  work-shop.com.au ALICE NIGHTINGALE DESIGNER / SEWING TEACHER Community is the backbone of Alice Veivers’ label and social sewing classes. Why is social connection…

If people are making garments themselves, they are more invested in their clothing. Imagine spending hours happily beavering away at a sewing machine as you slowly create the world’s best dress, one that fits your exact body shape like an extremely flattering and comfy glove. Now ask yourself: would you wear this exceptional dress just once or twice, before relegating it to the ‘must go’ pile? Or would you treasure it, possibly don this dress with such regularity that it literally begins to fall apart, at which point you frantically start mending in hopes of squeezing just a few more moments out of its already long life? Emily is betting on the latter. About six years ago, while living in a cramped London share house with almost zero sewing equipment,…

DAISY BRAID @diydaisy DAISY BRAID TAUGHT HERSELF TO SEW ON HER GRANDMOTHER’S MACHINE, AND NOW REGULARLY MAKES HER OWN STREET STYLE-INSPIRED PIECES. What do you like about sewing your own clothes? I think like many other sewists, making my own clothes fills me with a lot of pride. I love the feeling of knowing who made my clothes and wearing something that was made thoughtfully. Sewing is my creative outlet. It gives me endless opportunities to express my personal style and is also a great stress reliever! What kinds of garments do you typically make? I’ve made lots of oversized dresses, wrap skirts and boxy tops in brightly coloured linens and printed cottons. I like to keep my designs pretty simple and let the fabric be the feature, so I…

Tell us a bit about your background… I have a background in traditional fine art. I studied painting and drawing in college, but also dabbled in clay, other 3D mediums and printmaking.  How did you get into printmaking and sewing? I bought myself a sewing machine in college because I really wanted to learn how to sew more than just a pillowcase. I’d had a couple of lessons as a kid, and dreamed of doing fashion design, but my school had just got rid of their program. They had sewing classes though, so I signed up for one class. I experimented for years with sewing, and it wasn’t really until indie patterns became available that I really learned how to make all types of clothing. As for fabric design, my…

Tell us a bit about your backgrounds… Ali: Charlie studied a Diploma of Applied Fashion Design at Sunshine Coast TAFE and I studied a Bachelor of Interior Design and Graphic Design at Queensland University of Technology. How did you get into sewing and patternmaking? Ali: I learned from my mum at a young age, I also had sewing lessons in primary school and continued sewing ever since. Charlie also learned from her mum. She then went on to study fashion design and is a master patternmaker! Has sustainability always been part of your life?  Charlotte: My mum and I used to always op-shop – she still does a lot. Through that, I learned the importance and beauty of recycling and upcycling. Not only was it being environmentally friendly, but it…

The talented Emma Downing of Yarn Industries has designed four exclusive Peppermint patterns, alongside a handy dandy set of instructions so you can go forth and get your stitch on. THINGS YOU’LL NEED All you need is five pieces of equipment to get started! Needle: Most needles will work just fine, however, you want to avoid using one that is too thick as it may puncture big holes in your fabric. Thread: Embroidery threads such as DMC, Anchor or Semco are made up of six strands of cotton. You can separate the strands to create finer stitches. Threads come in a wide variety of colours – even sparkly, neon and woolly ones. When cutting a length of thread, be careful not to make it too long as it can fray…

BROOCH THE TOPIC How do you best signal to the world that the incredible outfit you’re wearing was made by yours truly? Perhaps with a subtle lapel pin from Jubly-Umph’s Crafty Collection. Melbourne artist Tasha Miller and her team specialise in cute and quirky brooches for all situations but this range is specifically for the sewciopaths and procraftinators out there looking for a little bit of adorable eye candy to proclaim their allegiance to the me-made movement. jubly-umph.com WOODEN IT BE LOVELY? Pine-ing for the outside world? Bring a touch of the trees to you with Arrow Mountain’s gorgeous assortment of wooden sewing goodies. The one woman powerhouse behind the brand, Ho-mei, started making buttons to elevate her own sewing projects and unlocked a new passion. Soon overwhelmed by more…

Tell us about your journey into the slow fashion world? When I started my career as a pattern cutter 15 years ago I was working in fast fashion – I had no idea back then what a negative impact fast fashion had on the world. It took a few years to work out what was really going on at the other end of the supply chain and then it became very important to me to make sure I spent my energy working towards making the fashion industry a better place. Why is sustainability important to you? I was born on a small group of islands in the South Pacific (the Cook Islands). The impact climate change is having on the Pacific is so real and visible and it’s happening so…

Leaves, bark, flowers, fruit and roots – this is how most textiles were coloured before the Industrial Revolution, and the age-old craft of natural dyeing still exists in many communities all over the world. Try it yourself to discover all the bright and brilliant colours you can achieve with flora from your own backyard and kitchen! BUNDLE AND STEAM This technique is an easy introduction to bundle dyeing. It is suitable for scarves, clothing and decorative items. Colours obtained from flowers may fade, but that’s part of the beauty! MATERIALS One piece of fabric. Fibres that contain protein, such as silk and wool, absorb colour best. (You can test with any other natural fibre, but ideally soak it in soy milk to prepare it first.) Plant material of your choice.…

Not only will you be going plastic free, but you’ll also be helping tackle the epic issue of textile waste. Hit up your local thrift store or go through your own wardrobe to source the perfect tee. Keep in mind that the bigger the t-shirt the bigger the bag – I usually head straight to the men’s section or check out the XL tees first. This DIY is just a guideline – don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment. When you’ve finished, tag your creations with #pepperminttotebag so everyone can see your handiwork! MATERIALS Fabric scissors Needle and thread 1 large t-shirt (for the bag) 1 extra t-shirt or any scrap of fabric (for the decorative tassels – you don’t need the whole thing) INSTRUCTIONS Fold your t-shirt in…

We’re passionate about all things craft, creativity and community, which is why we have an extensive range of gorgeous sewing patterns – free for you to download for personal use! Just sign up to our (infrequent!) sewing newsletter and you’ll get immediate access. We commission lots of talented patternmakers to release a new pattern for us every three months (in line with our latest print magazine). With a whopping 42 free patterns (and counting!), you’re bound to find your next make! Head to our website to start downloading now… peppermintmag.com/sewing-school Free! DOWNLOADABLE SEWING PATTERNS! #peppermintpatterns…

We teamed up with maker and sewist Katie Weychardt (@KatieMakesADress) to bring you this fun, fuzzy project. Hello cuties! We teamed up with maker Katie Weychardt to bring you this fun, fuzzy DIY that is perfect for both beginners and more experienced sewists. This easy-to-follow pattern includes instructions (including photo steps) to sew all three of these furry friends: Kookaburra, Koala and Platypus – all yours to keep or perfect to give and share! We used Kunin Eco-fi, a polyester felt made from 100% certified recycled plastic PET bottles (you can find several sellers of eco felt on Etsy) but you could use almost any type of fabric (preferably non-stretch), both plain or printed – perfect for scrap-busting! The pattern is designed to print at 100%, but if you want…

Beat the heat on the sand and in the gym with your own swim or activewear. Nothing comes close to getting the perfect fit with stretchwear than making your own bodycon designs. Looking to minimise the impact on the ocean you’re about to dive in to? There are lots of sustainable options to keep an eye out for when shopping for fabrics. Look for remnant suppliers that help to cut down on fabric production or choose a made-to-order textile to reduce wastage. There are also many recycled fabrics like the oft-used Econyl nylon created using reclaimed industrial plastic and fishing nets. Then get your bikini body ready… Have a body? Got a bikini? You’re good to go!…

Tell us about your backgrounds… Judith: I grew up happily in a coal mining village in Sherwood Forest, England, one of seven children. After training to be a primary school teacher, I moved to Edinburgh, married and became a bookseller, then mostly a stay-at-home mum to my three children, followed by volunteering and working on a helpline for a children’s charity. Sandy: I taught for 40 years in Queensland, Papua New Guinea and the Northern Territory. My career was very interesting; I worked in two-teacher schools, international schools, remote Aboriginal-community schools in Arnhem Land and as an advisory visiting teacher for disabilities in mainstream schools. How did you both get into sewing? Judith: At age 17, I dropped A-level maths and took O-level Needlework instead. It was the best decision…

Peppermint is an Australian quarterly print magazine focused on style, sustainability and substance. As a small, independent publication that champions ethical fashion, diversity, inclusivity, climate action, slow living, sewing and DIY, social justice and more, we tell real stories with authenticity, thoughtfulness and passion. Each issue is designed to give hope and empower you to live a more meaningful and mindful life. In this fast-paced world, we feature slow, timeless content that endures – so you can take inspiration from each issue for many years to come. • SAVE ON COVER PRICE • CANCEL WHENEVER YOU LIKE • FREE AUSTRALIAN DELIVERY • PAY-PER-ISSUE OPTION • SENT IN PAPER, NOT PLASTIC • NEVER MISS AN ISSUE • ONE TREE PLANTED ON YOUR BEHALF • HELP MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE!…

Tell us a bit about your art… I draw images with sewing machine free-hand stitches. It is embroidery but I consider it more like illustration done by thread. What led you to creating still life artwork with a sewing machine? When I was in art school, we all wanted to find our own medium and method. I found the sewing machine as my tool – my mother was a dressmaker and the sewing machine was so familiar to me. Soon after that, I found that still life subjects work best to draw with thread. What inspires you? Any kind of textile art. Artists, craftspeople and the energy of fabric, thread and fibre all make me feel honourable and help me appreciate what I’m doing, while pushing me to be creative.…

As a special offer for our first issue of Sew&Tell, the lovely Nerida Hansen is offering all readers a PDF download of her Tiered Maxi Skirt sewing pattern for free! The Tiered Maxi Skirt is a showstopper – with a fully elasticated waist and practical pockets, it’s equal parts feminine and fun. The pattern carefully details how to proportionately adjust the skirt’s length to suit your height, so you can finally have the maxi skirt that actually works for you! All pattern pieces provided include a 1cm seam allowance. Just cut along your chosen fabric and you’re ready to sew! Head to the Nerida Hansen Fabrics website and use the code below to download this pretty pattern now. Start your (sewing) engines pronto because this offer is only valid until…

Tell us about your journey into the sewing world? I started sewing as a teenager because I wanted to recreate a friend’s dress that I had no money to buy. I come from a family of makers so there was a sewing machine in my house and the idea of using it came very naturally. My maternal grandmother is actually a seamstress, so she taught me how to use the machine and she helped me fix the mess I made with that first dress so that it would be wearable. After that, I never stopped sewing. I got into pattern drafting almost immediately as well. The early days of connecting with the online sewing community through forums and blogs really fuelled my passion and my knowledge. Later, I was able…

Tell us about your journey into the sewing world? I was introduced to sewing at a young age as my mum used to sew quite a bit when I was growing up. I was always fascinated by the process and loved the trips to fabric stores to select fabric for the pyjamas she’d annually make for me. I only actually started sewing when I was 17, a few months before I finished school and then went on to study fashion design for three years. I have been making my own clothes ever since but it was only after the birth of my twins in 2015 that I decided to no longer purchase clothing at all and transition into a completely handmade wardrobe. It was quite a lonely and isolating time…

It’s a durable natural fibre, is three times stronger than cotton and has a similar texture to linen. It’s prodigious and easy to cultivate – requiring little water and relatively small amounts of land. It’s also a carbon negative raw material, absorbing more carbon dioxide than it produces. Not only that, it’s soft and comfortable with a bit of body. Give one of these harmonious hemps a chance for your next make.…

Tell us about the origins of Muna and Broad? Why did you feel it was important to create a plus-size brand in the sewing space? Jess: We knew from our own experience trying to find patterns that we were underserved, and we knew we couldn’t be the only fat makers feeling that way. We also knew that folks had really struggled with fitting pants and were having to do lots of adjustments just to get something close to wearable. Our original size range was our hip size plus two sizes higher, and our size expansions have actually been mostly expanding down since we found lots of folks smaller than us had many of the same fitting issues we were having. Why do you think plus-size patternmaking is such a challenge?…

Our (infrequent) sewing newsletter will keep you in the loop of any new projects to add to your want-to-do list, along with any stitchy news and crafty DIYs. We’ll let you know about: • DIYS AND NEW PROJECTS • PATTERN HACKS • ROUNDUPS AND LISTS • SEWING NEWS • PATTERN REVIEWS • STORIES FROM TALENTED SEWISTS • OUR FAVOURITE MAKES • AND MUCH MORE! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP! for more sewing content join us at peppermintmag.com…

Things you’ll need Outer and lining fabric A 1-inch by 4-inch piece of fabric for loop Wool or insulation fabric for middle layer Paper Scissors Ruler Pins Pen or pencil Chalk or erasable pen Size 90 needle Optional: Quilting guide for your sewing machine, tape, extra pen or pencil GETTING READY This oven mitt is quilted, which is made easier by a quilting guide – an L-shaped piece of metal that may have come included with your sewing machine feet. If not, you can just draw parallel lines on your fabric to guide you. To make an oven mitt, you’ll need an outer layer, an insulation layer and a lining. It’s important to only use natural fibres, as synthetics may melt with heat. The outer and lining fabric can be…

However, conventional cotton often has a very chemical-intensive cultivation process that can have a detrimental impact on the environment and the health of people working and living in cotton-growing areas. Organic cotton production not only eliminates synthetic fertilisers and pesticides but also considers ecological farming processes, workers’ rights and biodiversity. Why not give one of these organic cottons a spin for your next project?…