Happy Wednesday, everyone! This Wednesday Weekly will be covering the past two weeks, since last week, we were celebrating our third anniversary! We're so excited about sewing in August, particularly because there are so many great community challenges this month, and because we're kicking off Ashton August here at Helen's Closet!
News (clockwise from top left)
Seamwork Magazine released the Kenzie Skirt and Emmie Top.
Sew House Seven released the Underwood Tank Dress & Top.
Jennifer Lauren handmade released the Sorrel Dress.
Megan Nielsen Patterns released the Briar Curve Sweater and T-Shirt.
Community
Join us for Ashton August! Ashton August is going to walk you through how to take this simple tank and make neck and hem variations, dresses, and even jumpsuits! We are also going to look at fun ways to customize your Ashton, like with block-printed fabric or embroidery. Join in Ashton August by sewing Ashton, with or without a pattern hack, and use the tags #ashtontop or #ashtontophack, and tag us @helens__closet. Also, the Ashton Top is on sale this month for 20% off to celebrate! Use the code ASHTONAUGUST for 20% off!
Andi from Sew Pretty in Pink and @chronicallysewn is running a Slow Project Challenge for August and September! This challenge is focused on taking time with a project and not on production like most challenges. There is no requirement to finish a project but simply to post about it using the hashtag. Andie is making space for an inclusive challenge that invites participation from sewists who produce at all sorts of different speeds. Anything that requires a needle and thread or uses fiber/textiles will be considered for this challenge. #SlowProjectChallenge started on August 1, and runs until September 30. Use the hashtag #SlowProjectChallenge to follow along!
Lori from @girlsinthegarden and Lindsey from @insidethehem are hosting a pattern mashup challenge through August! This challenge is all about combining any two sewing patterns to create one unique garment. Post your mashup and tag it #sewcialmashup- looks like there are some great prizes to win!
Makes
Dixie DIY sewed the most beautiful viscose linen Sway Dress.
MegMade Sewing sewed an absolutely gorgeous HAND PAINTED silk Collins Top! What a special and incredibly beautiful garment!
This rayon poplin Tea House Dress from Erin on the Imagine Gnats blog is so dreamy!
Love love love this geometric Libby Shirt from A Stitching Odyssey. It looks kind of vintage-y and so fun!
Blogless Anna shared the coolest asymmetric gathered dress. This is such a neat pattern!
OonaBalloona made a literal sundress- a delightful sundress in sun-printed fabric!
Rake and Make sewed an adorable Sophie Swimsuit. I love the striped centre panel!
Stitching in Space made a really cute Seren Dress out of a fabric she describes as “vaguely mid-90s writing textbook”- I wish I had a dress just like this one!
Resources
We shared a tutorial on how to make two versions of a DIY sleep mask using fabric scraps as a part of our Sustainable Scrap-Busters series!
Self Assembly Required shared this DIY rope bag with pom poms, and included instructions on how to make one yourself. The end result is so cute and clever.
Petit Font wrote a post on the best garment patterns for quilting cotton. These pattern suggestions are perfect for that cute printed quilting cotton you’ve been coveting!
Compulsive Seamstress shared this great tutorial on how to make beeswax wraps with your fabric scraps.
Sie Macht Sewing shared a very handy guide to stabilizers.
On the Podcast
You’re busy, we’re busy, everyone is busy! We want to highlight how you can make the most of your sewing time and speed up your sewing process. We give our top tips for sewing efficiency and tons of quick pattern recommendations! Listen here.
