A few things:
-Many small business's + restaurants are struggling to stay afloat during this pandemic.
-We are lucky enough to still have an income at the moment. 
-There are a few local spots, fair brands + well-curated shops that I love. 
-I don't need all the things.

It's such a tricky time. Business owners + artists are feeling torn about pleading for sales + acknowledging that their customers may be feeling the squeeze (or stranglehold) as well. 

​I'm trying to be a little bit more thoughtful than usual about where I buy things that I would be purchasing anyway. We could use some new kitchen towels, so I went ahead + picked a few up from my favorite maker. We have a birthday coming up, so I did a little extra thinking about what to purchase...making an effort to choose local goods that support a few spots that we love. I need a couple of tops for warmer temperatures, and I'm thinking through who my purchases will support (whether thrifted, sewing supplies or fair).

Every purchase supports someone + some system. Slow food, slow fashion, slow consumption...they were always all about sustainability. I'm hoping that with a whole lot of creativity, ingenuity + consideration, we can bolster the resilience of each other + emerge stronger + more sustainable than ever. 

Love,
Jane

Use this time to reevaluate everything.
​~Joshua Becker

This virus has hit all of us hard...and some have been hit harder than others. Not all of the effects have been negative, however. A murmur can be heard about clear water in the Venice canals + sightings of the Himalayas as pollution recedes. Healthcare workers are being cheered at shift changes + neighbors are looking out for neighbors they have never met. Many of us are wondering if the recognition of some of these phenomenon will cause any lasting change in people's thinking or habits. I like to make these types of questions personal...otherwise I'm just wondering what others will do. How will I choose to change my habits as a result of my slowing + noticing during this time? How can I expand my reach + be a part of change making?

Some of the things I'm thinking about include:
-Life is stressful right now. What about my life is working + what could be simplified? The amount of stuff in our house? The children's toys? My wardrobe? ​My expectations? 

-Our schedules are quieted at the moment. What will we choose to add back when we can? 

-Our jobs are impermanent. Not all of them are essential. Will we choose a vocation based on contribution to the common good rather than money?

-People are suffering. How will we respond? How will we work to change systems to serve all of us better?

-Money is tight for so many. Will we share our resources? Will we tune in to what is essential? Will we embrace "less" + "enough"?

-Many of us are working from home. Can we keep some cars off the road more often? Can we fly for work less?

-Previously identified "unskilled workers" are now recognized as "essential workers". Will we act to raise the minimum wage?

-Everyone deserves healthcare. Will we demand that our representatives change laws + policies? Will we vote accordingly?

-Children are being taught at home. Will we value teachers more, make sure they are paid well + have the resources they need?

-Personal protective equipment for healthcare workers is running out. Will we demand that made-in-the-USA production is protected + supported?

-Some of us are spending more time outside. Will we value nature + our public lands more + act to protect them?

-We are eating at home. Will we choose whole foods over convenience? Will we tune in to our food supply chain more? Will we value farmers + those who harvest our food more? Will we act to give them the respect, rights + wages they deserve? 

-The health of each of us can affect others. We are all connected. Will we let our fear feed nationalism, racism + greed or will we help each other?

How will we choose to respond today? How will we use our newfound awareness to influence lasting change?

​Love,
​Jane

we need
the beauty + healing
​of sunshine, water, air + earth-
because we too, are nature
~Sarah Sailor

We've had to resort to purchasing a few things online over the past few weeks. As usual we are looking to purchase items through small businesses. They are pretty great about using recycled + recyclable materials for shipping (and it doesn't hurt to ask for them either).

Amazon may be a last resort...but there is a way to reduce the use of plastic mailers from them as well. It involves a quick chat (through the "help" button at the bottom of the page). When I requested plastic-free packaging on all future orders, the representative responded in a very encouraging way + the request was noted on our account. 

A couple of fun ways to use the cardboard that does come through might be to make some bears out of them + contribute to your neighborhood's bear hunt or to design the house of your dreams.  :)

Love,
Jane

This is a great time for all of us to be getting all the use we can out of what we have. I love supporting small businesses, and I'm still trying to consume only what I need...and create as little waste as possible.

I was so excited to find this Ilana Kohn Milo jumpsuit secondhand earlier this year. I love the way the top fits, but I wasn't completely into the width of the legs on me. It can be really hard to think about altering a piece like this. I start to weigh the ability to resell an altered, designer piece...which really is quite silly. I bought it because I wanted to wear it!  :) I felt like I was considering the value of this piece more as a potential sale rather than as a piece to wear + use. The whole point is to own what we have...to form a relationship with it...to make it our own...and to wear it over + over.

So...I ripped out + opened up the hems. The legs were pinned in (using a pair of overalls with legs closer to my preferred width as a guide), and the jumpsuit was tried on. I liked the fit, so I used a chalk pencil to mark my lines + sewed along the line. I checked the fit again (measure twice, cut once)...took a deep breath + cut the excess fabric away. (eek) The raw edges were overstitched + the original hems were sewn back in place. (I'm keeping the cut-off bits in case I need a patch someday.)

And now...I am SO happy I went for it! I put the jumpsuit right on + wore it for the rest of the day. (It looks a bit more like an Ilana Kohn Gary now). I used to have a little hesitation about wearing this piece, but now it is exactly right for me...and I'm going to wear it a lot!  

Love,
​Jane

I've been praying that mask-wearing would become more normalized, partially so that my family members won't have to be coerced into wearing them. I was incredibly encouraged to find that most of the people in Whole Foods today were wearing some sort of mask. And even if they weren't, I've done enough self-talk to convince myself that this is just too important to be swayed by the thought of what others will think. 

Our county has collected more than 3000 masks already + seems to be a bit at a loss for what to do with them at this point. I think New York City could use them, but it looks like I'd need to send them there myself. Just something to be aware of. The masks I've made were first for my family...then I'm sending a few to my parents. If my sister has already sent some, they can share the extras with their neighbors + friends. I'm also going to send some along with Julia to the grocery store where she works. People can wear bandanas, but there may be some service workers (in addition to our friends) who would appreciate a mask. Just a thought.  

This is obviously a good project for fabric scraps. And in the spirit of zero-waste, I noticed that these masks could also double as a strappy, bra top when this thing is finally over. (ha-ha!)  :)

Lots of love to you, friends! 
Jane

Humans have to realize they aren't individuals,
but individual parts of the same organism,
with responsibility to each other.
~Genesis Breyer P-Orridge

My girls have always enjoyed the sanctuary of their bedrooms. They each have desks, enjoy sitting on their comfy beds + sit on the floor sometimes too. My bedroom gets beautiful, southern light + provides me with a little space throughout the day as well. I prefer to sew + sometimes work at the desk in my bedroom. While I could sew at the kitchen table, I like that I don't have to move my projects for every meal...and that I don't have to worry about crumbs becoming part of my project either.  :)

The outdoors is another space we can use at this time of year when it's not too cold + not too hot or buggy. I've tried having outdoor furniture, but over time it has become our indoor furniture. We find it easy enough to just move a chair from the kitchen table in + out as desired. We also have a couple of camping/beach chairs to do the same with. 

I'm glad that we have a space where we can come together + also find a little solitude these days. I'm so grateful for this simple home.

Love,
​Jane