who set each other
free.
~Harry Hay
It's almost that time of year again in the northern hemisphere...time to figure out how to get as cool as possible. Shorts can be as simple to "make" as cutting off a pair of jeans or hemming a pair of swingy pants. They might also be a low risk project to sew. Shorts require a relatively small amount of fabric + can be downplayed by a cute top, if necessary. :) I love simple, elastic waisted shorts for lounging at home + for sleeping in. The ones above even include a pair that can also be made for men/boys (elbe) + one that also comes in smaller girls' sizes (purl). It's easy to think that shorts can be made from any pants pattern...and they can. It's just not always as simple as shortening the pattern. The shape often benefits from a little a-line shift of the outer thigh seam. Patterns made with shorts in mind take this into account for us. Most of these patterns also include a pants or skirt pattern as well...bonus. When it comes to choosing fabric, a pair of shorts could easily be made from a thrifted, swingy skirt or dress (or one from our own closet or from that of a friend), a remnant from another project (or project never made), or a small amount of beautiful, new, natural fiber fabric.
I started this post the same day I dusted off the ceiling fan out of necessity...but now I'm finishing it on a rainy, cool day...dreaming of sunshine + legs that don't glow in the dark. ;) More of my favorite independent sewing pattern designers. All lovely photos via links. Love, Jane When it comes to healthy eating, I find it helpful to have some ground rules. Michael Pollen's food rules are just about right:
-Eat food. (Not processed food-stuff.) -Mostly plants. -Not too much. I would like to add zero-waste to the list (which is quite compatible with the above rules). In a quest to make my weekly menu planning + grocery list making easier, we have a weekly menu which consists of six meal categories. These categories have some flexibility for seasonal produce, prep time + preferences built in. This time, we're taking a closer look at the grain bowl. A grain bowl around here consists of a whole grain + vegetables + protein source + flavor. Obviously this is a very flexible directive which could begin with any type of grain...quinoa, brown rice, wild rice + polenta are some of our favorites. I don't keep all of them stocked, but rotate as desired. Same with the protein source. Our most likely choices are chickpeas, lentils, beans, peas, nuts, seeds + eggs. Seasonal vegetables can steer the direction of the entire enterprise. And the flavor can come from a variety of sources...spices, herbs, citrus, yogurt + cheese often feature. The possibilities are truly endless here, but to name a few: Tikka Massala (shown above) broccoli brown rice (1 cup bulk dry) 2 cans chickpeas 1/2 can coconut milk (full fat) 1/2 lime, squeezed tomato sauce spices: (about 1 tsp. each) cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, cumin, cayenne cilantro Cook rice + steam broccoli. -A spring bowl might consist of quinoa, roasted asparagus, chickpeas, feta, chives, salt, pepper flakes + a squeeze of lemon. -A summery bowl could include polenta, sun gold tomatoes, onion, cucumber, avocado, spiced pinto beans, cilantro + a squeeze of lime. -In the fall wild rice, sweet potato, kale, black beans + a drizzle of yogurt, honey, cayenne + cinnamon sauce would be warming + flavorful. -A bowl of potatoes, carrots + spinach stirred into a sauce of tomato sauce, coconut milk, turmeric, ginger, lime + pepper flakes on a bed of brown rice would be most welcome in the winter months. This one meal category is so versatile that it really could be what I eat for dinner every night. Since I cook for more than myself, however, I switch it up. I fing that it's really nice to have some sort of system to utilize when I'm making my grocery list. One more category to come! Love, Jane I enjoyed reading Outside the Gates by Molly Gloss this week. It's a short, thought- provoking tale about those who find themselves on the outside. This is a beautiful adult read, but I could imagine reading it + talking it over with a child as well.
The Monocle Guide to Cosy Homes is packed full of inspiration + juicy insight. I'm slowly poring over this one + enjoying every minute of it. Closed loop tees. Saving 200 pounds of plastic per flight. All clothing is handmade. Compostable bags three years later. Ethical shoes for littles. Enjoy the weekend, friends! Love, Jane April temperatures have given the thermometer a work out...up + down. We've cozied up, and we've soaked in the sun this month. My most worn piece was probably this rust sweatshirt. It goes with everything + adds a cozy layer just right for these in-between days.
We also received a taste of much warmer temperatures which skip right over all the in-between clothes + the lightest of layers. Last summer I felt like I would have appreciated a couple more pairs of shorts in my wardrobe, so I started thinking about what ones I'd like to wear. Shorts are one of the easiest things to sew (elastic waisted versions anyway), so I worked on personalizing the fit of a pattern I already have. On the very last (rainy + cold) day of April, I sewed this block printed pair (above) out of a scrap of fabric just big enough to squeeze the pattern pieces onto. My trainers situation also received some thought + action in April. Along with flats (+ an appearance or two of sandals), those trainers have been all I need during this transition season. We are going to a wedding in May, + I've been thinking about what I have to wear. I thought I'd try a jumpsuit that I tried earlier in the fall, but didn't keep. The day after I purchased it, I received an email that that jumpsuit along with the rest of the sale section was another big percentage off. I ended up purchasing a few things. I have yet to receive the package, but I will record what I keep here + share a little bit more about them in the weeks to come. (Update: kept one pair of soft, swingy pants.) With this purchase + a project or two I have in mind, I think I have met the needs I can foresee for the next few months. I'm hoping that this is the beginning of a little pure enjoyment of what I have. (yay!) For accountability's sake (April): bought fair :: tank + soft pants made :: shorts sold :: trainers Love, Jane |
on a journey toward zero-waste, simplicity, + compassion :: daring to choose fair one choice at a time
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