what's new?

Well, a few things since I've last posted. With school winding down I'm gearing up to do a lot more making for the next couple of months. My Meadowsweet Organics Etsy shop is active once again, and I've launched a new shop on Etsy, Sweet Jane Handmade (which is actually a reincarnation of my former shop, Handmade Naturals).

When I began sewing I was fortunate that organic cotton was just becoming readily available, albeit only online, so that is what I sewed with. It fit the bill for me as it was ethically and sustainably sourced fabric, and it was available in some really beautiful prints thanks to designer Harmony Susalla of Harmony Art.

In the last year or two I've come to love a few other charming yet equally sustainable fabrics such as vintage cottons, as well as linen and hemp. None of these fabrics fit with my Meadowsweet Organics line, so I decided not to limit myself and to open Sweet Jane Handmade as well.

Why Sweet Jane? Well, Jane is the middle name of my daughter, who provides me with loads of inspiration, but Jane is also such a classic name which makes me think of simpler times when people were more in sync with their natural surroundings. Not to mention that Sweet Jane also happens to be the name of a wildflower. The handmade part is obvious, and yes there will be probably a jumble of handmade items, buy mainly a focus on handmade girls clothing.

First up are three skirts made from vintage cotton corduroy. I first began looking at vintage cotton corduroy when organic cotton corduroy was very scarce. All I could find was an organic cotton / hemp blend which is not quite as soft as cotton, and certainly no printed organic cotton corduroy (something I would love to see!) Anyhow, I love all three of these vintage cotton corduroys, and yes I am very picky over what I select. These all stir up a sense of nostalgia for me, even though they may be a little before my time. Anyhow, making them for my own little girl is such a hoot, and I am happy that she loves these skirts as much as I do.

In most cases I have only been able to get about a yard of each of these fabrics, I think I have another print or two coming in the mail, so maybe some more options to come later this summer, we shall see. For now, we'll enjoy these sweet pieces . . .