Peppermint Magazine have released their latest issue! Issue 61, Winter 2024 is jam packed with sustainable fashions and products, thought provoking articles and of course… sewing. When Peppermint Magazine releases a new issue, I get very excited and this issue was no exception, I welcome Peppermint Tansey Top into my sewing repertoire.
I literally run to the newsagency to purchase this magazine on its release date. Hard copy, straight up, in my hands, no fuss. Right. Wrong! This time around, I was caught out, I didn’t realise the latest issue had been released. I went to work, like a plebe unaware that the Tansey was waiting. I moseyed on home, no rush or urgency, and later that afternoon, whilst scrolling, I saw it had been released. My heart just stopped, how could I have missed this, how could I not have put all of my responsibilities on hold! Scotty, my partner, received a frantic phone call, ‘the magazines been released’.
He of course knew exactly what I was talking about and went and purchased the magazine, while I was spiraling, stuck at the gym while my kids “moved” their bodies’. Pah.
Class finished and I got the heck out of there, shoving kids and parents in my urgency to reach my sewing machine. I ran through our front door, yelling orders like a militant, despotic crazy lady. Pizza was ordered to be delivered and everyone was informed that I was out for the evening. My family knows the drill, they know that when I’m in my sew zone, I may as well be in Antarctica. Am I proud of my actions?
Yes, yes is the answer to that, the only person responsible for filling my cup is me. Sure, others may contribute to my cup, but ultimately, I am who should be prioritising my own fulfilment. Sewing does that for me. Consider my cup full.
You see, I have a small confession. I just love sewing, and I adore Peppermint magazine. I’ve made up quite a few different Peppermint patterns including the Albion blouse, West end Jacket, the Samford set, the Belle, The Bronte Bathers, The Somerset and now the Tansey. I must confess to having a small competition with myself to be the first to sew up the newly released pattern and post to IG and I reckon I’ve done that for the last 5- 6 patterns released. I know I know. Small things and all that.
So, lets talk all things Tansey.
On the day it was released I sewed up two versions, for my first version of the Tansey Top (of which I knew there would be many), I pulled a thrifted tablecloth out. I utilised the pre-existing hems, forewent the cuffs, did away with the gathered yoke edge and used bias tape in lieu of the neck facing. I completed this in just over an hour.
By this stage, the kids were all sorted, so I thought, ‘why not’, why not make another. What could it possibly hurt. I pulled out a chartreuse checked linen remnant left over from making some pants, purchased from the Selvedge Society and I had just enough to eke out my 2nd Tansey. This time I did all the steps, the gathered yoke, the cuffs, the hem. In a nod to my fabric constraints, I had to shorten the bodice/ cuff lengths just a titch. I also french seamed for pretty guts.
For the tablecloth version I made size E-H, and the linen check version I made size A-D. The tablecloth Tansey was a Mother’s Day present for my Mum, so thanks Peppermint, it can be hard choosing presents, and this top worked so well. I went with the size A-D for all my versions, with my measurements being B: 110cm, W: 87cm, H: 112cm.
Four days after the magazine was released, and I’m up to my 3rd version of the Tansy. I took the Tansey top and turned it into a dress. I don’t just purchase the magazine for the sewing pattern, the articles are also a drawer card; there is a great article on Ellie Whittaker, an Australian pattern surface designer. Based on the sunny Gold Coast, Ellie was inspired to design her own clothes fabric after creating a family. I am so happy she did- her fabric designs are so cool; I love the colour and even have one of her Bubble O Bill doona covers! (for anyone outside of Australia, a doona cover is a duvet and Bubble O Bill is a classic ice-cream with a bubble gum nose!)
I was reading the article and then, BAM, inspiration, I had a piece of Ellie Whittaker’s fabric in my stash, I scurried (literally) into my sewing room and Tadah, a Tansey Dress was born. I had 2m of fabric, and it was missing a corner, previous me obviously needed it for something, hence the pieced feeling to this dress. To turn the top into a dress, I measured across the widest part of both my front and back, the back pattern piece had plenty of ease already, but the front didn’t. For the front pattern piece, I graded out from the general underarm scythe area, creating ease to allow the fabric to flow over my hips and tummy.
Now we come to my latest version of the Tansey, I love all previous versions, BUT my 4th version is by far my favourite. Clothes often tell a story, or have distinct memories attached. One week after the Tansey pattern was released, I found myself at a business seminar, feeling super grown up. I mean, attending a seminar, like wow, adulting hardcore here. The seminar was hosted by the Business Centre and the evening was focused on Sustainability + Circular Economy Vs Fast Fashion.
One of my goals is to continue growing as a sewing teacher, working towards opening a ‘learn to sew’, sewing studio. The seminar was inspirational to say the least, and I was itching to get up and talk, discussing all the things. The panellists’ discussed fashion/clothing sustainability in our current market, the challenges of COVID lockdowns, and strategies for reducing the Fast Fashion chokehold over our current clothing economy.
I came away from the seminar, starry eyed, full of passion and ideas. The energy of the room, the discussion points, how can business make an impact. Lots of food for thought, so I took those feelings, feelings that the discussion had generated in me and channelled them into creating.
I had thrifted a Trevor Dickinson ‘Newcastle’ tea towel earlier that same day, the tea towel now seemed appropriate given the seminars topic points. I paired this iconic tea towel with a thrifted vintage green geometric bed sheet. One of the guest speakers was Emma Simcox of The Conscious Exchange https://www.theconsciousexchange.com.au/ on Maitland Rd, Islington. I had recently partaken of Emma’s amazing business, exchanging pieces of my wardrobe for store credit towards a new second-hand piece of clothing. Well, she is all things inspiring and as she presented, I took note of her Ganni blouse styled under a sweater with a collar that was large and ruffled.
Can you guess where this lead? I just had to create a collar as well! I self- drafted the collar and took my time making the ruffle, all up I finished this rendition of the Tansey top in 3hours. A sustainable wardrobe for me is mainly handmade pieces, using sometimes new, but often thrifted fabrics. Its maximising my fabric, saving all the scraps, its thrifting and a circular economy. A sustainable fashion future is quality garments, that can withstand wear, that can be repaired. I would love to see more of Newcastle’s clothing stores offering a system of circular exchange. And the great thing is, it’s happening. High Tea with Mrs Woo, Papa Sven and Ramjet Assortments are the few I know off, that offer a buy back system on items sold from them. The Conscious Exchange is circular economy as a business model manifested, it really shows, if you purchase quality over quantity, your clothes retain value. While my wardrobe is primarily handmade, I am just one-person, thrifted clothes supplements and provides inspiration.
For their first in house pattern, I reckon Peppermint Magazine have done an incredible job. I can honestly say I have enjoyed sewing it. 100% recommended by me. Hands down, this pattern is a great addition to your wardrobe. Its versatile, adaptable and I reckon anyone looking to have a good sewing time should check out Peppermint Magazines' Sewing Patterns.
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