The Fast Pace of Slow Fashion Month.

The internet stops for no man (or over scheduled mom), and that feels especially true this fall. There must be 40 (small exaggeration, but I'm not gonna take the time to count) knit/sew/make alongs going on in October. Enticing things pop up on my instagram feed, sending me sprinting from fabric to yarn, design to production, personal goals to group participation, trying to make all the things. I'm tempted to say f-it and catch up on my netflix queue, but I love this little internet community, and I want to play along. I just have to choose carefully. Here is a list of all the random stuff I'd like to keep an eye on this fall.

MAKE ALONGS

Slow Fashion October with Fringe Association- I love how Karen has so seamlessly rolled knitting, sewing, mending, and thrifting together for this month of thoughtful hand making. I struggle to show the connections between knitting and sewing here, and I see many makers combining disciplines in their handmade wardrobes. It's nice to see a leader in the category bring the sometimes messy gray areas of overlap together, when the internet prefers separate defined categories.

My main goal for Slow Fashion October is to make the time to begin some longer term projects that I have been thinking about for a while. Choosing yarn for my Georgetown Sweater if my first priority. It seems so simple, but so often choosing yarn/color/size is my biggest hang when to starting a new project.  Committing to a single time consuming project is difficult with other daily demands, making this the perfect Slow Fashion goal. I'm also hoping to get a self drafted pants pattern I've been working on sporadically for a few weeks to the point where I can cut into the "nice" fabric, and wear them out of the house without embarrassment. Last, I've got some goldenrod and pokeweed in the freezer that I'm hoping to turn into some naturally dyed linen and canvas.

Knitbot Month at Quince and Co. - As stated above: Georgetown Sweater. Sadly, all the good colors of Owl are sold out online. I have a good substitute in mind, but really want to make something in Quince, too. At the very least I'll make the Simple Hat, or 70 Yard Mitts (or both!). You can never have to many hats with two kids and a Philadelphia winter. Maybe I should make two!

Kid's Clothes Week - Kid's Clothes Week is my very favorite sew along. This season's dates are October 19-25, and you can sew along with the Disguise theme, or completely ignore it, as I usually do. Now that both of my kids are in school, I'm not sure how the photographing part of this season will go. Get ready for clothes taped to the wall photos from me! Handmade Halloween costumes are a must in this house, so I will definitely be sewing along.

OTHER BLOG NEWS

Woolful Man On The Street - I finally mustered the courage to do a Man on the Street segment for the Woolful Podcast. I have never been so nervous to leave a voicemail. You can hear a great interview with Allison of Shutters and Shuttles, and a little story about my family Christmas stocking on Episode 35.

Butcher Sew Shop's New Blog - I live about 6 blocks from this sunny little corner of Philadelphia, but have never been inside. So glad Mali and Andrea (of Four Square Walls) have added a blog so we can all see what they're up to without actually being there.

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GREAT PROJECTS
There are also a few very individual projects I've seen lately that deserve all the search engine optimization a link from this little site can possibly provide.

Vera Luna Pieced Denim Vest - This vest is so good I want to shout it from the roof tops! Old jeans cut apart and repurposed in to the most amazing child's hooded vest. The pockets seamlessly hidden within the over all pattern is my favorite detail. Go see it for yourself!

This Is Moonlight One Year One Outfit - The one year one outfit challenge seems like a whole lot more work and follow through than I am capable of, but it's fun to be the a fly on the instagram wall watching Nicki come up with some pretty amazing materials within 500 miles of her home. The felted wool vest, and hand stretched silk are pretty impressive, but the local buttons are my favorite. Nicki also made my Bless Your Heartwarmer for her son with local wool, thanks Nicki! (pattern here)

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Where are you focusing your making this fall? What make alongs am I forgetting? Let me know below.