June Newsletter

NO. 35 | June 2024

When I was a teenager, I used to play the sims a lot. There were lots of ways to play. Sometimes, I would use the cheat codes to get richer than rich, and then I’d spend a bunch of time building and designing a mansion that I’d never even play in. Sometimes, I’d make a sim in sort of the same way I craft a character for a story, choosing prevailing traits and flaws that guided how I played the game and what decisions I made.

But, most of the time, I made a sim that looked kind of like me, I put them in a starter house and a starter job, and I played their life out pretty traditionally. What stands out to me now is how well-rounded those Madison-like sims were (note that they were never named Madison!). Before I invested in relationships or started families, I worked to make my sims the most elite sims they could be. They reached level 10 in every skill. They were CEOs and astronauts and movie stars. They were rich through their own hard work. I took real pleasure in watching them improve, seeing them go from burning mac n’ cheese to cooking gourmet meals. From selling ugly paintings for 10 simoleons to decorating the house with masterpieces. My sims were master gardeners and best-selling authors. Any of this sounding familiar? And, make no mistake, I am not describing individual sims; each of my sims was all of those things.

Of course, that is the appeal of the game. With no risk, no failure, no limitations, you can live your dream life! Or every dream life at once! I forgot to mention that I did use one cheat code in this version of the game: my sims never aged.

Reflecting on this really makes me laugh. I’m not eschewing relationships, and I am getting older, but beyond that, didn’t the sims predict quite a lot about me and my life? I guess it this is likely a case of the chicken and the egg. I played the sims like that because that’s what I dreamed of doing in my real life. But also, how much did the sims teach me that I could really do it all at level 10?

So here I am, doing a lot! Dreaming of all else that will come!

Big News 👀

Through May I have been deep into a big project that I’m excited to finally share today. I’m releasing two sewing patterns! I want to preface this by saying that I don’t have any intention of becoming a real/consistent Pattern Designer with capital letters. There’s a fair chance that these two patterns are the only two I’ll ever release! Let me tell you about how I got here.

My full-time job is as a craft book editor. It’s a very fun job! (You can see the titles I’ve edited here). I spend my days writing and editing project instructions, correcting illustrations, art-directing photoshoots, and celebrating all of the beautiful work that my authors make. As you might know, I’m also an illustrator.

In my personal practice, though it fluxes, sewing is often what my audience gets the most excited about. I get lots of requests for custom projects and encouragement to “start my own clothing line,” neither of which compel me very much (most of the time). As any hobby-person knows, once you start monetizing, things just aren’t the same. So, honestly, I felt really hesitant to do anything to shift my sewing practice. But, I’ve had this pair of ideas in my head for two years (note that the patterns are not related to one another). And, every day at work, I am using the exact skills that one needs to write up a sewing pattern.

So this year, I decided to dip my toes into what I like to think of as sharing my sewing practice for the first time. When people ask me to make things for them, it’s not that I don’t want to! But it’s a very big endeavor. So, I feel like digging into a couple of patterns is a way to offer something in that realm, bringing people in to my sewing circle a little bit! I will probably also sell some ready-to-wear versions of the patterns (definitely the second one) for those who don’t sew but might be interested in owning some Mad Made stuff.

So, with no further ado, meet the first of the two patterns: The Sunshine Halter. (You’ll meet the second pattern on July 1). There’s also one more big part of this release news coming to IG next week, but here’s the big picture:

Just one of many samples I'll be sharing through June!

The Sunshine Halter is a quick & easy summer knit top perfect for hiking, lounging, and hitting the town! It features a low, open back and a scallop-edged binding. There is an optional shelf bra for bust support. The pattern size range is bust 28-60’’ and waist 21-52’’. It’s beginner-friendly and can be sewn on a standard home sewing machine.

I’ll be releasing the pattern to the public on July 1st, and right now I’m looking for Pattern Testers! Pattern testers get the unreleased beta version of the pattern for free and then provide feedback in order to help me ensure that the pattern is as high quality as possible! Then, they’ll also receive the final, updated files. Because I’m not offering other compensation, I will also send you my second pattern for free if you test Sunshine! If you’d like to be a pattern tester, please apply by following the link below. I’d love your help!

There’s going to be a lot of sewing content over the next couple of months, but as always, lots of other content, too. Thanks for all the love on the nature logs; I have a ton of fun making them. I’ve got lots in store for us to gush over.

Find and feel the sparkle of making sometime soon while you garden or cook or observe or craft or fine-tune or record or daydream or type or love or dance!

Swim Along With Me: Nettle Pasta & Co

I’ve gotten really excited about cooking over this past year or so, especially because through foraging and living in a place that is serious about local food, I get to be a lot more creative about using what’s around me to make something good. Remember these now publish on the 15th of each month!

May was enchantingly full! Many firsts of the season: swim, camping trip, farmer’s market, fishing day! Top right is a preview of some zip-off hiking pants I sewed but haven’t shared yet. And this unbelievably delicious rhubarb custard pie? Find it here. the crust is high-maintenance, but it’s also probably the best pie crust I’ve ever made, so.

This month, I’m highlighting one of my authors: Laura Veenema of New Song Quilting Co. Her book comes out this fall, and is one of my favorite titles ever! Her projects and techniques are so joyful and color filled and special. I have learned a lot from Laura’s teachings. She also sells hand-sewn products like bags and custom quilts; I use my crossbody bag from Laura all the time!

✷ I am almost at the third book of the Three Body Problem Trilogy. Anyone else out there read it and want to talk to me? Help! I need a buddy!
✷ Really sweet punch needle slippers
✷ A nice newsletter about some beloved herbs
✷ Landscapes from the NYPL and Carson Ellis
✷ Spring soup