I wanted to share an outfit with you that I’ve been thinking about for months. When I designed Handmade dresses 2,

I had summer in mind. But if you’re like me, you don’t change your entire wardrobe when the seasons change. I wear mostly the same things year round, except for a layer or two.

And even though dress 2 is oversized,

I definitely imagined being able to wear it over multiple layers. Think Sweater 3, a handmade sweater (cut off or oversized), or Frock 1, shown below. Also think tights and boots and a warm woolen coat with a scarf when it really starts to itch. September and October can’t come soon enough.

Handmade dresses 2 in navy striped organic hemp cotton (OS 1), smock 1 in deep blue organic hemp denim (OS 1), shoes like Pottery sneakers bought used on Poshmark

Handmade dresses 2 in Striped Hemp Organic Cotton in Tea (OS 1), Smock 1 in Foamed Organic Cotton (OS 1) and Martiniano Gloves

Tags: plus size, autumn fashion, slow fashion, slow fashion plus size, plus size slow fashion, sustainable style, ethical fashion, fashion revolution week, fashion revolution, conscious fashion, organic clothing lines, 10 x 10 friends, summer of basics, Handmade dresses small quantity clothes

Meet Amanda (and Happy Fashion Revolution Week)

 What is Fashion Revolution Week, you ask? Well, the movement known as the Fashion Revolution (or Fash Rev) emerged after the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh in 2013. Rana Plaza housed five buildings that produced clothing for major brands.

With that being said, I’d like to introduce you to Amanda, a seamstress extraordinaire. She is responsible for sewing most Eli & Barry online orders these days. I asked Amanda a few questions about her sewing adventures. Read more below.

Amanda: My mother taught me at our kitchen table. The process fascinated me. Overall, I think I love knowing how things are done. I made my first dress from a pattern from 10th grade. Since then I’ve dabbled in all kinds of crafts, including ceramics, beading, stained glass,

quilting and crocheting,

but sewing has always felt right to me. And lately, it’s helped me keep my sanity, given me creative freedom, and given me a chance to give back to myself.

E&B: I know you make a lot of clothes outside of our work! What do you like most about making clothes?

 It engages both sides of my brain and challenges me to be in the moment and sometimes just watch my hands work.

I love that it’s practical; Using something I created gives me great joy. Also, sewing clothes is my favorite and only survival skill after the zombie apocalypse.

E&B: Is there a garment you would like to make one day?

A dream to sew?

A: My next goals are outerwear (anorak, trench coat, denim jacket, wool coat).

Maybe I’ll tackle one of these this fall? I recently sewed my first pair of jeans and I’m still so excited about them!

A: I have three young children that keep me pretty busy, but my favorite ways to relax are sewing (of course!), walking, gardening, playing by streams, going to the thrift store on the weekends, and cuddling the dog and sitting on the front porch.

E&B: Do you have any particular inspiration that you look for when designing clothes for yourself? Other clothing manufacturers in the community or brands you love? How do you decide what to prepare?

A: I really draw inspiration from independent pattern designers including True Bias, Grainline Studio, Hey June Handmade dresses and Closet Case Patterns. I also try to do some seasonal planning to keep everything as cohesive and focused as possible.

Learning what I like and what to wear was a long process.

Who Made My Clothes fashion revolution, fashion revolution week, fashion revolution, slow fashion, shop small, clothing in small quantities, conscious fashion, ethical fashion, organic clothing lines, Handmade dresses, 10 x 10 wardrobe challenge

I don’t know about you, but my personal wardrobe is pretty seasonal. This means that I wear most of what I have in my wardrobe all year round. I often wear layers in the winter and just tank tops in the summer.

When I realized this in relation to my own wardrobe, I thought about a change I would like to make with Eli & Barry. I will no longer offer seasonal collections. I want the clothes I’ve worked so hard on, the ones I wear well into the winter with a hand-knit sweater or alone in the summer, to stay.

I don’t want to sacrifice styles that work just to add something new and “exciting” to the store. I want Eli & Barry to continue to exist as an old friend: always there for you, no matter what stage of life you are at.

But that doesn’t mean things aren’t evolving! I have a launch planned in the next three weeks that will include a few things: current styles in new fabrics,

returning styles, and some new styles.

In the future I would like to add narrower collections of 2-3 pieces in due course. It can be when a season is over or when a play is perfected and ready to go out into the world.

There are a few reasons for this change. First of all, I’m just a person. And although these days I get help sewing online orders, I’m still the only one responsible for driving this business forward. I feel like forcing myself to keep up with the traditional fashion calendar is a real challenge for me emotionally and physically.

A recent overuse injury to my right wrist further reinforced this decision. I also feel this will encourage a slower consumption pattern. This means you don’t have to rush to buy something in case it disappears, but you can actually take your time before making a purchase. Less noise, less chaos.

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