#12: Sew Over 50 with Judith Staley

Judith is the creator of, and one of the main driving forces behind, the biggest sewing community on Instagram, SewOver50. Whilst providing a virtual hub for conversation and inspiration for everyone, SewOver50 also pushes for the increased visibility of older people within sewing related industries. In our conversation, Judith tells me about the rapid creation of that community and the goals behind it. She also shares how her own revelations surrounding her wardrobe and sewing output sparked the idea for the fantastically inspiring challenge: #so50sustainablesewing. The blog post mentioned in the introduction about handmade washable period pants can be found HERE Find Judith on Instagram @judithrosalind Read about Judith’s revelation in 2018 related to her wardrobe and sewing output HERE and HERE Stacey Doodley’s documentary Fashion’s Dirty Secrets HERE (not currently available on iplayer but lots of clips are available on Youtube). The True Cost, a powerful documentary about the clothing industry, is available on Youtube HERE See Judith below in one of her awesome tops made using the LB Pullover pattern by Paper Theory. Judith has posted a lot about her Vintage Linen Coat Project, see below for the incredible way that she handled the rust spots, and read about it HERE. She’s using the September Coat pattern by Merchant & Mills. Judith’s Insta-pal @redrubyrose is a talented natural dye expert and accessories designer/maker. See one of Judith’s natural dye embroidery patches HERE. The Destash for Kids with Cancer account is HERE (@destash_for_kids_with_cancer) Find the Sew Over 50 community @sewover50, Judith founded it and co-runs it with Sandy @sunnydayz06 The amazing blog and community, The Sewcialists is HERE (it’s no longer running but all posts are still up to enjoy) Blanca @blakandblanca is an incredible older sewist who was the inspiration behind the Blanca Flight Suit pattern by Closet Core Patterns. #so50sustainablesewing is the hashtag that is definitely worth checking out! Wardrobe Crisis podcast by Clare Press HERE. Maria @velosews made an incredible jacket from a used coffee bean sack (pictured below). Check out her fantastic podcast Sew Organised Style HERE. A big source of inspiration for Judith, and many others, is Tricia @morrissews. Equally, Sue Stoney @suestoney is a talented maker and prolific creator. Read her blog HERE. The Envelope Dress zero waste pattern by Cris Wood.