April’s Trashy Newsletter

HAPPY APRIL MY LOVELY’S!

Honestly guys April was emotionally chaotic but THE SUN HAS COME OUT and I literally don’t care anymore its summer. Therefore, I am thriving. We filmed YouTube videos, we prepped fun new content, we dreamed of new patterns, and we vibed. It was a month of that delicious spring time magic and I am so DEEPLY in love with witnessing everything blossom. God I love being alive, let's get into it. 

CURRENT CREATIONS/ UPDATES 

What am I creating? Truthfully this month I haven’t felt like I was really “creating” anything, even though I was lol. I’ve been going through a creative shift, don’t get me wrong I am still creating sewing patterns and planning to share more, however I felt like I wanted something new? Something more honest and open? It’s led me to YOUTUBE. Which, firstly, if you haven’t checked out my YouTube page…dare I say it’s pretty amazing. But, secondly!!!!! This has been an incredibly fun and new creative endeavor for me as well! I love filming with my pretty camera and having a microphone in my hand and yapping about my thoughts, my process, what I’m liking, and creating together. The editing process is honestly a joy and I love watching an intentional, slow piece of content, focused on my favorite thing ever (sewing!!!) come together to make this magical little movie I get to share with you. 

This month I shared 2 videos, which is my new routine I’m sticking to. So expect to see videos from me every month and there are A LOT of good ones coming your way. One was a sew-with-me a pair of fabulous patchwork denim jeans. My second was a new series I started called crafts & convos where I take you on an adventure, we sit outside, we craft, and we talk about all the thoughts, revelations, feels; all. Of. It. You can watch both of these & see my other videos from the past using this link; https://youtube.com/@dumpsterslayer444?si=zsAyixSAf-mHysCk

and while you’re at it you might as well subscribe ;)

Also, after sitting with the blah of finishing a big creative project, I am FINALLY feeling the sprouting vision of a new pattern in the works, and she is CUTE. I’m testing her out in the next coming weeks after finalizing some measurements and I am incredibly excited. 

PATREON TUTORIAL OF THE MONTH: Self drafting a smock tank top!

This month we made the cutttttttest smock tank top to ring in that warm weather!! I go over how to self draft your own version using a T-shirt from your closet as the base. I learned how to sew using this technique and it’s a great entrance to getting comfortable paper pattern drafting. PLUS it’s adorable, so obviously you’ll have the best time ever. The tutorial will be up on Monday and I can’t wait to see all you guys create!! 

If you aren’t subscribed to patreon, I do one in depth sewing tutorial a month, some projects including a printable PDF pattern to follow along with. This is a great space for new and old sewists alike looking for guided projects to work alongside throughout the month. If you also simply like following along my journey and supporting my teaching and art in other ways, this is a great way to do so. To receive the full benefits of my patreon page, sign up for the dumpster divers tier, it’s $5 a month, the link to sign up is here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/Dumpsterslayer444 If you’re just interested in keeping the creative dreams rollin, you can also subscribe to my tip jar tier for only $1 a month to support me. 

IN-PERSON EVENTS 

I took the winter off to sort out my life I suppose? I spent a lot of time focusing on my patterns, online work, and online offerings. However, I am officially ready to be in person again and connect with you all! I have a few local classes I’m sorting out behind the scenes, however I would love to organize an outdoor craft meet up about twice a month. If you’re in the Marquette area and are interested/ have some days that work out for you PLEASE reach out! I would love to get some input from everyone and get things rolling come June so stay tuned for that :)

SLOW-STITCH WIP

Yes. I am still working on the melt the ice hat. LMAO. This month I worked on a lot of fun side projects, but my favorite by far was this appliqué vest I made using thread and sprouts soft armor pattern. 

My vest design was inspired by a lot of feelings I’m having about the state of the world. I was consuming a lot of protest music and it was building up this rage and sadness inside of me. It needed to be released delicately, because I’m not one to make the fuck ice T-shirt even though I absolutely agree. I wanted it to communicate that we’re better than this because we are rooted in love and that THIS BS is not the country I was raised in. Over and over again the vision of a bald eagle carrying an olive branch, a symbol of peace, came to me. So this month I finally sat down to hand stitch this piece together and created a garment I am so incredibly proud of. 

This month I also got into a bit of collaging which has been really joyful for me and meditative. Just a really simple wind down of cutting up shapes and creating a fun piece of art. I have been trying to incorporate more paper arts into my life so I can have a bit of variety apart from sewing. 

EARTH CONNECTIONS 

This month I went outside lots!! Since the snow has finally melted I put my car keys away for the summer and am back on my bicycle and oh my gosh. THE JOY. Riding your bike everywhere you need to go is the best thing ever and sets me up for such a joyful day of sparkle. My morning routine as of late has been to wake up around 6:30, watch the sunrise and sit outside, eat some breakfast and read or do the wordle, and then bike down by the lake to yoga class and bike home. It has been so AMAZING so CALM and such a beautiful way to start my day outside playing before I even touch my work. I love it SO much. Listening to the birds and feeling the wind on my face first thing in the morning, saying hello to the lake, It makes me feel so deeply connected to our planet and myself. 

I went to visit my bestie in the boundary waters which was incredible!! We puddle jumped and played but we primarily worked on bird costumes for her dance performance at the community theater. It was iconic and below is the remnants of our blue, sparkly, chaos. This trip was followed by the recent overturning of the 20 year mining ban in the boundary waters, an absolutely devastating piece of news after returning from this magical place. It inspired my earth day sale of donating 100% of my sales to friends of the boundary waters!! We raised almost $500!!!!!!! HOW COOL! Once all the funds are processed through my website I’ll be donating that to friends of the boundary waters, thanks to you all!

ALSO major side note but not really? We have a duck couple who’ve been visiting our yard everyday and loafing in the shrubs by our house and I feel like I’ve been chosen. I hope they come everyday of the summer so I can leave them treats and we can become friends. 

COOL GIRL CONSUMPTION

This month I’ve been consuming a lot of podcasts. Some of my faves are skinny dipping with kela rose, the Florence given show, good hang with Amy pohler, and anything goes with Emma Chamberlain. It’s been really fun to listen to so many bad ass women while sewing and it’s been really wonderful to listen to throughout the month. It’s also been inspiring a big wave of introspective dreaming and really focusing on what I want to show up in the next 6 months, it’s made me incredibly excited to create again and see what I do!

I’ve also been consuming so much ice cream. Our local ice cream shop opened up for the summer season and I am literally not kidding. I go like 4 times a week. You simply can’t beat having your $2 ice cream cone order taken on paper by the seasonal employees at the tiny hole in the wall soft serve spot. THAT is peak existence and I will not be slowing my consumption any time soon. 

Lastly, I was pretty moody in April so to keep my spirits high I’ve been consuming copious amounts of cheesy romance from the local library. What a blessing to have so many troupes to consume and ponder instead of your own life LOL. 

So thats me pooks. April was an emotional roller coaster as everything melting away revealed the core I haven’t paid attention to all winter long, nonetheless it was magical. It was perfect. & It was exactly where we mother effing needed to be babes! Happy spring, happy life, I send you all lots of love. Go outside, make art, and dream big!!

Love you,

madie