Literary Sewing Circle: Banyan Moon Inspiration!

 

It's the first week of our Literary Sewing Circle featuring Banyan Moon by Thao Thai. Have you found a copy yet? Have you started reading? If so, how are you finding the opening chapters? 

Today's inspiration is going to look at some of the characters in this story; we'll find ideas based on their names and personalities. Here are a few suggestions of projects you could make based on these elements. 

Ann is the main character, the one we meet as the book begins, and the one whose story is told in the first person. If you wanted to make something inspired by her there are many options! 

You could try the Ann Boxy Top by EF Patterns on Etsy; it's a simple silhouette that's really popular. 

Or you could make a simple tee, the Ann tee from StyleArc

Ann is also called Annie by one childhood friend, so maybe you'll go with that and make the Annie Dress by Tessuti Fabrics. Nice and light for a Florida summer.

While I couldn't really find any good men's patterns inspired by Ann's partner Noah, she might dress on theme herself in this Noah mini skirt by PatternCos

And you could add on this Noah Blouse by Make My Lemonade for a full Noah outfit! 

And also hinting at another theme, perhaps this Noah Baby Collection by Haurra Sewing would be suitable for any little ones in your life. 

And on that same theme, perhaps you'll take Kumquat as your inspiration! (you'll find out all about this name late in the book.)

You might use some Jenny Kumquat fabric by Domesticate on Spoonflower to sew up the loose summer frock of your dreams.

Using another stitching skill, you might even want to crochet this adorable Kumquat amigurumi figurine from Yarn Blossom Boutique!

Ann reconnects with her high school friend Crystal when she returns to the Banyan House. Maybe you want to take the edgy Crystal as your inspo. You could make the Crystal Skirt by FibreMood 

And maybe pair it with the Crystal Cove Cami by Itch to Stitch

And then throw on the Crystal Overshirt by StyleArc as a topper!

Ann also re-encounters her old high school flame Wesley. It was hard to find a pattern for him, but maybe his son Elijah could wear the Wesley Shirt by the Dutch Pattern Farm.

And then Wesley could wear the Elijah shirt by Ditto Patterns! 

You might even be inspired by the classy (if snobby) Alice or Brandon Winthorpe, Noah's parents. You could make an  Alice Blouse - either the version by Sew Over It or one by Jalie Patterns! 

Inspired by Brandon, you might choose to make some men's clothing with any of Brandon Mably's colourful fabric line 

Or create a preppy staple, the white undershirt to layer under a button down, using the Brando tee by Mood Sewciety. 

We might even look at the title of the book as inspiration for our projects! Did you know that a Banyan was an 18th Century men's garment? There are a few historical patterns for what is essentially a glamorous housecoat - there is the Burnley & Trowbridge historically accurate version, or the more freeform cutting plans from costumer Tara Michele Maginnis for a variety of banyans including one zero-waste option.

Or you could just go with this free Banyan Pet Bandanna by Samantha Marie Design! 

And of course there are many ways you could go with Moon! You could dress up in the I AM Patterns Full Moon Blazer 

Or make a floaty dress with the Moon Pocket Maxi by Sew Different 

Or make All Well Sewing's Free Full Moon bag, complete with their Half Moon Zip! 

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Have you connected with any of the characters yet? Is there one you particularly like? Anyone that you dislike? What do you think of the structure, having the perspective shift between the three main characters, Ann, Huong and Minh? Do any of the characters spark ideas for a project yet?