A Factory Dress for the Literary Sewing Circle

Today is the final day of the "official" Literary Sewing Circle for the fall of 2020. However, I know that quite a few people had delays in getting their hands on the book this time around, so please know that you can still read the book, check out all the posts in this series and comment on them anytime, and if you do make a project, feel free to leave a link in the comments of the wrap-up post. If you are reading this far in the future, sharing your thoughts on the book is still very welcome! 

On to my own project for this round, inspired by The Night Watchman. I read this book first in the spring when it was newly released, and then again for the blog series, and I also listened to the audio version (read by the author, Louise Erdrich) while sewing. So I feel like I am really familiar with this novel and all the many characters who I came to really care about. 

I had many ideas for projects, but ended up going with one that mixed together a few elements of the book. I was taken by the idea of the jewel bearing plant, but couldn't find a good gemstone print to work with (my first idea). So I decided I'd make the Factory Dress by Merchant & Mills, as my nod to Pixie's workplace.

I also chose this bright blue linen from my stash; there are many references to blue in this book, from Pixie's blue coat that she's so proud of, to the family name of Juggie and Bernadette Blue. Wood Mountain's borrowed boxing robe is also blue, and Millie's glorious mission dress is a mix of blue, green & gold.

So all together this is a mix of inspirations, and a project I finally chose from among the many, many ideas I was working with. I'd still like to make something inspired by Thomas' wonderful penmanship, too! 

Now for the sewing details. 

This is a loose fitting dress, so I was careful to search for other makes on Instagram to get a feel for the ease and fit in other's projects before deciding on how I wanted to make mine. This helped give me a sense of the size to cut and any adjustments I might need before cutting. I think I've got it just about right for my sensibilities. 

It wasn't a very difficult dress; the construction is quite logical and well laid out, although the collar did give me some issues with a few puckers near the back shoulders. I don't think I clipped the collar seam well enough before adding the facing. I might go back and add a few clips into the final seam and press again to see it that smooths it out a bit. It's a tiny thing but something to note for next time. 

I wasn't sure if I should add the pocket to the bodice as it's not useful, but decided that it added to the style and so was needed visually. I like how it turned out! 

Otherwise a pretty quick sew. Sleeves are attached flat, the skirt is pleated not gathered so is easy to attach, and overall this was a speedy and enjoyable project. Since I used a looser weave linen, I did finish all the edges of all the pieces before construction, and that was probably the lengthiest element of the entire project. I love the clear blue, and think I might try this as a blouse next, as I really like the fit of the bodice. 

I hope you enjoyed The Night Watchman if you were reading along! Keep your eyes on this space for the next round of the Literary Sewing Circle, anticipated to begin in February or early March 2021.

Literary Sewing Circle: Finale & Project Link Up

Today is already our final day of the Literary Sewing Circle focusing on Louise Erdrich's The Night Watchman! 

I hope you've had the chance to read the book, and both the first and second inspiration posts, and are getting lots of ideas for a project of your own.

The project linkup will be added to the bottom of this post: as soon as you are done your project, just pop a link to your post into the linkup and we will all be able to visit your blog/instagram etc. and explore your creation -- remember, it can be sewn, or knitted, crocheted, embroidered... any textile art that you practice.

Here are my thoughts on this book. 

I enjoy Erdrich's style; it's a calm, measured narrative voice but with little flashes of quiet humour as well. I appreciate that technique. Also, the care she takes in her descriptive writing really enlivens and illuminates the story and the setting. The small details bring the reservation to life in all its physicality -- the land, the trees, lake, animals, sky -- everything is so lovingly evoked, but not in a sentimental way. I think that sometimes that can be a hard balancing act but she seems to do it effortlessly. These kind of descriptive details also evoke the characters effectively; you can almost see each of them with their distinctive traits. 

And the characters are so wonderful! There are so many of them but they are all people. You can feel the life going on behind them, the parts she doesn't talk about. The "leads" are Thomas and Patrice, but the connections between them and all the others on the reservation, and at the factory or in town, are vital as well. Each of the small side characters have a role and a purpose, and even though at times some of the brief appearances might seem unimportant, the book wouldn't be so complete without all of the paths crossing, and the existence of each character in the narrative.

The book was inspired by Erdrich's own grandfather's work in defending the Turtle Mountain Chippewa against termination in the 1950s, but there is no sense that this novel is only dry biography or reportage. She takes this important topic and weaves it into a story of people and life that manages to highlight and illuminate the real costs of political wrangles and racist intent. I found that getting to know the individuals in this story, their concerns, their daily experience, their ambitions and relationships and longings, makes the rest of the story stronger and more compelling to the reader. 

I also liked how the story kind of wanders along in short chapters, moving between characters and seemingly small moments or experiences, with small flashes of each life. The oddity of Patrice's trip to the city to look for Vera fits in with this somehow, as does Millie's life at university and her sudden involvement with her father's family on the reservation. I found this an almost hypnotic read that carried me along until it was suddenly done -- maybe it was the mood I was in when I began it, but I found it just about perfect. I loved it a lot, and I hope you all did too. 

Please share your thoughts on the book, its themes, characters, or anything you noted about it -- either in the comments here or on our first Book Talk post, or on your own blog with a link to your longer thoughts in the comments so we can find it. I love to talk about the experience of reading so feel free to comment no matter when you're reading this post; if you've read this I'd love to hear your thoughts.

What project have you made, inspired by your reading of The Night Watchman? Share a link to your project on this post as soon as you're done! I've extended the linkup an extra week since some readers were having delays getting their hands on a copy, so the linkup will be live until Nov 20 --  you have another month of sewing time to finish and share.

Literary Sewing Circle: Inspiration!

 

This week's Inspiration post is taking a look at some of the imagery and colours in this novel as a way to spark project ideas. There are so many actual references to clothing in this book, which we talked about in our last inspiration post, but we're going more abstract this week. 

As always in the Literary Sewing Circle, inspiration can be a spark of an idea. If you have even a sentence that explains your inspiration, go ahead with the project! 

Some of the imagery that stood out for me as potential inspiration will be matched up with fabric ideas this week.

When Thomas is working his shift as Night Watchman at the jewel bearing plant, an owl flies up to window and entices him outside. This owl is a strong image that spooks LaBatte when Thomas mentions it the next day. This might appear in your project via some owl print fabric -- there is a lot to choose from.

Go Owl Out from the appropriately named online shop OwlBeSewing

Art Gallery's Nightfall Owls, found at
funky monkey fabrics

The jewel bearing plant itself is an interesting place -- Erdrich compares the gears, the disks, to the grinding of time itself. And the jewels, the tiny specks of jewel components that must be set in, are what provide a job and income to Pixie and her family. 

This Encrusted Gems fabric at Spoonflower might be perfect!

Or perhaps something a little bolder, also
at Spoonflower

When Patrice goes to the city looking for Vera, she finds herself in the strange lumberjack themed bar, with a very unusual job. While you might not want to evoke this, there are possibilities in the woodsy theme! 

You could go with the classic Buffalo Plaid, or any
other plaid really -- this one found at Len's Mills

Or for something more quirky, check out this
Burly Beavers print from Robert Kaufman

Even the small scene where Patrice discovers she needs glasses, and gets assigned the basic thick black framed glasses that everyone gets, might provide some inspiration!

Stof Fabrics of Denmark, found on Etsy

If we look at other characters like Millie, there are settings to play with there as well. The library that Millie is working comfortably in, or her satisfaction at being able to type her own work, are both great places to start when thinking about what to make. 

You might like this print in the Literary series by 
Heather Givens at Windham Fabrics

This typewriter font cotton found at Joanns is pretty cute

Then there are all the natural settings that are so key to the book. The lake with a fishing boat on it, when Pixie swims out to Thomas' boat to escape Bucky -- the snowy woods and the setting sun that Pixie and Wood Mountain walk home in after getting her glasses -- the night sky full of stars that many characters mention, and Thomas experiences as star people dancing -- the cedar and pine that Zhaanat uses for her teas -- there are endless beautiful and evocative moments described in this story. 

Constellation print found at FabricsGalore

Pine cone batik at Spool & Spindle

Snowy woods in French Terry at L'Oiseau Fabrics

Finally, if you want to create some patchwork in your project, don't forget about the loving description of the quilt that Thomas naps under in the old house when he gets home from work as everyone else is starting the day. 

"It was a quilt of patches left over from the woolen coats that had passed through the family. Here was his mother's navy blue...here were the boys' padded plaid wool jackets, ripped and worn...Here was Rose's coat from the early days of their marriage, blue-gray and thin now... his own double-breasted camel coat...his last conscious thoughts on his father's old coat, brown and quiet."

I hope you are enjoying the read, and that something from either of these inspiration posts, or something else from the novel has given you a great idea for your own project. Feel free to share any ideas you might have so far!

Literary Sewing Circle: Author Feature!

Today's the day to talk about the author of our pick for this round of the #LiterarySewingCircle!

Louise Erdrich is an American author, writer of novels, poetry, and children's books featuring Native American characters and settings. She is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, a federally recognized tribe of the Anishinaabe (also known as Ojibwe and Chippewa).

Erdrich is widely acclaimed as one of the most significant writers of the second wave of the Native American Renaissance.

She is the author of fifteen novels as well as volumes of poetry, children’s books, short stories, and a memoir of early motherhood. Her novel The Round House won the National Book Award for Fiction. The Plague of Doves won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and her debut novel, Love Medicine, was the winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award. Erdrich has received the Library of Congress Prize in American Fiction, the prestigious PEN/Saul Bellow Award for Achievement in American Fiction, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. She lives in Minnesota with her daughters and is the owner of Birchbark Books, a small independent bookstore.

(via Wikipedia and publisher's website)

photo by Alessio Jacona

You can listen to Louise Erdrich talking about The Night Watchman at Politics and Prose, from early March this year. 

   

 

If you're interested in exploring Indigenous fiction and stories a bit more, be sure to check out Louise's bookstore, Birchbark Books -- there is even a section of the online store that has some beautiful craftwork for sale.

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You can tell from Erdrich's writing that she really understands sewing, and has a visceral sense of it that shows she is also a maker. Here are some quotes from her works that show her familiarity with small moments of sewing bliss, and her love of clothing & embellishments. 

 

“To sew is to pray. Men don't understand this. They see the whole but they don't see the stitches. They don't see the speech of the creator in the work of the needle. We mend. We women turn things inside out and set things right. We salvage what we can of human garments and piece the rest into blankets. Sometimes our stitches stutter and slow. Only a woman's eyes can tell. Other times, the tension in the stitches might be too tight because of tears, but only we know what emotion went into the making. Only women can hear the prayer.”

― Four Souls

“Your life feels different on you, once you greet death and understand your heart’s position. You wear your life like a garment from the mission bundle sale ever after – lightly because you realize you never paid nothing for it, cherishing because you know you won’t ever come by such a bargain again.”

― Love Medicine

"Ever since the beginning these twins are sewing. One sews with light and one with dark. The first twin’s beads are cut-glass whites and pales, and the other twin’s beads are glittering deep red and blue-black indigo. One twin uses an awl made of an otter’s sharpened penis bone, the other uses that of a bear. They sew with a single sinew thread, in, out, fast and furious, each trying to set one more bead into the pattern than her sister, each trying to upset the balance of the world... 

The pattern glitters with cruelty. The blue beads are colored with fish blood, the reds with powdered heart. The beads collect in borders of mercy. The yellows are dyed with the ocher of silence. There is no telling which twin will fall asleep first, allowing the other's colors to dominate, for how long. The design grows, the overlay deepens. The beaders have no other order at the heart of their being. Do you know that the beads are sewn onto the fabric of the earth with endless strands of human muscle, human sinew, human hair? We are as crucial to this making as other animals. No more and no less important than the deer.”

― The Antelope Wife

“How the flowers were fired and colored into the design. Perhaps this sort of gesture will be lost, perhaps it is a function of consciousness that we don’t need in order to survive. Perhaps this piece of evolution makes no sense—our hunger for everyday sorts of visual pleasure—but I don’t think so. I think we have survived because we love beauty and because we find each other beautiful. I think it may be our strongest quality.”

― Future Home of the Living God

"...sometimes, as I sit sewing in the room of the rebuilt house in which I slept as a child, I hear the crackle, catch a whiff of smoke from the stove downstairs and suddenly the room goes dark, the stitches burn beneath my fingers, and I am sewing with a needle of hot silver, a thread of fire."

-- The Leap (short story)
 

Literary Sewing Circle: Book Talk!

 

It's hard to believe that we are already halfway through our Literary Sewing Circle round for this fall! Today's the day for some serious book talk! How are you doing with the book? Have you started it yet? Finished it? Do you have any reactions you'd like to share? 

Here are a few questions to ponder today and for the next while -- whether you have begun reading, or you've only read blurbs & author interviews so far and still have something to say, join in! Although there might be a few spoilers in the questions and discussion below so if you haven't got too far yet you might want to come back to this post.

I'll add some of my own thoughts and you can reply to them or add your own impressions. If you want to hear other takes on a part of the book that you are curious about, leave your own questions in the comments, too. I hope you are all enjoying it so far!

1. What was the first thing that drew you to this book? Was it the setting? The historical context?

The first thing I knew about this book was that it was written by Louise Erdrich, and that was enough for me to put it on my TBR. I love her writing! But the concept of the book, that it was based on her grandfather's life and was looking at the political context of Indigenous rights in the fifties seemed really interesting as well. I just know that when I pick up a Louise Erdrich book I will enjoy it. 

2. Were you familiar with the historical context of this book? Did you know about "Termination" of tribes in American politics?

I didn't know about this element of American governmental interaction with Indigenous tribes. It's not surprising in a way, but the scope of it was shocking when I learned a bit more. Looking into the history of Termination Bills further really illuminated reasons for the rise in activism in the late 60s, 70s and beyond by groups like the American Indian Movement -- so many tribes had to fight termination bills, and developed skills of resistance and a collective response. 

 

3. There are a lot of characters interacting throughout the many chapters. Did you have any difficulty keeping them straight? 

I didn't, because I thought Erdrich created strong individual characters with their own quirks and habits, making them memorable. I enjoyed the way that the different characters had different concerns, and how the story moved between them all. 

4.Is there a particular character that you found especially compelling? Any themes or symbols that really resonate with you?

I liked the quiet steadiness of Thomas, and the determination of Patrice. I found them to be strong main characters who carried the novel. 

But I really liked Millie Cloud as well; her depiction as someone removed from half of her family but trying to reconnect was compelling. And her love of learning and libraries, and her relationship to patterns and clothing was also endearing. 

5. Names are important in this novel; from Pixie wanting to be called Patrice, to all the nicknames people are known by, and the meaning of family names, there is quite a bit of discussion of names. Why do you think this is a theme in the book?

A person's name can say a lot. Patrice demanding her more adult name rather than the nickname of Pixie shows her moving to a stronger self-determination in her life, I believe. And her sister's name, Vera, means 'truth', and Vera's experience reveals a dark truth about the treatment of Indigenous women that continues today. And their mother, Zhaanat, retains her traditional name - which reflects her entire lifestyle, as someone strongly tied to traditional ways. 

Thomas Wazhushk's name means Muskrat -- and Muskrat is the animal who, despite his unprepossessing size and strength, was able to find a clump of mud to build the earth with in an Ojibwe creation story. He's a builder and defender; Thomas shows this in himself very strongly, with his letter writing, connection building, and defense of the tribe to the government in a direct delegation to Washington.

6. Erdrich discusses not only the shoddy treatment of tribes by the federal government, but also the treatment of Indigenous women in the larger society. The role of women on the reservation contrasts with the value placed on them outside. Do you think this is something that still goes on?

This is a disingenuous question, in a way. Poor treatment of Indigenous women goes on constantly -- here in Canada there is an entire National Inquiry report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, and many egregious examples of terrible, racist violence against Indigenous women that keep surfacing. 

In the novel, Pixie is harrassed and attacked by local boys, but manages to escape. She doesn't say much about it to anyone except her mother, but the instigator of her attack suffers physical disfigurement that some say is retribution. When the legal system does nothing to protect or defend women, this kind of result is like a dream that evil deeds will be punished.

7. The novel is titled "The Night Watchman" in reference to Thomas Wazhushk -- his role as a watchman and guard is multifaceted. How do his jobs and his propensity for writing letters, communicating and advocating cement his central role in the story?

The novel was sparked by Erdrich's grandfather's experience, so it makes sense that Thomas is the main character. But he's also a spokesperson for the existential questions of identity and self-determination in this reservation and beyond. I think it's interesting how Thomas uses what he learned at residential school of the ways that white Americans think and act to benefit his goals. The descriptions of him writing letters and letters and letters, using his Palmer penmanship, is almost hypnotic. 

It's a rich concept, Thomas as Night Watchman. Not only for the jewel bearing plant, but also for the reservation and its rights and identity. And also, he watches in the night, finding Roderick, owls, and Star People to help him on his way. There is a complex web of meaning in the seemingly simple title and position that Thomas holds.

8. Is there anything specific  in the book that has sparked an idea for a project yet? Are you mulling over any ideas?

There are many things in the book that appeal to me as project ideas. From the clothing described in our first inspiration post to many images and places that will be explored further in another inspiration post, I can imagine quite a few projects. Being careful of course not to be culturally insensitive!  I tend toward making dresses, and am thinking of a few stash fabrics that might reflect Thomas' letter writing, or perhaps some of the colours of the reservation's landscape or animal life. I don't have a firm idea yet but there are many possibilities to explore.

Literary Sewing Circle: Inspiration!

It's the first week of our Literary Sewing Circle featuring The Night Watchman! Have you found a copy yet? Have you started reading? If so, how are you finding the opening chapters?

It's time for our first inspiration post of this round, and this book has a lot to work with! Erdrich describes clothing and outfits often in her work, and there are many moments with all the characters in this story that could be used as direct inspiration -- here are a few of them to consider. 

Near the beginning of the novel, Patrice's mother Zhaanat is sleeping, and Patrice is watching over her:

"Zhaanat's dress was made of midnight-green calico dotted with tiny golden leaves. The style was from the last century, but Patrice knew it was only a few months old. Her mother had sewed the old-time dress from over four yards of cloth. The sleeves were slim and ran down to her wrists. There were shell buttons in the front, and the dress had a sweeping gathered skirt."

This beautiful description suggests a popular style currently, like the Wilder Gown from Friday Pattern Company, or perhaps this BurdaStyle maxi dress from September 2015, also found online.

At the first boxing match between Wood Mountain and Joe Wobble, there is also a piece of clothing in the mix:

"Wood Mountain, Juggie's boy, sauntered in wearing a blue robe he'd borrowed from Barnes. He shuffled to hide his nerves, danced a little as he shed the robe."

His sister Bernadette Blue, in the city, appears at her door when Patrice knocks:

"Bernadette was not the shy, awkward tomboy she'd been in high school, hunching around in men's clothes. She was a stunner. Wearing a red silk kimono with pink blossoms. "

Either of these moments suggests a robe, whether that's more masculine and functional or a very feminine lingerie style robe. There are many great pattern ideas out there --   

the Mélanie Robe from Jalie

or the Loungewear Robe by Style Arc

or maybe the Willow Wrap by Designer Stitch

Patrice is proud of the coat she wears:

"On Saturday morning, Patrice put on the swing coat she'd pulled from the piles of mission-store clothing. What a find. It was a lovely shade of blue, lined with flannel wool under top quality rayon. The coat was tailored, and had a fine shape. She tied on a red and blue plaid scarf, and shoved her hands in the coat pockets."

To make something with this kind of silhouette you could try using the free Dahlia Coat from Mood Sewciety, which is based on a 50s shape, perfect for this inspiration.

Or for something a bit more traditionally coat-like, but with fabulous pockets and a swing silhouette, you could also try out the Opium Coat by Deer & Doe.

During the homecoming parade, the four girls from the jewel bearing plant are riding in one car: "Valentine rode in the front seat, of course. She chatted away with Doris about how to match plaids cut on the bias for a circle skirt. Patrice rode in the backseat with Betty Pye."

If you're thinking Circle Skirt, there is a very handy tool to calculate your pattern at By Hand London. And if you want to figure out for yourself how to match those plaids on the bias, check out this blog post by the Selfish Seamstress with one technique. And Seamwork has a lengthy article about plaid matching as well.

Betty Pye also shows up in the lunchroom at work a little later.

"She patted the shining lumps of hair perched over her ears. Smoothed the rickrack bodice of her flowery green dress." 

You can mimic this 50s style embellishment with any dress that you make. If you need tips on how best to add rickrack to a dress, check out these two methods shared by Erica Bunker. 

When we meet Millie Cloud, it's clear from the start that she has a special relationship with the patterns on her clothing.

"Millie spent most of her energy for fashion on combining patterns -- she hated to purchase anything in a solid color and always found herself in a quandry. It was readily apparent that Millie was fond of geometric patterns. Today she wore double diamond checks. Her blouse in black and white, her skirt in bright teal. Around her neck she wore a scarf printed with random blocks of gray and gold." 

And when Millie has been staying at the reservation for a while, she discovers she needs more clothes. "She went to the mission bundles with Grace, but found only florals. Millie detested flowers on fabric. 'Picky,' said Grace... 

Grace held up a black and yellow checked shirt, the perfect size for her. It had a pointed collar, three-quarter sleeves, and darts. Then, while Millie was admiring the shirt, Grace reached deep into a pile and teased out a remarkable garment. It was a long heavy dress made of six different fabrics, and each of the fabrics was a different geometric pattern. The colors were the same -- blue, green, gold -- but each combination differed in an intricate way. It was made of twill and the patterns were woven into, not stamped onto, the fabric. Millie held her arms out. Her heart swelled." 

There are quite a few patterns out there that are conducive to some colour blocking, or some fabulous print mixing that Millie would love. Try one of these and see what you can mix up.

McCalls 7466, View D, is a very trim version

The seamlines on this Butterick 6481 offer some print mixing opportunities

Kwik Sew 4260 has a bit more swing to it

I hope some of these loving descriptions of clothing and the preferences of the characters make you start thinking about your own style, and what you might take from these characters for your own project. We'll have another inspiration post in a few weeks so if nothing here is striking your fancy, wait for the next set of ideas! 

Literary Sewing Circle: The Night Watchman

Fall has arrived, and with it our new round of the Literary Sewing Circle. I'm so thrilled to announce our new title for our group read is:

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

Summary:

Based on the extraordinary life of National Book Award-winning author Louise Erdrich’s  grandfather who worked as a night watchman and carried the fight against Native dispossession from rural North Dakota all the way to Washington, D.C.

Thomas Wazhashk is the night watchman at the jewel bearing plant, the first factory located near the Turtle Mountain Reservation in rural North Dakota. He is also a Chippewa Council member who is trying to understand the consequences of a new “emancipation” bill on its way to the floor of the United States Congress. It is 1953 and he and the other council members know the bill isn’t about freedom; Congress is fed up with Indians. The bill is a “termination” that threatens the rights of Native Americans to their land and their very identity. How can the government abandon treaties made in good faith with Native Americans “for as long as the grasses shall grow, and the rivers run”?

Since graduating high school, Pixie Paranteau has insisted that everyone call her Patrice. Unlike most of the girls on the reservation, Patrice, the class valedictorian, has no desire to wear herself down with a husband and kids.

Thomas and Patrice live in this impoverished reservation community along with young Chippewa boxer Wood Mountain and his mother Juggie Blue, her niece and Patrice’s best friend Valentine, and Stack Barnes, the white high school math teacher and boxing coach who is hopelessly in love with Patrice.

In the Night Watchman, Louise Erdrich creates a fictional world populated with memorable characters who are forced to grapple with the worst and best impulses of human nature.

(via publisher)

photo by Alessio Jacona

About Louise Erdrich:

Louise Erdrich is an American author, writer of novels, poetry, and children's books featuring Native American characters and settings. She is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, a federally recognized tribe of the Anishinaabe (also known as Ojibwe and Chippewa).

Erdrich is widely acclaimed as one of the most significant writers of the second wave of the Native American Renaissance. In 1982, Erdrich's story, "The World's Greatest Fisherman," won $5,000 in the Nelson Algren fiction competition. She expanded the story into the novel Love Medicine (1984), which won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction. It is the only debut novel ever to receive that honor. Erdrich later turned Love Medicine into a tetralogy that includes The Beet Queen (1986), Tracks (1988), and The Bingo Palace (1994). She has written 28 books in all, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and children's books. Her latest novel, The Night Watchman, was published in 2020 and was inspired by her maternal grandfather's life.

She is also the owner of Birchbark Books, a small independent bookstore in Minneapolis that focuses on Native American literature and the Native community in the Twin Cities.

(via Wikipedia)


This book is available for purchase in both hard copy and ebook formats, as well as in audiobook format.

You can find many formats at all of these locations:

Amazon.ca

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com.au

Book Depository

Chapters Indigo

Powell's

Barnes and Noble

IndieBound

ABE Books


Biblio.com

Or, of course, check your local library!

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How does the Literary Sewing Circle work? We read a book together, discuss it, and then make something inspired by our reading. As long as you can point out what inspired you from your reading, even if just a sentence, you can share your makes in our final roundup!

Anyone can join, and you can sew, knit, quilt or embroider - any textile art that you like doing - to participate. This is a reading/sewing circle, very low-key; no competitions here, just reading and sewing for fun. 

There is no official sign-up to worry about; just start reading along if you wish, and leave your thoughts on the book or your project on any of the Literary Sewing Circle posts. We do have a dedicated book discussion post halfway through and again at the end, but leave your thoughts anytime. And you can follow along on Instagram too if you like: look for #LiterarySewingCircle and you'll find us.

And when the final post goes up, so does the project linkup -- you can leave a link to your finished project there, whether it is on your blog, a pattern site, or even Instagram. It's easy :)

So, join in, and share!

Literary Sewing Circle Schedule

Sept 18 - Announcement & Introduction
Sept 25 - Inspiration post 
Oct 2 - Author feature
Oct 9  - Halfway mark: book talk
Oct 16 - Inspiration post
Oct 23 - Final Post: book discussion wrap up & posting of project linkup


(The project linkup will be live until Nov 15 - three & a bit more weeks - so you have enough time to get your project posted)