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Sewing with Winter Inspiration

Kauri Dress by Below the Kowhai

Winter inspiration can be found in a hushed palette of blues in Prussian, denim, navy and indigo.

Thank you to Sharaine Talip for creating this Winter inspiration blog for our Below The Kōwhai community.

To see more of Sharaine’s beautiful work you can follow her on Instagram at @anak.the.label in addition you can follow along with her Waldorf teaching and lifestyle posts at @head.hearth.hands

winter colour palette

Wattles with your tiny suns,
Underneath the spotted gums.
Warm our hearts til Springtime comes,
Lovely Winter flowers.

– Waldorf Winter Festival song

winter inspiration

Inward Reflection

The icy blast of Winter has blown across the land. King Winter and Jack Frost are frequent visitors to our vegetable gardens, flowerbeds and windowsills.

Many dark mornings we wake to find delicate fingers of ice dancing across spider webs and leaves, turning to drips and puddles as the sun slowly wakes up from her deep sleep.

sewing winter inspiration

Winter is a time of inward reflection and seeking an inner light amidst the darkness.

The Winter equinox marks the shortest day and the longest night, and in the Waldorf tradition we celebrate the turning of the season with a community lantern festival, sharing a warm meal and singing songs together.

sewing winter inspiration

Winter in the Southern Hemisphere is a rich dichotomy of dark and light, cold and warmth, moon and sun.

For this season, a hushed palette of blues in Prussian, denim, navy and indigo reflect the outer shades of Winter. Little pops of gold and daffodil remind us all of the inner light we carry.

sewing winter inspiration

Outward Making

This inner light and outer dark is carried through into this season’s make: a long sleeve Kauri dress in a cotton-linen blend.

This pattern is such a joy to sew with and I have now made it in almost every way imaginable. It continues to bring me much joy as a maker. It is well loved and appreciated by every wearer, no matter their age or the season.

Kauri Dress sewing pattern by Below the Kowhai
Kauri Dress with lining

Made in Prussian blue cotton-linen blend with a cotton poplin lining and pocket detail. This long sleeve version of the Kauri dress is perfect for Winter layering.

This season’s make features a fully lined bodice to keep its recipient extra warm and an extra pop of colour in the waist bias binding.

The whimsical woodland floral print featured on the bodice lining is also reflected in miniature hand embroidered detail on the outer bodice.

embroidery on Kauri Dress

As we look now towards the warmer and brighter months, may we all reflect on the Winter that has passed. Remember that quiet little glimmer of light that kept us all going in darker times.

Kauri Dress by Below the Kowhai

Thank you for creating this thoughtful post for our sewing community Sharaine.

If you have felt inspired by Sharaine’s garment,

To fully line your own Kauri Dress click here.

To use bias binding on your waist edge click here.

Love and happy sewing,

Sophie x

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