friday feels

Another Saturday delivery of Friday Feels - do I need an alternate name for these? Saturday storytime? our entire street (and apparently a big portion of Murfreesboro) lost power last night right in the middle of a live workshop! It came back on overnight but not in time for me to get this sent out. After our water heater fiasco and now this I’m starting to wonder what the next electrical problem is going to be...

We did order a few power supply backups to at least keep some things running temporarily if power drops during a live class again so I can tell people what’s happening before the screen goes black 😅!

production updates

Not much new going on in production, Midweight Linen units are continuing to roll in and ship out—I am spec'ing each garment now before packing to make sure I catch anything with a potential scaling issue (I talked about this last week, if you missed it you can read here). Anything that measures off spec will be re-cut and sewn (no fun, but this does mean we'll have some sample sale inventory in the coming weeks so silver linings, right?).

I am trying to keep my momentum, but admittedly I felt the burnout this week. Those feelings are always the strongest when I feel a direct tension between being present for my kids and continuing to work. Both boys had fevers separately this week, and that sinking feeling when my three-year old just wanted me to hold him all day but I knew the thirty-five things that wouldn't get done in the meantime was a red flag that I was starting to hit a wall. There's a much larger conversation to be had here about motherhood, lacking support systems for working moms, and the particular challenges of female entrepreneurship. But for today, I just wanted to be honest about the fact that sometimes it's hard and I don't always have a well of positive energy.

Knowing we are already woefully behind just makes each new road bump feel very high stakes, but I am working to consciously remember that at the end of the day we're making clothes and everyone will be okay. We always deliver even when it takes a while, I am deeply proud of the integrity of our product, and these are garments meant to be worn for years.

Is 2025 the year for smooth, timely production? Absolutely NOT. If I could rewind and change course, I would. Does that make me less valuable as a person, or negate the things ES does well? Again, absolutely not. That lesson right there has taken me over a decade to learn, and I'm still learning it.

But also, to everyone that has continued to stick with us this year, I do not take you for granted. I hope we can make that clear by ensuring you get exactly what you need from us regardless of how long it takes! (Side note: that same clingy toddler likes to help me work when he's feeling himself, and that's him above helping cut notes for orders sharing this same sentiment of gratitude. If you get one with less than perfect edges, it's his little handiwork :)

Ok I didn't really intend to go down that road, but overall production is just chugging along. Silk is here but cutting hasn't started yet, that will begin as soon as the last Lightweight Linen styles are cut (the last LWL garments to be cut are the Lightweight Linen Georgia Snap Tops). If you have an order that is urgent for a specific event, trip, or otherwise, you can always let us know and we will do our best to get it to you!

sewing workshops & patterns

Over in the sewing world things are getting fun! I'm working on a few different samples for the Clyde Outerwear Boot Camp to show different techniques, including a quilted Clyde Vest with bias-bound seams, a corduroy Clyde Jacket with faced shawl collar, and a fully lined Trench (I haven't done a lining on this style before, but I'm working through with students and I'm excited to see how it turns out).

I know y'all are excited about the PDF pattern for this style and for the Clyde Culottes—they're coming! I don't have a date yet, but I promise we're working on it. The pattern files are done and the instructions are in progress. We need to finish the illustrations and proof everything but they're so close.

The Andy Trouser Masterclass begins at the very end of this month, and you only have four days left to join. The steps to construct the Andy are the same as our Florence Pant, and if you'd like to learn the Florence I can send you that pattern instead of the Andy and you can still follow along. Just send us an email after purchasing your ticket to let me know you'd like the Flo pattern instead. Sign up here!

I also wanted to share this post from Elise. She has been such an encouraging voice over the past few years (thank you for always bringing a warm hug into my DMs). I love posts like this that highlight a sewing pattern that gets frequent use. Finding silhouettes or styles that work for you and leaning into them is such a powerful way to make your wardrobe more sustainable, and I think it gives a sense of stability and security in your aesthetic identity (at least for me). Having some staples that are really home-runs makes me feel more confident, especially when I'm getting dressed on a day where my internal confidence reserves are a bit lacking.

So, congrats on your SIXTH Linn Tee, Elise! Thank you for sharing :)

Last pattern related thing, but it's an exciting one!

You can now get full size printed copies of our pattern through Brooklyn Motif!

She has detailed instructions on her site, but basically you purchase the pattern through our site as normal, and upload the file on her site (just to confirm that you own the pattern), and she prints and mails you the paper copy. You can have her just print certain sizes if you'd like which is really nice for simplifying cutting your pattern.

You can use the code PRINTELIZABETHSUZANN for 10% off print orders. Check it out here!

this week in motherhood, plus a history lesson on eugenics

A few disparate things here in closing since this has gotten a bit long already! We started the fall festivities early, as soon as pumpkins were spotted. Chris and our toddler carved this jack-o-lantern when I was teaching one of our evening workshops, and the sheer excitement when I came inside was heart-bursting. We didn't have any tea lights, so we shoved a full size three wick pumpkin-spice candle inside and I kind of love it because tea lights burn out way too fast?! We just sat on the floor and watched it glow for a while with the biggest smiles, and if that's not a core memory I don't know what is.

I listen to a lot of audiobooks while I'm working (especially when I'm doing more manual work like cutting, sewing, or shipping) but lately I've been listening to more documentaries. This week I came across a PBS documentary on eugenics, and listened through the whole thing. I have been feeling really drawn to historical content lately, and this video really affirmed that desire. I will let the content speak for itself, but what stood out to me the most were the parallels in messaging surrounding immigration. The headlines and cultural fears from over a hundred years ago sound so similar to what we hear today.

I learned a lot about the history of the eugenics movement and its evolution, and I was reminded again just how much insight into humanity we have access to through examining our past. As disturbing as the documentary was, I was honestly heartened by the perspective change that many scientists and sociologists underwent over the course of their careers. The ability to self-reflect and change our own views—especially when that means admitting we were wrong in big and profoundly harmful ways—is one of the most precious aspects of the human condition. That's not to excuse anything, it just struck me as a notable part of the story that many people behind the early eugenics movement ultimately came to oppose it.

I'm trying to pick a new topic to have in my headphones this week, and, after seeing this short video on Bernie Sander's visit to West Virginia, I'd like to learn more about the Mine Wars. I think there is so much history from this part of the country that isn't talked about and I'm hungry for more.

I hope you have something keeping your mind engaged this week, and also find some time to give it a bit of rest. I'm partial to extra-hot baths when my phone's battery dies as a way to forcibly relax and disconnect. For extra credit, turn all the lights off, light a candle, and find a clean towel BEFORE YOU GET IN so you don't have to run through the house wet afterward—totally improves the experience.

Be well,

Liz