Welcoem to posts!!
in the future - u will be able to do some more stuff here,,,!! like pat catgirl- i mean um yeah... for now u can only see others's posts :c
YOU GUYS I have massive news (and a new video, tomorrow)... my US visa application has been approved. I'm moving abroad. It's official. This is something I've wanted since dinosaurs roamed the Earth, and I'm delighted - especially since my application was based on my achievements over a 30+ year career as a historical dressmaker. It's a massive validation and I'm enormously grateful.
To celebrate, I'm releasing a short video that Sophie and I made last year.
Last summer I wanted to create a short piece explaining the velvet coat project - what it is, why I'd do something so nuts and why I'm taking so long over it. But I felt self conscious about the result - I felt like I looked horrible and didn't explain it very well. (Read: it was quite personal and I was scared.)
But I'm full of beans right now, so f*** it, let's do it. It'll be out at 1pm Eastern tomorrow (Friday). Thank you, once again, for being with me on this extraordinary journey.
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What does it take to carve out space to sew regularly without guilt, and ensure more of your cherished project ideas turn into clothes you can actually wear and enjoy (even if that involves a gazillion tiny felt flowers?)
In a few hours a bunch of us are getting together to plan out a sustainable sewing practice that will give you PERMISSION to come home to the sewing you really love (because what else is life for, anyway?)
If you are someone who keeping finding your projects unfinished or on the back burner because life perpetually gets in the way, this is 100% for you, and if you're neurodivergent, you'll be right at home.
Join us by signing up now at foundationsrevealed.com/workshop whether you're joining us live, or whether you want the link to the recording afterwards. I'd love you to be part of this, so that we can empower each other to make space for what we truly love as a community. See you there. <3
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I have a new video almost ready for you - it's going up on Sunday.
I've been listening to last month's feedback, and I think this video is much stronger.
You'll see more of the church where I stayed in August, we'll chat about calling yourself an artist, and you'll see me make as much progress on the coat embroidery in August as I did in the 3 previous months (here's a sneak peek!) đĽł
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New video this week! Join me on SUNDAY to see my favourite place yet that I've worked on my 1890s Marshall & Snelgrove velvet coat. (Yep, I'm trying out a new upload time this month.) The travel is making consistency a little challenging, but we carry on regardless. See you soon!
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The 2023 Foundations Revealed Competition concludes today with the Winners' announcement, about to be released on the FR Channel. I'm so excited to celebrate 15 outstanding winners and all 160 brave makers! https://youtu.be/BW6nC5VcIJY
Meanwhile I also just delivered all the footage for a NEW velvet coat video to Sophie, and we'll have that out for you on June 1st!
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My friend gifted me a blanket she crocheted. I appreciate the work in it, the care in it, and the love in it.
But never more so than when my world was falling apart with COVID and anxiety a couple of days ago, and I was clinging to that blanket like it was my last scrap of proof that the world is a kind place. (I'm melodramatic when I'm ill.)
And somewhere in that anxiety I remembered - and felt - the REAL value in the things we make.
More: cathyhay.com/2023/05/a-blanket-statement-about-hanâŚ
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It's been a very full month at work - not just the Skirt Workshop and our new Course, but the 2023 Competition Entries are LIVE!
members.foundationsrevealed.com/entries-2023/
I'm SO DARN PROUD of my team's dedication, and of the 159 makers who entered the Foundations Revealed Competition this year.
Our panel of Judges have selected the finalists, and everything is LIVE. Be wowed by the pretties and be inspired by the stories of struggle, creativity, and triumph. These are makers just like you. Let them pull you towards your own creative passions. :)
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It is so hard to put your work out there on a big scale, and I trust that you will turn out en masse, as you always do, to support each other and create such a massive wave of POSITIVE judgement and appreciation that *everyone* wins.
Free and paid members who've been with Foundations Revealed since at least Feb 22nd 2023 have just over 2 weeks to VOTE for the winners, until Monday 8th May 2023, 5pm London. The prizewinners will be announced on Friday 19th May 2023, 6pm London.
Do help me celebrate all our entrants, and the incredible creative journey they've taken this year. And to those of you who entered - YOU DID IT! Good Luck!
That link again - members.foundationsrevealed.com/entries-2023/
Love, Cathy x
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For many people, an authentic self-made wardrobe begins with one good, sturdy walking skirt. It's so versatile. You can make it feminine with a lacy blouse, or make it smart with a shirtwaist and waistcoat.
The top half can be thrifted to get a close-enough look for the time being - but the skirt is the piece you need to make in order to "get the look".
Every Spring I host an open historical sewing workshop on behalf of Foundations Revealed. This Spring we're looking at the most important skills, fabrics and knowhow you need to make a really beautiful, tailored walking skirt.
Every day over this coming long weekend, from 7th-10th April, there'll be a bite-size pre-recorded video to walk you through the most important tips and tricks to know - and the biggest pitfalls to avoid - when making these skirts.
Plus, next Wednesday, April 12th, we'll have a live, facilitated call with the FR Mentors to answer your questions and help you put your new knowledge into action. There is no charge for this either, and it will be recorded for you.
We'll also be opening enrolment for my online historical sewing school Foundations Revealed, including our new 12 week Walking Skirt Course, which is about to begin. (Scholarships will also be open if that's a better fit for you.)
Whether or not you join us in the full Course, my aim is for the Workshop to cut to the chase and give you just the most important pieces of knowledge you need to make your next late Victorian skirt into your best skirt yet.
Sign up at the link below - I'd love to see you there from tomorrow, Friday, April 7th... but the videos will be available until Next Friday, April 14th.
cathyhay.lpages.co/april-2023-live-workshop-signupâŚ
Love, Cathy x
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This New Year feels different. It feels like there's hope. We can look back, learn lessons, and use them to build back better, and I'm no exception to that. So as the year turns and my voice slowly heals, itâs time to use it to tell my truth. cathyhay.com/2022/12/a-little-truth-telling/
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We all know that feeling of cramming the night before the deadline, right?
Back in September I held a live Workshop with professional bridal designer and Foundations Revealed Mentor Lowana O'Shea (VanyanĂs) to help you design, pace and complete an important project on time, like a confident, professional maker would - WITH a plan and WITHOUT the 3am all-the-work-while-crying nightmare!
Why should you care? Well, Happy Holidays everyone, because from tomorrow, the cleaned-up, edited version of that Workshop is going fully PUBLIC.
Parts 1 to 4 will be released one at a time on my channel over the next couple of weeks - and they'll stay up right until the Competition deadline on February 22nd so that you can refer back to them whenever you wish.
We want to make it easier and more fun than ever to complete any creative project, while actually enjoying the process and feeling like a creative rock star.
(And maybe you'd like to enter the Competition too, but that's optional.)
Part 1 goes up tomorrow... stand by...
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I believe the creative arts are a grounding, peaceful, powerful metaphor. That thing you love to do is more than a cute hobby; that's you creating your Universe. I may love to reverse engineer and recreate historical clothing so that it can step out of the glass case and live again, but by doing so publicly I aim to empower everyone's creative side.
Creative? Sensitive? Don't quite fit in this world? Let me offer you an oasis. Come home, exhale, and remember who you are in a positive, uplifting community. Welcome!