Notions from April

A recap of my month's work, mood boards, purchases, and more

May 08, 2026

These letters arrive the first or second Friday of every month. Read more here.

With every new season comes an honest evaluation of my closet. What’s working, what’s comfortable yet expressive, what doesn’t fit anymore, what makes me feel chic versus schlubby. As I peer into my closets and drawers, I realize I don’t have many garments I’ve made anymore. Just a few. Even as sewing and making my own clothes has become such a big part of my creative life, it’s not reflected in my personal style. People still ask me, “Did you make that?” and these days, more often than not, the answer is no. It’s either rented or traded or thrifted or new.

Part of the reason is that I didn’t have much time to sew this winter. November was one of my busiest months at work as I wrapped up gear guides and finished out the year. December disappeared into holiday festivities. January was just kind of a bummer. February was full of travel. Another part is that brands send me items to test for my job as a gear writer. And while those are all valid excuses, they are excuses nonetheless. The bigger issue is that I haven’t liked most of the things I’ve made recently. Every dress I’ve made I’ve hated! Some items I can’t bear to part with yet; others I’ve given away—or are on their way out. If I start a new project, I’m afraid I’ll make something I won’t like again!

A few years ago, this dissatisfaction was simply a result of being a beginner. I was still figuring out how to tailor fit, choose fabrics, and pick styles that made sense for my life. But now, five years into making my own clothes, and five years into knowing what I like to wear and what sewing skills I have, I’m bummed when the thing I worked so hard to piece together hangs untouched in my closet. I’ve gone through Seamwork’s Design Your Wardrobe course several times. The class teaches you how to essentially make a capsule wardrobe for the season. Maybe I should try it again because style is ever-evolving.

Honestly though, I think it’s just that I mostly have everything I need. There will always be items on my wishlist—and items on my wishlist that I’m confident I can sew. And I will always impulsively buy things on Depop (within reason). But rather than making a huge list of things to make, I think I’d feel less overwhelmed and thus less discouraged committing to one or two things I can work on slowly, as I have the time, and that I’ll actually, realistically wear. Being deliberate and thoughtful is as much of a skill as running the machine and threading the needle.

Back to the drawing board.

Amelia

P.S. The wool series is on track! Chapter 4 about the fall of wool and rise of petroleum-based fabric went live last week. Next up, I’m deciding whether to write about the supply chain of a small-batch sweater company or the debut of a local wool mill. Definitely both, but which one first?

Latest Stories

Every year, Backpacker celebrates the mammals of the woods with Bear Week. I wrote a history of the California grizzly bear—hinged on how there’s a bill before lawmakers to potentially reintroduce grizzlies to the state.
Living in Flagstaff for a few years, I got to know my way around Sedona. I loved the drive through the canyon, where the rock walls change from shades of beige to shades of red. For Outbound Hotels, which just opened a gorgeous Sedona location, I wrote a 3-day guide to living like a local.
For Backpacker’s skills column, I wrote about a biting, pooping bug that causes heart failure and how cell satellite is changing search and rescue.
In the works: An oral history of Melanzana, the cult-favorite Colorado grid fleece hoodie company, for Outside Magazine. Also a story for Field Mag about KEEN’s new USA-made lifestyle shoes.

Monthly Links

Reading: Joyride by Susan Orlean is about the intrepid author’s journey into journalism and her reporting adventures and misadventures. I feel the same way about it as I do about listening to the Longform podcast—inspired to keep telling stories on this wobbly, uncertain path in media. She reminds me what I love most about being a journalist: meeting people, listening to and telling their stories, and all the surprises along the way.

Making: I snuck in a little collaging session last weekend, and glued a bunch of loose train tickets, postcards, and other paper memories into a journal. I like how it turned out. It’s fun to flip through. I think when I finish this one, I’ll size up.

Thrifting: A tiny, red cooler ($4) for river trips this summer. Look—it has a flip lid!

Testing: The Swedish brand Klättermusen kindly sent a few hiking/trail running pieces (pic above) ahead of a hike they’re hosting this month. Favorites include the lightweight Diser SS Tee (polyester + elastane) and matching Diser Shorts.

Buying: Plane tickets to Copenhagen (!!!!!!), a membership to the Portland Art Museum, and a new battery for our darling carrot-orange Prius.