Sew Darling, Here's the Stitch-uation. (Copy)
This just in, Hillary has written a newsletter.
If, like me, you see a block of text and black out - I got you! I have included an audio recording for this above. Those who listen get extra ad-libbed gems, as I cannot contain myself. (Treat it like a podcast baby!)
Jump to the bottom for sewing related happenings or start at the top if you’re cool 😉.
My hope is to create a newsletter, definitely a Substack, and maybe a podcast 🙀 🙄 that I feel proud of. My motivation around this is to have an outlet and a channel of communication with cool people like you that isn’t dependent on Instagram, because it feels icky that creepy men make money off of us being in relationships online 🙅🏼♀️.
The name for this is TBD for now, but I plan on sharing silly little things like:
🧞♀️ my feminist rants
👗 the shit that I am working on
😶🌫️ my feelings
♻️ outfit repeating
😬 things ill ultimately regret
🌎 free resources for dope stuff
👯♀️ women I’m obsessed with and what they are doing
🧵 sewing/making tips and tricks
😵💫 unhinged commentary on the state of things
📝 lists (just lists)
🧶 how all of this is tied together like a crime scene investigation with red string.
This will be brought to you in the only way I know how: my sweet, surprising balance ⚖️ of straightforward gems of knowledge 💎, feminine rage 🏋️♀️, and comedic gold 🥇
Let's tune in:
Good Evening, I am Hillary, and this is The Personal News 🗞️
First, over to Meteorologist Hillary for the weather report.
Dare I say… has spring … sprung? Look at this gorge-ina video I captured of my city looking all pretty and shit.
I love March - it feels like the actual beginning of the year.
📅 Longer days
☀️More sun
☘️ A holiday celebrating my heritage (piles of green puke in the subway - less cool 🤢)
🎂 Aaaaand a day marked all over the world by those who observe - the anniversary of my birth - March 23rd.
For more on that story, we send it over to Hillary.
Thanks, Hillary, I'm here live on the scene where a woman is aging.
This year I turn 39 ( 😱 oh. my. god. chill. the. fuck. out. I know. I look. like. I drank. from. the. fountain. of youth.) People – especially women are so fucked up about age. There will be a whole ass essay in the near future, until then – spoiler alert: This is the GOAL people — to age, to live, to grow, to evolve.
For more on this development, stay tuned.
Now for our top story: 7 people slayed in a freak parade held in Hudson, NY last week.
I went on an artist retreat with a group of creatives to spend time being weirdos. This was my second cohort with [[DoYouEver]] and I cannot begin to explain the majesty that is Phoebe and Jacqueline.
What did we do? Not much, just:
✅ made bad art
✅ stretched
✅ felt our feelings
✅ laid down
✅ nibbled sweet treats
✅ strolled along a stream
✅ cohabitated
✅ had a cry
✅ gushed over each other's greatness
✅ hehe, haha'd
✅ observed the trees
✅ ate around the dinner table
✅ played
I came away from this time with one word, which I know is shocking as I am the yappiest of yappers and the chittiest of chatters. But alas, one word: FUN. Just fucking fun.
Warning for sensitive viewers:
Here comes the womp womp: ⛈️The world is quite heavy, the news oppressive, the commentary so damning. I’m never one to say look away, be oblivious, hide in the middle – in fact, those are the people I loathe the most (I see you, I know you, I hate you). What I am talking about is a Yes, AND. We are complicated creatures and have the ability to hold many things at once. Can we acknowledge and empathize with the horrors? Yes AND... What if we saw fun as an act of resistance? What if having a moment of carefree silliness could tap into a part of you that’s starving for connection, for real understanding?
“But Hillary… what IS fun – I'm so deep in the cesspool of dread?!”
Okay, how about:
🥳 write a list of different kinds of fart sounds
🪩 dance alone to the trap music you loved in college
🤭 shoot the shit with your bestie in a silly voices
😏 masturbate
🤪 share your fave childhood candy with your work wife and rank the flavors
🤸♀️ doodle with your non-dominant hand for seven minutes
🧵 take a class with me - no, for real: we giggle, we feel proud, we thrive. (More details below)
👩👧 share details of your current poop schedule with your mother until she hangs up on you (hi 👋 mom)
🐉 draw stupid tattoos on your partner/roommate
🎭 get really competitive at charades and film it
That’s what I found this past week with this lovely collection of artists: Fun. Fun looked like everyone committing to being there, everyone riding the wave together. Choosing fun can feel a little ekkk. Sometimes being yourself, leaning in, admitting your true feelings can feel embarrassing. We've created labels for this to bind ourselves like: cringe, annoying, the ick, lame, basic, etc. There was a moment on retreat where I felt this shame come up but decided to push through with a tight throat and burning eyes - to share.
We interrupt this story with some important breaking news.
I'm not always a bad bitch, I often am very very very sensitive *sigh*
Back to you in the studio, Hillary.
I gave myself a gift in this moment because I got to witness 6 other people hear me, celebrate what I brought to the table, and just fucking get it. There is nothing fun about being embarrassed. Embarrassment is shame, it’s fear, it’s hopelessness. That’s by design, it’s exactly the way that those who oppress us want us to feel.
Pick your villain:
🖕 billionaires capitalizing on our need for connection
🖕 your ridiculous ex
🖕 corporations profiting off our internalized ageism
🖕 that awful girl from high school
🖕 political powers that be
🖕 your shitty boss
How do we fight back? In part by having fun, fucking fun, funnnnnnnnn dude. Get out and do something weird, enjoy March, spring is here.
Thank you for tuning in, that’s all for Personal News. I am Hillary, please stay tuned for our next program: The Stich-uation Room with Hillary O’Dell up next.
The Stich-uation Room
This info is relevant at the time of the original posting 3/17/25
In-Person Pop-Up Workshops (NYC)
Let’s get together IRL in NYC! Here are two pop-ups I’m hosting in a few weeks at a cool studio run by the cool people of [[ Queen's Collaborative ]] who care about things that matter, like mutual aid, supporting the community, and working with artists.
[[ Intro to Machine Sewing ]] Sun 3/30, 12–4 PM You will gain hands-on experience with sewing machines, patterns, pinning and cutting techniques, fabric 101, and complete your own reversible tote bag! This class is perfect for people with no sewing experience, beginners, or those who need a refresher. ⭐️ All materials and fabrics are included with your ticket.
[[ Creative Mending & Repair ]] Sun 4/6, 12–3 PM Learn how to restore and refresh your existing garments—an essential part of creating a more sustainable (and unique) wardrobe. No sewing experience required. ⭐️ All materials and fabrics are included with your ticket.
Send this to a friend in NYC that may be interested !
Virtual Workshops
Why am I offering virtual workshops? I highly value and recognize the impact of in-person learning, creating, and connection. In fact, my hope is to eventually open my own studio where I can facilitate hands-on workshops and foster community engagement. Until then, I want to meet people where they are by offering this accessible virtual space.
Also, the goal is for you to be able to continue these skills on your own at home and not have to depend on a separate space or person to keep creating!
Image on left is from Pattern for pockets, from the Workwomen’s guide (1840) plate 10. Private collection. c pockets of history Pocket
[[Pockets, Pockets, Pockets!]] - April 10th & 17th. In this hands-on 2 week virtual workshop, we’ll dive into techniques for adding and altering pockets on existing garments. You can thank the patriarchy for the limited functionality in your clothing—no, really. Let’s take up space by literally creating it in and on our clothing. Instead of buying new, we can add practicality and personality to our existing garments, pushing back against overconsumption to create a more sustainable wardrobe.
So, basically, what I’m saying is: pockets are feminist, functional, and freeing![[Repair, Revise, Reimagine a Mending, Altering & Upcycling Workshop]] -The workshop is currently in session but will be back soon by popular demand!! Join the waitlist for this 3, 6, or 9-week online workshop where you’ll learn practical skills for mending, altering, and upcycling your garments. These hands-on workshops foster creativity, self-sufficiency, and sustainability in your wardrobe. By reimagining your clothing and developing valuable skills, you'll be saving money honey 🤑, and mother earth's resources 🌎 —a win-win!
Forward this along to someone cool who you think would be down for these workshops!
Private Lessons
I’m opening up my calendar again for private lessons. This fills up quickly, so I’m offering more times for both virtual and in-person lessons. This is the opportunity to get specialized 1:1 support, whether you just want to get set up on your new machine, have a project or goal in mind, or want to build new skills.
If you want to book a private lesson, fantastic! You can fill out this [[ Private Lesson Request Form ]] or respond to this email, and we can chat about what that will look like!
Office Hours
It’s fun and it’s free. Office Hours is an hour-long weeklyish virtual call hosted by me (Hillary 💁🏼♀️)! This is a space where you can get your sewing/making questions answered and/or create alongside me and other cool people!
[[ Office Hours Calendar + Registration here ]]
[[ Read the full description of Office Hours here]]
This concludes sewing related happenings.
Did you make it this far? Ugh, I could kiss you! Please please please give me your thoughts by [[sending me an email ]]or leaving a comment on [[Substack]].
Which of the topics at the top should I cover in an essay?
What workshop would you like me to offer?
Did you listen to the audio version?
What are your thoughts on this season of White Lotus?
xxh