Judy Williment-Ross is a New Zealand-based maker who broke the internet when her lockdown project, the Epic Dress, was featured on the SewOver50 Instagram account. Clearly not afraid of getting in deep, Judy explains to me how she chooses which projects are worth investing her time in, and lays out her personal rules, ethics and criteria for selecting and using second hand materials. She also gives us tips on raising kids who embrace second hand and handmade, and expands on the satisfaction she finds in garment alterations.
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Follow Judy Williment-Ross and her creative journey on Instagram @judywillimentross.
I first discovered Judy’s work via the @sewover50 Instagram account.
Be inspired by the wonderful #sew50sustainablesewing hashtag.
Exploring her love of men’s cotton shirts, Judy created this beautiful wrap front dress.
The Epic Dress in all its glory:
The Hexi Coat, AKA The Behemoth:
Dunedin’s Stitch Kitchen is host to the Maker’s Pantry, selling second hand fabric, patterns and notions.
Listen to Episode #21: The Joy of Reclaimed Fabric with Sarah AKA Sew Love NZ.
Some of Judy’s tiniest scraps became this awesome project bag:
I absolutely LOVED this episode – what a wonderfully inspiring and enthusiastic sustainable stitcher!
The hour whizzed by AND I’ve got most of my Christmas wrapping done while listening- thank you!
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment Gill! Judy is a real inspiration, isn’t she? I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it and it helped you get through the wrapping. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas xxx
An incredible episode – so inspiring! I started making a patchwork dress last year from men’s check shirts but didn’t like the end result as it was the wrong style for me and didn’t hang right. I’m totally going to take on board Judy’s ‘Why’ of what I wear and like, and try remodelling it for next summer. I also love the ‘using up every scrap’ ideas as I feel so guilty when I don’t, and the ‘permission’ to take months over such projects which, after all, are wearable art! Thank you so much Judy and Zoe.
Hi Nicky,
Thanks so much for leaving this lovely comment! It’s wonderful to hear when a conversation or episode has been particularly enjoyed. Judy really has given me so much to think about also. I can be guilty of rushing through projects, but I also want to adopt a slower sewing approach thanks to Judy. All the best Nicky, x