Lately / October 2026
hellooo!! It’s been a bit, hasn’t it?
The other day I was working at the shop and a long-time reader came in to shop for fabric (hi Patricia!!) and introduced herself, and I was struck yet again by how wonderful it is to have a space like Marengo, where you can not only touch and feel fabric, but meet people IRL and chat about life and kids and puppies and sewing and everything else. She mentioned that she had been worried that something might have happened to me, because of how sparse my posting here has been. I think I managed to reassure her that, yes, I am just fine, well even, it’s just that I’ve been insanely busy this year with traveling and teaching and working at the shop. But I’ve been itching to sit down and write this update post for you. I’m here!! I’m OK!!!
This August I spent a week in Maine (teaching at A Gathering of Stitches), a week in Minnesota (teaching at Squamadu), and in September I went to Squam to give myself a rest. After all that travel, I blinked and half of fall was gone.
Clementine is a senior this year and with all of her schoolwork, a job, and extracurriculars, it feels like we barely see her. I’m trying (again) to savor this senior year, this final time together, as she applies for college, takes the SAT, fills out the FAFSA. I know from when Elliot was a senior how fast this year will go; how she already, necessarily, has one foot out the door during this year of transition, but it’s still strange when it’s just three of us (me and Hugo and Mr Rae) for dinner. Elliot is a sophomore in college so of course we see him less, but he comes home every few weeks for the weekend and calls his mother occasionally, bless him. He also came with us for a short family trip to stay on Lake Michigan a couple weeks ago (shown above at sunset, more photos at the bottom of post), which was lovely.
More things I’ve been into and up to…
reading: much to report here as my last update was May, recent faves include Long Bright River and God of the Woods by Liz Moore (loved the latter so much I immediately requested the other from the library, also phenomenal), Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett.
sewing: I’ve been on a sewing kick, and I’ll save my recent makes for their own post(s), but my current hand-stitching project has been turning a vintage log-cabin quilt top (gifted to me by a camper at AGOS, thanks, Sandra!!) into a quilted coat. I’m hand-quilting the pieces together with batting. Which reminds me to mention that I’m offering my Patchwork Garment classes online again on Pattern Review on 11/2 and 12/2 (sign up here for one or both!!).
knitting: above - working on the flower motifs from Magical, a blanket designed by Margaret Holzman. I took her class at Squam and it was really fun. I’m enjoying the way it comes together; lots of pick up and knitting. below - I’ve picked up my Gr8 Gingham sweater again, started back in 2023. I’m trying to mix things up a bit with a color fade, as I had gotten well and truly bored with the first two yarns by mid-sleeve which had led to its abandonment.
enjoying: a number of fall concerts, including the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra performing Studio Ghibli with Hugo (complete with Totorro photo op, shown above), Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass (he is 91!!), and BALTVS at El Club in Detroit last weekend.
listening: Ill-Advised by Bill Nighy, all episodes devoured whilst knitting, can’t wait for the next one, highly recommend.
And for local Ann Arbor folks, I’ve been recommending Ann Arbor AF’s General Election episode alot, be sure to listen to the end where the two hosts each present their opposing sides on Prop E. So interesting to hear when people disagree but still respect each others’ viewpoints. Imagine that…
voting: I turned in my absentee ballot last week, directly to the ballot dropbox (League of Women Voters recommended not voting by mail due to possible shenanigans). Proud to have cast my vote for as many people who opposed this current administration as I can, seriously what a chaotic mess. The war, the cost of everything, the dehumanizing, terrifying rhetoric, attacks on the press…need I go on? We need strong, wise, courageous leaders who will speak up and fight back against corruption, abuse, and cruelty.
Be sure to VOTE!
Teaching at the sewing studio is taking up a lot of my time and energy — in addition to teaching beginner sewing lessons and classes, I’ve taught some garment workshops, including a Ruby class this summer, and a Cleo skirt workshop a couple weekends ago. I just loved how lovely and inviting all of the Cleo samples looked on the garment rack (above). Here’s a few more photos from the skirt class:
Our trip to Lake Michigan over fall break (Elliot not pictured as he joined us just for one night) included apple-picking on Saturday, lots of time on the beach by the lake, and a quick detour to see the Chiluly exhibit at Meijer Gardens on our way home…
I can’t let a post go by without a puppy update! Marigold - who is sleeping nearby whilst I type this — is doing well, though she is recovering from a double ear infection, womp womp. Otherwise she is her usual self: a happy, adorable ball of energy and fur.
And finally, BIG NEWS!! Marengo just (soft) launched their online store last week, and will be adding new fabrics and other sewing supplies as time goes on. I love their new online shop and it’s fun to peruse. Have a look, order something lovely if you can, and help keep this awesome space alive and well.
Have a lovely weekend!
Rae
PS. See all of my Friday update posts here, sign up for my Studio Notes Newsletter here, and get my posts delivered to you by email via Substack here.