Today, July 20, 2024, the Verb Team is saying goodbye to (almost all) our in-house designed garment sewing patterns.
Read on for Kristine's thoughts around this decision.
~~~
Body, bodies.
I have inhabited a body that has given me a lot of grief over the years with chronic pain in my neck, shoulders, and upper back. In the past two years, that pain has flared to the point where it has made it incredibly difficult to do my job - and have seriously considered how much and if I can sew, dye, knit, and garden. Which comes with feelings of deep grief and fear. My body also has a uterus. And I am queer. All of which are under debate politically and culturally. And all of that said, I enjoy my body - feeling the warmth of the sun along my shoulders and the softness of a handknit sweater.
My brother inhabits a body with cerebral palsy and who is blind. We celebrated his birthday in early July. A flood of memories pouring forth of operations and pain but also honoring where he finds joy: music, swimming, and spending time outdoors - communicated through a gigantic smile.
My family has endured a patriarch, who was charming, smart, and extremely loveable, however, who had a naturally high metabolism and shamed family members over the way their bodies looked and caused serious damage. Recently, my Mom sent me a photo of me and my Grandmother. We were on the beach. I was in high school and wore a shirt over my bikini to hide the way I looked. And it made me sad. That I, or anyone, would spend their days hiding their body or feel ashamed when we have this one life - to feel the water's edge.
Meanwhile, the world continues to evolve, or at least revolve around the sun. And layers continue to peel back. I am currently in what I call my Summer of Healing. After years of consuming Verb like a glass of water (or something stronger) after a long walk across a desert, my body and mind are in need of rest and rejuvenation. I am focused on what our strengths are at Verb. And letting go.
And through this exercise, I have come to terms that we do not have and will not have the bandwidth to create a more inclusive size range for the majority of our in-house designed garment sewing patterns. We had sincerely wanted to create a larger size range that were not simply just grading up the existing patterns but took into consideration the various adaptations for the many gorgeous ways our bodies are. But we do not have the resources to do such.
We would prefer to support those who are doing this - and whose main craft is this by sending you links to their work and / or offering their patterns via Verb.
~~~
The following patterns have been discontinued after today:
Endless Summer Tunic
Prism Dress
Uptown Top
Nell Shirt
Tendril Dress
We will also be putting all samples from our Oakland store up for sale.
~~~
Our bodies in all of the various ways they appear and show up are a beautiful thing to be celebrated. Today, thank your body for how it shows up for you. And for all the amazing things it can do.
Below, I have included one of my favorite poems. That, in the midst of thinking and writing about my body, landed in my inbox, so timely.
~~~
The Summer Day
by Mary Oliver
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
~~~
Warmly,
- Kristine (Adrienne, and Team Verb)
