I’m so pleased to work with ByAnnie on breast cancer awareness.
In 2016 and 2017, I walked 39.3 miles to raise funds for breast cancer research, in honor of my grandmother, who was a 30-year survivor and lived to be 90.
In March 2024, I became a survivor too.
I didn’t have any lumps or bumps, nothing that would have alerted me to an issue. I faithfully had an annual mammogram because of my family history, and 2024 was no exception, until I got the call back.
I had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and it had infiltrated a quarter of my left breast. More tests followed: ultrasounds, MRIs, genetic testing, and weeks of worry. In May, I had back-to-back surgeries because the margins weren’t clean the first time. Once the incisions had healed, puckered, five weeks of radiation began. I was fortunate: no chemo. But a year of hormone therapy nearly broke me.
The physical scars have healed, but the mental ones take longer. I still have test anxiety, wondering if it will come back, and I’m relieved every time the results are negative.
I’m grateful for a neighbor, also a survivor, who walked with me every day I was able, to help keep my spirits up.
As part of ByAnnie’s awareness campaign, we want to encourage you to get your screenings as recommended, even if you don’t feel anything. Not sure where to start? The CDC and Susan G. Komen both have screening info. If you’re healthy, support others through donations, education and acts of kindness.
Aside from walking, quilting keeps me going. This year, I made a project using ByAnnie’s zippers and Soft and Stable.
I wanted to make something special, but I didn’t have the capacity to make one of ByAnnie’s beautiful bags. I have three on my bucket list! And I didn’t want another quilt. I wanted something useful that incorporated some of ByAnnie’s materials and let me play a little. And I wanted something totally feminine, but empowering.
That’s steampunk to me – hey I’m not too GenX for this! The corset is its signature piece: Victorian femininity, but adventurous, a little crazy, and very STEM.
So, I made a binder for my patterns, my notes and everything else, and I made it look like a corset.
The idea was to use a bunch of pink notions to decorate this very simple binder cover made with ByAnnie’s Soft and Stable. Of course, I can’t leave anything alone… So, I added a zipper pocket on the inside with one of ByAnnie’s zippers. Given enough time, I am sure I would have found a few more of her gems to incorporate.
The laced spine
The spine is the corset back. I didn’t want to deal with grommets, so I made button tabs from double-fold bias tape and tied the ribbon through those. I used a bit of gimp to hide the folds and seams. This lacing is strictly decorative – who really wants to be trussed up?!
Notions, with confidence
This project is about using notions in ways you might not expect, getting past any hesitation, and just having fun.
- Ribbon as boning. Straight strips of ribbon read as corset boning.
- Lace. What is Victorian without lace? Uptight and stodgy! Seriously, I know some folks are not frilly, but you would be amazed at what skills you learn from playing with a little lace.
- Gimp. Be nice. It is a bit of fancy cording that is more substantial than lace and is often used in decorating in place of piping.
- A zipper pocket, inside the cover because ladies love hidden pockets.
Everything is planned so there are minimal binding issues.
And then I embellished
Of course I did. I have a thousand and one notions, and I bought more just for this. Beads hold the lace down and add accents. And since it’s steampunk, it needed a little metal.
Not into pink? I’ll be making other versions with more gears, zippers and hardware.
Learn to make it
I’ll be teaching this as a class in early 2027, online first and later for guilds. Join the waitlist to hear about the dates first and get the early registration price.
Give to research
ByAnnie is matching donations to the American Cancer Society, up to $10,000. Donate through the SewPINK fundraiser.
Last year’s SewPINK project is here.
The #SewPINK Initiative’s mission is to raise awareness, promote screenings, foster community, and support cancer research throughout the year.
Efforts culminate in an annual blog hop during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but our commitment to cancer awareness and support continues year-round.
To learn more and see the calendar of events, visit: https://www.ByAnnie.com/SewPINK
Happy Quilting!
