Recommended Reading Round Up- September 2018

 Every Friday, the Tiny Activist Project recommends a book on our social media accounts. We will do a roundup of the recommendations on the blog each month. Check the book out from your local library (request it if they do not have a copy as a part of their collection) or buy a personal copy to read and share with friends. 

 1.    Susan B. Anthony Slept Here: A Guide to American Women’s Landmarks by Lynn Sheer is a 500+ page book that tells mini stories of historic sites, statues, paintings, and more tied to important women of the past. Chapters are split up by state, so it can also serve as a handy travel guide 

You will love learning about women you have never heard about before. Whether it is finding out about Agnus Freeman’s life as a pioneer mother in Nebraska or Hawaii’s High Chieftess Kapiolani’s hike up a volcano and descent into the crater to defy the wrath of Pele (goddess of fire), you will find out stories that encompass a broad spectrum of the United States of America’s female history. 

 2.    We all know Jane Jacobs loved to ride her bike. You & A Bike & A Road by Eleanor Davis delves into the physical and emotional adventure one goes on while cycling across America. If you are interested in learning more about road issues for cyclists, how to plan a long distance bikepacking trip, or you like lovely illustrations this graphic novel is for you.

 3.    I was a contributor to the recently released 3rd edition of Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practice by Ilene Tyler, Norm Tyler, and Ted Ligibel. Are you looking for a better understanding of what types of historic preservation exist, the legalities behind it all, technology, historic districts, funding, and more? This book is the perfect intro guide for someone interested in historic preservation! This edition received a thorough rewrite with new case studies, chapters, and more! 

 4.    Activity books count ... right? Are you looking for a city your Tiny Jane can rule over or your Tiny Activist can design? Check out Make It By Hans Papercraft: Paper Town. You get to colour, cut out, and construct20 buildings! This is a perfect book to help encourage a future urbanist or provide fun decorations for your office. 

Check It Out: PreserveCast

Preservation Maryland invited me to discuss work and the young preservationist movement on their podcast, PreserveCast! Check out the episode here!

SEW YOUR OWN TINY JANE

Are you a crafty preservationist? We wanted to teach you how to sew your own Tiny Jane Jacobs!*  You should able to sew Tiny Jane in an afternoon.  Have fun creating your own Tiny Jane and do not forget to share her adventures on social media with #tinyjanejacobs.

Step 1- Cut and pin the pattern.  

Cut your Tiny Jane doll along the dotted line. Once you have cut the pattern, pin the front and back of Tiny Jane together. Make sure to have the printed side facing inward. You can pin in the center of the doll or along the edges, depending on your preference.

Step 2- Start sewing!

Sew by hand or with a machine, in a well lit area to see the printed image through the fabric. Sew along Jane’s perimeter or just inside to avoid white showing once you turn her right-side-out. Make sure to leave a gap along her side that is at least 1.5 inches for flipping

Step 3- Flip her inside out!

Before you flip Tiny Jane, cut at the base of her neck, armpits, to either side of her legs and around her curved elements (head, hands, feet). These “notches” will help with flipping, and help her retain curves.

Flipping Tiny Jane right-side-out requires patience and chopsticks, so order some take out. We recommend doing a variation of this youtube tutorial. Put one chopstick inside of Tiny Jane’s appendage, and use the second chopstick to flip the fabric.

Step 4- Fill her with stuffing!

Each sew your own kit comes with stuffing, but you can get creative!  Fill Tiny Jane with beans if you want added weight. Fill her with dried lavender if you want a smell good Tiny Jane. If you want her to be bendy, you could create a wire skeleton.  Stuff her as much or as little as you would like.

Step 5- Finish sewing Tiny Jane.

You can quickly sew her shut with a blue thread that matches her dress using an exterior stitch or you can use the hidden stitch to hide your work. We think both options look great!  Once you are done sewing, take your Tiny Jane on an adventure.

If you have any questions about sewing your Tiny Jane, email me@sarahmarsom.com.

*Tiny Jane Jacobs was illustrated by Shannon May.