Modern Sewing Starts Here Edition 14

Edition 14 – February 2021

Modern sewing starts here..

TAMARACK JACKET RACHEL PINHEIRO shares how she put together this beautiful patchwork jacket WIN THIS PATTERN from Grainline Studio and suitable wadding to make it yourself

Picturesque In

PATCHWORK Sewing with the Picturesque fabric collection from Art Gallery Fabrics

Aiming for zero waste How you can use up every last fabric scrap in your stash!

Sewing inspiration for this year’s Pantone colours!

Rachel Pinheiro’s Tamarack quilted Jacket

www.modernsewingstartshere.co.uk

New patterns from

The New Buckthorn Bag By Noodlehead Distributed Exclusively in the UK by Hantex Ltd

Details

Find patterns, catches, handles plus a host of products for making really professional looking bags‌ www.hantexonline.co.uk/bag-edit

Editor’s Letter Hello We may still be in a lockdown but we know this won’t deter sewers among us from starting new projects. Did you make any sewing New Year’s resolutions? Perhaps it was to finish off one of your ‘started’ but not ‘finished’ projects that you have on the go or just to use up some of your fabric in your stash.

This issue is full of ideas to use up smaller pieces of fabric. Isn’t Rachel Pinheiro’s Tamarack jacket on the front cover gorgeous? She shares how she went about putting this gorgeous patchwork and quilted jacket together. Make fabric waste a thing of the past with pattern ideas that need very little fabric and Julie Bonnar shares her tips on using fabric scraps for apparel and clever ways to incorporate them into collars, cuffs and other smaller pattern pieces. We catch up with Sarah Ashford as she shares what she’s be quilting with the new Picturesque fabric collection from Art Gallery Fabrics.

If you have been thinking about how you can giveback while you’re sewing then read all about organisations that need our sewing help, and how one company quietly gives back while we sew!

Happy stitching!

Hantex team

www.hantex.co.uk www.modernsewingstartshere.co.uk Subscribe free to get your copy – click here

WIN

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HANDY TOOL The VARIO-pliers from the popular Prym Love collection is a visually attractive multitool with which you can attach press fasteners, eyelets, jeans buttons and rivets easily! The attached piercing tool can be used to pierce holes of 3mm or 4mm with an even pressure, and the popular Colour Snaps are easy to apply too. They have non-slip handles and the pack includes a tool to remove the piercing tools and to hold the pliers together.

To view this item – click here

#modernsewingstartshere

New sewing pattern releases that you’ll want to sew!

CASHMERETTE

The Belmont Leggings & Yoga Pants pattern combine performance and style. The pattern features a pair of fulllength leggings with a clean hidden elastic finish that’s an ultimate wardrobe essential or salute the sun with the other option of a classic pair of yoga pants with Capri length hem, fold-over waistband, and ultrahigh rise! So there’s no excuse not to get active!

To see more patterns from Cashmerette – click here

LIESL + CO

Liesl + Co has four new patterns to offer, for lovers of both woven and knit fabrics.

The Easton Cowl is a classic knit, cowl-neck top that’s flattering to wear and easy to sew. The pattern includes different cup sizes and can be sewn from lightweight drapey knits for a casual, professional, or dressy look.

The Fitzroy Blouse is an elegant top with a subtly raised shawl collar creating a flattering high V-neckline. It’s ideal for layering or wearing alone, and can be worn loose or tucked in.

The Noord T-shirt is a fun knit top that’s perfect for colour blocking! The pattern can be sewn as a T-shirt or a sweatshirt. It has boxy fit, shirttail hem, and unique seaming details making it a great pattern you can play with!

The Yanaka Jacket is a cross between a blazer and a cardigan. It’s unlined and is semi-fitted, slightly cropped, and includes lots of great features such as a cutaway silhouette, cut-on sleeves, sleeve gusset for easy movement and fit, and a chic stand-up collar!

To find out more about these patterns and others from Liesl + Co – click here

NOODLEHEAD

Noodlehead has added two new patterns to its bag pattern collection, one of them being the Buckthorn Backpack & Tote Pattern.

You’ll love this zippered top backpack and tote for everyday use. They both have a front pocket for easy access to smaller items and a flat base. A divided interior pocket keeps everything inside organised. The backpack has adjustable straps and fits tablets, small laptops, and/or notebooks! The Buckthorn Tote is perfect for canvas and waxed canvas fabrics.

Carry all your daily necessities in the Sandhill Sling Bag; it’s also great for using when travelling leaving your hands free. Its convenient sling design allows for easy access, as well as being out of the way when you’re not using it. It’s compact yet roomy enough for the essentials. Choose from a front zippered pocket (View A) or a patch pocket (View B), both come in handy for quick access to smaller items. An adjustable strap makes it easy to wear and perfect for biking or daily use!

For more bag making patterns from Noodlehead – click here Check out the free-to-use resource listing of the very best Indie patterns and filter by fabric, garment, brand or skill level by visiting www.hantex.co.uk

FRIDAY PATTERN COMPANY

The Arlo Track Jacket is a perfect lightweight layer, and features a sport collar, interesting seam lines, and comfortable front pockets. It’s fitted without being tight and comes with three different options.

This is a unisex pattern and looks great on all genders. Designed for intermediate sewers but is achievable by confident beginners. This jacket is designed for knits with at least 20% cross grain stretch and ideal for French terry, sweatshirt fleece, Ponte, and other sturdy knits.

To view this stylish pattern from the Friday Pattern Company – click here

JALIE

Do you fancy making something a little different? The Nordik quilted booties and slippers pattern features mid-calf booties and reversible slippers with rib knit heelpiece for a better fit. All options are insulated with batting for comfort and warmth.

There’s also a travel shoe bag, which is roomy enough for booties or to carry slippers for the whole family.

To view more of the options included in this sewing pattern – click here

SEW TO GROW

This brand has two new sewing patterns to add to its pattern repertoire. The first is a show stopping dress that’s perfect to wear at your next special occasion, out to dinner, or even to the store. The Sycamore Lane Dress is full of options to create your own look and features a maxi length with side splits and a flirty knee length option. You can also go sleeveless or add on a slightly belled raglan sleeve.

The other pattern is the Sydni Shirt-Dress and has been designed to give you loads of options to make it your own! This comfy casual garment is elevated with a collar, front pleated pockets, sleeve band, and side slit. Make the dress version and add the optional tie, belt loops, and pockets for a completely new look. It’s suitable for woven fabrics such as cotton, linen, and chambray rayon.

To see more patterns from Sew To Grow – click here Check out the free-to-use resource listing of the very best Indie patterns and filter by fabric, garment, brand or skill level by visiting www.hantex.co.uk

Cut, sew, quilt, cut, and repeat Brazilian-born sewing blogger, Rachel Pinheiro shares how to use patchwork and quilting when making the Tamarack Jacket from Grainline Studio!

Trend: Denim Patchwork – The Joy Jacket As the dark winter months have officially set in and daylight is limited to lunchtime walks, I began to think about my fashion trend choices for 2021.

With lockdown life still a reality for many of us, it’s not been an easy ride. It may feel frivolous to talk about fashion but in reality, the process of choosing what to wear daily can bring a state of normality and grounding and allow us to feel like ourselves!

A big part of any sartorial decisions of late for me is comfort, this has been my number one goal, and also adding a little more sense of joy to my sewing.

Time to create And there is much joy to be found in taking the time to make something a little more labour intensive! The pleasure in the process is a century-old art. Quilting and patchwork has always being present in people’s homes but never really at the forefront of fashion trends, until now!

Sustainability It’s back on the agenda with the rise of sustainability at the forefront. Questioning our consumption never has had such a strong drive. We can finally brag, we’ve always been in ‘the-know’!

Like me, you probably enjoy using up scraps of fabrics, creating patterns, and the enjoyment of imagination. I wanted to share this project from the perspective of a garment sewer. Quilters have an amazing eye for colour and design complexity, and I wanted to inspire others who perhaps haven’t tried quilting or patchwork yet to give it a go!

Inspiration for quilting and patchwork Using the basics of blocks and the improvtechnique. I love ‘improv- quilting’ where

anything goes. Improv-quilting is as it sounds, a chance to ad-lib and have no expectations of block calculations, accurate measuring or creating deliberate shapes and designs. The block I used is the half triangle.

Using my quilting rule width, I created long rectangular strips, rather than squares, and made neat piles of all three shades of denim. Then I joined two random colours together and trimmed all the squares into the same size forming two quilted tops – one for the body another for the sleeves.

In terms of design, the only consideration I had to make, was how to balance the darks and lights. At first, I planned to have a deliberate zig-zagging pattern along the body.

I even joined the pattern pieces and omitted the side seam to create one pattern piece. I used this to gauge if my the fabric piece was big enough.

When I tried the toile version (lazily thinking to use it as lining) it just didn’t have the effect I had thought it would. Luckily my quilt top was just big enough to cut the patterns separately.

For me, playing with patchworking is all about the fun element and it’s a great way of using up those scraps of fabric to create a one-of-a-kind garment!

Editor’s notes Rachel has used the Tamarack Jacket Pattern from Grainline Studio to make her jacket.

About the Tamarack Jacket pattern This sewing pattern has been designed with the transitional seasons in mind and is a warm and stylish quilted coat that’s perfect for spring and autumn layering. You can follow one of the two quilting designs included or design your own like Rachel so it’s totally original for you! You’ll stay toasty thanks to the inner layer of cotton or wool wadding while the roomy welt pockets keep your belongings safe and your hands warm. Techniques include straight seams, basic quilting, inserting a welt pocket and applying bias binding.

Light to mid-weight cottons, linens, chambrays and blends work well for this jacket. Since the fabric will be doubled and quilted to wadding, avoid anything too heavy as the jacket may become excessively stiff. The pattern is perfect for advanced beginners, and comes in sizes 0-18.

To view this pattern and find your local stockist – click here Springfield Chambray from Modelo The fabric Rachel has used includes three colourways – Dark, Light and Mid Blue from the Springfeld Chambray Fabric Collection from Modelo. This fabric is lovely quality and perfect for allsorts of apparel projects.

To view everything needed to make this jacket – click here

Zero waste SEWING

Julie Bonnar from The Pattern Pages shares how you can use up every last fabric scrap in your stash when making garments

If you are like me, when sewing you hate to see fabric wasted! It’s an awful feeling throwing these small pieces of fabric away, isn’t it? It’s especially hard to throw them away when they are such good quality fabrics. There are lots of ways to use up smaller pieces of fabric and quilting probably comes to mind, but have you ever considered incorporating them into garments?

TIPS ON USING FABRIC SCRAPS • •

MAKING THE FABRIC FIT THE PATTERN

Make sure your fabric scraps are pressed ready to use! • Always try to use fabric scraps that are similar (if not the same) weight as the main fabric you’ve chosen to • make your garment in.

Smaller pattern pieces such as yokes, short/cap sleeves, • cuffs, belts, pockets, facings and collars like a Peterpan style are ideal for using up small fabric pieces and can add a contrast and make your garment truly one-of-a-kind!

• Why not try using different fabrics to make contrasting sleeves for a simple shell top.

Even with small pieces of fabric, always stick to the grain lines on your pattern pieces to prevent the fabric stretching.

Be careful with directional prints and nap fabrics to make sure the pattern pieces are all facing the same way up!

Instead of cutting pieces on the fold – add a 1cm seam allowance and sew two pieces together. Front and back pieces will work just as well with a centre seam.

If you need to cut your pattern pieces singularly – make sure you mirror the pieces. For example, one will need to have the right side facing up and the other with the wrong facing down.

CLICK IMAG E TO LE S ARN MORE

HOSTA TOP PATTERN, FANCY TIGER CRAFTS

This drop sleeve, easy-going, everyday top is simple to sew in an afternoon, and perfect for mixing and matching leftover knits for the sleeves and neckline for more variations and uses just shy of a metre!

AXEL SKIRT, MEGAN NIELSEN

This form fitting knit skirt has a range of different hem finishes. We love this kneelength skirt with hip sash that cries out to be made in a contrasting fabric.

Zero to HERO Make fabric waste a thing of the past with these pattern ideas that need very little fabric!

ESPADRILLE, PRYM

Want to have a go at making your own espadrilles? Prym has a wide range of the essentials including the espadrille soles and creative yarn!

UNDERWEAR, JALIE

Underwear is another great way to use up small pieces of fabric. This pattern from Jalie has underwear for the whole family including low and high-waist bikini briefs for women and girls as well as low-waist briefs and trunks for men and boys.

GLO AND GO BAG,

BY ANNIES

Carry your must-haves wherever you roam! Fast and easy to make, This handy folding wrap with strap closure and coordinating zippered bag makes it easy to store and organise all your essentials in style.

OTHER IDEAS

• • •

Why not make a contrasting belt to wear with your handmade garment Go the extra mile, and make a fabric scrap necklace to accompany a dress Sew a sun hat ready for better weather!

Picturesque In Patchwork

Sarah Ashford, obsessive quilter and fabric lover shares her sewing with the Picturesque fabric collection from Art Gallery Fabrics colour such as the coral Arts and Crafts Rose print, which works really nicely as a contrasting print, and shown here in my pinwheel block.

The peach hexagon print, Bound Treasures, is one of my favourites (I just love hexagons!) as it’s delicate and pretty, and works really well as a background print. This print also comes in the cream and grey, and is a lovely low volume blender.

This beautiful, whimsical fabric collection by Katrina Roccella for Art Gallery Fabrics really embodies traditional 19th century European designs. Designs include ethereal unicorns, blooming roses, botanicals, tiny florals and delicate hexagons – making this collection both luxurious and refined.

It’s the unicorns on the ‘Mystical Quest’ prints that are the star of the show, and I’ve showcased them here in an ‘Anvil’ quilt block, putting them pride of place in the centre.

I think they would look fabulous incorporated into a cushion or quilt in a little girl’s enchanting bedroom.

I’ve really enjoyed stitching some traditional quilt blocks with this collection; I’ve made an Anvil, a pinwheel and a maple leaf. I think these prints lend themselves to this traditional type of quilting and they would look wonderful incorporated into a sampler quilt. It could then be used as a picnic blanket for tea and sandwiches in the woods on a sunny day, in between hunting for fairies and unicorns. A little girl’s dream! You could even make a child’s dress and matching hair bows to complete the set.

Editor’s notes

Deliciously muted, and very much reminiscent of William Morris, the collection features earthy greens and greys. There are also some lovely pops of

The Picturesque fabric collection from Art Gallery Fabrics embodies traditional 19th-century European designs with embellishments and decorative art. It’s perfect for making garments, quilting and other soft sewing projects like bags and cushions.

To view more from this pretty range – click here

TRENDSETTER

Sewing inspiration for this year’s Pantone colours!

Pantone 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and 13-0647 Illuminating are the new Pantone Colours of the Year. These two standalone colours highlight how different elements can come together to support one another. They are practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic.

This colour combo represents strength and positivity along with promise of something sunny and friendly. Here are pattern and fabric choices to welcome this colour fusion!

Estuary Skirt from Sew Liberated – click here

1. MIX & MATCH ENSEMBLE

These two colours make a beautiful pairing for all seasons and can be worn as equals as separates such as tops, jackets with trousers and skirts. It’s up to you to choose which colour to wear on top and bottom!

Discovered Sunshine Cotton From The Open Road Collection from AGF

Canary, Pure Solids Cotton from AGF Studio

Chelsea from the Mayfair Collection by AGF Greystone, Solid Knit by AGF In House Studio

2. PERFECT PRINTS

However if wearing these colours as solids isn’t a look for you, why not go for a fabric print that has already done all the hard work and mixed these colours up together. Printed fabrics make wonderful dresses!

Charlianne Wrap Dress Pattern By Sew To Grow – click here

3. TEXTURE

Choose fabrics with textures or shimmer to give your garment that something extra with a chunky needlecord, denim, ribbed knit or towelling.

Danbury Dark Grey Chunky Needlecord, Modelo

Sete Yellow Melange Summer Rib Knit, Modelo

Cool Foliage Solid Smooth Denim, AGF

4. ADD ACCENTS TO YOUR OUTFIT

This classic tailored jacket will never go out of style and features classic notched collar, back vent, pocket flaps, leather or suede elbow patches and topstitching that are all ideal for adding an accent colour.

Jasika Blazer from Closet Core Patterns – click here

Check out the free-to-use resource listing of the very best Indie patterns and filter by fabric, garment, brand or skill level by visiting www.hantex.co.uk

NEW COLOURS Woolfelt is the registered trademark of the famous wool and rayon mix that’s exclusive to National Nonwovens. It’s designed for easy sewing and accurate cutting, and is popular as a crafting medium. Use to make ornaments, wearables, appliqué, cushions and more!

There are now eight new exciting colours including Euphoric Gold, Outdoor Retreat and Morning Air. To see more of the colourways available in the Tranquility Woolfelt Collection – click here

Focus on FABRICS

Start the New Year catching up with the new fabrics for 2021

TONAL TWILL The mid-weight cotton Attica Twill from Modelo has a small amount of stretch (10%) making it ideal for your winter wardrobe. It’s available in Ecru, Black, Sand, Russet, Plum, Navy, and Khaki.

Because of its structure, it’s ideal for making trousers and jackets.

To learn more from this fabric collection – click here

TACTILE TEXTURES Modelo Jacquard Jersey has all the benefits of regular knitted jersey fabric but has a design within the fabric structure as opposed to it being printed on the fabric. This fabric is skin-friendly, bi-elastic, and also exceptionally durable and hardwearing, making it perfectly suitable for dresses, tops and any garment where an added dimension is required.

To view this wonderful quality fabric – click here

BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE… There’s nothing more luxurious than soft towelling. This super-soft bamboo blend towelling has one side with a looped finish and the other side is like velour. This great fabric from Modelo is perfect for those cosy dressing gowns that we all love to wear on cold evenings and early mornings. Bamboo towelling is even more absorbent than its cotton version and perfect for baby items too.

To find a really comprehensive range of colours – click here

NEW ORGANIC RANGES FROM CLOUD9

This fabric company is known for its lovely ranges of 100% organic cotton and uses eco-responsible low impact dyes for printing and dying. They work closely with mills that are committed to ethical and responsible conduct and have GOTS Certification.

Three new organic collections to keep an eye out for this spring include:

TROPICAL GARDEN Designed by Sue Gibbins, this fabric range features playful parrots, butterflies and blossoms and is ideal to start thinking about your spring wardrobe. To learn more - click here

GRASSLANDS A quilters weight of organic cotton with designs from the artist Sarah Watson – click here

A WALK REMEMBERED

Walk on the bright side of life with these striking modern designs in baby needlecord – click here

Judging by the incredible demand for Art Gallery Fabrics last year, we’re certain you are going to want to know about the latest ranges to be released!

SERENITY FUSION Looking for a subtle colour palette for your sewing? Then look no further and take a breath of fresh air with these low volume prints, inspired by the tranquil waters of the ocean and feeling the warm sand between your toes. This collection highlights celeste tones with creamy, ethereal, and subtle textures.

To find more from this calm-coloured collection – click here

AQUARELLE Katarina Roccella gives an ode to her favourite style of painting in this sublimely coloured collection, Aquarelle. The delicate technique of watercolour showcases navy blues and rich fuchsias that highlight the lush florals along with contrasting geometrical shapes and textures to produce sensations of fluidity and translucency.

We particularly love the Anemone Study Midnight as it would make the perfect transitional dress while the Plein Air Bouquet in cotton would look stunning as a skirt or blouse to go with jeans!

To view more wonderful designs from the Aquarelle collection – click here

LITTLE FORESTER FUSION This is a delightful collection of 10 premium cotton fabrics designed by the AGF Studio. As the name suggests it has woodland flavours with cute animals and insects that you expect to find deep in the forest mixed with cross-sections of tree rings and other flora designs.

To see more of this fabric collection from Art Gallery Fabrics – click here

HOMEBODY Designed by Maureen Cracknell – one of AGFs regular fabric designers – this range celebrates the unspoken magic of being home. Find yourself surrounded by cheerful florals, cosy feathers, and soft textures that encapsulate a calm, peaceful space that nourishes and comforts you!

To find more of this fabric collection – click here

NEW QUILT PATTERNS Popular quilt designer Elizabeth Hartman has just released two brand new designs, which will be available in February.

The Polychromatic Quilt includes instructions for making patchwork rainbow quilts in two sizes, as well as a cute pillow. Each block includes a smaller number of larger pieces than most of her other patterns, making this a relaxing project perfect for turning your favourite colours and fabrics in cheerful rainbow blocks.

The Crystal Cluster Quilt pattern includes instructions for making the same bold starburst quilt design in three sizes and pillow. This is a perfect project for using your favourite colours and prints, and the pattern includes a detailed colour chart that can be used to duplicate the fabrics Elizabeth has used, or as a guide for organising your own fabrics. Both of the patterns are made using conventional patchwork techniques and there are no templates or paper piecing!

To view the Polychromatic Quilt Pattern – click here To view the Crystal Cluster Quilt Pattern – click here

WHAT’S

NEW

We keep you posted with the latest launches

CURVY SKETCHING The Curvy Sketchbook line from Cashmerette has been designed exclusively for curvy sewists to help you design and plan your wardrobe on a figure that looks like yours! Do you have great ideas for garments and want to capture them on paper, but struggle to draw them accurately? This A4 sketchbook features 100 plus size croquis (outlines of a curvy body) that are lifelike and light in colour, which means you can sketch garments on top of them, giving you a realistic and professional fashion drawing.

This sketchbook also comes in a smaller (A5) size too.

To find out more – click here

SPLASH OF COLOUR! This 4mm stretch coloured elastic is ideal for a wide range of craft and sewing applications including use in facemasks. This lightweight elastic is 100% nylon, and has reliable elasticity and comes on reels on 92m (100 yards) To view this colourful range – click here

GIVING BACK AS YOU SEW! As a sewer can we really make a difference when it comes to sewing for others?

Giving back doesn’t have to mean giving up lots of time or being an overly talented sewer to make a real impact. We think one of the nicest things about the sewing community is that it gives sewers a chance to show people who are in need that they care!

Just take the recent efforts by the sewing community to make face coverings and scrubs for the NHS. Many people who sew for fun or for business pulled out all the stops to sew facemasks for their communities.

Sewing for people in need is one of the most wonderful ways for us to share our love of sewing. Finding a little extra fabric shouldn’t be that difficult so how do you decide which charitable organisation you are planning to help?

COVID-19 continues to make 2021 a difficult year so if you think it’s time to give back then here’s a few of our suggestions of whom you can sew for:

children up to age of 16 having surgery or any other associated medical tests.

Each garment is made in colourful, and age-appropriate fabric. Before you can sew your first order you will need to make some sample garments to gain your ‘Wings’ and become a fullyfledged Fairy.

To find out how you can get involved, visit www.pyjamafairies.org POST PALS Post Pals is a small charity run by volunteers who are dedicated to making seriously ill children and their siblings aged between 3 to 17 in the UK smile by the sending of cards, letters, little gifts, support and friendship.

So if you can sew, knit or crochet and can make something a child might like then get in touch by visiting www.postpals.co.uk

donating them to their local animal shelters and rescues.

Since its inception the charity has provided more than a million Snuggles to shelter animals. The Snuggles Project is a good project for children and people learning how to crochet, knit or sew because the Snuggles don’t have to be perfect! The animals will love them anyway! All that is required is that they be made with love!

To find out how you can get involved, visit www.snugglesproject.org

DRESS A GIRL AROUND THE WORLD This campaign’s dream is that every PYJAMA FAIRIES SNUGGLES PROJECT girl has at least one new dress. Before Pyjama Fairies mission is to make This multi-beneficial project benefits you start to sew you do need to check hospital stays easier for children and animals. After being given a Snuggle, a what type of dresses you can make. their families. This is the only UK charity frightened or difficult to handle animal There are lots of tutorials and advice making pyjamas and surgical gowns will calm down. People from all around on making dresses and what fabrics specially designed for babies and the world are making Snuggles and are suitable. Each dress needs to carry

GIVING BACK AS YOU SEW! the Dress A Girl Around The World label, which can be found on the website.

To find out more visit www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com PROJECT LINUS UK This organisation is run by a team of volunteer Co-ordinators and organise sewing and fundraising events across the UK, as well as distributing quilts and blankets to local hospitals, children’s hospices, women’s refuges, foster carers, special schools, bereavement services and many other places where children are in need of a ‘hug’. There are many ways to support this worthy cause. Why not become a volunteer and make a quilt or donate suitable patchwork fabrics and threads.

To find out more visit www.projectlinusuk.org.uk

To become a volunteer seamstress, visit www.cherishedgowns.org.uk THE DONKEY SANCTUARY Have fun making beautiful felt donkeys to help care for donkeys and mules all over the world. Fill them with lavender for a fresh summer scent, or cloves or cinnamon for a Christmas fragrance.

Once you’ve created your little felt donkeys, you simply post them off to raise funds for the charity.

To download the free pattern, visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

LOVING HANDS The ethos behind this charity is to bring like-minded crafters who knit, crochet and sew together for charities all over the world. This organisation makes sure that every charity, group or individual they recommend is taking the items directly to the areas of most need and hand delivering them to people in crisis or animals in need.

To find out more and get involved visit www.lovinghands.org.uk

CHERISHED GOWNS UK Cherished Gowns UK is looking for seamstresses to make beautiful baby gowns from pre-loved wedding dresses to give to families that are experiencing the tragedy of baby loss more choices of a special outfit for their precious little ones.

THE PACHAMAMA PROJECT This organisation is looking for avid crafters to help with their initiative to make reusable sanitary pads for women in need around the world.

To join this campaign email: thepachamamaproject@outlook.com or to watch the video on how to make the pads – click here

AN INDIE PATTERN COMPANY THAT’S GIVING BACK Friday Pattern Company believes in making good things and doing good things! For that reason, this pattern company donates 5% of all proceeds to a rotating collection of the top-ranked charities in the world.

Each sewing pattern benefits a different charity. For example, if you buy the Arlo Track Jacket, you will be supporting The Loveland Foundation, which is committed to showing up for communities of colour in unique and powerful ways, with a particular focus on Black women and girls. Their resources and initiatives are collaborative and they prioritise opportunity, access, validation, and healing.

For information on how each pattern benefits a different charity – click here

IN THE FOLDS Patterns

The In the Folds design aesthetic leans heavily towards the everyday They’re pieces that will fit comfortably into your wardrobe, but will stand out with their interesting and refined details timeless, yet modern beautiful, yet understated.

Finishes are thoughtful and considered - helping you to create garments that are beautiful both inside and out and teaching you the skills to make clothing that will last.

Choose from 100’s of patterns by the best indie designers and then find a stockist.

Pattern Finder let’s you filter by garment, fabric type, brand and more! www.hantex.co.uk/patterns