Make It Today Dressmaker Issue 25

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Dressmaker Make it Today!

ALL YOUR SEWING TIPS & TRICKS INSIDE new ideas

22OUTFITS

Issue 25 | £7.99 JULY 2017

+Quick-stitch

EASY SUMMER PROJECTS TO WAKE UP YOUR WARDROBE!

Lauren Guthrie’s Tricks with Stretchy Fabrics

Nip & Tuck

8Fit & Flatter

SHAPE A BETTER BUSTLINE SEE PAGE 71

TOPS & SKIRTS Liberty Love Styles

Fabric print designers reveal their secrets

In the Workroom...

ROLLED HEMS TUTORIAL PERFECT UNDER-STITCHING HOW TO CREATE A TOILE

12-20 (approx UK sizing)

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FIGURE-FLATTERING

TOPS

with your free

PATTERN SIMPLE DAYTIME CASUALS YOU’LL LOVE TO STITCH

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his summer we’re taking it back to basics with lirty cinched tees and shoulder-baring threads.

Dreamy with shorts and lowing gypsy skirts, Simplicity 1613 ofers ive easy designs to choose from: A, B and C provide a unique twist-front neckline, while C and E embrace the chic Bardot trend with three diferent sleeve variations – all sitting at a lattering hip length. Designed with a stretch knit in mind, this pattern is the perfect opportunity to boost your sewing skillset and build up your conidence with jersey. And while this fabric may be tricky to master at irst, once you’ve cracked it, igure-hugging inery will be yours for the taking!

WHAT’S YOUR SIZE? When selecting a pattern, it is important to use your body measurements, not your ready-towear size. The style of the garment will also determine the fit, so check your proportions against the pattern’s chart. If you are between sizes, opt for the smaller one if you’re small-boned or would like a close fit, and the larger one if you prefer a loose fit. Find out how to take accurate measurements, increase the size of a dart, and view size charts at simplicitynewlook.com.

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Make It Today | Dressmaker

YOUR free

PATTERN

No wardrobe is complete without a versatile tee, and Simplicity 1613 ofers up ive of these must-have essentials.

Simply choose your neckline and sleeve length, and start stitching today.

Next month’s FREE GIFTS...

pattern, plus a flamingo fat quarter

On sale 27th July 2017 makeittoday.co.uk

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THE WORLD OF ANNA SUI Described as one of the top five fashion icons of the decade, pioneering designer Anna Sui is being celebrated with a retrospective at the Fashion and Textile Museum. Glam kooky highlights range from cowboy couture to grunge baby doll in a fabulously eclectic event that’s not to be missed. ftmlondon.org

SHAPE UP FOR SUMMER Turn your next holiday into a life-changing lesson in getting the right it! Gartmore House, set in the heart of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, is ofering a masterclass in sewing patterns designed to help you sew like a pro as you chill in the Scottish hills. Now that’s what we call a lucky break! £345, gartmorehouse.com

make BUY

HOT STITCHY STUFF TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR SUMMER

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS Brace yourself, ladies: Sew Over It’s new pattern has arrived, and it’s a beauty. The Penny Shirt Dress is a treat for beginners, as there are no darts and only a few seams, and its flattering dropped shoulder is a fifties dream. Comfy and quick, take it from us: Penny’s from heaven!

UK 8-20. £7.50, sewoverit.co.uk

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Make It Today | Dressmaker

JLaloive e

GET YOUR CARDI ON!

FAMILY PATTERNS FOR EVERY SIZE!

It may be summer, but we all need layers.

Jennifer Lauren’s Juniper cardigan pattern with saddle shoulder details and a flattering V shape is easily matched with comfy jeans or a vintage sundress. Perfect for colour blocking! jenniferlaurenhandmade.com

BIRDY BEAUTIFUL The latest quirky bird pairings from Thornback & Peel feature pigeons with jellies and this cute combo of chickens and carnations! Treat yourself to a pretty pastel bag with a diference: they’re a real conversation starter. £22, thornbackandpeel.co.uk

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

FAB LEISURE WEAR Simple raglan-sleeve tops, racerback tanks and camisole tops for jersey knits

EASY MAKE DRESSES Stitch easy gowns like the Bella it and lare dress with princess seams

SUPER SNIPPERS Who said scissors had to be hard to handle? Inspirational TV stitcher Nancy Zieman’s Bordeaux Ultimate blades combine precision cutting with a soft touch grip – brilliant for all those dressmaking projects! Available in three sizes from £50, clover@stockist enquiries.co.uk

Keeping your stitching secrets safe has never been simpler. This cute little sewing machine USB stick from Sew Easy gives you the perfect way to store your designs. Also available in a cute yellow tape measure. £17 for 2GB, groves@stockistenquiries.co.uk

COOL STRETCH JEANS Make low-rise bootcut trousers pattern in your choice of denim or twill

KIMONO WOW! We’re all a bit obsessed with quick and pretty Japanese jackets, so this book is definitely on our wish list! Kimono Now explores the versatility and history of this fashion favourite from traditional matsuri makes to creative cosplay creations. £24.99, prestelpublishing. randomhouse.de

You’ll love these pretty casual patterns from mother-and-daughter team Jalie. These practical designs ofer relaxed styles for stretch lovers with easy multi-size options for your individual shape, printed on high-quality paper.

Young or old, these patterns will keep you busy for a lifetime!

For a full selection of downloadable and printed patterns, visit jalie.com

makeittoday.co.uk

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your free pattern · your free pattern · your free pattern · your free pattern · your free pattern · your free patte

Quick Jersey

WINNERS STYLISH STRETCH KNITS WITH CRISS-CROSS KNOTS AND STRAPS

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ith designers as diverse as Fendi, Chanel and Soku continuing to vaunt the stretch appeal of the humble jersey across everything from playful, sporty tanks to lavish, slinky jumpsuits, Simplicity’s 1613 pattern is the perfect way to embrace our nifty knit potential. These ive variations ofer a choice of sleeve and necklines, ranging from intricate criss-cross overlays to simple elasticated of-the-shoulder options you can put together quickly. Constructed with just a few pieces, these igurelattering styles accentuate your natural curves while celebrating ease of movement and ease of wear, making them high on comfort and wow factor. What are you waiting for? It’s time to stretch yourself…

PROJECT DESIGNER

jayne Cordle & sarah Oecken · for beginners ·

TURN OVER FOR MORE makeittoday.co.uk 13

SWAP DELICATE LACE TRIM FOR POM-POM DETAILING!

We’ve used this pretty Cotton Candy Sweet Notes print by Susan Driscoll for Dashwood Studio. £12 per metre, guthrie-ghani.co.uk

Why not try?

FANCY FLOWERS Whether you’re a fan of an oversized bloom or prefer a petite print, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to Liberty cotton florals. £22.50 per metre, libertylondon.com

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HALF LIFE BLUE This retro-style design from the In Theory barkcloth range for Cloud 9 Fabrics is perfect for making a statement garment. For stockists, visit hantex.co.uk/cloud9

Find pattern online

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Totally Versatile

SIDE-SPLIT

tunic STITCH A VIBRANT CHIFFON GARMENT TO SUIT ALL SIZES

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his flowing tunic by Amanda Walker is exactly what you need to create a statement outfit this summer. The sheer fabric makes it a fabulous staple that can be worn from daytime through to evening. You’ll be thrilled to learn that this no-pattern make can easily be altered to suit women of all heights and sizes. You can practise neatening your raw edges and making a smooth-finished side-split without any hassle. Once you’ve finished, you’ll be floating away into the sunset feeling like a Grecian goddess!

NOPATTERN MAKE!

TURN OVER FOR MORE makeittoday.co.uk 55

Stitch a Simple

Summer Top FLEX YOUR YOKE SKILLS WITH THIS FLATTERING GATHERED MAKE

PROJECT DESIGNER

jenniffer taylor · for beginners ·

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e dare you not to feel your spirits lift with Jennifer Taylor’s light and loaty smock-inspired top. Jenni gives this traditional bustshaping drape top a contemporary twist with a broad box pleat attached to a yoke neckline. It’s the perfect opportunity to draft a pattern to suit your frame: all you need are a few measurements. Finished with cute mother of pearl buttons, this easy loose-it lovely is truly boxing clever!

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Play With Colour

Dress Happy STROLL INTO SUMMER WITH A BOLD STATEMENT BLOCK SHIFT

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ves Saint Laurent irst popularised the trend for block frocks with his renowned Mondrian collection, which landed on the cover of Vogue in the 1960s. Here, our designer Amanda Walker brings this striking look up to date with zesty lime and creamy beige – a duo that’s it for summer and beyond. Brush up on the basics, from inserting sleeves and darts to itting zips and pockets, and you’ll soon be strutting your stuf in this igure-friendly classic.

PROJECT DESIGNER

AMANDA WALKER · for beginners ·

makeittoday.co.uk 21

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