Make It Today Dressmaker Issue 26

Dressmaker Make it Today!

YOUR FLAMINGO FABRIC 5 WAYS

Ten-in-one EASY SEW DRESSES S U M M E R ST Y L E TO

PATTERNS 50% OFF

Issue 26 | £7.99 AUGUST 2017

s e z i S12-22

S T I T C H AT H O M E !

Style inspo!

Tops & Tees READY IN 2 HOURS

M A X I S TO F L AT T E R YO U R S H A P E

Done in a day...

CHIC PALAZZO TROUSERS FUN BUTTON-FRONT SKIRT SILKY KIMONO WRAP

Perfect Match FIT SLEEVES LIKE A PRO!

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free pattern MIX ‘N’ MATCH DRESSES WITH YOUR

Party on the horizon? Reach for New Look 6824 and you’re sure to be the belle of the ball!

What skirt and bodice combination will you choose to create?

What’s your size?

When selecting a pattern, it is important to use your body measurements, not your ready-to-wear 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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If you’re forever hunting through the rails to find your dream dress, then New Look 6824 is a must for your sewing repertoire; it delivers 10 classic separates that can be mixed and matched to perfectly suit your figure and style.

The interchangeable skirt and bodice means you can stitch up a fifties flare with a demure high neckline, or go for a classic scoop with a fitted pencil skirt – the options are endless! You’ll even find a variety of bows to adorn your waistband. To get started, pick out fun and floaty cotton prints for summer and luxurious velvets and silks for elegant eveningwear.

NEXT MONTH’S FREE GIFTS...

GET YOURS ON 7TH SEPTEMBER 2017

Pair a variation H skirt with a petticoat with maximum flare

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B O LT F R O M T H E B LU E Mr Blue Sky has cast a spell over the new Cath Kidston range, suffusing satchels, sneakers and statement knits with every shade from zenith to midnight navy.

Alongside these sumptuous fresh fancies, you can delight in whimsical flourishes such as cartoon clouds and hot air balloons, all sure to have you walking on air! cathkidston.com

Make it, buy it, love it

Better Bee there!

We’re delighted to hear that funny girl and keen stitcher Jenny Eclair is R E A D E R joining the throng of talent OFFER! FO appearing at September’s £ 1. 5 0 T I C K E TR Great British Sewing Bee Live.

D I S CO U N T, Q U O T E CO D E Don’t miss the chance to see your fave TV bees in action, as M TA the event hosts 250+ workshops, demos and the eagerly anticipated celebrity super theatre with judges Patrict Grant and Esme Young (see opposite)! Advance tickets £16.50, thegreatbritishsewingbeelive.com

Fresh ideas for fab stitchy days!

C O L O U R M E H A P PY Bursting onto the fabric scene are these machine-friendly colour pods: your one-stop ticket to vibrant dressmaking creations, no muss, no fuss! Pop your pod in the drum, run a cycle and before you know it, you’ll have a new look to dye for. dylon.co.uk

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5 minutes with...

SIMPLICITY TURNS 90!

It’s almost time to put the candles on the cake as Simplicity will soon be 90 years old! To kickstart the celebrations, brand-new ambassador Abi Dyson (AKA The Crafty Pin-Up) will be helping readers nationwide share their favourite memories of nine fabulous decades of dressmaking with our favourite brand! #Simplicity ThroughTheAges

Wear your Poppy with pride Petal pretty and full of potential, By Hand London’s newest release is an exciting breakthrough as it is their first knit pattern! The Poppy Top & Dress features a relaxed-fit raglan sleeve with inverted box pleat shaping, and the sheath gown option has fish eye darts and a discreet side split for slinky jersey style in a jiffy. UK 6-20, £9, byhandlondon.com

PRETTY IN PINK If small is beautiful, Hobbycraft’s new Midi Sewing Machine is SE downright stunning. Still, G I V EE O U R while it’s reet petite for O N PA W AY storage and portability, it’s A 48! GE big on results, offering a range of stitching options, sewing speeds and other features. And if you don’t like pink, there are plenty of other colours to try! £50, hobbycraft.co.uk

Good for the soul Celebrating the universal joy of finding your perfect fit, Amy Butler’s latest collection has us all swooning here at Stitchy HQ. Chewy corals, soda pop blues and soothing violets nestle in perfectly entwined quilting fabrics that are sure to have you rushing for a little bit of together time. #freespiritfabrics, amybutlerdesign.com

C O U T U R E C LU B If your appetite for statement fashion is becoming a full-time passion, grab Ellen W Miller’s guide to developing technique. From vintage feather work to heirloom lace, Creating Couture Embellishment is a treasure trove of exquisite finishing ideas. £50, laurenceking.com

Patrick & Esme

SEWIN B E E L I VGE

exclusive

WE CAUGHT UP WITH OUR SEWING BEE JUDGES AT THE FASHION & TEXTILE MUSEUM What can we expect at The GBSB Live?

P: It’s going to be huge! There will be mini challenges for the public in our super celebrity theatre. Lots of former contestants will be helping members of the public with their problems – I’m going to be taking my own along, ha, ha!

E: I’m looking forward to the alteration challenges, which I adore. I love a live environment. People will hopefully be energised by that authentic creative vibe.

P: I’m hoping there are going to be sewing hecklers, to keep us on our toes!

Has judging together changed your work approach?

P: As with lots of creative teams, I think the influence is something you realise retroactively and on an intuitive level – I love Esme’s style and collaborative spirit, and certainly I see signs of her energy here and there in my recent designs.

E: I know this sounds corny, but when I started on the show, I was quite nervous.

Patrick was so kind, and I’m so grateful and connected to him for that.

Who is your favourite-ever Sewing Bee contestant?

P: No! That would be like picking a favourite child. There are so many characters, all representative of the sewing spirit, from mothers to the military!

E: So many wanted to help each other, I kept forgetting it was a competition.

P: We’ve seen some amazing talent, which I’m hoping the live event will propel even further. It’s part workshop, part cat walk and part therapy, ha ha!

CHECK OUT THEGREATBRITISH SEWINGBEELIVE.COM © The GBSB Live

And finally... #makersforgrenfell Dressmaker of the Year Portia Lawrie is organising a fundraising drive to support all those affected by recent events at Grenfell Tower.

To get involved, destash and donate, visit Portia’s site at makery.uk or Instagram @makersforgrenfell

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YO U R

FREE

Pattern

DESIGN YOUR PERFECT LOOK

Mix & Match Dress 10 different fit and flare styles with your free pattern!

Dressmaking is all about making decisions, from picking the right shapes for your figure to nailing that all-important wow factor. That said, it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, and sometimes we gals like to keep our options open. With designers as diverse as Oscar de la Renta and Donna Karan celebrating the appeal of key dress separates, we all need our patterns to go as far as possible. New Look’s 6824 lets you explore different necklines, sleeve options, bodice linings and hem variations for unique looks that are both feminine and practical. Treat yourself again and again with this versatile free pattern and create a lifetime of lovely looks: every one’s a winner!

Jayne Cordle

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G RE AT FO R B EG I N N E R S FRO M CA ROL I N E HUL S E, WEEK EN D SEW I N G

If you want to save on fabric, why not make bias binding by upcycling strips from an old T-shirt? If you’re working with knits, you don’t have to cut on the bias: just make with the stretchiest part of the material going lengthwise with the strips.

D I S COV E R MORE MAKES This project is taken from Sew Caroline, Weekend Style by Caroline Hulse (£18.99, STC Craft/A Melanie Falick Book), available by calling 01206 255777

TRY THIS ALTERNATIVE PRINT!

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Beginproejrect

COOL AND CASUAL

Linen Top Smarten up a skirt with an easy pleat and pocket No wardrobe is complete without a comfy, loose-fitting top you can throw on in a jiffy, and this project is just the ticket for your capsule collection. Offering a simple silhouette with striking design details, from a rouleau looped button to handmade bias binding, this make can be stitched up in just one afternoon. Perfect for novice stitchers and those in a hurry!

Amanda Walker

DOWNLOAD THIS PATTERN FROM

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Stitch project FA B R I C

Gütermann Summer Loft Ring a Roses With its subtle interweaving of minty leaf patterns and geometric print, this cheery splash of cotton is the perfect complement to the rustic texture of the denim. £19.95 per metre, gutermann@ stockistenquiries

“You can alter the measurement to suit your needs, but the size of the bag depends on the size of your jeans. You’ll never make a jumbo tote SHOPPING BASKET from a pair of size For a selection of beads and crystals to add sparkle and lustre to upcycled garments, visit beadsdirect.co.uk 8 skinny legs, so check out the charity shops if necessary” CORINNE BRADD, DESIGNER makeittoday.co.uk

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Beginproejrect EASY, PATTERN-FREE

Floral Circle Skirt Give a nod to the glamorous fifties style There’s nothing quite like donning a flared skirt to bring out your inner diva, and best of all there’s no pattern needed to make this one! Be the centre of attention during your evening festivities, or embody the epitome of office chic with this statement gathered skirt.

The cotton fabric we’ve used has a printed pattern running along the length of it, which thins as it progresses across the width. If you want to go all out and become a modern-day fifties screen siren, pop a petticoat underneath for added va-va-voom.

Amanda Walker

NO-PATTERN

make

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Stitch project FA B R I C

Complete the look with handmade activewear!

Pattern company Jalie offers up a fantastic range of easy-make garments, from stretch-knit leggings to comfortable sports bras. PDFs priced from £7.70, jalie.com

Inspired by beautiful Morocco, Gütermann’s Marrakesh collection is perfect for adding a colourful twist to this practical piece. We’ve also used Vlieseline 275 to give it a padded feel. For stockists, contact gutermann@ stockistenquiries.co.uk and crafts@stockist enqiries.co.uk

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