ISSUE 11 FEB 20 16
Stitch your Style
Make it Today!
LOVE IT
MAKE IT
DO IT
BUY IT
READ IT
YOUR KIT PATTERNS FROM
&
suit-all separates
5 CLASSIC GARMENTS IN CHIC NAVY & WHITE
DIYenim
wiAtKhE dJEANS TDOY M UR BO FIT YOHAPE S
ISSUE 11 | £7.99 FEB 16
SIXTIES CLASSICS RE-MADE WITH YOUR ARCHIVE PATTERN
MAKE IT TODAY
SWINGING VINTAGE
Plus: Sewing for Kids: Toddler’s Top . Pattern Showcase . Tips & Tricks
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Contents: dressmaking ISSUE 11
YOUR KIT MAKES
13 NAUTICAL WEAR With five easy makes to choose from, you’ll be setting sail for your perfect look this spring
36 TUNIC DRESS This relaxed swing shape is great dressed up or down. Make in a bright cotton for extra appeal
26 VINTAGE DRESS Whether you opt for the fitted or flared frock, this sweet and stylish pattern has all the makings of true 1950s glam
46 HALTER NECK DRESS Springtime perfection with a quick and easy frock that can be whipped up in a day
EXTRA PROJECTS
20 CIRCLE SKIRT Stitch a cute polka dot number in an easy-breezy cotton for the ultimate daytime skirt 22 FUNKY FELT PURSES Pull a funny face and stitch it in felt with a cute accessory that is gauranteed to make your friends smile
32 43 FABRIC LOVE With an array of pretty florals and cute animals, we have lined up some beautiful fabrics for you to enjoy
50 CHILD’S TOP Make a little one’s day with this cute slip-on number in an adorable anchor print
48 CHILDREN’S WEAR SHOWCASE Choosing the perfect outfit for your little angel is simple with our top pattern picks
52 REVERSIBLE HAT This brimmed sun hat is perfect for using up fabric scraps, and it’s reversible!
IN EVERY ISSUE 3 WELCOME 5 INSIDE YOUR KIT 40 GIVEAWAYS 58 COMING NEXT ISSUE 24+60 SUBSCRIPTIONS 61 THE PRACTICALS
ON PATROL
30 DRAPED VEST This simple make is sure to flatter any figure with a one-size-fits-all promise
11 ESSENTIAL KIT Take a look at the sewing must-haves that will make your dressmaking days as easy as A-B-C
32 CHIC HAIRBANDS Style your coiffure with our sweet, stash-busting accessories that make the perfect gift
38 JEANS SHOWCASE Looking for the perfect fit? Check out these expert tips on how to make your dream jeans!
34 SHOULDER BAG Shop in style with an over-the-shoulder tote that’s Scandi cool
41 THE BOOKS Explore our latest stitchy line up with the top dressmaking reads this issue
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Get money off a three-issue trial. Turn to pages 24 and 60 for details
Make it Today! 4
RELAX AND READ
6 MAKE IT, BUY IT, LOVE IT Sit back and relax while enjoying the latest crafty news and releases 8 NOTICEBOARD We take a look at your latest lovely makes and get the low down on all your scissor nightmares! 18 AISLE STYLE Your big-day dress, stitched your way. We say ‘I do’ to these beautiful bridal patterns 42 INTERVIEW: LAURA BERENS BAKER Author and university lecturer Laura Berens Baker discusses the art of laser cutting 56 IN THE NAVY We explore the nautical looks that continue to inspire designers of the modern age, and how dressmakers can recreate the style at home 66 INTERVIEW: JENNIFFER TAYLOR The GBSB star and stitchy guru behind #sewingrevolution tells us about her creative career move
Make it
YOUR DESIGNER PATTERNS
Today!
Turn to p61 for all the dressmaking tips you’ll need to get stitching today!
EACH ENVELOPE INCLUDES AUTHENTIC DRESSMAKER’S TISSUE PATTERN PAPER
Stitch these cool retro styles
Five classic nautical pieces
ILLUSTRATED INSTRUCTIONS AND SEWING GUIDES INSIDE What’s your size?
DON’T MISS NEXT ISSUE! Two exclusive designer patterns perfect for spring!
ON SALE 26TH FEB 2016 Find out more on page 58
If you’re in need of a larger size, alternative versions are available for MIT readers: B6185 (14-22), M7086 (18-24). Call Butterick at 0344 880 1263, quoting voucher code MIT6185 or MIT7086 to redeem your replacement pattern at half price (£4 for B6185 and £4.37 for M7086). Offer valid until 22nd February.
THIS MONTH...
make it, buY it, love it What’s new in the wonderful world of dressmaking DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
Do you dare explore your wild side this spring? Splicing the primal contours of South American art with the decadent rhythms of Kenzo, Art Gallery Fabrics’ Dare is a vibrant range designed by Pat Bravo. Eggshell blues, taupes and electric pinks fuse with Pop Art outlines, stripes and dots to create a fresh collection with a distinctively Argentinian bias. Brave invites everyone to jump into a world of poppies, daisies and chrysanthemums framed in geometric splendour. artgalleryfabrics.com
CUTE PET COUTURE
ALL ABOARD THE PINK BUS
When you’re stealing inspiration for your next couture creations, don’t neglect your animal chums. Each page of Best Dressed Pets is filled with colourful sticker combinations guaranteed to show off a man’s best friends. This delightful selection of pooches, kittens, parrots and even hamsters offers plenty of dress-up fun for pet lovers of all ages. £7.95, laurenceking.com
Calling all community-minded crafty types: the Pink Bus Project needs you! Miss Libby Rose’s travelling project aims to unite stitchers in a nationwide arts project, sharing sewing knowledge and promoting friendly workshops for adults and kids in dressmaking, appliqué, embroidery and more. Working with Hobbycraft and co-sponsored with Janome, the Pink Bus sets off in May, so don’t miss your chance to hone your skills, flourish and be fabulous. pinkbusproject.com
Make it Today! 6 6-7_News.indd 1
07/01/2016 10:24
CREATOR’S CORNER
IF IT MAKES YOU HAPI
Bring a little sunshine into your life with the limited edition Amy Butler Hapi Sunrise range for Kalencom. Amy’s signature prints liven up a range of organic cottons and leathers, using sustainable dyes in coral, apple, baby blue and fuchsia. These truly individual fashion and travel accessories include the Sweet Bliss carry-all tote and the Cameo clutch, showcasing romantic vintage with a rock ‘n’ roll edge. The range includes iPad sleeves and glasses cases. Grab yourself a piece of Hapi, but hurry: everything must go! info@Kalencom.com
Dare designer Pat Bravo stopped by for a chat about her stitchy ventures What were your main inspirations for this colourful collection? The majority of my collections are based on fashion icons and trends. I love to include seasonal colours, and Dare is all about expressing yourself with lively hues. I enjoy Kenzo’s designs and aesthetics, and how he has empowered women with his bold use of colour. The 1970s Pop Art movement has been influencing me, too. How would you say your background comes through in your creations? When I was a kid in Buenos Aires, I took a home economics class, which taught me the basics of sewing at a very young age. College also taught me that if you want to be successful, you have to do what you love. I discovered my legal training was not for me, and that my true love was sewing. Luckily, now I can follow my passion!
HEY FLOWER
Not every rose has a thorn, as this miracle sewing template demonstrates. The Clover Sweetheart Rose Maker, which comes in three sizes, helps you make lovely fabric flowers to adorn your dressmaking projects, and if you like you can even combine two materials to give a striking posy effect. Give your spring creations a real burst of flower power! From £5.70, clover@stockistenquiries.co.uk
TO MAKE YOUR OWN VINTAGE DRESS, SEE OUR PROJECT ON PAGE 26, OR TURN TO PAGE 20 FOR A RETRO-STYLE CIRCLE SKIRT
PIN-UP PERFECTION
Discover your inner vintage vamp with Vivien of Holloway, an inspirational boutique and online store celebrating a diverse range of 1940s and 1950s garments. Vivien’s designs, based on authentic vintage patterns and featuring bridal, office and seasonal lines, are guaranteed to satisfy your craving for enduring glamour. vivienofholloway.com
Do you think your painting experience informs the work that you do now? I love to paint, and some of the florals on my prints were paintings. Sadly, I don’t paint as often as I would like, but when I do, I make sure the images form the basis of my next fabric print. My partner, who used to work in the clothing industry, also inspires me. Business is a complicated thing, so I treasure his guidance so much. What’s your advice for would-be designers looking to make it in the industry? Follow your passion, and never lose your identity. Discover your style and cultivate it, so followers can identify you quickly. Make a habit of drawing everyday. Be part of the online crafting community, too; it will help establish your business. Finally, cultivate a strong sense of colour through magazines and books.
NEWS 7 6-7_News.indd 2
07/01/2016 10:42
SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS | SHOULD TAKE A COOL-BLUE WEEKEND OF SAVVY SEWING
RIDE THE OCEAN WAVES IN A
nautical outfit with your choice of five easy makes
Ahoy there, matey! Here’s a look that’s never out of fashion and currently experiencing a real sea change: the beautiful navy-andwhite nautical. These smart lines and universally flattering contours are guaranteed to make you look good, no matter what your shape and colouring, and everyone from Alexa Chung to the Princess of Cambridge is dropping anchor in style. Butterick’s B6185 combo unites the comfort of loose-fitting tops and straight-legged trousers with cute double-layered collars and front-pleated skirts: all classic pieces, and all plain sailing. It’s all aboard for a stylish classic that’s nautical... but nice!
NAUTICAL WEAR 13
PROJECT BY KRISTY CHAN | SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS | SHOULD TAKE A DAY OF EASY STITCHING
DAYTIME AND EVENING ATTIRE COVERED WITH THIS
HALTER NECK DRESS that’s as simple as one, two, three!
This easy-breezy dress makes summer walks and night-time jaunts an effortless and fashionable occasion, and the halter style neckline adds interesting detail. Transform the look from short and sweet, to floor-length elegance, by simply adjusting the length and adding waistline detail with the use of elastic. Stitch in a luxurious fabric to create a beautiful evening gown, or simple cotton for daytime appeal.
ESSENTIAL KIT
Cotton, 2m (short version), 3m (maxi version) Elastic, waist measurement
Find pattern online makeit today.co.uk CUTTING GUIDE:
Main Pattern Pieces: Cut Two on Fold Neck Ties: Cut Two, 4cm x 75cm
HALTER-NECK DRESS 1 With right sides facing, pin the two main pattern pieces together and sew the side seams with a 1cm seam allowance. Neaten the raw edges and press the seam flat open. 2 Neaten the raw edges of the armhole seams, fold the fabric 1cm to the inside
All tied up! Add extra appeal to your summer frock and opt for lengths of ribbon to tie your halter-neck. Choose a contrasting colour to really up the wow factor!
Make it Today! 46
PROJECT BY TORIE JAYNE | SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS | SHOULD TAKE A FUN-FILLED STITCHY DAY
SEW A STYLISH
tunic dress complete with power pockets
This effortlessly chic tunic shaped frock gives an instant sense of style and retro glam thanks to the slouchy fit and front pocket detail. The three-quarter length sleeves offer a comfortable and relaxed shape, and the centre back fastening allows you to test your zip-inserting skills. Whatever your height or size, this style is guaranteed to be a winner in the figure-flattering stakes. Stitch in a vibrant printed fabric and add some wow to your wardrobe!
Make it Today! 36
PROJECT BY TORIE JAYNE | SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS | SHOULD TAKE A DAY OF DOTTY INSPIRATION
INDULGE IN 1950s GLAM WITH A
circle skirt that’s perfect for any shape
What goes around comes around, so the saying goes, and this month we’re dedicating ourselves to the fine art of circle skirt making – a skill every beginner can enjoy. Torie Jayne’s classic look puts a cute modern spin on lovely vintage lines, with its classic dotty style and youthful drape, all designed to emphasise your curves and allow for maximum ease of movement. So take a tip from the greats, put some swirl in your world, and bring your dressmaking full circle.
Fabric, 1.5m x 112cm All-purpose sewing thread Concealed zip, 22cm Lightweight interfacing for waistband MEASUREMENT: Custom
circle skirt 1 Measure your waist. If, say, you are a size 10, the measurement is 69cm + 2cm seam allowance. Divide this figure (71cm) by two and multiply by Pi (3.14). Round this figure up, so 11.3057325 becomes 11.5. Subtract 1cm for seam allowance and comfort to give 10.5. 2 Fold a large square of fabric in half, then again, with right sides together. From the corner with no raw edges, measure down 10.5cm. Using a fabric soluble pen, draw a quarter-circle with a 10.5cm radius all the way around. 3 Do the same again, but bigger. For a skirt that’s 44cm in length, draw another quarter-circle with a radius of 56.5cm; that’s with 1cm seam allowance each side and 10.5cm radius of waistband. 4 Cut out the centre circle and also the outer curved edge that forms the hem circle. Snip along one of the fold lines. Unfold the skirt and you should have a large fabric circle with a small circle in the centre cut out. 5 To make the waistband, take your waist measurement plus 2cm for seam allowance, such as 71cm. Cut out a rectangle of fabric 71cm x 17cm (with
CUTTING GUIDE:
Seam allowance of 1cm used No pattern required
a 1cm allowance on each side of a 15cm-deep waistband). 6 Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the waistband. Fold in half lengthways, wrong sides together, and press. On one long edge of waistband, press under 1cm. 7 Pin the waistband to the upper edge of skirt. Stitch in place using a 1cm seam allowance. Press the seam allowance upwards. 8 Open the zipper. On the outside of the skirt opening, pin the zipper to the left front opening edge, face down in the seam allowance. Place the zipper tape 0.3cm down from the waistband fold line. Hand-tack in place and remove pins. 9 Swap the machine foot for a zipper foot. Stitch in place, sewing close to the teeth. Repeat the process of pinning and sewing for the other side of the zipper. Remove hand tacks. 10 Turn the skirt inside out. From the last stitch made at the bottom of the zip, continue to sew all the way down to the bottom of the skirt. 11 Fold the waistband down, with wrong sides together, and the pressed hem aligned with the waistband seam. Pin and top-stitch in place. 12 Baste-stitch a 1cm hem on the skirt. Press up the hem using your baste stitch as a guide. Top-stitch in place, and press to finish.
Make it Today! 20
GET THE LOOK! BLOUSE £14.99, H&M (0344 736 9000), BELT £4.99, TK MAXX (01923 473561), SHOES £22, RED HERRING AT DEBENHAMS (0844 561 6161)
ESSENTIAL KIT
PROJECT BY CORINNE BRADD | SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS | SHOULD TAKE A CRAFTY FILLED DAY
YOUR LITTLE ONE WILL LOVE THIS
reversible hat that will keep the sun from their eyes
ESSENTIAL KIT
Cotton, four co-ordinating prints Fusible interfacing Co-ordinating thread MEASUREMENT: 50cm circumference (enlarge or reduce pattern pieces if a different size is required)
Find pattern online makeit today.co.uk
Ensuring your angel is safe from the sun is always a must, and this cute, brimmed headpiece can do just that. Its reversible design means you can choose two different colour ways, ensuring the perfect outfit match each time. This make-in-a-day project is the perfect excuse to use up fabric scraps in your stash and create a patchwork headpiece, that’s fitting for any little princess.
Make it Today! 52
PROJECT BY JAYNE CORDLE AND AMANDA WALKER | SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS | SHOULD TAKE A DREAMY WEEKEND OF RETRO COOL
FITTED OR FLARED, THIS
VINTAGE DRESS
If you’re inspired by the cool fifties glamour of iconic TV show Mad Men and fancy yourself as the new January Jones or Christina Hendricks, this special archive collection pack from The McCall Pattern Company encapsulates two classic comely looks in designs that can be followed with ease. Whether you wish to wiggle as you walk or rev it up with a flared A-line, the M7086 pattern is as versatile as they come; choose short or long sleeves, semi-fitted or gathered, for a look that is flattering to your assets and your fifties aspirations. Complete with a tucked midriff and cute bow, this outfit is the perfect way to strut down memory lane.
Make it Today! 26
GET THE LOOK! SHOES £29.99, GLOVES £12.99, TK MAXX (01923 473561), HAIR SLIDE £5.99, H&M (0344 736 9000)
ties up your style in a bow
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spotted sewing basket Compact yet spacious, this stylish sewing basket is perfect for keeping the keen crafter organised.This sewing basket features a woven carry handle enabling you to sew on the go, a snap button fastening, a built-in pincushion and pocket for storing tiny treasures and a removable plastic tray with four compartments. The tray lifts to reveal a larger compartment which is ideal for storing your sewing essentials. Finished with a pretty spotted print, this sewing basket will look lovely whilst keeping your workstation tidy.
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