Make it Today!
ISSUE 9 NOV 20 15
Stitch your Style
LOVE IT
MAKE IT
DO IT
BUY IT
READ IT
YOUR KIT PATTERNS FROM &
CHRISTMAS DRESSING
Made easy SEW A STYLISH TOP IN AN EVENING!
STITCH & WEAR NO-PATTERN CAPE EASY-MAKE DRESS PERFECT PYJAMAS
HY GREAT STITC R PRIZES UP FO GRABS!
WORK YOUR WARDROBE 20+ HAND-STITCHED FASHION IDEAS
ISSUE 9 | 拢7.99 NOV 2015
MAKE IT TODAY
WIN!
Inside: Chinelo Bally 路 Glam gloves 路 Evening-wear showcase
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6 48 RELAX AND READ 6 MAKE IT, BUY IT, LOVE IT Tune into all the latest news in the world of festive stitching 8 NOTICEBOARD Enjoy seeing all your amazing handmade projects – and take our New Year challenge!
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Contents: dressmaking YOUR KIT MAKES 13 DREAMY DRESS
This Kwik Sew pattern can be used to make two statement pieces
33 TOP AND TROUSERS COMBO
A simple and chic combo that needs to be top of your stitch list today!
46 COOL CULOTTES
Make a pair of on-trend, classic culottes for a perfect day of sewing
36 STAPLE DRESS
Two pattern pieces, fabric and elastic is all you need to make this statement dress
48 FABRIC WATCH STRAPS
This patchwork pretty will make sure you’re always fashionably on time
52 CHILD’S CAPE
Create an easy-make cape that even Little Red Riding Hood would admire
17 PYJAMA SET
Stitch yourself some boudoir elegance with this gorgeous, snuggly two-piece
22 NO-PATTERN DRAPE CAPE
This stylish, snug cape is sure to make those winter days extra cosy
26 BUTTERFLY CLIPS
A stash-busting project that will add a flutter of sparkle to your barnet
contents .indd 2
Make a silk scarf with some very charming crafty extras!
ON PATROL 11 STITCH ME UP!
A luxury line-up of haberdashery must-haves to add to your stash
30 KNOW YOUR
SEWING MACHINE Let Janome help you get to grips with your trusty machine
20 LITTLE BLACK DRESSMAKING The ultimate LBD is a do-it-yourself dream: we pay homage to our favourite garment 28 CLASS ACT
Glamour, sophistication and even a
A dressmaking workshop and see how to persue your own sociable sewing adventures
evening-wear patterns
42 INTERVIEW: CHINELO BALLY
38 EVENING SHOWCASE
ISSUE 9 Royal-worthy make, all with these
54 LUCKY CHARMS SCARF
EXTRA PROJECTS
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41 THE BOOKS
Check out the latest titles to join our much-loved sewing bookshelf
43 FABRIC LOVE
’Tis the season for a spot of fabric shopping, so see our latest picks along with tips on working with luxury fabrics!
50 EASY MAKE SHOWCASE
We reveal the stylish stitch-easy patterns that will build your dressmaking confidence
SUBSCRIBE NOW Get money off a
GBSB star Chinelo gives us the knowledge on freehand dressmaking
56 THE POWER OF GLOVES
Discover the delights of the elegant opera glove as we embrace its enduring appeal
66 INTERVIEW: STEPHANIE ANN WOOLVEN Artist and lingerie designer Stephanie reveals the unusual method behind her designs
IN EVERY ISSUE 3 WELCOME 5 INSIDE YOUR KIT 40 GIVEAWAYS 24+60 AND 67 SUBSCRIPTIONS 58 COMING NEXT ISSUE 61 THE PRACTICALS
three-issue trial Turn to page 24, 60 and 67 for details
09/10/2015 16:22
Make it Today!
YOUR DESIGNER PATTERNS EACH ENVELOPE INCLUDES AUTHENTIC DRESSMAKER’S TISSUE PATTERN PAPER
Stitch on-trend culottes
Create two figureflattering dresses
Turn to p61 for all the dressmaking tips you’ll need to get stitching today!
DON’T MISS NEXT ISSUE! Make eight garments with our designer patterns!
ON SALE 4TH DECEMBER 2015 Find out more on page 58
Illustrated instructions and sewing guides
THIS MONTH...
make it, buY it, love it The latest trends, news and more for the festive stitchy season!
JOYEUX NOËL Wrap everything up neatly with this fresh and festive Christmas ribbon. Not only can it be used for presents and gifts but it would also make a neat addition to any festive sewing kit! £10.50, coxandcox.co.uk
special delivery
This gorgeous red felt stocking is to be hung up with care this Christmas. An adorable felt polar bear and white pompoms complete the festive effect. Your loved ones will treasure this classic yet fun seasonal essential. £27, coxandcox.co.uk
oh sew vintage!
We’ve gathered together some of the best designers in order to create the fabulous Sew Vintage bookazine (£9.99). A real blast from the past, this is bursting at the seams with features, patterns and projects fit for a real fashionista. Covering styles from the 1920s to the 1960s, you can find out more about authentic vintage dressmaking and classic trends in this lovely keepsake, available from aceville.com/bookazines and all major supermarkets. Embark on stylish projects including a 1930s wrap dress and this gorgeous Lisa Comfort fur hat, as featured in her book, Sew Over It Vintage.
Make it Today! 6
SEW FESTIVE
What better time of year to sew your own decorative garland than at Christmas? This festive kit comes with all you need to make seasonally kitsch wool felt bunting, measuring 1.2m in length. Kit contains three full sized Christmas tree patterns, instructions, wool mix, felt, stuffing, garland ribbon, embellishing ribbons, pompoms and buttons to decorate, and all in a handy storage box. £15, notonthehighstreet.com
Alice cushion, Gunna Ydri, £25; Mad Hatter tie, Fox & Chave, £25; Alice Falling necklace, Little Moose, £30, shop bl.uk
MORE, MORE, MORE!
USE CODE HE MS20% ATONTLINE CHECKOUT YOUR TO GET T! DISCOUN
To celebrate four years of stitching success, Laura and Mark Rigby are launching a new website for More Sewing, in Worthing, West Sussex. They stock over 1,000 fabric bolts, hundreds of dressmaking options, fabrics and hard-to-find trims, plus in-house sewing machine and overlocker sales, servicing and repairs. Make It Today readers can enjoy 20% off fabrics and haberdashery. moresewing.co.uk
stitch supreme Make free-motion sewing one of your goals for the New Year with the Brother VR! The VR offers access to 305 built-in patterns, automatic needle threading, thread-colour sorting, and up to 1,000 stitches per minute, as well as an LED pointer for perfect needle placement. brothersewing.co.uk
SEE INSIDE COVER FOR SOME OF THE LATEST DEALS!
CORDS FOR KIDS HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, ALICE! The British Library is inviting you to go down the rabbit hole and celebrate 150 years of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with an event featuring pieces designed by Etsy crafters. The Redesigning Alice range, commissioned by Etsy.com, features creations inspired by John Tenniel, Carroll’s illustrations, Nordic folklore, flamingoes and hedgehogs! bl.uk/events, #AliceinWonderland
DESIGNER IN DETAIL British-born designer Charles James was one of our most celebrated couturiers, and now the subject of a fascinating book by V&A Publishing. This book charts the ingenuity of a man who opened his first hat shop in Chicago at the age of nineteen and, with no formal training, made some of the most dramatic couture of modern times, including the taxi dress, the figure-eight skirt and the puffer jacket. £30, V&A Publishing, vandapublishing.com
ON PATROL 7
Family-run business Powell Craft, which specialises in vintage-inspired children’s wear, has a new range of super-soft cords designed to keep kiddie-winks stylishly comfy by showcasing the charms of giraffes, owls and foxes in a rainbow of colours. To celebrate, the company is also launching a new website. powellcraft.com
PROJECT BY JAYNE CORDLE AND TORIE JAYNE | SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS | SHOULD TAKE A SUNNY WEEKEND IN THE SEWING ROOM
ROLL OUT THE GLAMOUR WITH THIS
GET THE LOOK! BRACELET £10, MOOD BY JON RICHARD AT DEBENHAMS (0844 800 8877), SUNGLASSES £12, MARKS & SPENCER (0333 014 8555), SHOES £19.99, H&M (0844 736 900)
DREAMY DRESS that fits to flatter
If this Christmas party season has you wondering whether to pick the playful chic of a cute modern dress or the timeless elegance of a classic Jackie O-style number, why not pick both? Kwik Sew’s K3704 pattern pack unites figure hugging shapes, simple lines and discreet fastenings in two delightful designs, creating the perfect double act for you to showcase your glamour puss credentials to their finest. Ideal for woven fabrics, firm cottons, linens and even lace, this look is so bright you’ve got to wear shades!
DREAMY DRESS 13
PROJECT BY AMANDA WALKER | SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS | SHOULD TAKE A FULL DAY OF STITCHINESS
ESSENTIAL KIT
Lightweight wool fabric, 3m x 160cm Matching or contrasting lining, 2m x 150cm PLUS: Cape fastening Matching thread Sewing machine Iron MEASUREMENTS: Custom to fit: our project 88cm long, 48cm split
Find guide online makeit today.co.uk
no-pattern DRAPE CAPE you can make in a day
From the icy majesty of Anna Karenina to the iconic superhero Wonder Woman, all kinds of women get an extra dash of cool with the addition of a well-cut cape. As Amanda Walker’s project demonstrates, you don’t even need a pattern to create a look with instant swish appeal. Complete with shapely splits, a vintage clasp and lots of elegant drape, this garment is an instant classic. So go on, give us a twirl and become a caped crusader!
Make it Today! 22
GET THE LOOK! TOP, £12.99, H&M (0844 736 900)
RELEASE YOUR INNER GODDESS WITH A
PROJECT BY VANESSA MOONCIE | SUITABLE FOR CONFIDENT BEGINNERS | SHOULD TAKE A LONG WEEKEND
MAKE A STYLISH
PYJAMA SET
and laze around your boudoir in style Pay homage to an elegant, bygone era and create a timeless pyjama set that will add a touch of luxury to your wardrobe. For a quick way to ooze feminine glamour, sew your own nightwear essentials in a beautiful silk-cotton blend, perfectly fit for the boudoir. Alternatively, you could make this charming two-piece in a cosy cotton to keep the chills at bay through winter.
PYJAMA SET 17 38-39 EXTRACT Comfy Pyjamas 2.indd 4
12/10/2015 09:49
PROJECT BY AMANDA WALKER | SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS | SHOULD TAKE A DAY OF COSY STITCHING
ADD THIS STYLISH EASY-MAKE
STAPLE DRESS to your wardrobe must-haves
A cute staple frock can make a huge impact, especially when you use a bold print such as this Free Spirit Flora Tulip pattern. Treat yourself to a make-in-a-day dress in a lightweight cotton or add a touch of lustre by using a silk drape. With just two pattern pieces and an elasticated waist, it’s the perfect easy-stitch wardrobe essential.
ESSENTIAL KIT
Cotton, 2.5m x 1.5m wide Co-ordinating thread PLUS: Elastic, 1cm wide MEASUREMENTS: Custom sized
Find pattern online makeit today.co.uk
CUTTING GUIDE:
Front: Cut One on Fold Back: Cut One on Fold 1.5cm seam allowance used throughout, with exception of neckline edge which is bound, and hem where a 1cm seam allowance is used.
EASY-MAKE STAPLE DRESS 1 Print out the pattern pieces from makeittoday.co.uk. Using a scrap of the fabric, cut a bias strip approximately 4cm x 70cm, ensuring that it is a long-enough length for the neckline before cutting. Fold and press in 1cm on either side of the strip, or use a bias binding maker to complete the process. 2 Neaten the edges of the shoulder seams by using an overlocker or a zigzag stitch with right sides facing. Match the back and front shoulder seams together,
then sew one of them with a 1.5cm seam allowance and press the seam open. 3 Open one side of the bias strip and position it around the right side of the neckline. Pin in place, then stitch along the fold line pressed into the bias strip. Tuck the strip over on to the wrong side of the neckline and position the remaining folded edge over the stitching line. 4 Pin and sew in place, sandwiching the raw edge of the neckline inside the bias binding. Trim away any excess binding at the edges of the shoulders. Stitch the shoulder seams together, sealing the ends of the binding at the beginning of the seam. 5 Neaten the edges of the side seams with a zigzag stitch. Match the seams together, pin in place, and sew them together as far as the armhole notch using a 1.5cm seam allowance. Press the allowance around the armholes and machine-sew in place. 6 Using a zigzag stitch, neaten around the base of the dress. Create a 1cm hem and sew in place. 7 Wrap a length of elastic around your waist and stretch it until it feels comfortable. Add an extra 2cm, then cut it there. Stretch the elastic along the line indicated on the pattern; this line can be altered to match your waistline. As you stitch, the waistline will become gathered.
“To position the elastic, mark the half-way point, then the quarter points. On the dress, mark the centre of the front and back waistline. The elastic can now be stretched evenly around the waistline, starting on a side seam, matching the marks.” AMANDA WALKER, DESIGNER
Make it Today! 36 Issue 9 Staple Dress.indd 1
09/10/2015 11:12
PROJECT BY CORINNE BRADD AND LOUISE NICHOLS | SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS | SHOULD TAKE A FEW HOURS OF STITCHING
ESSENTIAL KIT
Patchwork Strap: Felt Fabric scraps, various Hammer fix snaps, 1.1cm wide Watch face, 2.5cm wide Liberty Strap: Liberty fabric Watch face, 2cm wide Clear press studs, 2x 0.5cm MEASUREMENTS: Patchwork: 2.5cm x 19.5cm Liberty: 5cm x 33cm
Find pattern online makeit today.co.uk No more do you have to rely on high street brands for expensive watches: for a fraction of the price, you can craft your own special portable clock-carrier that will always look the part. Bending time has never been so much fun!
TURN YOUR HAND TO STITCHING
fabric wATCH straps that will transform time-keeping into a work of art
Liberty strap 1 Measure your wrist, then download the template from makeittoday. co.uk and print. If you think you’ll need a longer length, elongate the strap templates. Cut four shapes from the fabric. Place two pieces right sides together and stitch using a 0.5cm seam allowance, leaving the flat end open. 2 Clip the curves, trim the corners and turn through the gap. Turn in, press and hand-sew the opening shut using co-ordinating thread. Repeat for the remaining strap pieces.
3 Push one of the straps through the top bar of the watch face. Thread through, folding the shorter end under by approximately 7cm. Repeat with the other piece. 4 Sew a press stud on both straps to fasten the shorter section underneath the longer one.
PATCHWORK strap
1 Cut a strip of felt 2.5cm x 20cm long, depending on your wrist size. The strip needs to fit comfortably around your
wrist with at least a 2cm overlap. Trim the ends of the strip into a gentle curve. 2 Take a small rectangle of scrap fabric and lightly glue over the end of the felt strip, overlapping the end by 0.7cm. Pleat the overlap, fold to the underside and tack down. 3 Fold a wide strip of scrap fabric under by 0.3cm on one long edge. Glue to hold. Place the hemmed edge over the first piece of fabric at an angle and hold down with tiny over-sew stitches. Trim and fold the excess fabric over the sides of the felt strip and tack. Continue
ICONIC LIBERTY FABRICS WORK EVERY TIME
Make it Today! 48
PROJECT BY AMANDA WALKER | SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS | SHOULD TAKE A CHILLED DAY OF EASY STITCHING
STITCH YOURSELF A FASHION CLASSIC WITH
COOL CULOTTES
GET THE LOOK! BLOUSE £28, MARKS & SPENCER (0333 014 8555). SHOES £39, MISS SELFRIDGE (0844 243 000)
that are bang on trend
Whether midi, pleated or wide patterned, the daring yet cute culotte is seeing a massive resurgence on the high street and the catwalk. Everyone’s flashing a cheeky bit of leg, from Rita Ora with her raunchy leather number to Rose Byrne and her dotty culotte jumpsuit. As practical as they are popular, Butterick Lisette’s B6183 culottes pattern is versatile and easy to style; team with a crisp shirt and blazer for the office, or silk and pearls for a dressier look or, to keep it casual, just tuck in a tee-shirt. Dare to take it up a notch and wear these chic calf-grazers with pride!
Make it Today! 46
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