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Gorgeous makes for a dream sewing room HOW TO: Master 9 hand stitches Cover a deckchair Reverse appliqué Sew a maxi skirt
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INSPIRATION
ACCESSORIES
WEBSITES
EVENTS
STUFF
Photo: www.bryonyandco.com
IDEAS
SARTORIAL SAFARI
Step into Bryony and Co’s storybook world and follow the adventures of a little girl called Poppy and her dog Fred through charming illustrations by eponymous designer Bryony, which adorn gorgeous garments for both mother and child to wear. Find out what inspires Bryony’s designs on page 44, and turn to page 15 for your chance to win a matching Bryony and Co mother-and-daughter set worth £250. Beatrice dress, £148.95. www.bryonyandco.com Subscribe at www.simplysewingmag.com
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TOWithTHEtheMOON weather ▼
SEVENTH HEAVEN
After working in the apparel industry for many years, Peggy Mead decided to get back to what inspires her: sewing. Her indie pattern label, Sew House Seven, is all about flattering, easy-to-wear designs, like the Tea House Dress and Top, for sewists of all skill levels to try and learn from. Approx £10 for a printed pattern. www.sewhouse7.com
hotting up, kids need cool clothes that they can run around in the sun in! They’ll love the Moon Pants pattern by Made by Rae, with a roomy fit and elastic waistband and cuffs, perfect for playing, running and adventuring! Stitch up in a bright, light fabric to make a pair of fun harem-style summer trousers, or in a cosy knit for the cooler weather. A must-have for every child’s wardrobe! £6.95. www.back stitch.co.uk
tips & tricks
LIBERTY LAWN
G
ot Liberty lawn fabric in your stash but too nervous to cut into it? Designer of The Betty Blouse (page 40), Rosee Woodland, offers her top tips: ÒI have a variety of pins to suit different fabrics Ð fine pins, used within the seam allowances, are best for Liberty lawns. It can be tricky to tell the right and wrong sides of lawn apart as the dye really sinks through the fabric, so put a small bit of masking tape on the wrong side of each piece to remind you.Ó www.roseewoodland.com
A TASTE FOR THE EXOTIC Liberty takes us on a cross-continental journey of fabric discovery with its beautiful new collection, The Silk Road. Inspired by Liberty’s Oriental beginnings and Western influences, the range blends traditional designs with a contemporary aesthetic. Prints include Ottoman paisleys, Chinese brocades, mirage mosaics, intricate Indian laces, delicate Oriental florals and woven ikats, with colour palettes ranging from bold jewel brights to soft blues and pinks. It’s a riot of pattern and colour, and we want it all! See the full range at www.liberty.co.uk
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Flowing Liberty florals in sumptuous silk...swoon!
dream sewing space WIN THIS SEWING SET!
ENTER TODAY AT
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sew it yourself
Create your dream sewing space with beautiful handmade accessories in all your favourite prints. Designer: REBECCA REID Styling: LISA JONES Photography: PHILIP SOWELS
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PENNANT BANNER Make a statement and practice your appliquĂŠ skills with a slogan pennant banner with a handstitched cotton spool, which can be personalised with a phrase that inspires you to get stitching!
PINCUSHION STORAGE JARS Put your prettiest notions on display in pincushion Kilner jars. First, draw around the inner lid onto your fabric, adding 1cm all the way around. Stuff this fabric circle with fibrefill filling then insert the inner lid, wrapping the excess fabric around it. Use running stitch to gather the fabric to secure.
Find o t how t make ww. these sciso keeps at w m simplysewngmag.co
MY SEWING WORLD
by Portia Lawrie
Portia Lawrie of Makery and The Refashioners shares her top tips for ftting sewing time into a busy life.
R
ight now, I’m knee-deep in preparation for The Refashioners 2016 next month. So. Bloomin’. Excited! This year’s theme is jeans, so I have a big ole stack of denim jeans ready and waiting to be cut up, seam ripped and otherwise messed around with in an effort to turn them into something better than they were to begin with. But being the host and founder of the series means a bit more than just adding my own refashion into the mix – planning, organising and promoting the whole series behind the scenes takes up huge chunks of my time that would otherwise be spent sewing. Ironically, this means that I’m now having to be more creative with how to find time for the actual sewing part! A SEWING STRATEGY Let’s face it, though, we all have that challenge. Whether it’s because of a full-time job, family time, household chores or the school holidays (especially those for me!), sewing time usually comes way down the priority list. So, what to do when you find that sewing time is scarce? Here are some strategies that work for me: Go bitesize. Every sewing project has identifiable stages that can be broken down into smaller chunks. The project as a whole may take several hours to complete, but cutting out your pattern, pinning your pattern, cutting your fabric pieces – these tasks in isolation may only take ten minutes or so. And you can steal ten minutes for yourself, right? Do it in stages, nipping off when you can to get your sewing fix, whether it’s for ten or 30 minutes. Prep it up. Pre-wash fabric as soon as you get it home. Tidy your workspace. Thread your machine. Make sure you have all the supplies you need to hand. Then it’s all ready to start whenever you are. There’s nothing more frustrating than a precious time window going to waste because you ran out of interfacing! Find a dedicated space. I know. A luxury. But even if it’s a desk built into a cupboard under the stairs, having everything always ready means you can jump in whenever a 30-minute window presents itself.
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S ee the talen ted line-up R efashione for The rs 2016 at w ww.makery .co.uk “sewing time usually
comes way down the priority list.”
The theme for The Refashioners 2016 is denim, denim and even more denim!
Taking time to perfect the details makes for a satisfying outcome.
“take half an hour here and there just for you to get creative.” If it takes you half an hour to set up, then half an hour to clean away again, well that just eats into your sewing time. Even if it means taking over the dining table for a couple of days, the family can have lap dinners once in a while! Embrace the slower pace. I am sometimes guilty of rushing to the end of a project, fixating on the outcome rather than the process. When I take time and do things slowly, I’m always more satisfied with the outcome. So, I consciously embrace slow progress on a make as a positive thing, immerse myself in the process and remind myself that the outcome will take care of itself. Remember, there’s no law that says you have to do it all today!
es so they Stock up on suppli you are! are ready to go when Having your sewing machine set up means you can really make the most of your sewing time!
A CREATIVE OUTLET Sewing for me (and I know for many of you) is a stress buster. It’s a creative outlet that allows us to switch off for a while from everything else that is going on in our lives; and it’s our time. Perversely, it’s during the busiest times that we need the release that sewing gives us the most. And, in the midst of chaos (school holidays, I’m looking at you!), allowing ourselves the time to do something that centres us is not just a luxury Ð it’s an essential. So stop every now and then, and take half an hour here and there just for you to get creative. You deserve it! Find more of Portia’s sewing tips and tutorials, and information on getting involved in The Refashioners 2016, at www.makery.co.uk and by searching (and sharing!) #therefashioners2015.
Keeping me inspired...
Jeans hardware of all kind s is my latest sewing obsession! Subscribe at www.simplysewingmag.com
All things denim are o my brain right now! Especially new and innovative takes o the denim trend. I’m particularly keen t try sashiko, bleach shiboi, and quilting o denim. Using up old jeans that yo no loger wear as a fabric sorce wll ad an individual edge t yor makes and save yo moey! I’m also obsesing over jeans hardware – rivets are such an easy detail t ad but make fo authenticloking denim garments!
Old denims ready and waiting to be transformed!
I’m keen to try new techniques for updating denim, like sashiko.
Psst:
Turn to p age 37 for fab and style inspiratio ric n, don’ t forg et to shar and e fnished O livia Dres your s wi using #si mplysewi th us ngmag
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COVER STAR
THE OLIVIA DRESS Pack a breezy boho dress for your summer break with Cotton + Chalk’s latest pattern, The Olivia Dress, in sizes 6-20 and featuring two flattering length options.
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Bryony’s little models often take a hands-on approach at Bryony and Co photoshoots!
STORYTELLING THROUGH SEWING The magic of storybooks and the joy of playing dress-up combine in Bryony Richardson’s charming clothing designs. We step into her enchanting world.
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offer that people had no attachment to,Ó Bryony explains. ÒI wanted children to really love the clothes they were wearing, so later on in life they can look back and remember their dress, perhaps even find it to show their child and remember the story. Also, reading and storytelling is such an important part of childhood, which is why each one of our dresses comes with a free storybook.Ó It’s a wonderfully distinctive approach to dressing children, making Bryony and Co garments come to life in a way that’s utterly enchanting. The concept stems from Bryony’s love of drawing, making and reading. ÒMy granny would always read me Babar the Elephant books by Jean de Brunhoff and Orlando the Marmalade Cat books by
Kathleen Hale Ð these are wonderfully illustrated books,Ó she recalls. ÒMy other favourites were the Milly-Molly-Mandy Stories by Joyce Lankester Brisley, and lots of Enid Blyton, especially The Faraway Tree series.Ó Coupled with her love of making, it’s an irresistible recipe for creative design. ÒI think to be able to use my hands in some way has always been important to me,Ó she says. INNOVATIVE THINKING Impressively, Bryony actually taught herself to sew. ÒMy mum is very creative and would always be making things, but with a family of four children, she didn’t get much time to show me how to sew. My sister is six years older and would make great things that
Photo: www.bryonyandco.com
I
n the world of Bryony Richardson, flamingos flounce across dresses and giraffes canter over skirts. Elephants stroll, monkeys swing and budgies perch. It’s a place where everyday clothing meets fiction, filling every garment choice with magical possibilities, and, quite frankly, we’re enthralled. Until recently the company was named Poppy England, changed to Bryony and Co to take into account that other companies use the name Poppy, too. In the case of Bryony’s business, Poppy is a little girl with a pet dog called Fred, and it’s their exploits that fuel Bryony’s imaginative creations. ÒIt started with childrenswear and feeling like there was a lot of disposable fashion on
a good read I would try to copy. It was a bit frustrating at times and I never achieved much in the early stages but it was fun all the same.Ó This exploratory approach is perhaps why the process of creating each new item of clothing in the Bryony and Co wardrobe begins with Bryony thinking up the next escapade for Poppy and Fred. ÒThe backbone of the story always comes first, then the fabrics around the story, then the garments,Ó she says. ÒI leave finishing the story until the very end, though!Ó Bryony ensures that children aren’t the only ones who benefit, creating ranges of equally gorgeous, hand-illustrated, vintageinspired garments for grown-ups, too. It’s a brilliant touch, in our opinion, allowing us to add a swish of playfulness to our day simply with what we decide to put on. ÒAlthough the prints are a very important part of the process, the garment shapes are too,Ó says Bryony. ÒWe pride ourselves on creating dresses for girls and women of all different shapes and sizes. We have our classic styles of dresses we make every
season, but we occasionally add in a new style. For spring/summer 2016, we have lots of new dress styles, and even some shirts for little boys.Ó The new collection has the whole Bryony office buzzing, as Bryony has taken her characters Poppy and Fred on an outing where they’ve met all manner of animals who parade across the garments. ÒThis season we’re at the zoo with all kinds of animals, including elephants, Mr Giraffe, monkeys, zebras, parrots and more,Ó she exclaims. ÒI’m excited to see the response we get for this collection.Ó Bryony admits that she has previously considered dropping the storytelling element, Òbut then feedback from our customers tells me otherwise, which is nice. It’s what brings a sense of adventure and fun to the brand.Ó The other unique ingredients, of course, are Bryony’s illustrated fabrics, which, she says, differ greatly from her books in terms
“OUR CLASSIC STYLES OF DRESSES WE MAKE EVERY SEASON, BUT WE OCCASIONALLY ADD IN A NEW STYLE. FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2016, WE HAVE LOTS OF NEW DRESS STYLES.”
Each Bryony and Co frock has a little girl’s outfit in the same print, so you can be a matching pair! See the sweet mini version of this dress on page 47.
Photos: www.bryonyandco.com
e Do’t let kids have all th fun – Bryoy and Co is fo grown-ups, to!
Look closely...can you tell what this print was inspired by? Clue: you’ll find it in your veg box!
Above: Bryony and Co’s collections feature classic, oh-so-flattering dress styles inspired by vintage shapes, made in organic cotton. We love this fun flamingo print from SS16– that’s our summer-party style sorted! Subscribe at www.simplysewingmag.com
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FRESH IDEAS WITH FABRIC
workshop LAZY DAISY STITCH
Discover a new embroidery project each issue. This month, we’re sewing lazy daisy stitch.
TEMPLATE DESIGN: LISA JONES; STITCHING & INSTRUCTIONS: REBECCA REID
Trace the template from the pattern sheet onto your fabric and stitch over the lines.
Use bright shades of pink and white for the fowers so they really stand out.
1
2 3
1 Start by taking two strands of cotton from your cut length and thread your embroidery needle with one end and knot the other. Bring the needle up at 1 and down at 2, without pulling the needle all the way through the fabric. Bring the needle up again at 3, with the thread under the needle and pull gently to form a loop.
2 Secure this loop by pushing the
5 4
needle into the fabric at 4. This is one complete lazy daisy stitch. To make another stitch next to it, repeat this method, starting at 5 to work the next stitch. In this design we have grouped them together, starting at the same point each time but angling the stitches slightly to form the flower shape. WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM 55
Use lazy daisy stitch to personalise your hand-sewn gifts.
Lovingly handmade gifts are always well-received, especially when they’re embellished with hand-embroidery – and bestowing your creations will give you a great sense of accomplishment, so it’s win-win! Give wild flowers that will last with pretty blooms sewn in lazy daisy stitch. Bookworms will love this thoughtful embroidered bookmark, while a little handmade zip-up pouch makes a great gift for that hard-to-buyfor someone (if you can bear to part with it, that is!). Learn the stitch on page 55.
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DRESS UP
DRESS UP! FUN MAKES FOR THE KIDS
Kirsty Hartley’s appliqué boy’s shirt will bring the sun out to play whatever the weather!
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DRESS UP
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