Simply Sewing issue 28

+REE LATES

8 COASTAL MAKES FOR THE HOME

F R TEMP

PAPE

Make u s!

FRESH IDEAS WITH FABRIC

ISSUE TWENTY EIGHT

NEW! THE FOLD LINE

children's clothes sew in a day!

The jenny dress and top IN SIZES 6-20

+ LIBERTY SCARF

GARDEN APRON PENCIL SKIRT 2 fre e patt erns inside!

5 NEW OUTFITS TO SEW TODAY!

PRINTED IN THE UK • £5.99

Fresh new patterns for casual everyday style

ISSUE 28

easy living

HOW TO: Sew with knit fabrics Crewel embroidery Beginner patchwork Covered piping

HANGING OUT This nifty portable ▼

IDEAS

INSPIRATION

fold-up rack can be hung up wherever you need a bit of extra storage for magazines and books ACCESSORIES WEBSITES and is also ideal for keeping the fabric, pattern and notions for your next crafty project together and easily to hand – just pop everything in a folder or sealable plastic wallet and hang it up next to your sewing desk. Its on-trend minimal design scores style points, too! Approx £50, www.crowdy house.com

EVENTS

STUFF

LARKING AROUND

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Photos: Arto Markkanen; Model: Vanessa; MUAH: Jannica Stelander

those days when you want to hide under the duvet for a few

ool spring days call for cosy-yetstylish cover-ups like Jamie Christina’s new Lark Cardigan pattern, a maxi-length cardigan that can be made with an elegant collar or cosy hood and includes beginner-friendly instructions with tips for working with knit fabrics. £14, www.backstitch.co.uk

TIME TO PLAY

Ever since Finnish pattern label Named launched in 2013, we’ve excitedly anticipated each inspiring new collection – and now the wait for its spring/summer 2017 designs is finally over! Titled Playground, the collection has eight styles for sewists to play with, inspired by the simplicity of childrenswear. Featuring interesting cuts and unique design details, the patterns offer the perfect balance of comfort and cool. From www.namedclothing.com Subscribe at www.simplysewingmag.com

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Pinboard WhAT’S TrEnding?

Stitch up

Add colour and pattern to the plainest of outfits with mini hoop jewellery.

MAKE A STATEMENT

Ruffles, pleats and bows are all featuring on sleeves on the high street this season, so of course we’ll be adding them to our me-mades, too! The McCall Pattern Company has plenty of inspiration if you’re looking to sew the statement sleeve trend, from bell sleeves (M7545) and pretty bows (7543) to cold-shoulder styles (M7546). It’s the season of the sleeve! £8.75 each, www.sewdirect.com

All ThE trimmings

There’s something so pleasing about an organised stash of colourful ribbons, so why hide them away in a drawer? We’re putting all our trims on show with this pretty ribbon box, which comes with seven different ribbons wound on reusable wooden spools – including spots, stripes, florals and harlequin prints – and has a vintage look that we love. £160, www.sistersguild.com Stripes and florals and spots, oh my!

PINEAPPLE POP Go tropical with this juicy pineapple motif, hand-stitched with glass beads.

Approx £31, www.manaraya.etsy.com BLOOMING LOVELY Top off a floral frock with these delicate stitched blooms in a scalloped brooch.

Approx £29, www. arorua.etsy.com

out & about

SKILLS, SHOWS & EVENTS 25 MARCH-22 OCTOBER House Style: Five Centuries of Fashion at Chatsworth. Derbyshire. A sumptuous display of clothing from 15 generations of Chatsworth residents and contemporary designers. www.chatsworth.org

SHE SELLS SEA SHELLS Pack this sweet mini hoop shell necklace for your next beach break. Approx £20, www.makemonster co.etsy.com

31 MARCH-2 APRIL Spring Quilt Festival. Westpoint, Exeter.

Admire creations made by some of your favourite quilters, attend workshops and shop supplies. www.grosvenorshows.co.uk

OMBRE OOH Wear a little piece of hand-stitched art with this custommade mini hoop necklace. Approx £28, www.thread honeydesign.com

3-9 APRIL World Craft Week. Join us for a week of celebrating all things crafty on social media – every craft is welcome! Search #worldcraftweek for how to get involved.

24-30 APRIL Fashion Revolution Week. An online movement celebrating the people around the world who make clothes for the high street. www.fashionrevolution.org

GET CRAFTY Choose from several colourful designs to embroider yourself.

From approx £5, www.dandelyne. etsy.com

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laundry day

spring clean

Freshen up your laundry room with practical makes in nautical prints. Wash, dry, fold, repeat!

Designer: REBECCA REID Styling: LISA JONES Photography: PHILIP SOWELS

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LAUNDRY SIGN

There’s always someone in the family who needs reminding what to do on laundry day, so this eyecatching sign should do the trick! Ours is decorated with chain stitch, appliquéd scraps and a couple of mini pegs from our peg bag as a finishing touch.

IRONING BOARD COVER

It’s time to get rid of that ill-fitting ironing board cover that just won’t stay put when you’re ironing your favourite frock! Ours is made to fit your board, with elastic to hold it in place while you press.

COVER STAR

Psst35: for fabraincd

page iration, r o t Turn yle insp are you t s sh and s forget to op with u t don’ t ress and wingmag se yd Jenn g #simply usin

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the JENNY dress

Sew mix and match jersey staples with The Fold Line’s two-in-one Jenny pattern in UK sizes 6-20, which can be made as a relaxed-ft layered dress or a simple top.

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MY SEWING WORLD

by Tilly Walnes

Tilly Walnes looks forward to spring and reveals her dressmaking plans for the new season, from practical sportswear to summery frocks.

S ee my patt erns and on line worksh at shop.tilly ops andthebutto ns.com

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“I’ve been having fun planning out colour-

pring is my favourite time of year. As much as I love any excuse to drink mulled everything and snuggle up in cosy wintry knitwear, there is something about the dawn of spring that makes my heart sing. The days are getting lighter, the birds are singing, and the promise of sunshine is around the corner – and, of course, we can start thinking about spring sewing! I love to plan out my seasonal sewing projects and start pairing patterns with fabrics.

Here’s what I’m looking forward to making this spring.

blocking combinations.”

Named’s versatile Helmi tunic is the perfect throw-onand-go outfit for everyday wear.

ZADIE BY TILLY AND THE BUTTONS Our own latest sewing pattern release has become one of my favourites to make and wear. Designed for jersey or ponte fabrics, it’s one of those dresses that you look forward to wearing as it’s gorgeous and super comfortable at the same time. I’ve been having fun planning out colour-blocking combinations to show off those unusual diagonal seams, and am itching to make a nautical version in red, navy and Breton stripes.

HELMI TUNIC BY NAMED I haven’t tried a Named pattern yet but have my eye on the Helmi tunic. It’s the kind of dress I’d throw on for the office on a regular basis, and would look equally good with colourful tights when it’s cold or sandals once the weather warms up. I’m thinking of making it in a graphic print monochrome viscose, which I can jazz up with my favourite bright turquoise necklace.

PNEUMA TANK BY PAPERCUT PATTERNS You might recognise this tank as part of the yoga outfit that Charlotte Newland made on last year’s Great British Sewing Bee. I fell in love with the cross-back detail and

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Our latest pattern, Zadie, is one of my favourites so far.

It’s great for trying out new colour and print combos.

I’m gettin g handmade active this spring (w sportswea r, of cour ith se!)

llion “I’ve made about a mi Cleos for myself and am not stopping yet!” draped vest – the pattern went straight onto my wish list. I’m planning to make the sports bra in a black dancewear jersey, with the vest part in a print jersey from Girl Charlee.

Hopefully having pretty handmade sportswear will encourage me to exercise a bit more regularly!

o? Share Have you made a Cle leo gc a snap using #sewin

CLEO BY TILLY AND THE BUTTONS Our Cleo dungaree dress pattern quickly became our bestseller when we released it last autumn, probably because it’s fashionable and quick to sew. I’ve made about a million Cleos for myself and am not stopping yet! I stumbled upon some Ikea upholstery fabric in my stash – it has an unusual print of plant and insect drawings, which I think would be great for spring.

I’ve made lots of Cleo dresses for myself – and have plenty more on my sewing list!

I’ll be making a printed Cleo to wear layered with a plain tee for an easy spring look.

Keeping me inspired...

I’ve been taking time out fro stitching at the Lush spa. m Subscribe at www.simplysewingmag.com

I’ve had a log-time girl crush o Dawn O’Poter and love her podcast ‘Gt It On’, in which she interviews people like Dawn French and Gmma Cairney abot their choice of dress sense.

Have yo been t the Lush spa?

I’ve been twice so far and am desperate t try every treatment o the menu.. It’s an unpredictable and magical experience wth plenty of (nice)surprises!

I’m lusting over Iris De La Tore’s Mexican folkloeinspired fower necklaces. One fo the birthday wsh list.

These graphic florals will go nicely with my spring me-mades!

PSST:

For a m or the pen e casual look, cil m printed skirt in a pl ake ain jer obi belt sey fabric an or d the in a cla s s i c black fa ta ux leath n or er .

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golden girl

Learn to draft a pattern and master sewing with jersey fabric and faux suede with Rosee Woodland’s slinky skirt and obi belt tutorial.

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a good read Caroline in her element at her sewing machine. She has always had a passion for creative pursuits, but with sewing she says “it was love at first stitch.” We can certainly relate to that!

Caroline’s bright, fresh and contemporary design style means her fabrics are loved by both mothers and minis!

Designer and blogger Caroline Hulse has crafted a varied career in sewing inspired by a lifelong love of beautiful textiles. We discover how she will be sharing her creativity in a new way with her debut sewing book.

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aroline Hulse of www.sewcaroline.com describes herself as a mama, wife, sewing enthusiast, pattern designer and fabric designer – mostly, but not always, in that order. Her fresh, modern approach to creating beautiful garments from the fabrics she dreams up makes hers a truly holistic approach.

It all makes sense when she admits that for her sewing began as an attempt to harness and focus her creative urges. “I asked for a sewing machine for Christmas 2008, with the intention of having a simple creative 58 WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM

outlet,” she says. “I was given a Janome Magnolia 7330. I didn’t know anything about sewing, but I was determined to learn. It was love at first stitch.” Her passion is based around a longstanding infatuation with fabrics. “I had tried scrapbooking, painting and other things, but was always drawn to fabric,” she says. “Before I sewed, I bought fabric for no purpose other than I loved the way it looked. So learning to sew was a natural progression from my fabric obsession. I loved the idea of turning fabric into something to wear or to decorate with or

to sleep on – such a neat concept!”

Caroline’s popular Sew Caroline blog followed soon after. “I wrote about family, sewing, projects, DIYs, pattern reviews, and so on and on,” she exclaims. “My blog is what launched me into this online world and I have a major soft spot in my heart for the days I used to create a project and blog about it!”

TEXTILE TEMPTATIONS Caroline’s love of fabrics ensured that the blog was beautifully visual, and led to the next chapter in her creative journey.

Photo left : Sarah Delanie; Photo right: www.sewcaroline.com

MODERN SEAMSTRESS

a good read “I had done blogging work for Pat Bravo of Art Gallery Fabrics where I created a project with her fabrics and featured them on my blog. We had a fabulous relationship and she reached out after Quilt Market in 2013.”

Designing fabrics and designing sewing patterns have always worked together arm in arm for Caroline. “It all happened around the same time. I had been blogging for a while and designing/hacking my own patterns for a couple of years, and at the beginning of 2014 I released my first pattern, the Out and About Dress. Then just a few months later in that same year, my first collection with Art Gallery Fabrics, Gleeful, was released. It was a crazy exciting year for my little business.”

Gleeful was chosen by Art Gallery Fabrics to be a part of their AGF Limited Edition project. “What an honour that was!” Caroline enthuses. “I have never been so surprised and grateful for someone to believe in me so much that they would entrust such a huge project to me. I have a wonderful relationship with Pat Bravo of AGF and she has taught me so much about design and about the

industry – I owe a lot of my success to her.”

Caroline’s pattern business and fabric design business feed into one another nicely, with one frequently informing the other.

“Often when I’m designing my fabrics or patterns, I think of the other and try to allow them to flow with one another nicely. There is something quite rewarding about seeing a pattern you designed sewn in fabric that you also designed.” Sounds like a dream!

About 18 months ago Caroline decided to change the look and feel of the blog to match the gradual changes that have occurred as her sewing business and brand have taken off.

“I wasn’t blogging as often and I hated for people to come to my site and see outdated blog posts right off the bat,” she says. “Now, my site is a landing pad for my shop, which sells my patterns, and my blog which heavily promotes my patterns and fabrics. It’s always a work in progress, but I’m proud of where my website is today.”

“I HAD BEEN BLOGGING FOR A WHILE AND DESIGNING/HACKING MY OWN PATTERNS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND AT THE BEGINNING OF 2014 I RELEASED MY FIRST PATTERN.”

There will soon be another book to add to Caroline’s collection – her own debut sewing title.

FAMILY MINDED Caroline’s blog, fabrics and sewing projects all adhere to the same aesthetics and

Photos: www.sewcaroline.co.uk

Caroline with two friends proudly modelling her Out and About Dress and San Francisco Swing Dress patterns. The Out and About Dress was Caroline’s first sewing pattern release.

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Above: Caroline likes to start every new design or sewing project with an organised workspace – although she admits that it doesn’t usually stay that way for long!

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birds of a feather Meet Chirpy and Cheep, your child’s new favourite feathered friends by Jo Carter. This pair won’t stay perched on the playroom shelf for long!

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FRESH IDEAS WITH FABRIC

workshop CREWEL EMBROIDERY

Every issue, our sewists present classic projects and techniques.

S The Lily Dress Padded laptop bag Blouse refashion Quick-sew baby shoes Girl’s skater dress Frog toy plushie Multi-layer skirt Machine embroidery And more...

+FREE!

drEss pattern worth £8.99 Don’t miss this summer staple, with two lengths and optional waist tie, in sizes 6-20.

SIZES

6-20

PATTERN

(US 4-18/EUR 34-48)

N_o 07

THE LILY DRESS m

lk.co www.cottonandcha SKILL LEVEL

ON SALE THURS 20TH APRIL WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM

* CONTENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PAPER AND FABRIC GIFTS NOT AVAILABLE WITH DIGITAL EDITIONS.

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