Simply Sewing issue 44

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ACCESSORIES

FRESH IDEAS WITH FABRIC

ISSUE FORTY FOUR

22 PROJECTS TO SEW

pineapple doorstop MAKE IT! ✓ Boho top

Te Lola maxi dress IN SIZES 6-20 EASY-TO-SEW SUMMER STYLE!

✓ Beach bag ✓ Giraffe toy

i Free mnaxside! pat tern i ISSUE 44 PRINTED IN THE UK • £6.99

Bright shades and statement prints for a chic summer

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HOW TO: Sew with lace Use seed beads Dye fabric Quick-sew banner Café apron

GORGEOUS GWEN It’s official – the 90s ▼

IDEAS

INSPIRATION

camisole dress is back, and we’ll be ACCESSORIES WEBSITES sewing our own slinky version with Colette’s latest beginner-friendly Gwen pattern. This body-skimming, princess-seamed design can be made as a sophisticated side-split dress, or as a sweet-and-simple cami top with delicate ruffle straps (platform trainers and choker necklaces optional).

PDF pattern approx £11, www.colette patterns.com

cottons have us dreaming of light blouses, swishy midi skirts

EVENTS

STUFF

BOXING CLEVER

As our sewing-project wish list grows, so too does our stash of haberdashery, notions and tools. From pins to snips, chalks to marking pens, we can never have too many little sewing helpers, which gives us an excuse to invest in stylish storage solutions like this retroprint sewing box by Prym. This practical box has a tray with sections for all our crafty bits and bobs, plus handy pockets and a pin cushion in the lid. It's destined to sit pretty on our craft room shelf. £39.99 from www.sewingquarter.com

SET FOR SUMMER

If your everyday style is in need of a me-made boost, Megan Nielsen has you covered with these two new wardrobe-builders: the Ash Jeans, and the River Dress & Top. With four dreamy denim fits to pick from – skinny, slim, wide and flared – Ash is the only jeans pattern you’ll ever need, and the easy-wear River top is a perfect match (although we’ll obviously be making the dress version, too). Find them at www.megannielsen.com Subscribe at www.simplysewingmag.com

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Pinboard Yay for yellow

Bring the sunshine in with these mustard must-haves for your home and wardrobe.

HIGH FASHION

One of our favourite things about sewing is being able to create one-off garments that no one else will have, and DP Studio’s catwalk-inspired patterns are perfect for when we want to sew something special. Their on-trend designs include reimagined versions of staple styles such as trench coats, bomber jackets and ruffle blouses, all with quirky details that’ll guarantee no one will be able to guess you made them yourself. See more at www.dpstudio-fashion.com

Chalk iT up

Annie Sloan has had us all repurposing, reviving and jazzing up old furniture with her signature chalk paints, and now we can stitch up homewares to match our painted pieces with her coordinating fabrics. The collection includes abstract prints, ticking stripes and textured linens in a colour palette that complements her chalk and wall paint shades. www.anniesloan.com

THROW DOWN This eiderdown is hand-quilted for luxe lounging. £178, www.printerandtailor.com

CORKING FUN Yellow ombre denim, gold cork fabric and rope handles are a match made in summerbag heaven. From £75, www.juream box.etsy.com

out & about

SKILLS, SHOWS & EVENTS 7 JULY Orla Kiely bag-making workshop. Artsdepot, London. Make a beautiful new bag from Orla Kiely fabrics at this fun class run by It's Sew Simple. www.itssewsimple.co.uk

SOFT SHADES Grey pom pom trim makes this velvet cushion extraspecial, £28, www. frenchbedroom company.co.uk

14 JULY Colour-coordinate like a pro with Annie Sloan's paint-matched fabrics.

ALL MADE UP Carry your beauty essentials in this little organic cotton pouch, handmade in Yorkshire. £16 from www.harris andhall.com

Exploring Colour and Pattern: Contemporary Embellishment Techniques. Clements Hall, York. Get creative with colour on this one-day embellishment workshop with textile artist Jessica Grady. www.jessicagrady.co.uk

21 & 22 JULY Corset design weekend. Sew in the City, Sheffield. Learn how to create your own pattern for a bespoke corset and make up a toile. www.sewinthecity.co.uk

UNTIL 7 OCTOBER Azzedine Alaïa: The Couturier. The Design Museum, London. Discover the life, career and couture of iconic designer Azzedine Alaïa. www.designmuseum.org

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EGGCELLENT IDEA How do we like our eggs? Bold, bright, and printed on a matching coaster and placemat set, please! £15, www. hokolo.etsy.com

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garden party

Club tropicana

Take the party outdoors and entertain al fresco with oh-so-stylish partyware stitched in botanical prints.

Designer: JESSICA ENTWISTLE Styling: LISA JONES Photography: DAVE CAUDERY

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APRON

Not only will this multi-tasking pinny shield your me-made party frock from accidental drinks and salsa spillages, it will also add a touch of botanicals to your look. The cafeinspired design can be tied at the front in a statement bow for a nod to vintage style and the knot-detail trend from the high street. We'll be wearing ours to deliver afternoon teas, summer cocktails, chips 'n' dips, and barbecued delights, straight to our guests – and our tummies!

MINI LAMPSHADES

Continuing the party after the sun goes down requires a well-lit and welcoming space, which for us means swathes of pretty fairy lights. Naturally, we've decided to give our outdoor LEDs a fabric twist by making mini lampshades from plastic cups, decorated with scraps of our fave prints – thrifty! These mini lanterns are super quick and easy to make and will add instant character and warmth to any garden, patio, terrace, or balcony – just pop a bulb through each cup, switch on, and enjoy.

PSST: fabric and

rleaf for spiration, e v o n r u T in styling r r e m m a r e yo u su h s o t e sur tagged s and be s e r D Lola fnished sewingmag #simply

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COVER STAR

the LOLA DRESS

Update your summer wardrobe with The Lola Dress in UK sizes 6-20, a statement maxi frock with simple spaghetti straps or elegant of-the-shoulder sleeves.

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NO PATTERN NEEDED!

✂

summer fling

Sew a ralxed of-the-shoulder top for sunny weekends and beach breaks, made to ft your measurements.

Rosie Martin shows you how.

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A GOOD READ

Made in

FRANCE

We talk classic chic, fashion icons and the secret to sewing authentic French style with four of France’s coolest pattern brands.

Photo: www.louisantoinette.co.uk;

Written by Michelle Grady.

W

ere we to dream up our ultimate wardrobe, it would probably look a little something like this: a dash of Parisian cool, a sprinkling of classic Chanel, the perfect Little Black Dress for every occasion, and stripy Breton tees galore. France has been leading the sartorial way ever since the lavish tastes of King Louis XIX brought its beautiful textiles worldwide acclaim in the 17th Century, but today’s French fashion is perhaps known

more for understatement than extravagance.

The classic, effortlessly chic look that Parisians wear so well has inspired countless books and articles, launched a thousand trends, and given us style staples we don’t know what we’d do without. Luckily, though, we don’t need to go on a Champs-Élysees shopping spree to give our everyday outfits a French makeover – thanks to the country's thriving sewing scene, we’ll be stitching our way to dressing like a Parisian with a little help from

some of its most stylish pattern houses. Here, four of our favourites share what true French style means to them, and how we can add a touch of its je-ne-sais-quoi to our me-mades.

A GOOD READ BEYOND BRETON If there was a dress-like-a-Parisian starter kit, it would include all the classics – a Breton tee, ballet flats, a sleek white blouse, a timeless trench coat – but real French fashion is about much more than the clichés (although we do love a Breton stripe). Stroll down any Parisian street and you’ll notice a kaleidoscope of different styles, but there’s one thing they’ll have in common: an air of effortless elegance.

“There isn’t really one French style, as much as many French styles,” explain Camille Barot and Eléonore Klein of Deer & Doe (www.deerand-doe.com), but looking well turned-out “without giving the impression of trying too hard” is de rigueur. “From an international perspective, the idea of French style refers to the way French women seem to dress with simple clothes. The celebrated ‘effortless chic’ concept!” exclaims Corinne Tellier of Orageuse (www.orageuse.com). It’s something that comes naturally to Gallic gals. “As a French woman, the French style is part of me. I don’t

Photos top right: (c) Orageuse 2018 - Photo: A. LamachËre; Photos right: www.deer-and-doe.com

“makers are questioning their consuming habits and are looking for sustainable products.” really think about it,” says I AM Patterns’ MarieEmilienne Viollet (www.iampatterns.fr). “I’ve always considered ‘le chic Parisien’ a normal way to dress.” All is not lost for those of us who don’t call Paris home, though – the secret, it seems, is all in the details. “It’s not about highlighting all your physical assets, all the time,” explains Corinne, “but to attract the eye to just one thing; an open back on a straight dress, a nice sleeve on a simple top.” And that’s where our sewing machines come in.

CREATIVE COUTURE France is fast becoming a nation of at-home couturiers; the last few years have seen its dressmaking community flourish, with indie pattern houses inspiring makers of all ages to channel their inner Coco Chanel.

It’s an industry that’s constantly evolving.

When Floriane, along with co-founders Julien and Romain, launched Louis Antoinette (www. louisantoinette.co.uk) three years ago, “sewing patterns were still quite old-fashioned, so we wanted to bring a little more fun, joy and modernity to it.” Since then, an explosion of indie pattern brands onto the market has meant more choice – and a more discerning clientele along with it. “Sewists are becoming more informed and experienced, and the bar is set pretty high,” says Deer & Doe’s Camille.

“Pattern-makers have to excel in terms of

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Orageuse's classic-witha-twist designs epitomise the "celebrated ‘effortless chic’ concept” French fashion is known for. originality and quality.” This new generation of modern makers includes stitchers who see sewing their own clothes as a lifestyle, not just a hobby – part of a wider, global slow-living movement that's about DIYing every aspect of your life. “People are more conscious about what’s happening in the fast-fashion world, and want to change it,” says Marie-Emilienne.

“In future, I think people will do as much as they can by themselves. This includes sewing, but also gardening, woodwork and other skills.” Longevity and sustainability are key, explains Corinne. “Since home sewing (and needlework in general) made a comeback in the 2000s, makers are questioning their consuming habits and are looking for sustainable products that will last and suit them in the long-term.” Of course, one of the best routes to a more sustainable wardrobe is to build a capsule collection of timeless styles – something the French do best. “In terms of patterns, this means easy-to-wear garments that require a lot of work behind the scenes to drape and fit flawlessly,” say Deer & Doe. It's all great news for our sewing pattern stash (although perhaps less so for our bank balance); from Deer & Doe’s pared-back retro vibe to Oraguese’s sleek minimalism, I AM’s quirky, playful designs to Louis Antoinette’s contemporary take on classic silhouettes, It's

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sweet chevrons Pick small-scale ditsy prints for Anna Galvin’s simple patchwork banner fnished with a tassel trim.

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tropical living If you like Piña Coladas...you’ll love Rebecca Reid’s pineapple doorstop for a summery home update.

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slumber party

Pyjamas on, plushies out – it's time to cosy up in Angela Umpleby's quilted sleeping bag, made for little dreamers aged eight and under.

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shelf safari

Sew a snuggle-sized version of nature's gentle giant for your young adventurer with Jo Carter's girafe softie how-to.

BUY THIS KIT!

See this demonstrated live on air on

29th June 2018 *

Live on Freeview 78 and Sky 687 * Visit page 15 for special offers and T&Cs

my favourite thing

designer inspired Lingerie pattern designer Emerald Erin pays homage to iconic Christian Dior styles with this delicate tulle dress.

"I MADE THIS DRESS TO WEAR TO THE DIOR exhibit at Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto this February. I wanted it to be inspired by the gorgeous vintage Dior silhouettes, as well as by the label's Spring/Summer 2017 collection with all the tulle and bra-style tops!

The top part of the dress is an underwired and boned bra top with foam cups and a sheer bra-tulle bodice. I covered the bra cups with a fine wool suiting, and also made the boning channels out of the wool to match. I added a wide elastic band to the skirt (so it’s secretly comfy!) and made it using bra tulle, which means it is so light and airy to wear even though I used six metres of tulle!

What I love most about this dress is the balance between classic and modern styles,

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and that it uses all of my favourite techniques for bra-making, but it still challenged me with the huge amount of fabric in the tulle skirt.

It was so much fun to wear this dress at the exhibit, and I almost felt like I was part of it!

I rarely get a chance to make something fancy for myself, and even more rarely get to wear it, so it was really special to take the time to design and sew something that I love and have an occasion to show it off! I don’t know how many chances I’ll have to wear it as a complete outfit again, but as the bra-top and skirt are separates, I am hoping to work these into a dressed-down ensemble in the future!"

See more of Erin's designs at www.emerald erin.com and shop.emeralderin.com, and follow her on Instagram @emeralderinsews

S Retro tea dress T-shirt maxi Kid's pinafore Table quilt Craft room décor Baby shoes Crocodile toy Hopscotch set And more...

2 FREE pattERns! +ExclusivE to simply sewing Learn how to print your own fabric, and use it to make a chic summer blouse.

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ew ! s t s Mu e details int a g

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