Simply Sewing issue 53

INE H AC M ING W E 9S

N I W

SEWING BEE

PINCUSHIONS!

3 £6

FRESH IDEAS WITH FABRIC NEW SERIES!

sewi n g BEE EXCLUSIVE interview

WITH judge esme young

ISSUE FIFTY THREE

BRAND NEW PATTERN!

THE AMELIE

DRESS SET IN SIZES 6-20

GET TO KNOW YOUR SEWING MACHINE

+ BY HAND LONDO N SARAH SHIRT

✓ Troubleshooting ✓ Needle know-how ✓ Handy accessories

Mindf throgh ulness sewng ISSUE 53 PRINTED IN THE UK • £7.99

6 stylish wardrobe updates to sew this weekend!

*T&Cs apply

NEW SKILLS: Easy quilting Scalloped hems Embroidery Draft your own dress

BITS AND PIECES From little EPP ▼

hexies to cut-out pattern pieces, small IDEAS INSPIRATION ACCESSORIES WEBSITES EVENTS STUFF tools to trims, we never quite know how to keep all the little bits and bobs we need for our inprogress projects easily to hand – so these pouches by Sarah Ashford are a real life-changer!

Featuring a variety of fun stitchy slogans, from ‘WIP’ to ‘Live.

Love. Quilt’, and at a larger-than-A4 size, these handy bags are just the thing for organising a variety of makes and can be customised with your Like jeans, jumpers and jersey dresses, own message. Visit skirts are something you can never have www.sarahashford too many of. Dress them up or down, studio.etsy.com layer up with a chunky knit and woolly tights, wear with a cami and sandals for summer – there are so many ways to style them! So we’ll be making both options included with True Bias’ highwaisted Salida Skirt pattern: a fitted, panelled skirt with a back vent, and sleeve cuffs and raglan sleeves, that make it a satisfying sew a swirly flared midi skirt. For pattern stockists visit www.hantex.co.uk

FIT AND FLARE

MAKING MATTERS

The founder of Melilot patterns, Norway-based Mari Melilot, is a designer on a mission: to change how people relate to their clothes through sewing. Her collection is all about discovering the joys of making by hand, honing your personal style, and embracing a slow, thoughtful approach to fashion. Find the patterns at www.melilot.no

Subscribe at www.simplysewingmag.com

WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM 9

Pinboard Video stars

What to do when we're not sewing? Watch sewing videos!

Tune into these inspiring clips.

SEWING QUARTER Make a Simplicity pattern with Jenniffer Taylor and more with this show from 28th August. www.youtube.com/sewingquarter

MINI MAKING

Give the saying ‘like mother, like daughter’ a whole new meaning with this mini-me version of Chalk & Notch’s women's Fringe dress pattern. Kids will love matching mummy in this cute-and-comfy frock, with options for a button-up fastening or a pull-on style. www.chalkandnotch.com

Reel good

The cutting-out process is now a whole lot prettier thanks to Foxglove & Field’s beautiful handmade pattern weights.

These vintage-look reels may be small, but, weighing in at 130g, they’ll keep patterns firmly in place for accurate cutting out. Choose from a variety of designs, from polka dots to Liberty prints. www.foxgloveandfield.co.uk

DITSY TULIP In need of sewing room decor ideas? Look no further than this craft room tour by Mel, aka Ditsy Tulip, at www. youtube.com/Handmade ByDitsyTulip

out & about

SKILLS, SHOWS & EVENTS 12 MARCH Introduction to Weaving. Backstitch, Cambridge. Learn all the weaving basics at this beginner’s workshop using a simple tapestry loom. www.backstitch.co.uk

4-6 APRIL The Creative Craft Show. ExCel, London. Get inspired, stock up on supplies and master new skills at this multi-craft show for stitchers, knitters and hobbyists. www.ichfevents.co.uk

SEW OVER IT We all love a good fabric haul video, don’t we? Get fabric envy with Lisa Comfort’s latest finds and find out what she’s been sewing at www.youtube.com/sewoverit THE FOLD LINE For The Fold Line's new Find My Sewing Pattern series, they search their pattern database for high street-inspired styles See www.thefoldline. com/category/vlogs

12-14 APRIL British Quilt & Stitch Village, Uttoxeter Race Course. Browse exhibits and competition quilts, boost your stash and learn at the workshops. www.quiltandstitchvillage.com

16 APRIL

Our pattern-cutting sessions will be Instagram-worthy with these pretty pattern weights!

Subscribe at www.simplysewingmag.com

Adapt Sewing Patterns for a Better Fit. Raystitch, London. Achieve the perfect fit with any sewing pattern at this invaluable class and learn everything from moving darts to making a toile. www.raystitch.co.uk

STITCH SISTERS Join sewing-teacher duo the Stitch Sisters for one of their regular Coffee & Catch Up videos. www.youtube.com/stitchsisters

WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM 13

sewing room makes

sewing bee

Our sewing room is our happy place! Give yours a handmade update with these practical makes.

Designers: JESSICA ENTWISTLE Styling: LISA JONES Photography: JESSE WILD

18 WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM

BEE PINCUSHIONS

When your sewing room is buzzing with activity, keep these helpful bee buddies close at hand for easy pinning. You could, of course, make them in classic yellow and black, but we've gone for floral stripes for a scrap-busting make. Get ready to stitch a few of these – your sewing pals will want one, too!

SLOGAN BANNER

We all know this famous saying, but whether we actually take its advice is another matter! So we'll be hanging this pennant banner, with its message written loud and clear in appliquĂŠ and embroidery. Now, where did we put that tape measure?

THE amélie dress PSSTo:r fabric and

leaf f ion, and be r e v o Turn spirat r fnished n i g n styli share you tagged s o u t e h t r su ess wi ngmag r D e i l i Amé lysew #simp

32 WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM

COVER STAR

THE amélie dress Get your spring sewing of to a chic start with The Amélie Dress' elegant square neckline and pretty futed sleeve option.

best dressed

Portia Lawrie's oh-so-cool cocoon design is deceptively simple to sew, easy to style and perfect for layering. It's our perfect dress!

NO PATTERN NEEDED!

✂

Subscribe at www.simplysewingmag.com

WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM 39

MY SEWING WORLD

By Rachel Pinheiro

Blogger Rachel of House of Pinheiro shares her tips for taking a more mindful approach to making.

S

ince starting my sewing journey, I have always thought of each and every handmade garment I create as an opportunity to write a self-care love letter. Taking the time to enjoy the process, and not just the finished result. Learning to appreciate both successes and failures with equal measure. When you have the opportunity to celebrate your individuality and creativity, and to love your shape instead of worrying about size, your clothes can be a very empowering message. Sewing can be social and our love for sewing can unite us in fully supporting and actively encouraging each other – and I would love to inspire you to focus some of this same love towards yourself and your own making.

See more of m ofpinheiro.co y makes at www.house m and @hou seofpinheiro

Be perfectly imperfect. I love this expression because it can be applied to so many aspects of a seamstress' life.

To accept that not every project will come out exactly as you imagined. To get inspired by others but not feel their standard has to be yours. And to not care less if your favourite colour combination isn’t straight out the Pantone Colour of the Year! The most beautiful thing about sewing is that you can make your own rules.

"The most beautiful thing about sewing is you make your own rules."

Respect your body. Get comfortable with yourself. Fitting can be a challenging enough without added pressure. So be kind and objective when measuring and evaluating a garment. Avoid negative general thoughts towards

h clear-out and as st d o o g a e av H forgotten gems! w fe a d n fi ay m you 50 WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM

"How powerful it is to know you can make clothes that ft beautifully."

Get to know your look and sew for it! It's so freeing to make clothes that fit you perfectly and are unique to your style.

yourself. A pattern is only a 2D starting point. How powerful it is to know you can make clothes that fit beautifully and are comfortable to wear.

Let go of what’s holding you back.

Sewing can be very stimulating for the senses, with monthly challenges, new patterns launches, and so on. But having too many ideas can actually feel paralysing.

Start by having a good clear out of the sewing space, fabric and pattern stash. Remove all the things that don’t represent 'you' anymore, as those items can be holding your creativity back.

Own your personal style. You may feel you don’t have a clear style but you have your own vision of the world. List everything that inspires you and why. Knowing the reason is important. Its good to move out of your comfort zone or own up to a tried-and-tested formula. What is important is that you have a connection to what you are making it. Be your own inspiration and truly embrace your originality.

Treat your senses. Use fabrics that are enjoyable next to your skin, and that are pleasurable to feel under your fingers while you cut and sew. Create a positive atmosphere around you. How about adding scented water to your iron for pressing? Treasure the simple, little things, like using very sharp scissors and how materials transform in your hands. You don’t need to have an Instagramable sewing room to make the act of sewing mindful and enjoyable.

Keeping me inspired...

Let everyoe else know that a garment was made wth love (o maybe even swearing!) wth woven labels sewn at the back. Yo can custommake yor own. If yo do’t want t use a fabric printing company, why not block-print o embroider some? Or oder some of the phrases already available.

Choose fabrics that will be a jo y to sew with – and to wear.

Give your finished projects a personal touch with your own printed labels.

WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM 51

transform

UPCYCLE QUICK PROJECT

modern mini Show of your hemming skills with an on-trend retro-inspired scallop detail.

Debbie Maxwell shows you how.

Subscribe at www.simplysewingmag.com

WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM 53

Towel Hooded Poncho

gold standard

Upgrade your everyday handbag with this roomy bucket style made in plush velour and luxe gold faux leather by Estelle Zanatta and Marion Grandamme.

Subscribe at www.simplysewingmag.com

WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM 55

counting sheep

Towel Hooded Poncho

Sew a cute new pal for playtime games and bedtime snuggles with Lucy Ward's adorable lamb plushie, fnished with a velvet ribbon and Liberty bow.

Subscribe at www.simplysewingmag.com

WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM 85

Embroidered Spring Bulb hoop

into bloom

Spring is in the air – and in our sewing room! Stitch Anna Alicia's just-in-bloom foral design for a keen gardener's wall.

Subscribe at www.simplysewingmag.com

WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM 89

my favourite thing

something borrowed Blogger and GBSB alumni Alex created her beautifully simple beach wedding dress from secondhand materials.

"As part of my personal journey to a more sustainable wardrobe, I decided on 1st of January 2015 to stop buying clothes and focus on sewing my own meaningful wardrobe. This was also the year I got married and so I had a fantastic opportunity to make the most important dress of my life sustainable as well.

As our wedding was on a beautiful little Caribbean island, I wanted a simple, short dress that would not look out of place with bare feet on the beach. With sustainability in mind, I was aiming to use as few resources as possible, so I chose to refashion a used dress I bought on eBay. Almost no new materials ended up in final outfit, as I reused not only the fabric, but also the zip, interlining, boning, hook & eye and lining. I still have fabric left

98 WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM

that I am planning on using in some other sewing projects in the future.

It really was a day to remember for the both of us, and it was even more special to me because of my sustainable wedding dress, refashioned and sewn by me. And it’s great to share this project, as it shows that a special dress for a special occasion does not have to mean buying expensive new fabric, and upcycling can be a great solution to make sewing more sustainable."

Great British Sewing Bee series three contestant Alex is passionate about sustainability and sewing, and through her blog, Sewrendipity (www.sewrendipity.com), is encouraging her readers to make small changes towards a more sustainable and meaningful wardrobe.

S T MAKEWOA VERSIONS: OR AS TA DRESS OP!

Easy wrap dress V-neck breezy top Liberty baby quilt Fold-up reusable tote Patchwork table mats Kimono-style top Maxi paperbag skirt Nautical cushions and more...

+

EXCLUSIVE-TO-US paTtErns

✓ wrap drESS + Top ✓ v-neCk TOP + drESS ✓ Easy Bag PattErn

EXCLUSIVE SEW OVER IT CORA PATTERN

✄

ON SALE THURSDAY 21 MARCH WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM

* CONTENTS AND GIFTS MAY VARY. PAPER AND FABRIC GIFTS NOT AVAILABLE WITH DIGITAL EDITIONS.