Simply Sewing is a practical magazine for makers who sew, or would like to start sewing. Its contemporary look and feel, fresh attitude and ideas, beautiful photography and inspiring projects will have you behind the sewing machine from the get-go!
With summer holidays on the horizon, we’re looking forward to appreciating the great outdoors! Wow your friends with glorious handmade picnic accessories, get festival-ready with a simple lace T-shirt refashion and say hello to your new favourite skirt, made in a bold wax-print fabric - perfect for twirling around in at summer parties! Who’s looking forward to a season of colourful sewing? Share your makes using # simplysewingmag or by finding us on Facebook @simplysewingmagazine…
Well hello sunshine, it’s been too long! This month we’re all about getting out and about in our me-mades. We’re expressing our individual summer style with a vibrant wax-print skirt (p50), simple lace panel T-shirt update (p80) and chintzy floral pockets on The Lizzy Dress (p36) which is one of the two free patterns* we’re giving you this month. Share your summer looks using #simplysewingmag, or search for us on facebook @simplysewingmagazine PS: GET A SEWING MACHINE when you subscribe (see p32)…
DEBBIE HUMPHREYS After a long career making wedding dresses, Debbie Humphrey’s whippet Bruno inspired her to start making dog attire in 2010. Find out more at www.redhoundfordogs.com and turn to page 76 to make her patchwork dog bed and blanket. KIMBERLY KIGHT Designer-maker, quilter and Cotton + Steel fabric designer Kimberly Kight creates the kind of gorgeous prints we can’t wait to add to our stash. Find out what inspires her designs and about her plans for the future fabric collections on page 46. WENDY WARD Wendy is the author of the bestselling book, “The Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking”. She worked in fashion for 7 years and has been teaching since 2007. Wendy’s www.miycollection.com patterns are modern, classic, everyday clothes. Find her Walkley dress and top design on page 56.…
FLORAL FANCY Cornwall, UK, is known for its beautiful coastline and laid-back vibe, and Cornish clothing brand Seasalt reflects the region’s cultural heritage in its collections, which feature easy-to-wear, classic styles and unique prints in quality fabrics, including organic cottons. This quilted jacket is the perfect cover-up for breezy walks along the beach (and we love a florals-and-stripes combo!). Hawthorn jacket, £69.95. www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk LEARN WITH LISA A new online class from Lisa Comfort and the Sew Over It team, the Ultimate Guide to Fitting and Sewing Trousers (approx £40), demystifies the process of making trousers, with beginner and intermediate patterns in sizes 8-20. We’re giving three lucky readers a chance to win free access to the online class – enter at www.simplysewingmag.com THE COLD SHOULDER Off-the-shoulder styles are…
A fruitless search for modern needlepoint designs she wanted to stitch led Hannah Bass to create her own: a map of her hometown, London. She has since set up her own business selling her kits to fellow fans of contemporary needlepoint, featuring maps of cities around the world, from Paris to Sydney, all in her signature cheerful bright colourways. Designing map needlepoints was an idea Hannah “stumbled across by chance. I love maps and find bright colours very uplifting, and needlepoint has always appealed. I’m a busy person, so stitching gives me downtime to relax whilst being creative.” Setting up her own craft brand gave her the chance to combine a talent for business with a love of design. Choosing a degree subject “was very confusing. I was conflicted between…
AMY BUTLER’S PIECE KEEPING Amy Butler (Chronicle Books, £19.99) The latest book from the queen of the quilts celebrates patchwork with 20 projects and patterns to try, with new skills to learn along the way. Projects include a stylish belt, homewares and even a patchwork dress! www.chroniclebooks.com NOW I CAN SEW Sian Hamilton (GMC Publications, £12.99) Get the next generation of crafters hooked with this book’s felt projects for ages eight and over. They’ll be stitching their own felt creations in no time! www.thegmcgroup.com DRESS YOU UP Rosy Nicholas (Quadrille, £12.99) This thrifty new book shows you how to make your own on-trend accessories using simple craft techniques and materials, from on-trend pom pom rings to jazzy sequin earrings. It’s time to accessorise! www.quadrille.co.uk HAPPY QUILTS! Antonie Alexander (Fons &…
