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!
THE FOLD LINE Rachel and Kate set up online sewing community The Fold Line in October 2015, with a pattern database, a forum for connecting with makers, and a sewing resources section. They show you how to sew this summer’s trends on page 42. KIRSTY HARTLEY Kirsty is the designer behind childrenswear label Wild Things and the author of two sewing books, “Wild Things: Funky Little Clothes to Sew” and “Wild Things to Make”. Make her girl’s skater dress decorated with pom poms on page 64. SIOBHAN MOLLOY Designer Siobhan Molloy founded her luxe womenswear brand, which is manufactured in Britain by skilled craftspeople, in 2015. Discover what she’s got planned for 2017, including a new collection and bespoke print, on page 74. ZOË EDWARDS As well as being a…
SUMMER READY Every wardrobe needs versatile summer staples like the new Flint and Rowan patterns from Megan Nielsen. Flint can be made as wide-leg cropped trousers or shorts, while the Rowan bodysuit or tee has three necklines and sleeves to pick from. Get 20% off the patterns using the codes SIMPLYSEWINGFLINT and SIMPLYSEWINGROWAN at www.megannielsen.com*, and enter our Flint and Rowan pattern giveaway at www.simplysewingmag.com DREAM MACHINE To celebrate pairing with John Lewis to offer new UK-based subscribers a hot-pink JL110 machine worth £99 this month (see page 18 for details), we’ll be sharing our top tips and advice for getting the best out of your machine, from key techniques to project ideas, at www.simplysewingmag.com SNOW WHITE W A favourite with brides thanks to its associations with innocence and purity,…
THE HERO’S CLOSET: SEWING FOR COSPLAY AND COSTUMING Gillian Conahan (£15.99, Abrams Books) Coming from a cos player who also happens to be editor-in-chief of Vogue Patterns magazine, expect high standards of authenticity with this book, packed with essential step-by-steps and inspiration. www.abramsbooks.com FIX YOUR CLOTHES: THE SUSTAINABLE MAGIC OF MENDING, PATCHING, AND DARNING Raleigh Briggs (£6.50, Microcosm Publishing) This is the book we wish we had when we first discovered refashioning. With Raleigh’s quirky illustrations and chatty writing style, tricky mending jobs suddenly seem oh-so simple. www.microcosmpublishing.com SEW YOUR OWN DOLLS: 25 STYLISH DOLLS TO MAKE AND PERSONALIZE Louise Kelly (£12.99, CICO Books) Once you’ve mastered the basic shapes of these dolls, you can go mad with stylish outfits, characterful details and on-trend accessories, and even add a few…
1. This cuddly cactus cushion comes complete with neon tassel blooms to brighten up your space. £36, www.berryred.co.uk 2. Snuggle up to a cacti garden dreamt up in the UK with the Prickle Pants Pillow Case printed on super-soft 100% cotton. £16 each, www.lovefrankie.com 3. Fantasise about trips to hotter climes with the Desert Bloom weekend bag. It’s big enough to carry a change of clothes, toiletries, and possibly even your current sewing project. £29.95, www.dotcomgiftshop.com…
25 APRIL›4 MAY RSN Midlands Exhibition, Rugby. Admire stunning examples of Jacobean crewelwork, silk shading, goldwork and more from RSN’s Technical Hand Embroidery course.www.royal-needlework.org.uk 27›30 APRIL The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show, Edinburgh. Sign up for workshops, buy fabrics and join the Campaign for Creativity.www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com 11›13 MAY Stitch & Hobbycrafts Show, Harrogate. Stock up on supplies and learn skills at this popular craft show, taking place in Harrogate for the first time. www.stitchandhobby.co.uk FROM 27 MAY Balenciaga: Shaping Fashion. V&A, London. Discover how designer Cristóbal Balenciaga’s craftsmanship and vision has influenced contemporary fashion. www.vam.ac.uk 5 FAB FINDS Totally hooked SPELL IT OUT A bit of word art is the perfect way to welcome friends and family into your home. £38, www.paperchase.co.uk HOP TO IT We love the minty…
There’s nothing quite like a touch of Liberty print to show off your stitching in style. At StitchKits, Ruth Caig’s range of fabric-covered embroidery hoops come in a selection of irresistible Liberty tana lawn designs and colourways. Available in a range of sizes, the hoops look beautiful decorated with the retro florals. Just add your own embroidered design for a bespoke work of art. From £5.20 each, www.stitchkits.etsy.com…
