Innholdsfortegnelse for 57 i Simply Sewing

Summer is on the horizon and our appetite to sew with bold colours and playful prints feels like it’s the strongest it’s been in months. We’re feeling energized and we’re looking to our fellow sewists for encouragement to try out new things. Whether that’s tackling buttonholes (don’t worry, they’re not that bad), adding an eclectic cherry dress to your wardrobe, or having the courage to share your makes online... now’s the time to take that leap. As sewist Danica Lapid (@danicadoesit) quite rightly exclaims: “There is no substitute for your own individuality!” Share yours using #simplysewingmag WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM #SIMPLYSEWINGMAG instagram.com/simplysewingmag twitter.com/simplysewing_ facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine pinterest.com/simplysewingmag…

BEACH PLEASE What’s in our suitcase? We'll be packing dresses to keep us cool and swimwear we feel amazing in – all me-made, of course! Megan Nielsen's simple Eucalypt dress (which can also be made as a lightweight top) is the perfect beach cover-up, and her athletic-inspired Cottesloe swimsuit has four variations to show off by the pool. See more at www.megannielsen.com FLYING COLOURS Sew a summer rainbow with the At The Beach fabric collection by Hamburger Liebe, with zingy prints on six different substrates, including stretchy fabrics for swimwear, cotton sateen for dresses, and towelling for robes and towels. That’s our holiday sewing sorted! For stockists visit www.hantex.co.uk A FINE ART W Looking at Fine Cell Work’s embellished cushions, purses and table linens, you’d probably never guess where they…

1 We retained the original shirt hem but there are lots of possibilities to change the length. Use a longer shirt for a tunic length top or shorten the hem for a crop top. 2 Use a contrasting colour bias binding along the top edge. 3 Combine two smaller shirts for a colour- block version. This is especially helpful if you can’t find one shirt that is large enough as you are doubling the available fabric by combining two. 4 Remove the buttons and add new contrasting or matching ones, ensuring they are the right size for the buttonholes. 5 Topstitch a lace or ric rac trim to the placket edge, the hem or along the straps to add an extra design detail.…

Looking to grow your bag-making skills? Look no further than The Betty Bowler pattern to take you to the next level. This classic-style bag with four handy pockets (tick!), webbing straps (tick!), and piping (tick!) will keep you busy between now and the holiday season. Sew up in time for summer travels and never fail to spot your luggage in the departure lounge again! You'll be wanting to make one for each member of your travel party. Perhaps a playful cartoon print would pursuade the kids to carry their own? We wish.…

YOU WILL NEED Mainfabric15mx140cm (1¾ydx55in) Decorative trim (optional, see instructions for details) Matching thread Basic sewing kit NOTES Usea1cm3/8in) seam allowance. FABRICS USED The fabric used is from the Silk Road collection by Art Gallery Fabrics. Magnolia Study Silkroad. Ref: KF-1706. For stockists visit www.hantex.co.uk This clever kimono-style jacket is a simple make that you can run up in an afternoon. Different fabrics will produce different looks and can be made to suit the season – a lightweight cotton or rayon fabric would be perfect for the summer, while a lightweight, drapey wool would make an ideal jacket for the cooler seasons. CUTTING OUT Step one From the main fabric cut: 150x106cm (59x42in). MAKING THE PATTERN Step one Fold the fabric in half and in half again, bringing the…

As sewists we’re pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to connecting with our community. We’ve never had so many opportunities for chatting and sharing with like-minded crafters. From forums to Facebook groups, Instagram to Twitter, blogs and more, the wonderful, virtual nature of our sewing connections transcends borders, continents and time zones. Yet, beyond the standard ‘likes’ and ‘comments’, are you looking to step into the limelight a bit on social media or your own blog, making yourself and your latest projects the focus? For Danica Lapid (@danicadoesit), it was a natural part of a gradual process and shift towards making her own clothes. After positive feedback from her friends and family, she caught the sewing bug, wearing her handmade garments to special occasions like weddings. It became more…

YOU WILL NEED Linenfabric14x24cm(5½x9½in) Iron-on interfacing: 14x24cm (8x8in) Quilting cotton: 14x24cm (5½x9½in) Stranded cotton in rainbow colours Press fastener Erasable fabric marker Matching thread Basic sewing kit NOTES Downloadandprintthetemplate from PORTUGUESE BORDER STITCH Step one Start with a series of straight stitches along a line. Come up from the back near the centre of a straight stitch at one end of the row. Slide the needle under the next stitch and the end stitch. Slide the needle under the same two stitches two more times. Adjust the wrapping to make it lay smoothly if needed.01 Step two Slide the needle under the second stitch on one side of the first set of wrapping. This sets you up for the next step.02 Step three Slide the needle under the…

1 THE FABRIC CASTLE A beautiful selection of fabrics and kits for the sunshine season. From vibrant solids to tranquil tropical patterns you can bring a piece of summer happiness to your projects. Visit our online store. www.thefabriccastle.co.uk 2 ACORN FABRICS Acorn offers shirt fabrics by the metre. These fabrics range from 100% cotton plains to more specialised compositions like this Bamboo/ Linen blend (Barbados), which is our top summer fabric. www.acornfabrics.co.uk 3 CHEAP FABRICS ONLINE Delivering the best hand picked fashion prints and trends. Shop our range of fresh, vibrant beautiful fabrics across the spectrum. 10% off for all readers, enter promo code ‘sew10’ at checkout. www.cheapfabrics.co.uk 4 CROFT MILL The heritage of Croft Mill Spans 40 years, a place to buy beautiful fabrics and…

I'm a really big fan of prints and colour (my favourite is yellow!) and this issue really feels like a homage to that. Of course all of the patterns and projects we feature can be made from whatever fabrics you prefer, but since summer has officially arrived (phew!) I couldn't resist making this issue as bright as possible! From Karoline's fun cherry-print dress (p52), to Juliet's bold wax-print bench cushion (p61) and Jess's playful picnic wares (p18) – it's time to get your colour on, too! facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine twitter.com/simplysewing_ pinterest.com/simplysewingmag instagram.com/simplysewingmag…

If you’re wondering about the inspiration and ethos behind the indie pattern brand Sew to Grow, the clue is in its name; its founder, Lindsey Marsh, is passionate about helping sewists to grow their confidence and skills with her accessible sewing patterns. “I always have a set of criteria when I begin designing,” she explains. “The design should be timeless, but with modern flair. It should appeal to a woman in her 30s and be adaptable and comfortable for a women in her 60s. And there has to be a learning technique that helps grow the skill set of the person sewing (hence the name Sew to Grow), yet be easy enough for them to make by themselves.” Lindsey's patterns are simple, achievable and wearable, but always have an unexpected…

1-4 AUGUST The Festival of Quilts. NEC Birmingham. Europe’s leading quilting event with more than 300 exhibitors, 350 workshops and over 800 quilts on display. www. thefestivalofquilts.co.uk 29-31 AUGUST West Country Quilt & Textile Show. UWE, Bristol. Stock up on supplies for sewing, quilting and more and learn skills from the experts. www.westcountryquiltshow.co.uk 5 OCTOBER Fancy Frocks. National Museum of Wales, Cardiff. Meet like-minded sewists for this glamorous evening event, with a catwalk show, buffet and disco. www.trixielixie.co.uk UNTIL 3 NOVEMBER Kaffe Fassett’s Quilts in America. American Museum & Gardens, Bath. A display of 20 new America-inspired quilts designed by Kaffe Fassett. www.americanmuseum.org…

FOLD-UP PENCIL CASE Give the kids a reason to rest from playing and take a break in the shade with this handy fold-out colouring pack. Keep it in your picnic bag for a guaranteed moment of calm on those long summer afternoons. Sew with a handy tibbon tie so you can roll it up and not have to worry about losing your pencils! GIANT PINWHEELS The kids will definitely be able to find you when it's lunchtime thanks to these fun pinwheels, doubling up as 'base flags'. Stick them in plant pots at parties or take them with you to the park to mark your spot. Made using Bondaweb, these double-sided beauts can be sized up and down too. We're thinking: supersize! SHOPPER BAG Ditch the plastic bags at your…

Relaxing by the beach, exploring a new city, picnics with the kids…whatever your summer brings, you’ll need a Rosa Dress to do it in! This issue's cover-star frock is vintage-inspired, oh-soswishable and a breeze to wear, with a button fastening, lining, strap tabs (to create that pretty sweetheart neckline) and a gathered skirt – plus an optional hemline ruffle for added flounce! YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric: Dress A*: Main fabric: 2.3mx140cm (2¾ydsx55in) Lining fabric: 0.9mx140cm (1ydx55in) Dress B: Main fabric: 2.1mx115cm (2½ydsx45in) or 1.8mx140cm (2ydsx55in) Lining fabric: 1mx115cm (11/8ydsx45in) or 0.9mx140cm (1ydx55in) ■ Buttons: 3 x 25mm (1in) ■ Clear elastic: 1.5m x 9mm wide ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit FABRIC SUGGESTIONS Lightweight fabrics such as cotton, cotton lawn, crepe or rayon. NOTES ■ Use a 1.5cm…

This rayon dress, dyed in velvety black and crisp white, looks just right whether you are planning a day at home or a night on the town, right? Rayon fabrics take on black dyes beautifully, easily creating crisp and graphic patterns. For the blackest black, be sure to use hot water for the dye bath and cure the garment overnight. Let Anna Joyce, author of Hand Dyed, show you how to master traditional techniques like this to create stylish, richy coloured pieces you can enjoy in your home and wardrobe. This image has been taken from Hand Dyed by Anna Joyce, which is published by Abrams (£21.99). Photography by Dane Tashimaxk. www.abramsand chronicle.co.uk…

Adding the hashtag symbol –›# –›to a word or phrase on social media means that it files it together with others using the same one, enabling people to search and find the term in the future. Anyone can create them or you can add to the many existing ones online by tagging your photos with popular hashtags. Using sewing-specific ones will make it easier for other like-minded crafters to find you and your content, and vice versa. GROW YOUR AUDIENCE “Honestly, hashtags are one of the most confusing parts about Instagram! I started by using a handful that I always saw pop up on my favourite bloggers’ Instagram posts, including #handmadewardrobe and #slowfashion. Something to consider is the audience that you’d like to see your post. To reach people not…

“Surely, one of the saddest things ever is to throw a beloved favourite garment away because it's got holes in it?” says tailor Kerstin Neum›ller. We couldn't agree more. You will find such joy in embracing the make-and-mend ethos, especially when you learn there are such pretty ways to do it. From fixing rips and tears, to darning holes and decorative mending with beautiful stitching, there are plenty of ways to repair your cherished garments instead of throwing them away. Go forth and sharpen your mending skills! This image is from Mend & Patch, a handbook to repairing clothes and textiles, by Kerstin Neumüller. Published by Pavilion, photos by Hampus Andersson. www. pavilionbooks.com…

Although the origin of buttons is heavily debated, shell, wood and clay buttons have been discovered dating back thousands of years. Buttons were once the reserve of the wealthy; poorer people were once banned from wearing buttons and so wore pull-on clothing or items with tie closures, or they would have to make their own buttons laboriously by hand. Luckily, now they are readily available to us all! Covered buttons in particular reached peak popularity in the 1960s, used for women’s outerwear such as coats, jackets and as feature details on daywear. Examples of self-covered buttons can be seen in the designs of Mary Quant and Biba, who were prominent names in 1960s and 70s fashion. MODERN SEWING Today, covered buttons are frequently used in expensive evening and bridalwear, while…

SOUTH SEW BUSY Stockists of Makower, Robert Kaufman, Clothworks and Windham, ribbons, haberdashery, sewing goods and classes. sew-busy.co.uk SOUTH WEST SEW AND FABRIC Family-run fabric & haberdashery, quality dressmaking & craft fabrics as well as lessons – now stocking new Liberty cotton collection. 01726 75385 SOUTH WEST BECKFORD SILK Silks & velvet. Natural, printed and dyed. Small quantities at wholesale prices. 01386 881 507 beckfordsilk.co.uk WEST MIDLANDS HOUSE OF SMOCKING Fabulous fabrics, Swiss, batistes, broadcloth, lawns, patterns & pleaters, lace & threads. Hand smocking tuition. Coupon code SS0519. houseofsmocking.co.uk WEST MIDLANDS ONLINE FABRICS Largest selection of textiles at your fingertips. Samples available of our whole range. No minimum order level. online-fabrics.co.uk  • 02476 687 776 EAST GATHER ‘N’ SEW Whatever your project, we have a wonderful selection of luxury dressmaking and…

Thank you for making these projects from Simply Sewing. The copyright for these templates belongs to the designer of the project. They work hard to create projects for you to enjoy, so please don’t re-sell or distribute their work without permission. Please do not make any part of the templates or instructions available to others through your website or a third party, or copy it multiple times without our permission. Copyright law protects creative work and unauthorised copying is illegal. We appreciate your help.…

KAROLINE DAHRLING Karoline Dahrling is a crafter, designer, teacher and author of a Danish sewing book. She lives in the Northern part of Denmark and loves to upcycle clothes and furniture. Find out how to make her jersey cherry-print dress on page 52. KATRINA RODABAUGH American fibre artist Katrina Rodabaugh is encouraging us all to see the beauty in imperfections so we can change the way we think about fast fashion. Find her on Instagram @katrinarodabaugh and read more on page 70. ABOLAJI OGUNDELE For maker, sewcialist and knitter Abolaji Ogundele, posting her me-mades online is as much of a creative outlet as the sewing itself. Read her tips for showcasing your sewing (and personality) online in our feature on page 56. SELKIE PATTERNS Co-founded in 2018 by Alexandra Bruce…

Production Editor Michelle picks four swimwear patterns to dive into this summer. CLOSET CASE FILES SOPHIE SWIMSUIT Described on the Closet Case Files website as “va-vavoom flattering and reassuringly supportive”, the Sophie Swimsuit has curvy seam lines for an hourglass silhouette, and optional underwires and foam cups for shaping and comfort.store.closetcasepatterns.com CASHMERETTE IPSWICH Try a bit of clever colour-blocking and make the Ipswich with a contrast belt and side panel, or add piping to the bikini. Either way, you’ll feel comfy in supportive straps and an underwired foam swim bra and boning. See www. cashmerette.com JALIE'S DIANE The Diane one-piece is an ideal first swimwear project. A scoop- neck style with a keyhole back, this athletic design has a chic optional waist tie – perfect for posing on the beach!…

Three lucky winners will receive an amazing bunde of sewing goodies from Gutermann and Groves worth over £55. What a treat it would be to add this lovely lot to your sewing stash – and just in time for summer, too! This complete set includes a Gutermann Denim Thread Pack, a Gutermann Sewing Box (that holds 12 reels of thread), Hemline Thread, a pair of Squizzors, a pair of Hemline Precision Scissors, a super-cute Owl Pin Cushion and a Hobby Blue Glitter Box to keep it all in! You can find your nearest stockist of quality Gutermann and Groves products by emailing gutermann@stockistenquiries.co.uk and groves@stocksitenquiries.co.uk. In the meantime, enter our competition at www.simplysewingmag.com to be in with a chance of winning. There’s something for everyone in this lovely bundle and…

■ Use a walking foot if you have one and lengthen the stitch length to 3. ■ Never iron on the right side, only ever on the reverse. If you need to iron on the right side place a piece of fabric between the iron plate and the laminate fabric. ■ Use clips, not pins, to hold the fabric together as pins will mark the fabric. ■ Use washi tape or masking tape to hold fabric sections together where you are unable to clip. ■ Use a 14 or 16 standard point or jeans needle in your machine. ■ If you don't have a walking foot or Teflon foot, use magic tape on the underside of the machine foot to help the fabric glide underneath it. ■ Check that your…

YOU WILL NEED Mansshirt that fits you loosely (see notes for details) Elastic: 2.5cm (1in) wide Matching thread Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ The shirt you choose as your base garment should have an underarm to underarm measurement that is at least 1.5 times your bust measurement for a lightly gathered top, or 2-2.5 times your bust measurement for a more heavily gathered top. CUTTING OUT Step one With the shirt buttoned up, cut straight across through all layers, underarm to underarm, as pictured. The bottom section you cut away from the shirt will form the main part of your top. Set this aside for now.01 Step two Cut strips on the bias from one of the shirt sleeves. You’ll need enough to run along the length of the…

YOU WILL NEED Fabric15mx115cm(1¾ydx45in) Wide elastic: 1m (11/8yd) (see notes for details) Snap stud/button Matching thread Basic sewing kit FABRIC USED A lightweight, drapey crepe or viscose fabric would work well for this skirt. We used a rust floral print viscose from www.sewcraftyonline.co.uk NOTES 15m1yd) of 115cm (45in) width fabric will make a skirt up to approx a UK size 16. For sizes larger than this you may need to purchase 140cm (55in) width fabric. The elastic requirement will depend on your waist measurement. MEASURING UP Step one Measure your waist and divide by two – this will be the width for each of the two front pieces of the skirt that wrap over each other. We wanted to make a mini skirt so we chose a length…

Reading about projects that are made by my fellow crafty bloggers and makers is always incredibly inspirational. But to me, nothing beats an old-school thrift store for discovering new styles, patterns and ideas. You know the kind, where everything is piled up? You can feel the stories that go with each item, just waiting to be reused. I love spending time rummaging through the packed rails and shelves looking for vintage gems!…

YOU WILL NEED Jerseyfabric1mx140cm(11/8x55in) A jersey T-shirt that fits you Matching thread Basic sewing kit NOTES Usea1cm3/8in) seam allowance throughout. A dress up to a UK size 16 will fit on a fabric width of 140cm (45in) for larger sizes. For a longer length dress you may need to purchase wider fabric or increase the amount needed to 2m (2¼yd). To make this project simple we traced directly onto the fabric so there is no paper pattern to draw, cut and trace. We have traced directly on the fabric and cut out. If you are unsure whether the dress will fit, then cut it with extra seam allowance all the way around so you can adjust if necessary. CUTTING OUT Step one Fold the fabric in half lengthways…

YOU WILL NEED Mainfabricseeinstructions for quantity Foam: 3.5cm (13/8in) deep x bench width x bench length Pattern paper Matching thread Basic sewing kit NOTES Readallinstructionsthroughbefore beginning so that your pattern is drafted correctly. Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance. CALCULATING FABRIC REQUIREMENTS Step one Measure your bench and then cut the foam to size. It is always best to cut it a little larger and trim it than to cut it too small.01 Step two Measure the width and length of the top of the foam and add 2cm (¾in) to both measurements for seam allowance. Do the same with the depth of the foam, measuring the width and length of these edges and adding 2cm (¾in) seam allowance to each measurement. Step three Use these measurements to…

YOU WILL NEED For the table runner FabricATeal: 1 x FQ Fabric B (Pink): 1 x F8 Fabric C (Purple): 1 x F8 Fabric D (White): 5/8ydxWOF (50cmxWOF) Fabric E (Pale turquoise): 7/8ydxWOF (75cmxWOF), for the backing and binding Wadding: 5/8ydxWOF (50cmxWOF) Matching thread Basic sewing kit For the placemats FabricATeal: 1 x FQ Fabric B (Pink): 1 x F8 Fabric C (White): 1 x FQ Fabric D (Pale Turquoise): 7/8ydxWOF (75cmxWOF) for the backing and binding Wadding: 5/8ydxWOF (50cmxWOF) Matching thread Basic sewing kit NOTES Usea5mm¼in) seam allowance unless otherwise stated. FQ = Fat quarter. F8 = Fat eighth. WOF = width of fabric. QST = quarter square triangle. HST = half square triangle. FABRICS USED The fabrics used are from the Icon Elements colleciton by…

From the button flowers to the cosy bed, little ones will love all the adorable details in Anna Johnson’s fold-out dollhouse. YOU WILL NEED ■ Mediumweight canvas: 60x60cm (24x24in) ■ Fabric A: 10x30cm (4x12in) ■ Fabric B: 15.5x26cm (61/8x10¼in) ■ Fabric C: 20x25cm (8x10in) ■ Fabric D: 9x20cm (4x8in) ■ Fabric E: 12.5x30cm (5x12in) ■ Fabric F: 8x14cm (4x6in) ■ Fabric G: 18.5x44cm (8x18in) ■ Fabric H: 8x22cm (4x9in) ■ Mint green cotton tape: 1cm (3/8in) wide x 1m (11/8yd) ■ Pale grey cotton tape: 1cm (3/8in) wide x 1m (11/8yd) ■ Hook and loop tape: 20cm (8in) ■ Small amount of toy stuffing ■ 5 wooden buttons: 5 x 1cm (3/8in) ■ 2 wooden buttons: 2 x 2.5cm (1in) ■ 1 wooden button: 1 x 2cm (¾in) ■ Light…

PINKING SHEARS These cut a zigzag edge on fabric to neaten. MARKING PEN Transfer markings to your fabric, then wash them out when finished. TAPE MEASURE A flexible fabric tape measure will take accurate measurements. PINS Stainless steel pins with sharp points are best. SHEARS Keep a pair of sharp shears just for cutting out your fabric. FABRIC CLIPS Use these instead of pins when sewing thicker fabrics. MARKING PENCIL Choose a colour that shows up on your fabric. TAILOR’S CHALKSX Chalk temporarily marks fabric and can be easily brushed away. THIMBLE Wear to protect your fingers when handstitching. SMALL SCISSORS Use for snipping threads and cutting notches. SEAM RIPPER This sharp blade cuts through and unpicks stitches. HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF ACCURATELY ALWAYS MEASURE YOURSELF BEFORE you choose a…