Innholdsfortegnelse for 68 i Simply Sewing

From the essentials to the fancy wear, we’ve got you covered this issue. The Vivian Dress is a gorgeous midi, and with two sleeve options you can wear it year-round. The Breton Top is your new go-to for everyday comfort, and The Staple Cami is the wardrobe basic you can’t be without. This issue is definitely all about those warmer days, we have luxury retreat makes in beautiful Art Gallery Fabrics, a stunning tulle skirt for garden parties, an insulated lunch bag for pincics in the park, and an adorable bumblebee plushie just in time for spring. The Fold Line have been scouring Oxford Street for us too, gathering first-hand intel on spring trends. And they’ve even paired their findings with patterns to help you be ahead of the game!…

SELKIE PATTERNS The Lin Jumpsuit from Selkie Patterns is so chic. With the flattering waist tie and square neckline, it’s simple, sophisticated, and perfect for work or play. We love it in linen, but it’d also work well in chambray. It’s super versatile and with three trouser length options it’s also trans-seasonal. Available in sizes 6-22. Buy online at www.selkiepatterns.co.uk DAYDREAM DESIGNS This Petit Citron collection is adorable! There’s something for everyone and for every adventure in this bright and fun range: forest friends, cheeky monkeys, wild dinos, colourful rainbows, and simple stripes. Perfect for playtime and bedtime. Available from www.myfabrics.co.uk RESPONSIBLE SEWING W Need your sewing bee fix in-between episodes? Get your hands on a copy of The Great British Sewing Bee: Sustainable Style by Caroline Akselson and Alexandra…

27 APRIL–3 MAY Join makers, designers, brands, and galleries from around the world for the sixth edition of the London Craft Week. www.londoncraftweek.com 23 MAY A well-fitting, comfortable pair of trousers are well worth hanging on to. Recreate your fave pair at one of their workshops. www.raystitch.co.uk 24 MAY Linda Row of Boutique Ethique is teaching eco-friendly dyeing techniques using natural fibres at Atelier Stroud. www.atelierstroud.co.uk 30–31 MAY Choose from vintage-inspired patterns and make yourself a dress with this two-day workshop in Lyme Regis. www.sewladidavintage.com…

The Great British Sewing Bee: Sustainable Style (by Caroline Akselson and Alexandra Bruce, pictured above), was released on 26 March as a companion to the latest series. It features many of the star garments from the show, including men and women’s jackets, trousers, and nightwear. Designed for those at any level of their sewing journey, the book teaches sewers about caring for their machine, using overlockers, and tips for fitting and alterations. The book is all about building your own considered closet and is filled with tips for creating an eco-friendly sewing space, using fabric scraps, and making repairs. There is also plenty of guidance on better caring for your clothes and breathing life into old garments, and for those new wears the authors showcase sustainable and natural fabrics to…

Statement sleeves are here to stay and we have two brand new patterns to tet you with With bright blue skies and signs of spring all around us, it’s time to look forward to a new season of sewing pattern releases and trends for spring 2020. With this in mind we headed to Oxford Street in London to get inspired by this season’s fashion trends and how we might be able to recreate these looks for our own handmade wardrobes. We have curated some of the key trends and paired a few of our favourite patterns to go with them to get you inspired for a spring of making . LONG DRESSES WITH FLOWY TIERS These dresses have an 80s Laura Ashley feel to them with a relaxed fit, multiple…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Oversized jumper ■ Outer fabric, 1.5mx150cm (1¾ydx60in) for jacket outer ■ Lining fabric, 1.5mx150cm (1¾ydx60in) ■ Ribbed knit fabric, 50cm (19¾in) ■ Zip, 50cm (19¾in) ■ Pattern paper ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm (3/8in) ■ Download the templates from www.gathered.how/ss-templates ■ Our jacket is made to fit a UK 10-12, to make a larger or longer jacket you may need more fabric. To calculate this measure an oversized jumper in your size SUGGESTED FABRICS ■ Outer fabric: Medium-weight cotton or denim ■ Lining fabric: Light- to medium weight satin or rayon. Lining fabrics with a little 'slip' are ideal to allow you to put the jacket on easily MAKING THE PATTERN Step one Place your jumper face down…

Looking at Susan Goodwin’s designs, it’s easy to tell she hails from somewhere where the sun is often shining; from halterneck swimsuits to racerback slip dresses, the patterns are begging to be worn to the beach or at summer barbeques, with all of her fashion-forward designs bringing a hint of Sydney sunshine to our sewing machine. “I’ve been working in the fashion industry for many years, creating surf, street and sportswear, but even though I’m in fashion almost nobody sews,” says Susan. “It made me feel like a fish out of water until I finally discovered sewing bloggers! They opened my eyes to a whole new world and inspired me to start my own blog.” GETTING INSPIRED As well as following her adventures in sewing, from dresses to lingerie, the…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Fat quarters in coordinating colours* ■ Cotton Rope (6mm): see notes ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Fat quarter = 45x56cm (18x22in) ■ *The number of fat quarters you will need depends on how many fabric colours/prints you wish to use and how frequently you would like the rope to be covered by the fabric – for more coverage you will need more fat quarters ■ Each coaster is made using 1m (11/8yd) of rope ■ Each table mat is made using 8m (8¾yd) of rope FINISHED SIZE ■ Coasters: approx. 11.5cm (4½in) ■ Table mat: approx. 25cm (10in) CUTTING THE FABRIC Step one Cut your fabric into strips on the bias 3cm (1¼in) in width. The number of strips you cut will…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Yellow plush: 45x25cm (18x10in) ■ Black plush: 34x41cm (14x16in) ■ White plush: 28x34cm (11x14in) ■ Grey plush: 29x10cm (12x4in) ■ Dark pink plush: 25x12cm (10x5in) ■ Light pink plush: 8x8cm (4x4in) ■ Green plush: 10x12cm (4x5in) ■ Iron-on interfacing ■ Black stranded cotton ¦ 2cm (2/3in) piece of narrow width hook and loop fastener ■ Polyester toy filling ■ Basic sewing kit FINISHED SIZE: ■ Approximately 33cm (13in) tall NOTES: ■ Download the templates from www.gathered.how/ss-templates ■ Use 6mm (¼in) seam allowances ■ Fabric measurements are WxH ■ Arrows on templates indicate fur pile direction ■ Cut all pieces so that the stretch is on the width ■ The nap on all pieces should run downwards, except for the antennae and wings, which should run upwards…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Bamboo towelling: fat quarter ■ Cotton muslin: 28x24cm (11x9½in) ■ Cotton fabric: fat quarter ■ Cricut Joy / Explore Air 2 / Maker ■ Cricut EasyPress ■ Cricut Iron-On Vinyl ■ Narrow velvet ribbon: 65cm (26in) ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Organic bamboo towelling, 100% cotton butter muslin, 100% cotton ‘New Horizons' by Dashwood, velvet ribbon all from The Makery, www.themakery.co.uk ■ Iron-On Vinyl by Cricut from John Lewis, www.johnlewis.com ■ Fat quarter = 45x56cm (18x22in) CUTTING OUT Step one From the cotton fabric cut: Fabric Front: eight 12cm (4¾in) diameter circles Step two From the towelling cut: Towelling Reverse: eight 12cm (4¾in) diameter circles. We used a Cricut Maker to cut the circles, for a speedy and accurate cut. Alternatively you…

SEAM RIPPER This sharp blade cuts through and unpicks stitches. SHEARS Keep a pair of sharp shears just for cutting out your fabric. SMALL SCISSORS Use for snipping threads and cutting notches. PINKING SHEARS These cut a zigzag edge on fabric to neaten. FABRIC WEIGHTS Use instead of pins to hold your pattern in place. THIMBLE Wear to protect your fingers when handstitching. TAILOR’S CHALKS Chalk temporarily marks fabric and can be easily brushed away. FABRIC CLIPS Use these instead of pins when sewing thicker fabrics. BOBBINS This forms the underside of the machine stitch. TAPE MEASURE A flexible fabric tape measure will take accurate measurements. MARKING PENCIL Choose a colour that shows up on your fabric. PINS Stainless steel pins with sharp points are best. THREAD This forms the…

"I muddled fearlessly and completely Internet-taught through my earliest sewing projects. Looking back at how clueless I was is pretty funny! My favourite make was the first dress I made after giving birth, which reminded me exactly why I started dressmaking and brought back all of the fearless joy I first started with! It was the Deer and Doe Myosotis dress. Being a completely new shape, the last place I wanted to go was into a high-street shop’s changing room. Having my body feel not exactly like my own was a bit disorientating, but the freedom of choosing a dress pattern I loved and knowing I could adapt and change whatever I wanted was incredibly empowering. I made my Myosotis while my baby was napping and I loved being able…

What a strange few weeks it has been! In light of recent events we find ourselves living in extraordinary times as we spend more time at home than we ever imagined possible. We've done our best to deliver a magazine to inspire you in these uncertain times, but I'm aware it could be more difficult for some of you to get hold of a copy of Simply Sewing. So, we're here to help. As well as our gifted subscription offer (see page 16), we're offering a new temporary offer to see you through these next few months (see page 14) – with free home delivery and without a direct debit. Take care,oyal readers.…

FLYNN JACKET, IN THE FOLDS A laidback, easy-fit jacket designed for woven fabrics. Flynn can be made with full sleeves with an inverted box-pleat on the back, or it can be made sleeveless for a cooler summer layer. From www.inthe folds.com in sizes 6–24. ILFORD JACKET, FRIDAY PATTERN COMPANY With drop shoulders and a comfortable, loose fit, the Ilford is the type of jacket you can wear over anything. It’s a versatile pattern with two lengths and two sleeve options and designed for woven fabrics. From www. fridaypatterncompany.com in sizes XS–4X. SIENNA , CLOSET CASE PATTERNS Described as a chic utility jacket, Sienna is inspired by vintage French workwear for makers to wear outside as well as in and around their studios. Deep hip pockets and a waist-clinching belt make this a…

CROSS STITCH FOR THE SOUL Emma Congdon (£16.99, David and Charles) Make your positive affirmations extra effective by taking the time to cross-stitch the messages yourself. The 20 inspirational designs by Emma Congdon – aka Stitchrovia – are centred around the themes of gratitude, opportunity, passion, happiness, kindness, and love. Spending time making these is the ultimate definition of craft for self-care. MODERN MENDING Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald ($35 AUD, Affirm Press) Want to join the rebellion against fast fashion but not quite sure where to start? Erin Lewis-Fitzgerald is here to help. In Modern Mendingshe shares step-by-step instructions for stitching, darning, patching, needle felting, and machine darning, so you’ll never have to despair at the rip in your favourite jeans or the small hole forming in your best jumper again. PLANT…

The Vivian Dress is beautifully feminine and versatile. The sleeveless version is perfect for summer and can be worn with sandals for a day out or dressed up with wedges and a belt for an evening garden party. The long-sleeved version will take you through to autumn and would look lovely paired with woolly tights and boots for those cooler days. The Vivian Dress is designed for light- to medium-weight fabrics, ideally with a bit of drape so it falls well and gathers nicely when paired with a waist tie. Check out our handy workshop on page 78 to learn about binding hems, and the tools required, which will come in useful when binding the armholes of the sleeveless dress. Be sure to share your finished makes using #simplysewingmag. YOU…

CHOOSE YOUR SILHOUETTE Pick from a camisole top, slip dress, a long-sleeved top or a gorgeous layered dress in knee and midi lengths. LAYER UP This gorgeous pattern includes a sleek slip and a sleeved tulle over-dress that pair together perfectly. SIMPLICITY 8545 Simplicity 8545 is the perfect collection of garments to show off your favourite sheer fabric – with design options including a layered dress in both knee- and midi-lengths, a smart sleeved top with a zipped back, a slinky camisole, and a slip dress. Use a beautiful embellished tulle to create the sleeved option and wear it over the slip for an ideal outfit combo. www.sewdirect.com PATTERN INSPIRATION Feeling fancy? Use tulle, lace, and chiffon to create our pick of the patterns from your favourite sheer fabrics. 1…

This beautiful illustration is taken from Maison Lesage, Haute Couture Embroidery. The book is a journey through the most sumptuous and inventive creations in fashion. Maison Lesage has created the most intricate embroidery motifs for star designers across the decades, often requiring hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of precise beadwork. The book is a tribute to exceptional craftsmanship with 140 illustrations and photographs. Maison Lesage, Haute Couture Embroidery by Patrick Mauriès was published in January 2020 by Thames & Hudson. More at www.thames andhudson.com…

The Staple Cami from Susan Goodwin of Measure Twice, Cut Once is one of the patterns included with this issue of Simply Sewing. Strappy tops like this are an essential to any wardrobe, and now you can make as many as you like in as many different fabrics as you can find! Why not get playful with a contrasting rib band, too? These basic tops are great for quick and easy makes, and perfect for the warmer weather. Read more about the designer from down under on page 58.…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: 50x110cm (20x43in)* ■ Lining fabric: 50x110cm (20x43in)* ■ Insul-Bright: 1mx56cm (11/8ydx22in) ■ Medium-weight iron-on interfacing: 50x90cm (20x36in) ■ Webbing: 2m (2¼yd), 38mm wide ■ D-rings: two 38mm ■ Snap hooks: two 38mm ■ Buckle: 38mm ■ Chunky plastic or metal zip: 76cm (30in) ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 5mm (¼in) ■ *We used the same fabric for the main fabric and lining so used 1mx110cm (11/8ydx43in) of one fabric ■ Insul-Bright is a specialist lining used to keep items cool or hot MATERIALS USED ■ Fabric is Anagram Letters by Ruby Star society – www.samantha claridgestudio.com ■ D-rings, snap hooks and buckle – Stoff & Stil www.stoffstil.co.uk CUTTING OUT Step one From the main fabric cut: Lid…

In this workshop, our Technical Editor Roisin shows you how to make the inside of your garment look as good as the outside by using bias binding to neatly finish a hem. Hems can be worked by machine or by hand, some finer fabrics will look neater with a hand finished hem, but generally a machine finished hem will look neat for most light- to medium-weight fabrics. Bias binding is an ideal finish for a curved hem as it will neatly enclose the raw edges and allow the hem to lay flat. CLOVER BIAS TAPE RULER We used Clover's Bias Tape Cutting Ruler and their 45mm Cushion Soft rotary cutter which made marking and cutting binding strips much easier. The ruler has lines to indicate measurements, you simply line the…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Linen fabric: 20x30cm (8x12in) ■ Iron-on interfacing: 20x30cm (8x12in) ■ Ribbon or elastic: 10cm (4in) ■ Button ■ Stranded cotton in coordinating shades ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 6mm (¼in) unless otherwise stated ■ Download the template from www.gathered.how/ss-templates ■ Wrap the template around your intended cup before cutting out to ensure it will fit – you can always scale the template up or down CHEVRON STITCH Step one Work this stitch from left to right on two parallel lines. Come up on the lower line. Go down to the right of the starting point and come back up in the middle of the stitch. Be sure to keep the working thread below the line as you come up…

ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED stitching your seam, it’s best to press it open on the wrong side so it lies flat. Sometimes it’s better to press it to one side to reduce bulk but the pattern instructions will tell you this. Usually the seam allowances are left as they are as they help to strengthen the seam, but sometimes they cause too much bulk so they are trimmed to half their original width. If your fabric has a tendency to fray you should neaten the raw edges after you have worked the seam. There are several ways of doing this. To machine-finish them, set your sewing machine to the zigzag stitch then stitch close to the raw edge all the way along. The zigzag must be small enough to stop…

REBECCA REID Rebecca has been crafting for too many years to remember. Her current passion is embroidery so she’s delighted to be Senior Technical Editor on the new Love Embroidery magazine. Check out her gorgeous luxury retreat makes on page 28. SUSAN GOODWIN Susan runs the blog and pattern shop Measure Twice Cut Once. By day, she works in the fashion industry and uses her commute to draft patterns and blog posts. Find Susan’s cami top pattern on page 61 and find out how about her on page 58. KATE SMITH Kate is an author, dressmaker, and the owner of London- and Bath-based creative event and workshop business, The Makery. Find her Cricut tutorial to make fab reusable facecloths and a matching washbag on page 83. MEGAN VALERO Megan is…

1. Meenal Patel’s Plant Peeps collection features peeping faces amongst plants and petals, and this Wild Wonder fabric is one of our faves. See more of the range at www.meenalpatelstudio.com 2. How clever are these Wonder Women pompoms? Other inspirational poms include Jane Austen, Frida Khalo, Malala Yousafzai, Dolly Parton, and Yayoi Kusama. Shop at www.etsy.com/shop/fatpompoms 3. Stay inspired by keeping Esme on your sewing table! Other iconic pincushions include Frida Khalo, and David Bowie, £24 from www.shopbeyond measure.co.uk (ceramics by Katch Skinner)…

We couldn't be happier that The Great British Sewing Bee in back on our TV screens (BBC One). From picture-perfect technical sewing, unimaginable transformations, and stunning made-to-measures, we can't wait to see what this year's 12 new contestants bring us. Not to mention how much we've missed Joe's witty commentary and interruptions. SEWING FOR GOOD A hot topic for this year’s show is sustainability. “We’ve always taken great pains to point out to people that textile has real value,” explains judge Patrick Grant. “Pieces of clothing ought to have as long a life as they possibly can. If that means they’re worn out but the textile still has life, take that textile and reuse that. That's the most important thing we can all do. Keep our clothes for longer, and…

GARMENT BAG Protect your finest outfits with a handy garment bag. We love it in this bold floral fabric, and even more so with jazzy piping. Both pretty and practical, this trusty travel companion will keep your favourite dresses crisp and clean. FOLDAWAY TRAVEL BAG This travel bag is a super useful size, but also comes with a zipper pocket so you can fold it up and pack it away when you're done. The perfect thing to have on hand for impromptu souvenir shopping. LUXURY ROBE This elegant robe is stylish and lightweight and just the ticket for leisurely mornings and long breakfasts. It's so easy to make, you're sure to be commissioned to make multiple matching ones for the next girls' trip! COSMETICS BAG An ideal size for your…

1 FIND THE RIGHT FABRIC Not all sheer fabrics are the same, and each one will behave differently when sewn. Finely woven fabrics such as chiffon are ideal for flowing garments, whereas stiffer fabrics such as tulle are suited for garments intended to hold structure, such as circle skirts and petticoats. Check your pattern envelope for suggestions on which type would be best for your creation. 2 GET RID OF STATIC Tulle, as with many other sheer fabrics, attracts static electricity easily. Combat this by spritzing your work with water from a spray bottle before you begin your project – the idea isn't to soak it, but to give it a light misting instead. 3 CUT WITH CARE Due to its lightweight, slippery qualities, cutting sheer fabric with scissors can…

The Breton Top is a comfy classic that you’ll wear again and again. The stripes are a simple but iconic design, and although traditional Breton’s are navy and white, there’s so many different striped jerseys available that you can play around with colours to make something unique to match your style. This top would look great paired with jeans or under some dungarees or a pinafore dress. For top tips on working with jersey fabric, check out our useful sewing guide in the Trend Tech section of issue 67 of Simply Sewing mag. We covered seams, fabric weights, equipment, pattern matching, and stitches. Everything you need to make the perfect Breton Top first time. YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: 2.2mx115cm (2½ydx45in), 1.7mx140cm (2ydx55in) ■ Ballpoint sewing machine needle ■…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric A: 40x30cm (15¾x11¾in), for the centre panel ■ Fabric: B 80x115cm (32x45in) canvas fabric, for the sides panels and envelope back ■ Lightweight yarn (non-stretch) in a neutral colour to suit your fabrics ■ Lightweight yarn (non-stretch) in a strong contrasting colour ■ Piece of stiff card: 22x7cm (9x3in) ■ Scalpel or craft knife and cutting board ■ Cushion pad: 30x50cm (12x20in) ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm (3/8in) FINISHED SIZE ■ 30x50cm (12x20in) MATERIALS USED: ■ Fabric A: ‘Track and Trail’ Denim Ikat weave ■ Fabric B: ‘Klee Blue’ canvas weight cotton both from www.merchantandmills.com ■ Yarns: Lang Yarns Baby Cotton in colours 126 and 59 CUTTING OUT Step one From Fabric A cut: Centre Panel: 32x26cm…

YOU WILL NEED ■ One pair of old jeans ■ Denim/jeans sewing machine needle ■ Matching or contrasting thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm (3/8in) unless otherwise stated ■ The measurements used in these instructions are for a 3 year old. You can use your child’s existing clothes as a template to obtain different sizes ■ Divide the waist measurement (ours is 56cm, 22in) by four = 14cm (5.5in) to get the measurement for the dress waist PREPARING THE JEANS Step one Remove one of the back pockets and put aside for later. Step two Cut off both trouser legs and open up at inner seams.01 CUTTING OUT Step one Take one of the jeans legs and keeping it folded in half (we will be…

1 Use contrasting colour binding for a flash of colour when the hem is seen. 2 Use ready-made binding for a quick and easy finish. 3 Tack your binding in place before sewing if you are not used to sewing on the bias (diagonal grain). 4 Use a new needle for every project – you don’t need a new needle specifically for the hem, but a new needle will prevent errors when you are at the very end of your project! 5 Sew slowly to manoeuvre the curves of the hem. A roped hem is when there are visible lines in the hem of a garment where the fabric has moved, this is very common with curved hems or hems that have been stretched. 6 It’s important to use bias…

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.…

LADDER STITCH Used to join together and close two turned-under edges invisibly, such as on a dress lining or soft toy. Bring the needle up at 1 on one side of the seam, then in at 2 on the opposite side and out at 3, so the stitch is 3mm (1/8in) long. Push the needle back in the opposite side at 4 and out at 5. Repeat this to close the edges. SLIP STITCH This stitch is used most often for hems where you need to stitch a turned-under edge to a flat piece of fabric using small, almost invisible stitches. Bring the needle up at 1 on the turned-under hem then back in at 2 and out at 3. Make this horizontal stitch as small as possible so it…