Innholdsfortegnelse for 80 i Simply Sewing

Brighter days are on the horizon, and as the seasons start to shift, our thoughts are turning to sunshine-inspired style. Whether you’re whipping up a new me-made wardrobe in anticipation of summer socialising, or you’re in need of some all-weather pieces for those rainy day walks around the park this spring, we’ve got plenty to inspire you this issue. There’s a whole host of sweet makes for your favourite little ones, too – a sew-simple girl’s dress, gorgeous ruffle-detail cushion and super-cute Dalmatian puppy toy. Don’t forget to share your Spring Dress and Aisling Blouse makes with us as well! WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING #SIMPLYSEWINGMAG facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine twitter.com/simplysewing_ pinterest.com/simplysewingmag instagram.com/simplysewingmag…

SEASIDE ZEN We’ve recently discovered the work of fibre artist Helen Wilde, and are mesmerised by it! The awe-inspiring textures, colours, and details of Helen’s work are inspired by coastal rock formations and made using materials such as hand-dyed yarn, linen, and embroidery silk. See her striking 3D designs on Instagram, @ovobloom, and at ovo-bloom.myshopify.com. BLOOMING LOVELY! Classic British brand, Joules, has teamed up with A2V to launch a gorgeous new fabric range! These charming prints will be available from Joules stores as fat quarters, fabric rolls and by the metre for all your creative projects. joules.com STITCHERTON If we said Bridgerton to you, what first comes to mind? Ornate costumes and string quartets, or lashings of romance and a debonair duke, perhaps? Well, the popular Netflix series has also…

Learn a new skill from the comfort of your couch with these online workshops from some of our sewing favourites. SEWAROBE The Sew in Brighton Sewing School is offering online workshops to learn how to make a beautiful kimono-inspired robe. These are perfect for spring and a great beginner project! sewinbrighton.co.uk LITTLE SEW AND SEWS If you have a budding sewist at home then why not enrol them in one of The Fashion School’s online courses? Various creative classes are available for six to nineteen year olds. thefashionschool-uk.com THE FABRIC OF PROTEST The People’s History Museum is running an online ‘stitch and share’ session every month to create textile projects inspired by the museum’s collections. Find out more in the Events section at phm.org.uk.…

The Spring Dress is a Simply Sewing exclusive from Nina Chang of Nina Lee Patterns (ninalee. co.uk). This modern design is versatile, elegant and comfortable, and can be suited to any occasion depending on how you style it. Why not experiment and use a different fabric with a complementary pattern or contrast colour for your tiers and cuffs or neckline binding? YOU WILL NEED Fabric, 150cm (60in) only: Longsleeve25mx150cm (2¾ydx60in) Short sleeve: 2.4mx150cm (2¾ydx60in) Matching thread Basic sewing kit NOTES Theseamallowanceis1.5cm (5/8in) unless otherwise specified. If your fabric is slightly less than 150cm wide, sizes 20 and 22 may struggle to fit the second skirt tier onto the fabric. If this is the case, cut a smaller size; your second tier will be slightly less gathered but this…

Ruffles have long been a staple in the fashion world, adding a sense of drama and luxury to otherwise straightforward garments. While they’re now often considered a feminine flourish, they began as a unisex statement. The ruffle trend first took hold in 15th century Europe, when soldiers would wear several layers of clothing and slash their sleeve ends, giving glimpses of the fabric beneath. This look was recreated by garment makers and strings were woven into clothes that could tighten ruffles at the wearer’s whim.…

■ Use a Teflon foot or a walking foot if you have one. If you don’t have one, use magic tape on the underside of the machine foot to help the fabric glide underneath it. ■ 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. Always iron on a low heat. ■ Use clips, not pins, to hold the fabric together, as pin marks won’t come out. ■ 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 the machine. ■ Check that the erasable pen wipes…

In this workshop Simply Sewing’s Senior Technical Editor Roisin walks you through the best machine threads to get you started on your sewing journey. Alongside your sewing machine and your fabric, thread is one of the most essential parts of any project. It can be tempting to overlook thread and use a bad quality one or a spool that you’ve had in your stash for years, but using the correct thread for your project is important, as is using quality thread. Many of us will select thread simply by searching for a colour to match our fabric. Although this is an important part of the process, understanding the different types of thread, their compositions, and their different uses is crucial to achieve a smooth stitch line. CHOOSING YOUR THREAD Although…

YOU WILL NEED Long-sleeved knitted child’s top Women’s shirt Matching thread Basic sewing kit NOTES Use a 1.5cm (5/8in) seam allowance. CUTTING OUT (DRESS) Step one Measure 4cm (1½in) down under the arms of the child’s top and cut across. Add an appliqué detail, if you wish.01 Step two Measure the length of skirt you’d like – ours is 38cm (15in). Cut this length from the bottom of the shirt, leaving the hem intact.02 ASSEMBLING THE DRESS Step one On your sewing machine, make two rows of long stitches around the top of the skirt section. Pull gently to evenly gather the fabric until it is the same width as the bottom of the dress top. Step two Pin the skirt to the top, right sides (RS) together and sew,…

Cashmerette (cashmerette.com) These Calder Pants and Shorts come with the option of an apple or pear fit, so you can choose which best suits you. Available in US sizes 12–32. Muna and Broad (munaandbroad.com) The Huon Shirt and Dress is a modern smock design. It’s available in sizes A–M, but Muna and Broad will grade its patterns up for you if needed. Victory Patterns (victorypatterns.com) The Sofia top and dress has a flattering shirred panel around the bust and comes with multiple sleeve options . It’s available in sizes 0-18 and 14-30. Helen’s Closet Patterns (helenscloset patterns.com) The smart-casual Pona Jacket can be made in two different lengths. This pattern is available in US sizes 0–30. Sew Different (sewdifferent.co.uk) The Boxy Raglan Top is a super quick and easy make…

YOU WILL NEED Linenfabric25x15cm(10x6in) Felt: 25x30cm (10x12in) Bondaweb: 25x15cm (10x6in) Narrow ribbon: 50cm (20in) Stranded cotton: black and pink Basic sewing kit NOTES Usea5mm¼in) seam allowance. Download the template from CUTTING OUT Step one Cut the felt in half to make two pieces each measuring 25x15cm (10x6in). Step two Press the Bondaweb paper side up onto the wrong side (WS) of the linen. Peel off the paper then place the linen right sides (RS) up onto one piece of felt and press into place. Step three Place the template on the centre of the linen RS, draw around it and cut it out. Step four Place the template on the centre of the other half of the felt, draw around it and cut out. EMBROIDERING THE FACE Step…

This beautiful fabric range from Craft Cotton Company features the timeless designs of Art Deco icon, William Morris. The delicate floral patterns feature the famed Morris & Co. blue and green colourways and are printed on 100% cotton. Launched at the end of 2020, the collection has proved hugely popular, already undergoing a reprint due to demand. See the full range at The Fabric Squirrel (thefabricsquirrel.com) and John Lewis & Partners (johnlewis.com). Reprints will be in stock from July.…

YOU WILL NEED Linenfabric20x25cm(8x10in) Felt: 20x25cm (8x10in) Cardstock Stranded cotton: dark and light green Embroidery hoop (optional) Washable glue stick Bamboo skewers Matching thread Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Download the templates from gathered.how/ss-templates LAZY DAISY STITCH Step one Come up through the fabric and go back down in the same location, leaving a loop on the surface of the fabric. Bring the needle up through the fabric a short distance from the loop. Catch the loop of thread with your needle.01 Step two Pull the thread to tighten the loop. Go back down through the fabric on the other side of the loop, tacking it in place.02 MAKING THE PLANT PICKS Step one Embroider the herb designs on linen. Use six strands of dark green stranded cotton and…

HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF ACCURATELY ALWAYS MEASURE YOURSELF BEFORE you choose a pattern size to cut out. The sizes do vary greatly from pattern to pattern, so it’s always best to measure yourself accurately and then refer to the pattern’s size chart to find your size. The chart will usually be printed on the pattern envelope or on the instructions inside. Measure yourself in your underwear and preferably in the bra you’ll be wearing underneath your garment as this can alter the measurements slightly. Use a fabric tape measure as it’ll curve around your body well for accuracy. You can measure on your own if you stand in front of a mirror, but, for best results, ask a friend to help so they can check the tape measure is sitting…

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…

It’s that time of year when I’m ready to ditch the cosy winter jumpers and brighten things up with some fresh spring pieces. This issue has some real must-makes: the simple but gorgeous rose-pink midi skirt on page 62 can be conjured up in an evening, while our bohoinspired Spring Dress cover star will soon be a firm favourite. If the warmer weather means you’re outside enjoying long walks and muddy wellies, give our colourful laminated cotton makes a try on page 28 – you’ll be the coolest kid at the park! Share your latest projects with us @simplysewingmag.…

M7948, MCCALL’S This McCall’s design is ultra feminine and elegant. It’s designed for dobby, linen, and crepe fabrics and has a range of sleeve and skirt options to choose from. It can be made with those all-important pockets, too! Available in UK sizes 6–22, thefoldline.com ELLIE PATTERN HACK, WORKSHOP These gathered sleeves and tiered skirt are add-ons to Workshop’s Ellie Button Up Shirt and Smock. We love the shape and movement this hack brings to a simple smock, and you can mix and match the pattern options to make an Ellie Dress for each season. Available in UK sizes 6–16 from helloworkshop.co.uk PARIS DAY DRESS, REBECCA PAGE The Paris Day Dress is a favourite for many reasons – it comes with tons of options for skirt tiers, a boat or…

THE DRESSMAKING BOOK Alison Smith, MBE (£25, Dorling Kindersley Ltd) We’re very excited about the release of a new book from Sewing expert Alison Smith. The Dressmaking Book is an essential guide to designing, creating, and customising your own clothes. There are 13 downloadable patterns included, too, and you can make an impressive 30 stylish garments from these! This would make a fab gift for someone in your life looking to ditch fast fashion. FASHION HACKS Janine Chisholm Sullivan (£12.99, CICO Books) Beyond ‘make do and mend’, experienced dressmaker Janine encourages you to create a fashion-forward, sustainable wardrobe using your existing clothes or salvaged finds. This book is packed with handy tips for where to source vintage clothes, as well as sewing techniques, advice on how to bring your old…

FLATTERING BUTTON FRONT This oversize shirt dress features a flattering button-down front closure bodice. GATHERED WAISTLINE A loose gathered waistline draws the garment up and adds shape to this dress. OPTIONAL RUFFLES Add subtle gathered frills to the cuffs and hemline, or stay simple and go without – it's up to you! MYOSOTIS DRESS The Myosotis pattern from Deer and Doe is an oversized shirt dress with a button-front bodice, gathered waistline, in-seam pockets, and a choice of ruffled cuffs and tiered skirt options. The comfy, casual fit and suggested cotton fabrics make this the perfect choice for spring/ summer. deer-and-doe.fr…

STRAIGHT OR CIRCULAR? There are two main types of ruffle – straight and circular. Straight ruffles are created from long strips of fabric that are gathered up and stitched into place to add flounce and decoration. Circular ruffles are made from a large ring of fabric with a hole in the centre, loosely resembling a doughnut. The inner circle of the ring is stitched to the garment, allowing the rest of the fabric to drape down and create subtle ruffles. DOUBLE IT UP If you’ve decided to opt for a straight ruffle, the next thing to consider is how you’ll gather the fabric up – will it be ruched along one edge, or gathered in the middle? Ruffles with a central gather are often called ‘double ruffles’ as the end…

If you’re looking for a new craft and want something satisfying with quick results, punch needle should be on your list. It’s such a versatile craft, so whether you like chunky pieces or prefer something neat and tidy, you can achieve the result you’re after. It’s also a great way to use up any scrap yarn and for experimenting with colour and texture. Create accessories, like this punch needle bag, as well as homewares and wall hangings with Marie Suarez’s gorgeous new book, The Art of Punch Needle Embroidery. The Art of Punch Needle Embroidery by Marie Suarez was published with Search Press in January 2021 and is available for £12.99. See more at searchpress.com…

Alice, Atia and Juliet had completely different sewing experiences before coming together in July 2020 to create un:CUT, The Makers’ Podcast. Their chatty, engaging show is testament to the alchemy between the three sewists and thrives on their creative differences . “We knew each other virtually before meeting in person at sewing events,” says Alice. “We’re all so different and have different backgrounds, but we immediately hit it off – sewing brings people together!” We’re all so different, but we immediately hit it off. Sewing brings people together! FROM TEACHER TO QUEEN BEE Juliet (@julietuzor_) is probably best known for her winning appearance on The Great British Sewing Bee in 2019, but her sewing adventure began long before then. “While teaching in an Inner London Primary School without a hobby…

The Suzie Satchel included with your magazine comes from Vancouver-based bag designer, Sue Kim. Whether you’re off to work, the shops, or making a school bag for a little one, this satchel is an everyday bag that you’ll use again and again. The adjustable shoulder strap is comfortable and practical, but you can also choose to carry the bag by hand if you’d prefer. The design also features a few handy internal pockets to help you keep your bits and bobs organised. Find Sue’s other bag designs at ithinksewbags.etsy.com…

YOU WILL NEED Lightweightwovenfabric1–2m Waistband elastic: your waist measurement + seam allowance NOTES Seamallowanceis1cm(3/8in) unless otherwise stated. Fabric quantity will depend on the size and length of your skirt. Make a sample or a paper pattern before buying your fabric to save buying too much if you are unsure how much you will need. The basis of this skirt is essentially a tube of fabric. This can be comprised of a single very wide rectangle, folded and then joined with a single seam (as we have done), or two rectangles layered on top of one another and joined with two side seams. Which you choose will be dependent on your waist measurement, degree of gathering required, and the width of your fabric. FABRICS USED ■ Double gauze in…

YOU WILL NEED Cottonfabric325mx115cm (3½ydx45in) Matching sewing thread Basic sewing kit NOTES Downloadthetemplatesfrom The specific measurements given will give a finished garment that will fit a UK 10–14. For larger and smaller sizes simply increase/ decrease the width of the front and back pieces. This dressing gown was made in a lightweight cotton, but a cotton waffle or fleecy fabric would also work well. This project from H and Sammy was originally featured in our sister magazine, FABRICS USED LolaPaisley100cotton in Blue by Tanya Whelan. PREPARATION Step one Download, print and cut out the templates. Step two Wash and press your fabric before starting, then fold in half along the length with wrong sides (WS) together (bringing the selvedges together). Step three Pin the templates to…

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.…

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…

My favourite make… now that’s tricky! I have a favourite golf outfit, a favourite frock, a favourite shirt, and every time I finish a garment, that’s my new favourite make too! My latest favourite make is my date night dungas. My fella and I (who I’m attempting to teach to sew – but that’s another story!) have date nights once or twice a month depending on my shifts. We make a big effort to get ready, cook a special meal, and usually end up dancing until the early hours in the kitchen! For our last date night I thought about making a new dress. But while rummaging through my patterns I was aware of my lockdown tummy and didn’t want to make something that wouldn’t fit once I’d lost the…

NINA CHANG Our gorgeous Spring Dress comes from Nina Chang of Nina Lee Patterns. We absolutely love Nina’s designs and we’re so excited about this exclusive pattern she’s created for us. We can’t wait to see your boho creations! See more on page 20. SUE KIM Our third cover pattern included with issue 80 is the Suzie Satchel from Vancouver-based bag designer, Sue Kim. The Suzie Satchel has plenty of pockets for stashing your essentials in and is the perfect size for taking to school or to the office. JENNIFER STOKES The Aisling Blouse included with issue 80 comes from Jennifer Lauren Handmade. We love a pattern that we know we’ll get maximum use and wear out of, and the Aisling Blouse is definitely one of those! See our stylish…

When someone says ‘cushions’ to you, what springs to mind? Comfort? A stash buster? A gift? Or like my friend Ali said, Cinderella? As far as we know cushions have been around since 7000BC, but back then they were filled with stones and used by women in labour. They were rarely used by men, as that was seen as a sign of weakness. Always thought of as being from the noble aristocracy, cushions were mainly large and made from leather in the early Middle Ages. They were used in palaces for the lesser dignitaries as chairs were saved for aristocrats. Whatever their history, we all love cushions, and you can never have too many – says he who has over 60 on last count! Marcia Mawdsley made her cushion for…

1 KYOTO SWEATER AND TEE This ruffle-sleeve sweater from Papercut Patterns also features simple drop shoulders, a relaxed fit, a choice of short or long sleeve finishes, and optional cuff bands. You can make the Kyoto with knit or wovens, whichever best suits the season and your style. papercutpatterns.com 2 MCALL’S 8102 TOP AND SKIRT Ruffles are the main event in this top and skirt combo from McCall’s – with several style options given for adding them to the shoulders, bodice, long or short sleeve cuffs and skirt hem. Make yours with as much flare or subtly as you want. sewdirect.com 3 IRIS TOP This design from Emporia features a stylish casual top with three-quarter length sleeves that’s elevated by a ruffle at the shoulder and split side hems. You…

HAND SANITISER HOLDER These little bottles have become a must when we leave the house, so keep yours handy with a convenient carrier that you can clip onto your bag or keys for easy access. The clip top makes it simple to swap in a new bottle when you run out, too. BOTTLE HOLDER We don’t know about you, but over the last year we’re leaving the house with less and less for our walks. If you’re heading out but don't fancy carrying a bag, a bottle holder with a shoulder strap is super useful for keeping a drink to hand. WELLY BAG With the British weather being a little on the unpredictable side, it’s always a good idea to keep your wellies close by. A welly bag is ideal…

This long-sleeved blouse from Jennifer Lauren Handmade has a subtle A-line shape and gathered sleeves for a flattering silhouette. YOU WILL NEED Top A: Sizes614: 2.5mx115cm (2¾ydx45in) Sizes 16–24: 2.75mx115cm (3ydx45in) Sizes 6–14: 2mx150cm (2¼ydx60in) Sizes 16–24: 2.5mx150cm (2¾ydx60in) Buttons, 1.5cm (5/8in) wide: x5 Top B: Sizes614: 2.25mx115cm (2¾ydx45in) Sizes 16–24: 2.75mx115cm (3ydx45in) Sizes 6–14: 2mx150cm (2¼ydx60in) Sizes 16–24: 2.5mx150cm (2¾ydx60in) Both: Lightweightiron-oninterfacing70x95cm (27½x373/8in) For elastic length, loosely measure your wrist circumference and add 2cm (¾in) seam allowance, then double this. Matching thread SUGGESTED FABRICS ■ Lightweight woven fabrics with some drape such as cotton lawn, voile, linen, viscose, silks and sheer fabrics. NOTES Seamallowanceis15cm (5/8in). Download the pattern for cup sizes A, C and D at: FABRIC INSPIRATION SPRING FRESH WEAR IT WITH COLOUR BURST…

The liberating process of crafting your own wardrobe is pretty magical. But for some people this means hours of adjusting dimensions because the pattern just isn’t made to fit their frame. Measuring is a meticulous part of the sewing process and carefully calculating your cuts and stitches is key. However, getting hung up on body measurements is something the sewing world is trying to ditch. With breakthrough brands now starting to offer plus-size patterns and a whole host of empowered crafters representing curvy sewists, the landscape is beginning to become more inclusive. From plus-size sewing bloggers to savvy business owners, these fabulous folks are proving that sewing is for every body... THE YOUTUBER Danielle McAllister (youtube.com/c/ daniellemcallister) has over 22,000 subscribers on YouTube and her honest, relatable videos have had…

YOU WILL NEED Cottonlawninredfor the outer: 1mx133cm (11/8ydx52in) Cotton lawn in a complementary red: 50x133cm (20x52in) Cotton lawn in blue: 50cm (20in) Matching thread Basic sewing kit NOTES Seamallowanceis1cm(3/8in) unless otherwise stated. Download the template from This bag is reversible; when we refer to the Outer we are referring to the red side, and the Inner is the blue side. CUTTING OUT Step one With right sides (RS) facing and using a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance, sew the two red fabrics together along their width. Press the seam open.01 Step two Pin the template onto the folded blue fabric and cut out a front and back for the Inner bag. Fold the now-joined red fabrics in half and pin one of the blue pieces on top and cut…

YOU WILL NEED Cottonlawntenpieces 13.5x13cm (53/8x5¼in) Cotton or calico fabric: 22x52cm (8¾x20½in) for the lining Wheat: 600g Ribbon or bias binding: 1m (11/8yd) Matching thread Basic sewing kit NOTES Seamallowanceis1cm(3/8in) unless otherwise stated. Wheat is available from most health food stores. You can heat your neck warmer by gently warming it in the microwave – always refer to the manufacturer’s guide for suitable timings and settings. Do not use fabric, ribbon or binding with metallic elements. MAKING THE PATCHWORK OUTER Step one Sew the cotton lawn fabric pieces together along the 13cm (5¼in) lengths so that there is a length of five pieces of fabric. Repeat this with the next five pieces of fabric to create a second strip. These are the Outer pieces.01 Step two With right…