Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 7 i Simply Sewing

CHLOË OWENS Modern-day hippie chick Chloë Owens collects psychedelic vintage fabrics and stitches them together to create unique textile art. You can see her work at www.chloeowens.com, and her vintage pillowcase skirt upcycle on page 64. KATE SMITH Kate Smith founded The Makery, a haberdashery and workshop space, in 2009. She has since published two books and opened a second workshop in Oxford Street’s John Lewis. She designed this issue’s exclusive free pyjama pattern. Read all about it on page 9. JENNIE JONES Jennie Jones discovered sewing when she had children, and now sells her creations through her company, Say No to Beige. We love her appliquéd babygrow and dummy strap on page 51, and her T-shirt headbands on page 80. JANE BULL Jane has combined her love of craft…

PRETTY, ORGANISED Jane Hughes (£12.99, Apple Press) Sort out your stash and get tidying with this cute collection of 30 home projects. This lovely book is packed with storage solutions you can make yourself. It’s not all sewing, but each make is perfect for decluttering your craft space. COMPLETE PLEATS Paul Jackson (£22, Laurence King) Get inspired by fabulous folds with this super-cool book. There are dozens of ideas from the worlds of architecture, fashion and product design, plus step-by-step guides to the amazing creations you can make with a simple piece of fabric. DRESS YOUR TECH Lucy Hopping (£12.99, CICO Books) We’ve all got gadgets – but how can we keep them safe from scratches and spills? This fun book is full of projects on decorating and protecting your…

YOU WILL NEED 1 fat quarter (we used White City Panorama - turquoise, by Michael Miller USA). Bondaweb, see instructions for size 1 baby grow Elastic, 8cm (3in) or a hair band 1 clasp Basic sewing kit Designer Jennie Jones says: “This month I’ll be showing you how to make a dummy strap and a matching baby grow appliquéd with a piece of the same fabric. This is a simple project, but the appliqué can be a little fiddly. If this is your first time appliquéing, choose a simple shape, as you will need to lift the sewing machine foot and turn the fabric as you go to attach it to the baby grow; the more intricate the shape, the more turns you will need to do. Set your stitch…

YOU WILL NEED Cotton fabric, 2 pieces 25x30cm (10x12in) for the body Black felt, 8x10cm (3x4in) for ears 3 buttons for the eyes and nose Soft toy filling Basic sewing kit TEMPLATES • You will find the template needed to make this project on the pull-out pattern sheet with this issue. NOTES • The instructions and measurements are for making the toy pup. To make a cushion-sized pooch, use the larger template and buy 43x34cm (17x14in) of fabric. Step one Lay tracing paper over the template. Trace around it, marking the turning gap dots, and cut it out. Place the two pieces of cotton fabric with right sides (RS) facing. Pin the template to the fabric and cut out. Remove the template and mark the turning gap dots onto the…

YOU WILL NEED Main fabric: 80x93cm (32x37in) Contrast fabric: 52x73cm (21x29in) Iron-on interfacing: 96x96cm (38x38in) Fusible wadding: 35x35cm (14x14in) Bias Binding: 2.5cm (1in) wide x 3 metres (118in) to match fabric Cotton tape: 60cm (24in), for straps Hook and loop fastening: 7.5cm (3in) CUTTING OUT Cut the main fabric into the following pieces: Back: 2 pieces 35x35cm (13¾x13¾in) Pocket Two: 2 pieces 26x45cm (10¼x17¾in) Pocket Four: 2 pieces 15x35cm (6x13¾in) Cut the contrast fabric into the following pieces: Pocket One: 2 pieces 30x35cm (117/8x13¾in) Pocket Three: 2 pieces 20x35cm (77/8x13¾in) Iron on interfacing: Cut one piece to the same size as each of the pockets. Step one Iron the interfacing to the back of one piece of each pocket. Iron the fusible wadding to the back of one back piece.01…

SEAM RIPPER You’ll find this odd-looking tool invaluable for cutting through seams and removing stitches. The hook slips under the stitches while the sharp blade at the back cuts the thread. Replace it if it’s getting blunt – they’re cheap. MARKING TOOLS Tailor’s chalk and water- or air-erasable pens and pencils make pinning and tacking much easier as you can see where you’re meant to be sewing. They come in different colours to contrast with your fabric. ROTARY CUTTER If you want to get into patchwork or dressmaking, these make short work of cutting out a lot of fabric and pattern pieces. Always cut away from yourself as they are very sharp. You’ll need a cutting mat and special ruler to use these. PINS AND NEEDLES Indispensable stainless steel pins…

There’s something oh-so-luxurious about new nightwear, so we’re particularly excited about this issue’s free gift – a fun and flattering pyjama pattern designed by Kate Smith of The Makery. These are an ideal beginner’s project and will be a treat to lounge around in after a busy day. We made ours with Meadow Flowers fabric by Dashwood Studio and some neon orange grosgrain ribbon, both from The Makery shop. Find our pattern marking guide on page 78 to get started and share your makes using #simplysewingmag. PSST: Use the code SSPJ20 for 20% off all purchases made at www.themakery.co.uk, including workshops, until the end of September 2015. EASY TO SEW PATTERN!…

RETRO RULES Add some vintage chic to your craft room with this handmade wooden sign. From about £9. www.katemueninghoff.etsy.com WISE WORDS Simply print your own crafty sign with this retro download design. A perfect quick fix! Around £4 each. www.three  gypsysouls.com CLOTH QUEEN These fun sign adds instant studio sass! A fab gift for sewers with a sense of humour. Around £6. www.rhondavous  designs2.etsy.com PRETTY PATTERNS Stitch your own sign with Kimberly Ouimet’s sweet downloadable motifs. Around £3 each. Go seek at www.kimberly  ouimet.com CREATIVE FUEL This hand-lettered sign is the perfect gift for the busy maker in your life. Around £6. Find heaps more at www.designsby  nicolina.etsy.com…

YOU WILL NEED Scraps of denim in various blue shades Backing fabric: dark blue, 25x112cm (10x44in) Branch fabric: woodgrain print, 1x10cm (3/8x4in) for each triangle Appliqué fabric: bird print, 1 Fat Quarter Bondaweb: see instructions for details Bias binding: bright pink 2cm (¾in) wide x 2.5 metres (98in) Matching sewing thread 2 brass curtain rings Card or paper for the templates Basic sewing kit Air or water erasable pen FABRICS USED Woodgrain fabric: Aviary 2 by Joel Dewberry, woodgrain in bark Ref: JD42. For stockists visit www.joeldewberry.com Bird Print: Echino Birds in natural by Etsuko Furuya for Kokka. NOTES Use a 1.5cm (5/8in) seam allowance throughout. You will find the triangle templates on p95. Designer Jessica Entwistle says: “Beautiful blue bunting, adorned with colourful birds – what’s not to love…

One lucky reader will receive a fantastic sewing bundle from Fabric Godmother, worth £250! You’ll get a very generous selection of grey chambray, Elk Farm jersey, Julliet seersucker, lime linen and cotton mix, and bird-print voile fabrics to add to your stash. You’ll also receive two sewing patterns – the Sew Over it Pussy Bow Blouse pattern and Sewaholic Renfrew pattern – as well as a chic leather saddlebag kit in navy blue. Fabric Godmother is an online shop selling a wide selection of handpicked fabrics, including everything from cotton prints and luxurious silks to wool suiting, along with patterns from independent brands and an extensive range of haberdashery. Find out more at www.fabricgodmother.co.uk. See www.simplysewingmag.com  to enter today! (UK only, see competition rules on p6.)…

When sewist Kim Fraser commented to her husband Stephen how much she’d love to make curtains using fabrics she’d designed herself, she had no idea she was sowing the seeds of an idea that would benefit crafters across the world. That was a little over seven years ago, and marked the beginning of Spoonflower, a company that allows people worldwide to design, print and sell their own fabric, wallpaper and gift wrap. Without that conversation all those years ago, it wouldn’t even have occurred to Stephen that such a thing was needed, or, more pertinently, that it didn’t already exist. “Kim is an avid quilter and crafter,” Stephen explains. “The idea for Spoonflower came about because she had a vision for a set of curtains for our house, but no…

We just can't get enough of prints and patterns. Florals, geometrics, stripes, checks – you name it, we love it. We especially enjoy filling our homes with prints – it's so inspiring and a great way to add personality to a room. Our lovely bed runner from page 26 is a prime example; just looking at its delicate pastel pattern makes us feel cheerful. Accurate pattern matching is key to giving projects like this a professional finish – we've matched up the print so you can barely see the seams, and this is something you can easily achieve yourself. All it takes is a little care and know-how, the latter of which we've got covered in our two-page guide to pattern matching overleaf.…

CROSS STITCH CHEVRONS PAGE 61 HOOP CHART NOT TO SCALE BIRD BUNTING PAGE 45 MAIN OUTLINES ACTUAL SIZE TOY PUPS PAGE 59 TOY SIZE ACTUAL SIZE 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 website, or copy it multiple times without our permission. Copyright law protects creative work and unauthorised copying is illegal. We appreciate your help.…

“WHEN I DESIGN children’s clothes, I always think about how they could be combined with other items.›I love this pair of matching tops, worn here by my son and daughter for my book, Sew Japanese. The tops are simple in shape but have little hand-stitched details around the neck to make them special. I often use hand stitching in this way – you can play around with different colours of threads to change the look of a garment, and I find it far easier than embroidery. I also love the navy skirt and shorts the kids are wearing in these photos – if you know how to make an adjustable waist it’s really easy to adapt these kinds of clothes as children grow, which makes them really practical too. Each…

Two must-sew patterns have been added to the Tilly and the Buttons collection, and both are sure-fire summer staples. We can imagine wearing the versatile Bettine dress while exploring sun-drenched city streets, strolling along the beach or heading out for cocktails. It’s got no fiddly fastenings or set-in sleeves so is a dream to sew for beginners, and its effortless style means it’ll suit countless lovely fabrics. There’s also a pretty Fifi pyjama pattern for more confident stitchers. Find all the patterns at shop.tillyandthebuttons.com.…

PSST: Don’t just save your kimono for the beach - throw it on over a plain tee and jeans for a casual weekend look. YOU WILL NEED 150x137cm (60x54in) of fabric 6m (61/2 yds) of trim (optional) Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED The fabrics used are from Zandra Rhodes flower garden collection - Feathers in denim ref: VOZR004-8DENI and teal ref: VOZR004-8TEAL. Find your nearest stockist at www.makeitcoats.com Give your kimono a boho vibe by adding a tassel trim. Step one Fold your fabric in half lengthways with wrong sides (WS) together, matching the two selvedge edges. Your fabric will now measure 150x68cm (59x27in).01 Fold in half again but in the other direction so the selvedges remain together and press to create a centre fold. Your fabric will now measure…

Cross stitch may be thought of as quite a traditional technique, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be used in a modern way – just look at these contemporary chevrons! Bring this classic embroidery technique up to date by using it in unexpected ways, like we’ve done here with this stitched panel on a crisp white linen – backed and framed with white cotton fabric. It’s a creative way to incorporate graphic prints into a modern home. See our colourful chevrons in a hoop on page 61 for how to perfect this versatile stitch.…

Refashioning, upcycling, revamping – whatever you want to call it, we’re always excited to stumble across makers who love it as much as we do, and Saako Design is one such find. This accessories company, based in Barcelona and San Francisco, was created by award-winning graphic designers Inês Brito and Joana Gouveia. Passionate about ecologically conscious fashion, their design team upcycle excess fabrics from garment factories in Portugal into unique pieces like this braided scarf. See more at www.saakodesign.com.…