Indholdsfortegnelse for 51 i Simply Sewing

Well, I can hardly believe it, but 2019 here we are. And what a great start this is going to be! First up, there's a new series of The Great British Sewing Bee - head over to our website to find out more. Then there's our Essential Guide to Dressmaking (p43), which we've specially designed as a handy pocket-size book - perfect for keeping next to your sewing machine. And whilst you're there, take inspiration from the experts (p58) to create your ideal sewing space. After all: tidy desk = tidy mind, right?…

Anna, one of the three masterminds behind Anna Pavlovna, grew up in a family where every woman was taught to sew. As part of her childhood, Anna would sew clothes for her dolls and make small things for the family home with her mother, and she and her grandmother would spend time together indulging in a spot of embroidery. With a background filled with textiles, it's unsurprising Anna decided to pursue a career in cloth, launching a now-thriving business creating handmade toys and teddy bears. Anna works together with Katherine and Anastasia to create hand-crafted toys, PDF sewing patterns and DIY toy kits – but their main passion is crafting teddy bears. Made entirely from traditional and natural materials, their collection includes adorable bears, loveable elephants and delightful piglets, all…

14-16 FEBRUARY 2019 Craft4Crafters, Westpoint, Exeter. A weekend of classes, demonstrations and the chance to stock up on new sewing supplies. www.craft4crafters.co.uk 20 FEBRUARY 2019 Simple Circular Weave Workshop. Ocean Studios, Plymouth. Learn to weave using a circular frame and a variety of yarns, ribbons and fabric scraps. www.jessandbecky.com UNTIL 28 APRIL 2019 A Personal Collection of Vivienne Westwood Shoes. York Castle Museum, York. With each pair chosen for their beauty, innovation and artistry, this display of Westwood shoes is sure to inspire. www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk UNTIL AUGUST 2019 The Embroidered Home. Hampton Court Palace, Richmond. See beautiful embroidered home textiles from the 19th and 20th centuries. www.royal-needlework.org.uk…

Every sewist needs their monthly dose of inspiration. So how would you like to receive a copy of Simply Sewing through your letterbox, every month? We’ve got an annual subscription for one lucky reader to win - plus this colourful bundle of sewing goodies hand-picked by the editorial team at Simply Sewing HQ. It includes Kaffe Fassett’s beautiful Bold Blooms book and 1.5m of his bold floral fabrics to get you inspired. Plus, there’s a roll of 11 dreamy candy-shaded felts from House of Alistair, a handy Summer Loft collection of Gütermann threads (seven reels in total), a Dashwood fat quarter bundle and a cute pack of Trimits bright buttons. This curated collection of sewing prizes would be dream post for any sewist, but it would make an equally great…

There's nothing like opening your wardrobe in the morning to a rail full of stylish me-made garments to choose from, so we're working on filling ours up with clothes we'll love to wear everyday – and we see many versions of this issue's Lauren Set in our sewing future! This staple style features an elegant polo neck and can be made as a top or slinky midi dress. We'll have one in every colour, please… YOU WILL NEED ■ Knit fabric: Dress: 3.3mx115cm (3¾ydx45in) Top: 2.5mx115cm (2¾ydx45in) ■ Ballpoint sewing machine needle ■ Twin ballpoint needle (see notes) ■ Clear elastic: 6m (6½yds) x 5mm (¼in) (see notes) ■ Fusible edge tape (see notes) ■ Basic sewing kit FABRIC SUGGESTIONS Light to medium weight stretch knit fabrics such as cotton…

1 If you are working on a very sentimental garment, a garment made from very fine fabrics or a vintage garment, it may be simpler to repair the broken zip – but carefully assess the problem to ensure damage will not be done to the garment while fixing. 2 Unpick each stitch individually; do not ‘tear’ them out. Once it has been unpicked, you might like to finish the raw edge with fray stopper or a thin strip of iron-on interfacing to prevent the fabric unravelling. 3 To replace an invisible zip in a lined garment you will need two different presser feet – an invisible zip foot and a regular zip foot (see p41). Both presser feet have two attachment pins that clip into the shank of your machine…

Adding a little handmade joy to everyday life is one of our favourite things about sewing, and what gets more day-to-day use than a carry-all bag? From work to weekend, our favourite bag is our constant companion, so we'll be stitching ourselves a new design that's practical and pretty with this issue's The Sicily Bag. Sewn up in durable canvas and featuring a stylish fold-over fastening and sturdy straps, this backpack is made to last! YOU WILL NEED ■ Canvas fabric: 85x115cm (34x45in) ■ Lining fabric: 85x115cm (34x45in) ■ Foam interfacing: 1.2m (1½yd) ■ Zip: 18cm (7in), to match the lining ■ 8 x screw rivets ■ Bag sliders: 2 x 4cm (15/8in) wide ■ Rectangle rings: 2 x 4cm (15/8in) wide ■ Taupe webbing: 2.5m (2¾yd) x 4cm (15/8in)…

We’ve all been there: you’re about to start your latest dressmaking project, but… hang on a second, there’s a pile of paperwork or boxes in front of your sewing machine. Or perhaps the fabric you need is right at the bottom of a pile of stuff – or you have to unpack everything from its rightful case before you can get started. And then the moment’s over, it’s dinner time, the baby has woken up, or you can’t quite find the tool you need and the creative spark is lost. While these situations can often be frustrating (and unfortunately there’s no ‘magic more time’ button on life), a way around it could be to carve out a cosy spot to create whenever the moment does strike. Prioritising our creativity and…

Have our quick-and-clever T-shirt hacks (p62) got you inspired to revamp your old, unloved tees? When it comes to upcycling, this wardrobe staple has to be one of the most versatile garments around – there are so many ways to reuse, repurpose and rewear them! So we're forever collecting secondhand tees in all sizes for speedy makes – for example, to make this cute striped peplum number we used an XL men's T-shirt, plus our favourite fitted tee as a template. Make your own with the tutorial at www.simplysewingmag.com…

SOUTH REALLY MARIA For your fabric, sewing, crochet and knitting needs. Breaking the boundaries of colour! Over 500 fabulous fabrics for quilting, dressmaking & crafts. Workshops, haberdashery, Really Maria patterns and kits. reallymaria.com  • 0203 581 0909 SOUTH WEST INCHES FABRICS Fabrics, Wools and Haberdashery. Buttons, Ribbons and Patterns. Knitting and Sewing lessons. 39 Parsonage St, Dursley, Glos, GL11 4BP. inchesfabrics.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 881507 beckfordsilk.co.uk SOUTH WEST CAFFLE CRAFTS Family run shop selling Brother sewing and embroidery machines, fabrics and machine embroidery threads. Closed…

MINKI KIM Designer, self-taught sewist and author Minki is all about celebrating the beauty of everyday life, through stitches. Try your hand at her quilted shopper bag tutorial on page 66 and see more of her colourful work at www.minkikim.com JENNIFER POL COLIN A native of France, Jennifer runs Little Print Fabrics Studio in San Diego, California, where kids and grown-ups love to come and sew creatively. Find her coin pouches DIY on page 78 and see more of her work at www.mylittleprintfabrics.com AMY HEMMINGS-BATT We chat with Amy, the founder and creative force behind Liberty-print lifestyle brand Coco & Wolf, about small beginnings, how to deal with ‘copiers’ and why, sometimes, no plan is a good plan! Read more on page 74. ERIN SCHLOSSER Designer Erin’s love of sewing…

MODERN ART QUILTS: DESIGN, FUSE & QUILT-AS-YOU-GO Sue Bleiweiss (£22.99, C&T Publishing) If you’re looking for a new challenge, take a leaf out of Sue Bleiweiss’ book and fuse a modern quilt. You’ll learn the principles of designing and creating quilts, with seven projects to introduce you to fusing fabrics. Sue also spills the secrets on dyeing fabric and the quilt-as-you-go method. www.ctpub.com I LOVE MY DOG EMBROIDERY Oksana Kokovkina (£12.99, Quarto Publishing) Animal lovers, assemble. You might say we’re barking, but we just can’t wait to get our hands on this book of 380 dog-themed stitch motifs by embroidery artist MakikoArt and six others. The book comes complete with project ideas, how-tos and templates – pawfect! www.quartoknows.com CRAFTFULNESS Rosemary Davidson and Arzu Tahsin (£12.99, Quercus Books) Us crafters know…

GO GREEN Invest in a leather drawstring pouch for storing craft supplies on the move. Approx £30, www.handsonworkshop.com.au TO THE POINT Crisp corners are what dressmakers’ dreams are made of! Get yours with this stylish bamboo turner. £3.50 from www.merchantandmills.com SHINE BRIGHT What’s pink, shiny and a must-have for every dressmaker? Tula Pink's shears, of course! £49.99 from www.sewingquarter.com POT OF GOLD Keep those pesky sewing supplies in one place with this giant thimble pot in shimmering gold or silver. £10.90, www.redcandy.co.uk MADE TO MEASURE A mannequin that can be adjusted to your very own measurements – say what? Yep, we’re never leaving our sewing spaces ever again… £139.99 from www.sewingquarter.com…

We’ve got an amazing bundle of 12 different pre-packed Vlieseline products and a pair of Hemline Pinking Shears to give away...for three lucky winners! These sewing essentials will guarantee you’re never left fumbling around for Wundaweb to take the kid’s trousers up before school (we’ve all been there) ever again! There’s everything from Seam Tape and Stretch Fix to Fuse n Tear - not to mention an entire roll of everyone’s favourite, Bondaweb (worth £23 on its own!). Plus, there’s a useful pair of pinking shears thrown in for good measure. Your new sewing stash will be the envy of all your friends with this superb bundle of goodies. Enter today at www.simplysewingmag.comand find out more about the full collection of Vlieseline products at www.vlieseline.com. For stockist information contact Lady…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Quilted throw or blanket (double-bed size) ■ Loose-fitting sweatshirt, for a template ■ Bias binding: 4.5m (5yd) (see notes) ■ Erasable fabric marker ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Our quilted throw measured 228x264cm (90x104in) and we used half of that. ■ Our throw had a bound edge which we reused in our finished garment. If your throw/blanket does not have a bound edge then you will need approx 4.5m (5yd) of bias binding in addition to the above supplies. PREPARING THE THROW Step one If your throw has a bound edge carefully unpick the binding from around the entire circumference using a seam ripper.01 Step two Press the binding along its length, unfold one folded edge and press flat.02 CREATING THE BACK…

Whether you've never sewn a stitch before, are returning to your machine after a bit of a break, or have a few sewing projects under your belt, there's always something new to learn about our favourite hobby! So we've filled this issue's Essential Guide to Dressmaking book with need-to-know skills, from choosing fabric and cutting out your pattern accurately, to how to insert sleeves, zips and pockets. This is just the kind of guide we wish we'd had when we started out! Go to www.simplysewingmag.com for more tips and ideas. * PAPER GIFTS ONLY AVAILABLE ON UK NEWSSTAND…

Happy New Year everybody! I hope you've all had fantastic Christmases, full of family, festivities and, of course, mince pies. I love the excitement of Christmas, but sometimes I can't wait for the calm that the new year brings. January, February and March's long, dark winter nights make for the perfect time to hunker down under a blanket, light up some candles and indulge in a hobby. Naturally, for me that means it's time for sewing! After moving house in November it's been pretty hectic over the past few months around here. My sewing time has unfortunately been limited to quick snatches during my lunch breaks at work, so I've missed out on those treasured free hours to just sit down and sew uninterrupted. When you love to be creative…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Double gauze fabric: 75cmx140cm (30x50in) (see notes) ■ Cotton fringe trim: 1.5m (1¾yd) by 5cm (2in) wide ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTE ■ The fabric quantity is based on a fabric that is 140cm (55in) wide – if your fabric is narrower you will need to buy 1.5m (1¾yd) and use the length of the fabric for the longer edge, trimming the width to 75cm (30in). MAKING THE SCARF Step one Lay out your fabric right side (RS) up on your work surface. You will use the whole piece of fabric, but you will need to trim the selvedge off if it is more than 1cm (3/8in) wide. Step two Lay your chosen fringe trim along one of the longer edges, so that…

KEEP IT LIGHT AND BRIGHT Designing my studio with reasonably limited space meant I had to be careful when selecting furniture. I needed to make sure I could get everything necessary in there. I also wanted to make sure that I kept the space bright so that I have enough light for sewing, so I painted the walls white. Rose Halstead GET A PEGBOARD “I hang scissors, rulers, my brayer (rolling tool), and a hammer – I use it constantly! And pegboards are easy to paint to fit your space! Easily customizable and oh so useful!” Katie Sabin USE WHAT YOU HAVE “Get creative. Figure out exactly what it is you need and look at your home and find any wasted space. Even if it’s a shared space with family,…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Outer fabric: 1mx115cm (11/8ydx45in) ■ Base fabric: 50cmx115cm (20x45in) ■ Lining fabric: 1mx115cm (11/8ydx45in) ■ Pocket contrast fabric: 25x25cm (10x10in) ■ Pocket accent fabric: 25x25cm (10x10in) ■ Pocket lining fabric: 25x25cm (10x10in) ■ Outer binding: 20x115cm (8x45in) ■ Inner binding: 30x115cm (12x45in) ■ Foam wadding: 1mx72cm (11/8ydx283/8in) ■ Fusible interfacing: 25x25cm (10x10in) ■ Webbing: two 65x4cm (26x15/8in) ■ Handle fabric: 30cm (12in) ■ 8 sets of antique double cap rivets ■ 90/14 sewing machine needle ■ Temporary fabric glue ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ The seam allowance is 5mm (¼in). ■ The fabrics used are from Someday by Minki Kim for Riley Blake Designs. www.rileyblakedesigns.com APPROX FINISHED SIZE 46x37x14cm (18x14½x5½in). CUTTING OUT Step one Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/downloads then print and cut them out.…

YOU WILL NEED To make a set of three pouches ■ Felt: 38x15cm (15x6in) and some small scraps for ears and mask ■ Black KAMsnaps or puffy paint for eyes ■ Zip: 13cm (5in) ■ Sewing machine zip foot ■ Small pom-pom, for the nose ■ Hot glue gun ■ Double-sided fusible tape ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit ■ Cording 5mm x 1.5m (¼inx1¾yd) for shoulder strap (optional) ■ Double-fold bias tape 8cm (3in) to attach shoulder strap (optional) NOTES ■ Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/downloads ■ Templates are provided for three animals: raccoon, bunny and fox. For these instructions, we have made the raccoon. CUTTING OUT Step one Choose your animal and cut out the corresponding templates. Step two From the felt cut out the following pattern…

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

FEMININE FORCE Frocks and frills go hand-in-hand, but when faced with a simple, elegant and timeless design – such as those in Papercut Patterns’ minimalist Geo pattern collection – we can’t help but fall just a teensy bit in love! With a nod to the satin skirt trend, go bigger and better with the dreamy Ravine Dress. This bias-cut dress features a high neck, plunging V-back and a waist tie for a feminine silhouette. See the collection at www.papercutpatterns.com MODERN CLASSIC Casual, comfy and made for curves, the Pembroke Dress and Tunic is the wardrobe essential we’ve been waiting for! With an oh-so-flattering shape, chic waist tie and modern split hem, this fashionable frock will soon be one of your most treasured memades. Find it at www.cashmerette.com GIRL…

Keeping your sewing stash full of exciting and new fabrics can be time-consuming - and costly! We’ve got a bumper bundle of designer fabrics worth over £500 to be won. Our friends over at Sewing Quarter have hand-picked this colourful collection (there’s hundreds of designs included!) in a variety of pre-cut sizes, from fat quarters to 10” charm packs, and they’ve even thrown in one of their limited edition pin badges. To be in with a chance of winning, enter at www.simplysewingmag.comand head over to www.sewingquarter.com to browse fabrics, haberdashery, patterns, sewing tools and more!…

CORK BOARDS These are memo boards, but not as you know them! Cover three cork mats in coordinating fabrics for pinning to-dos, shopping lists, notes and the kids' latest masterpieces – or just hang them as wall art and hide away the push pins! All it takes to make them is a little glueing and hand-sewing. COASTERS Putting our precious fabric scraps to good use is on our list of New Year's resolutions – starting with these cute coasters. We've used a few different prints for an eclectic, mismatched look. The best thing about making them? You'll be a pro at mitred corners after sewing up this simple set. CHAIR CUSHION Doesn't this cushion look oh-so inviting to sit on? It's made with a patchwork of plump filled sections for…

Replacing a broken zip can seem like a daunting task but it’s one that can easily be done at home. With a little guidance it is possible to achieve a neat, professional finish – and save money at the same time! There are many reasons a zip may need to be replaced. If the zip box (the piece into which the zip slider is placed so that the zip doesn’t unravel at the end) is missing or broken on an open-ended zip, the zip will need to be replaced. Other common reasons for needing to replace a zip is if the coil of the zip has unravelled or if there are missing or damaged teeth in the zip. It is important to work slowly when you are replacing a zip,…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: 1.5mx115cm (1¾ydx45in) (see notes) ■ Invisible zip: 36cm (14in) ■ Sewing machine zip foot ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Use a 1.5cm (5/8in) seam allowance unless otherwise stated. ■ You may need more fabric depending on your waist measurement and your desired skirt length. You may find it more economical to draft your pattern first and then purchase fabric based on the width and length of your pieces. ■ When measuring your waist, make sure you are breathing out so that you have ample ease in the skirt. ■ We have recommended a 36cm (14in) zip to accomodate a variety of heights and dress sizes. The zip needs to extend from your waist to your hip, so if this measurement…

I want to put my stamp on everything in our new home! I love seeing what other people do with their homes, so lately I've been following lots of interiors-focused accounts on Instagram. Instead of buying everything new, they've inspired me to upcycle our current furniture that's looking a bit tired. Annie Sloan (www.anniesloan.com)paint is my saviour for this. Hues of grey going everywhere! Adding textures to our home with crochet and textiles is something I want to do, too.…

“You can’t help but feel good vibes looking at this colourful embroidery! You could also use the same technique to stitch any phrase or name you like.” YOU WILL NEED ■ Jumper ■ Stranded cotton thread in bright colours ■ Embroidery needle NOTE ■ Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/downloads CUTTING OUT Step one Download and print the template or draw your own design onto a piece of paper in the sizing of your choosing. Step two Remove the outlines of the template with your scissors or a hobby knife. Step three Place the template onto the front of your jumper and keep it in place with a few pins. Step four Trace the design with tailor’s chalk or an erasable fabric marker. Step five Remove the pins and paper from…

HEADBAND YOU WILL NEED ■ Old T-shirt ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit MEASURING YOURSELF Step one Measure around your head where the headband will be positioned and make a note of this measurement. CUTTING OUT Step one Place the T-shirt on a flat surface and then cut out two rectangle pieces that are your head measurement in length and are 13cm (5½in) wide. Step two Fold one of the rectangle pieces in half lengthways, with the right sides (RS) facing. Step three Pin the raw edges together and then repeat these steps with the other rectangle piece. These are your headband pieces. SEWING THE HEADBAND Step one With your sewing machine, zigzag stitch along the pinned line. Carefully turn the fabric RS out. Step two Repeat with the…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Light/medium weight fabric suitable for home furnishing (see instructions for quantity) ■ Blind hem sewing machine presser foot ■ Tension rod to fit your window, 1.5cm (5/8in) or smaller diameter NOTE ■ Always test the iron setting on a small scrap to make sure that the fabric won’t burn, melt, or distort with heat. CAFÉ CURTAINS Café curtains are great for a little privacy in a breakfast nook or kitchen window. Use a fun kitschy print or a classic geometric pattern and get sewing! Café curtains also work well to cover open shelves and vanity openings when you want to hide a bit of clutter. ADDING A LINING To add a lining to your café curtain simply cut a piece of lining fabric in the same…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Linen fabric: 25x25cm (10x10in) ■ Quilting cotton: 22x8cm (9x3in) ■ Stranded cotton in floral colours (see notes) ■ Embroidery needle ■ Snap fastening ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance. ■ We used DMC stranded cotton in the following shades: Deep coral: 351. Yellow-orange: 722. Yellow: 744. Dark blue-green: 3849. Light blue-green: 598. ■ Download the templates at www.simplysewingmag/downloads WORKING CIRCLE STITCH Step one Make four small angled straight stitches, working them as if coming in from the corners of a square.01 Step two Bring the needle up through the fabric next to one of the angled stitches. Slide the needle under the next angled stitch, and then continue sliding the needle under each of the four stitches. Repeat this process,…

SIMPLE WAY Simple Way kits includes pre-cut to shape leathers, holes for sewing, thread with needle and instructions. So why don’t you make your own satchel! With our kits it’s easy. 10% off on your first order. Quote SSW18. email@sales@simpleway.co.uk • 01207 566 100 SUNNY BUNNY CRAFTS Sewing machine project kits for all abilities - bags, basket, zips and more. Each kit includes instructions, fabric and haberdashery. Use code SEW19 for a discount. sunnybunnycrafts.com • suzanne@sunnybunnycrafts.com LONDON CUSHIONS I run this little handmade business from my home in London where I hand block print, design, make, sew home furnishings, accessories and gifts. This sewing kit has everything a beginner would need to start sewing. londoncushions.co.uk • webshop@londoncushions.co.uk SEWMOTION Modern quilt, cushion & English paper-piecing kits including those…

"My favourite ever sewing project is my Ruffle Sleeved Kimono Dress. I made it about a year ago and it was one of my first ever attempts at doing a pattern hack. I was inspired to make it by a 2018 Stella McCartney runway look, and used the Kochi Kimono pattern by Papercut Patterns ( www.papercutpatterns.com ). It's the second time I've made this pattern – the first was in black linen – and for this version I chose the Leila A Liberty tana lawn from The Fabric Store ( www.thefabricstoreonline.com ). It's got a dark base and all the colours I love, so knew it would work with my black, red and yellow basics. I made several alterations to the original pattern – I adjusted…