Indholdsfortegnelse for 69 i Simply Sewing

Well that was another strange month, wasn’t it?! Hope you’re all staying healthy and are still able to find some comfort in the creative. In the spirit of staying connected, we’ve got a feature this month about sewing podcasts. They’re the perfect way to stay inspired and have some company at your sewing table. This issue we’re also bringing you the stylish Drape Dress. It’s modern, bold, and best of all – it has pockets! We’ve included our brand new Dressmaking Made Easy book, too. It’s the essential guide to all things sewing, from equipment and tools to your fabrics and haberdashery. Happy sewing! WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING #SIMPLYSEWINGMAG facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine twitter.com/simplysewing_ pinterest.com/simplysewingmag instagram.com/simplysewingmag…

SEWING BEE FEVER We are absolutely loving having these lovely people back on our screens (BBC One if you've missed it) – there's more sewers, challenges and drama then ever before! What more could we want, right? We're keeping up to date on all the latest episodes and Sewing Bee gossip on our social channels, join us and let us know what you think @simplysewingmag SHOP ONLINE WITH US Seen a Simply Sewing pattern you loved but missed out on the mag? Or maybe a friend loves one of your makes and is after the pattern for themselves. Did you know we have some of our favourite patterns available to download from our Etsy shop? www.simplysewingpatterns.etsy.com DRAPING 101 W Draping: The Complete Course by Karolyn Kiisel is a guide to…

The Drape Dress, designed by Claire-Louise Hardie (www.thethriftystitcher.co.uk) is an effortlessly stylish and comfortable midi dress. We love it for its pockets, of course, but also for its fit and versatility. Dress it up with heels and a blazer, or pair it with pumps for a more casual look. Share your finished makes using #simplysewingmag. YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric: Sizes A – E: 2mx150cm (2¼ydx60in) Sizes F – J: 2.25mx150cm (2½ydx60in) ■ Lightweight iron-on knit or bias interfacing: 35x75cm (14x30in) ■ 12/80 Stretch machine needle ■ Optional stretch twin needle for hemming (either a 4.0 or 2.5 width) ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ The dress can be sewn either with a zigzag/ lightening stitch on a sewing machine or with an overlocker SUGGESTED FABRICS ■ Double-knit jersey, Ponte…

I once took my knitting project to the cinema. Trouble is, I can’t knit without looking at my hands, nor in the dark, so had to abandon that plan despite being desperate to finish my project. For those of us who want to be entertained while we’re crafting (without the fear of dropping stitches or sewing seams up the wrong way), podcasts are the answer. We can remain engrossed in what our hands are doing while still able to enjoy a storyline or just listen to the audio adventures of fellow sewists. At the last count, there were over 850,000 podcasts producing over 30 million episodes, in over 100 languages. Some reports suggest that podcasts are on the verge of overtaking music downloads, and over half of the US population…

1 Always thread the machine with the presser foot raised – this opens the tension discs so that the thread can get into position between the discs. 2 Likewise the machine should be threaded with the needle in the upmost position. To raise the needle, turn the hand wheel towards you. 3 Use a new needle for every project – this will help to avoid skipped stitches and blunt needle tips. 4 Use the correct type of needle for every project, different needles will be needed depending on the fabric you are working with. 5 Take a moment to read your manual and get to know your machine’s accessories. You might find a small accessory can help you to achieve a smoother stitch. 6 Stitch a test seam before diving…

"Who doesn’t like a wacky 80s print and boxy shirt?! OK it’s probably not everyone’s cup of tea but as soon as I saw this Ruby Star Society fabric I knew it would make the most ‘me’ shirt I’ve ever owned! I love a baggy top, it means you can have that extra slice of cake and hide it too! I saw the Kalle Shirt (by Closet Case patterns) on Instagram and really wanted to challenge myself. It’s been ages since I sewed anything with a placket, collar, and buttonholes and I thought it would be a great garment to kick off my selfish sewing year. Although I’ve been sewing for as long as I can remember, I rarely make clothes for myself. But I’ve been feeling the pull of…

Can you believe it's been five years since we launched? And whilst I didn't imagine we'd be celebrating our birthday via home office (read: spare room) video calls, I'm still in the mood to rejoice because I'm so proud of what we've achieved. Not just my editorial team (who are continuing to help me produce this magazine in the middle of a global crisis), but also you – our lovely readers. Your loyalty and passion for sewing is what motivates us every day. Talking of community, have you joined our Great British Sewing Bee Fans page on Facebook? You can share your makes with over 32,000 members – it's fab!…

Babs is the founder of Botanical Inks, a natural dye studio based in Bristol. She is originally an illustrator and abstract painter and whilst studying print and surface design, specialising in textiles, she saw first-hand the level of waste and toxicity that went hand in hand with the fashion and textile industry. This was an uncomfortable experience for Babs and it initiated self-led research into global traditional artisan crafts based around natural colours and fibres. She spent time exploring silk dyeing with homegrown madder root in Northern Thailand, woodblock printing in the deserts of Rajasthan, and yarn darning with foraged wild plants in the high Andes. In 2013 she decided to develop a catalogue of colours from organic produce she was growing for a permaculture project. The simplicity and accessibility…

THE HAXBY SKIRT In these nine lessons you'll make the Haxby Skirt. It's godets galore with this skirt, the ultimate party piece for twirling in. www.sewoveritstitchschool.co.uk SEW YOUR DREAM SWIMSUIT Time to get friendly with that stretchy fabric you've been scared to introduce to your machine. Choose from a one-piece or two-piece for the supportive swimwear you've been searching for.sewingclasses. www.closetcasepatterns.com PATTERN HACKING FOR CURVES Make clothes that fit your curves perfectly. Learn 16 common upper body adjustments and 10 pattern hacking techniques for a wardrobe that fits like a dream. www.workshops.cashmerette.com…

POCKET-SIZED Practical pockets are built in to the front bib and trousers, with a free downloadable pattern available to add extra to the hips if you desire. THE PERFECT FIT Use a medium-weight stretch denim for an extra touch of comfort and fit. ON THE SIDE Side button openings make these easy to get on and off whilst retaining a fitted silhouette. MILA The Mila Dungarees from Tilly and the Buttons are stylish, practical, and great for all seasons – wear them over a cropped T-shirt in summer, or pair them with a bold roll-neck jumper to stay cosy in the colder months. A button closure on either side of the hip adds extra detail and keeps you secure, whilst a variety of pocket options adds extra practicality to this…

The Petit Citron Fun Collection is all about, well, fun! The playful designs are perfect for adventures as well as for bedtime and will help you make something completely unique that your little ones will love to wear. The fabrics are available in a rainbow of colours and feature beautiful patterns, and they're all made in soft cottons with comfort and movement in mind. For inspiration and to shop the range of fabrics, visit www.myfabrics.co.uk…

LETTER CUSHIONS Add a personal touch to a child's bedroom and get creative with their name, favourite word, or a special message spelled out in letter cushions. TIPI A tipi is an essential ingredient when it comes to sparking the imagination. Perfect for playtime, hideouts, sleepovers, and adventure picnics, this is sure to become the go-to den for all things fun! Even the grown-ups will want to play. PLAYMAT This floor mat is a generous size giving your little one plenty of room to explore. It's padded, too, keeping them comfy and safe. BACKPACK Make sure they're prepared for any adventure with an adorable backpack – just the right size for carrying their favourite wellies and travel snacks! FABRIC SKITTLES SET These colourful skittles will provide hours of safe entertainment!…

1 Thread Cult interviews with master craft people and creators in the home sewing, textile, and fashion communities (www.threadcult.com) 2 Love to Sew Helen and Caroline met online through their love of sewing, evident in these interview-based episodes (www.lovetosewpodcast.com) 3 Dressed: The History of Fashion Exploring the incredibly rich and complex history behind the clothes we wear (www.iheart.com/podcast/ 105-dressed-the-history-of-fas-29000690/) 4 Creative Pep-Talk Designed to help you make a good living, making great art (www.creativepeptalk.com) 5 50 Things That Made the Modern Economy A BBC history podcast. Listen to the episode about the sewing machine (www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/ w3csz2x8) 6 Without Fail In particular the ‘How a Stay at Home Mom Built an Empire’ episode about Jenny from Missouri Star Quilt Company who transformed her town (www.gimletmedia.com/shows/ without-fail) 7 Seamwork Radio Stories about…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Linen fabric: 22x22cm (9x9in) ■ Quilting cotton: 22x22cm (9x9in) ■ Wadding: 22x22cm (9x9in) ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Download the stitch template from www.gathered.how/ss-templates ■ Seam allowance is 1cm (3/8in) unless otherwise stated CROSS-STITCH Step one This stitch is just like counted cross-stitch, but you can work it on any fabric. Come up at the bottom left of where the X will go. Go back down at the top right.01 Step two Come up at the bottom right of the X and go back down at the top left. As you make rows of cross-stitches, you may need to change where to bring the needle up so it doesn't come through the same hole as the last stitch. If this happens, always…

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.…

ANNA BRUCE Anna is an experienced creative pattern cutter and production technologist who has worked across men’s tailoring, womenswear, and childrenswear. She is the founder of Madeit Patterns, which she now co-owns with Olu. Read their profile on page 62. OLU FALOLA Olu is the other half of the Madeit Patterns team, and as a graphic designer she takes care of the brand. Olu took up sewing when she decided to make all of her daughters’ clothes for a year, and she hasn’t stopped since. Find out more on page 62. ROSIE MARTIN After almost 20 years of sewing for herself, Rosie is now enjoying it more than ever. As well as designing her own prints, she’s sewing more honestly and practically than ever before. Read about her wardrobe ‘cake’…

PHOEBE FLOUNCE BLOUSE, PATTERN UNION We love this flounce blouse and the pattern is so versatile. Make a flounce dress or jumpsuit, or pair the blouse with the Phoebe Maxi or  Pockets to give the impression of a one- piece. The blouse can also be made without the ruffles . Available in sizes 6–20 with two body lengths and cup options. www. patternunion.com.au TPC5 FRILLED HEM TOP, TREND PATTERNS This top is part of Trend Pattern's basics range, but the statement frill panels make it a real stand-out piece. Go bolder with a contrast colour or design for the frills. Made and modelled here by @susanyoungsewing. Available in sizes 6–16 from www.trendpatterns.co.uk APRIL WOVEN TOP, DG PATTERNS This gorgeous A-line sleeveless top is perfect for summer. The flounce side details…

HANDY POCKET GUIDE: SASHIKO Sylvia Pippen (£6.99, C&T Publishing) Get up to scratch on the basics of sashiko with this mini book. Packed with guidance on the necessary supplies, how to mark the designs, and stitching techniques, this is the ultimate resource for anyone with a budding interest in the decorative stitching. You can learn how to create your own sashiko design or you can choose from 27 motifs to follow. DEBBIE SHORE'S SEWING ROOM SECRETS: QUILTING Debbie Shore (£9.99, Search Press) Debbie's back and this time she's sharing everything you need to know about quilting. The book is perfect for beginners or the more experienced quilter looking to brush up on their skills. Debbie covers the essential tools you need, the correct fabrics to choose, techniques and after-care advice,…

1 PRE-WASH YOUR FABRIC It's always wise to pre-wash your fabric before you start working with it, but when sewing with denim it's even more important than usual. Denim is particularly prone to shrinkage and often saturated in dye, plus it can feel stiff when first woven – washing it will not only soften the fibres up slightly but should remove excess colour, too. 2 PICK YOUR PATTERN WISELY Not all denims are alike, and whilst the obvious choice for this usually hard-wearing fabric is jeans, shorts, and jackets, lighter versions can also be used to create shirts, dresses, and other less-structured garments. Examine your fabric and find a pattern to match it well. 3 TAKE NOTICE OF GRAINLINES As a structured, woven fabric, it's particularly important that you take…

I'm being really honest about what I find comfortable and what will work in my environment At the moment I'm in quite a strong place with my sewing. More than ever before I’ve got a handle on what will work for me in terms of fabric, garment, and colour palette. It’s taken me a really long time to get to this point! I’ve been sewing clothes for myself for about twenty years, and for a lot of that time I’ve probably sewn for a fantasy world or a fantasy me, which has resulted in all sorts of wild creations that often go unworn. Recently I’ve been able to root my sewing more in practicality. I’m being really honest about what I find comfortable and what will work in my environment…

Feel inspired by our safari-themed kids room on page 32? Then you'll love this sleepy lion pinafore from Kirsty Hartley at Wild Things Dresses. Her designs are bright, bold, and so much fun! Wild Things make dresses, dungarees, jackets, and coats that are perfect for playtime, whether they want to dress as a fox, a unicorn, a shark, a mouse, or even a dragon! And for those who want a bit of extra magic, there's some amazing personalised rainbow capes and masks, too. www.wildthingsdresses.com…

PATTERNLESS SKIRT YOU WILL NEED ■ Jersey: 12cm (4¾in) x waist measurement *see instrcutions ■ Elastic: 3cm (1¼in) width x waist measurement *see instructions ■ Lining fabric: 1.5mx150cm (1¾ydx55in), satin or cotton ■ Polka dot tulle: 2m (2¼yd) *see notes ■ Fabric clips ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm (3/8in) ■ You will need more fabric for a skirt larger than a UK size 16 ■ The width of tulle varies greatly, the tulle will be sewn into layers to create volume. Purchase the largest width possible – this will reduce the number of seams you will need to sew to create each panel. Ours is 137cm (54in) width MATERIALS USED Tulle from www.eurotulle.co.ukSatin lining, jersey fabric and elastic from Stoff and Stil, www.stoffstil.co.uk MAKING THE…

In the workshop Simply Sewing’s Technical Editor Roisin opens up her sewing machine to explain the threading process and how each stage is crucial. Wonky stitches and thread nests are a sewist's worst nightmare and can be caused by a range of issues from incorrect threading to bent needles. Here we share essential tips for threading and getting your machine’s tension right. Let’s take a look at the essential parts of the machine that play a role in correct threading. SELECTING THREAD The type of thread you are using will affect the tension settings you will need to select. All-purpose and polyester threads tend to be the most commonly used threads as they are strong, easy to work with, and come in a variety of colours. If you are attempting…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: 1.6mx70cm (1¾ydx28in) ■ Fat quarters of contrast colours *see notes ■ Bondaweb: 1.6mx90cm (1¾ydx36in) ■ Large square pillow: 65x65cm (25½x25½in) ■ Water erasable fabric marker ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm (3/8in) unless otherwise stated MATERIALS USED ■ We used corduroy in a mid-brown for our background (main) fabric. ■ *We used fat quarters in yellow, maroon, orange, and pink for the appliqué details. Ensure your appliqué fabrics are washable. ■ Bondaweb by Vlieseline available at Lady Sew and Sew www.ladysewandsew.co.uk ■ Pillow is IKEA Hampdan CUTTING OUT Step one From the main fabric cut: Cushion Front: 86x65cm (337/8x255/8in) Cushion Back: 66x65cm (26x255/8in) On both the Cushion Front and Cushion Back, fold over one 65cm edge by…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Outer fabric: fat quarter x1 ■ Felt: 14x8cm (5½x31/8in) ■ Medium-weight interfacing: 18.5x11cm (7½x4½in) ■ Elastic: 5cm x 7mm wide (2x¼in) ■ Fabric pens to match the fabric (optional) ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Fat quarter = 18x22in (45x56cm) ■ Seam allowance is 5mm (¼in) unless otherwise stated ■ We used fabric markers to decorate plain elastic in the same pattern as our outer fabric CUTTING OUT Step one From the main fabric cut: Case Outer: 18.5x11cm (73/8x43/8in) Case Inner: two 10x11cm (4x43/8in) Pocket: 18.5x8cm (73/8x31/8in) Step two From the felt cut: Needle Book: 14x8cm (5½x31/8in) Step three From the interfacing cut: Case Interfacing: 17.5x10cm (67/8x4in) 01 MAKING THE CASE Step one Sew the Case Interfacing to the wrong side (WS) of…

SEAM RIPPER This sharp blade cuts through and unpicks stitches. 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. 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…

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…

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…