Indholdsfortegnelse for 87 i Simply Sewing

Our sewjo is ramping up here at Simply Sewing as we get started on a handmade Christmas! We’re sharing heaps of fab ideas for decorations in our Christmas Makes booklet, and from page 69 onwards in the mag you’ll find gift inspiration for every family member – including the furry four-legged ones! As well as making for others, you can treat yourself to a little wardrobe update too with the gorgeous Imogen Dress and the party-ready Anderson Blouse from Sew Over It. Rest up in between projects with some great reads, including an interview with US sewing royalty Mimi G and Brittany Jones! WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING #SIMPLYSEWINGMAG facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine twitter.com/simplysewing_ pinterest.com/simplysewingmag instagram.com/simplysewingmag…

TEXTURES OF LIFE We've seen some impressive uses of fabric scraps before, but Onome Otite’s incredible artworks are just stunning! Onome’s beautiful collages are made from recycled off-cuts and are all about celebrating women and culture, with inspiration taken from her Nigerian heritage. See more at @onomeotite, or catch her in person at this year’s Knitting and Stitching show. FRILLS AND SPILLS Feeling flouncy? Ruffle things up with the Anok dress! It's up to you how floaty you want it – stick to simple clean lines or add ruffle, butterfly or snail sleeves cut in spirals to float down the dress front or side seams. Find out more at kosedo.studio/collections. CRAFTY COUNTDOWN An Advent calendar for dressmakers you say? Count us in! The Hemline Advent calendar for 2021 is a…

Q It’s my dream to create an entirely handmade wardrobe. What are your essential patterns to get me started? A One of my sewing mantras is “You can’t go wrong with a capsule wardrobe”. A capsule wardrobe is five or six items that all work together and you can mix and match with new items and accessories as the seasons change. Of course, by making it yourself you are not limited to the colours and styles of a ready-made collection. I would always start off with a shirt, a pair of tailored trousers, a skirt, a jacket, a dress and add to it from there. You want these pieces to all complement each other so you can mix and match them, creating different looks from a basic wardrobe Colourwise, I…

LENOX DRESS Formerly known as the Montgomery, this gorgeous shirt dress from Cashmerette features a flattering V-neck button placket, short cap sleeves and two styles of skirt, as well as a fully faced waistband and smooth princess seams. This curve-friendly frock has been created specifically for use with floaty fabrics such as double gauze. cashmerette.com PATTERN INSPIRATION Make the most of double gauze’s soft, drapey nature with these gorgeous sewing pattern designs 1 M8223 TROUSERS These wide-leg godet palazzo pants from McCall’s are designed to be made from soft, fine fabrics such as double gauze and crepe and can be finished in three different ways. The wide fit paired with gauze will make these super comfy to wear! sewdirect.com 2 AGNES PYJAMAS With the long nights drawing in, we’re big…

Name: Manju Nittala Instagram: @sewmanju Website: sewmanju.com Pattern: Hannah Dress, By Hand London (byhandlondon.com) Fabric: Chestnut dobby viscose, Atelier Brunette (atelierbrunette.com) I was inspired to make the Hannah dress from By Hand London as I’m partial to a wrap bodice. I love how it creates that V-neck which lengthens the neck and draws the eye to the décolletage. I liked the look of the different sleeve options and the option to sew this dress up as a top as well. Plus, this pattern gets bonus points for offering up to UK size 34 with two different cup options. FABULOUS FABRICS I like to work with natural, breathable fabrics whenever possible. I also think that for a woven wrap dress like this, using a soft fabric with drape is best to…

PSST: Turn the page for fabric and styling inspiration. Share your Anderson Blouse with us using #simplysewingmag. The Anderson Blouse from Sew Over It instantly elevates any outfit. Wear it tucked into your favourite skinny jeans or pencil skirt for an office or party look, or wear it with some wide-fit culottes for a laid-back and comfy style that still looks considered. This pattern comes just in time for those Christmas parties that we so missed last year; grab a gorgeous satin or soft rayon for a glamorous top that you’ll look and feel amazing in. Take a look at #SOIAndersonBlouse on Instagram for inspiration before you get making! YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric: Sizes 8–12: 2.7mx115cm Sizes 14–20: 3mx115cm Sizes 8–12: 1.7mx140cm Sizes 14–20: 2.2mx140cm ■ A length of…

I take inspiration from the catwalk, high street and the sewing community. I am often thinking of how to recreate the designs I admire. I've always loved designs by Hussein Chalayan and Issey miyake in particular. Innovation in fashion and trends is really important to meas I prefer looking to the Future rather than the past.…

1 Have an idea of what you want to make before going shopping, especially if you are new to sewing. 2 Always buy at least three yards [2.7m]. You can make a ton of garments from three yards so if you’re not sure what you are making, it’s a safe number. 3 If you are new to shopping online, pay attention to your favourite garments and what the fabric content is. This will help you know what your online purchase may feel like if it is similar in content to what you already have and love. 4 Ask for swatches; this is a great way to know the exact colour and feel of the fabric you are ordering. 5 Ask questions. It’s OK not to know what fabric will work…

YOU WILL NEED Light- to mid-weight knit fabric such as jersey or ITY (interlock twist yarn), with at least 25% stretch: ■ Size 16–20: 1.6m x 115cm, 1.5m x 140cm ■ Size 22–28: 2.4m x 115cm, 1.6m x 140cm ■ Size 30–36: 3.1m x 115cm, 1.8m x 140cm ■ Ballpoint or jersey needle ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Download the pattern from gathered.how/ss-templates. ■ Perfect your casual sporty look with a well-fitting Stanway T-shirt! This fitted T-shirt has raglan shoulders and a classic T-shirt neckband. CUTTING OUT Step one From your knit fabric cut: Front (1 A/B/C): one on fold Sleeve (2): one pair Back (3): one on fold Neckband (4): one on fold PREPARATION For your toile, you can skip the hemming steps – just…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Non-stretch corduroy for the outer: 2m ■ Canvas or similar for lining: 1m ■ Polyester toy stuffing: 3x 1,000g bags ■ Strong thread ■ Large sewing needle ■ Wide coordinating bias binding ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 5mm unless otherwise stated. ■ Download the templates from gathered.how/ss-templates. ■ *If your dog is likely to chew a button off it’s best to just use thread to finish the cushion. RECOMMENDED FABRICS ■ Corduroy, denim, canvas and linen FABRICS USED ■ Corduroy 8 Wales in Rouge and Cotton Canvas in Black by Selfmade, selfmade.com ■ Decowattet toy stuffing by Vlieseline, vlieseline.com CUTTING OUT Step one From the outer fabric cut: Inner and Outer Front Panels (A): two Inner and Outer Side…

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.…

The nights are drawing in and there’s nothing I love more than settling down to some Christmas sewing with a mug of hot chocolate! Turn to page 28 for Anna Alicia’s festive dining table ideas, find our Christmas gift guide on page 69, and discover 20 feel-good makes for a holly jolly Christmas in our bumper project book. If you’d rather a Christmas gift for yourself, try Debbie Wainhouse’s boxed base tote on page 54, or whip up the ultimate Christmas party dress with our Imogen Dress pattern. As always, share your makes with us @simplysewingmag.…

Whether you’re ready to take a class in person or want to learn from the comfort of your home, there are so many out there. STITCH SISTERS: GUIDE TO DRESSMAKING CLASS Take the plunge and learn dressmaking skills step-by-step with this handy interactive online course that uses video clips to guide you along the way. In their new class, Nikki and Rachel present the videos and aim to ‘virtually’ hold your hand throughout the process. Read more at thestitchsisters.co.uk. SEWCIAL CIRCLE ONLINE COURSES Learn to sew with the crafty gang at The Sewcial Circle. Each course is 1.5 hours long, split into shorter modules so you can follow along at home using the materials you can order from the site. Check out the variety of courses on offer at thesewcialcircle.com…

Fill a gap in your wardrobe with the Imogen Dress, a throw-on-and-go piece that’ll instantly make you feel put together for festive events! YOU WILL NEED Fabric: Dress A: 2.8mx140cm (all sizes) Dress B: 2.4mx140cm (all sizes) Dress C: 3.2mx110cm (all sizes) Lightweight iron-on interfacing: 20x90cm Zip: 56cm Narrow elastic (dresses B and C only): 1m Matching thread Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1.5cm. ■ Please note that dresses A and B can only be made from 140cm wide fabric due to the width of the frill. FINISHED LENGTH ■ Dresses A and C: approximately 119cm ■ Dress B: approximately 107cm RECOMMENDED FABRICS ■ Soft drapey fabrics such as viscose, fine soft cottons and silk. FABRICS USED ■ Black lurex viscose with soft flower print by Atelier…

1 WHAT IS DOUBLE GAUZE Before we begin to discuss the best ways to cut and sew double gauze, we need to know what it actually is. Double gauze is a lightweight, loosely woven cotton fabric with a natural texture and a wonderfully soft handle. It’s so called because it’s actually made from two thin layers of cotton, held together by a series of tiny stitches. 2 PICK YOUR PROJECT As with most fabrics, it’s a good idea to really think about the properties the material holds when choosing a pattern to use it with. Double gauze is lightweight, soft and drapey – so it’s perfect for loose-fitting garments and those that don’t need much structure. Due to its double (yet breathable) layers, the fabric actually works well both in…

1 Choose a luxe fabric in a statement print such as this Posie Chestnut dobby viscose fabric to give your dress a glamorous evening look. (atelierbrunette.com) 2 For a summery take on the style, try a lightweight linen like this Atelier Brunette Cactus linen fabric. (atelierbrunette.com) 3 Use a soft viscose with plenty of drape and a delicate repeat pattern, such as this Palmetto Night fabric, for a versatile dress for autumn. (atelierbrunette.com)…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Light to medium-weight woven fabric: 2mx140cm ■ Lightweight iron-on interfacing ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ The specific measurements given will give a finished garment that will fit a UK 10–12. For larger and smaller sizes simply increase/decrease the width of your front and back pieces. FABRICS USED ■ Oasis Night viscose by Atelier Brunette, atelierbrunette.com CUTTING OUT Step one From the main fabric cut: Dress: two 55x70cm Sleeve: two 50x40cm The interfacing pieces will be cut as we work on the neckline, so don’t worry about those for now. MAKING THE DRESS Step one With both Dress pieces right sides (RS) together and folded along the warp/grainline, cut out a 2.5cm deep and 12cm wide shallow neckline through all layers, from the…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Medium- to heavyweight cotton canvas fabric: 50cm, main body ■ Heavyweight plain canvas fabric: 33x46cm, bag base ■ Fabric for lining: 50cm, we used ripstop fabric which is water resistant ■ Webbing, 40mm: 3m ■ Swivel clips, 40mm: x2 ■ D-rings, 40mm: x2 ■ Sewing clips ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm unless otherwise stated. FABRICS USED ■ Main: Winter Rose Black canvas by See You at Six from Lamazi Fabrics, lamazifabrics.com. ■ Lining: ripstop from Minerva, minerva.com. ■ Webbing: Dark Persimmon by See You at Six from The Village Haberdashery, thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk. CUTTING OUT Step one From the main fabric cut: Outer: two 33x46cm Pockets: two 16x18cm Step two From the canvas fabric cut: Bag Base: 33x46cm Step three…

When it comes to creative (and very cool) couples, Mimi and her husband Norris Dánta Ford (norrisdantaford.com) are a force to be reckoned with! Norris is the super-stylish founder of Dope Men Sew, an inspiring Instagram page (@dopemen sewofficial) and Facebook group to support menswear makers. “It’s no secret that there has been a lack of resources for men who sew,” explains Mimi, “and when Norris first started learning he would ask me why there weren’t as many pattern releases for menswear as there were for women. He was curious why there wasn’t the same support for him that there was for me, so we talked about how he could change that. Starting #dopemensew has been incredible!” With over 5,600 hashtags and growing, it looks like Norris is onto something…

“I REALISED THAT ACTIVISM DIDN'T HAVE TO BE LOUD AND DIVISIVE, IT COULD BE GENTLE." You’ll find them in your local park – a flock of yellow-cladded crafters, some resplendent in handmade fabric feather capes, some with masks fashioned into decorative beaks, all gathered to make gifts for their Member of Parliament to encourage faster, more ambitious action on climate change. The brainchild of Sarah Corbett, founder of the Craftivist Collective, this colourful scene is designed to pique your interest and start important conversations. The #CanaryCraftivists campaign is building momentum in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Conference (named COP26), which will take place in Glasgow in November, hosted by the UK Government for world leaders to come together to tackle the climate crisis. This project, created for…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Medium-weight woven fabric: 1.5–2m x 150cm wide ■ Contrasting fabric for the waistband lining: 10–20cm ■ Scrap of interfacing (optional) ■ Twill tape, 1cm wide: 2–2.5m RECOMMENDED FABRICS ■ We’ve used a linen and cotton mix. A soft needlecord would work well. NOTES ■ Seam allowances are 1.5cm. ■ Download the templates from gathered/how/ss-templates. CUTTING OUT Step one From the main fabric cut: Front (A): one pair Back (B): one pair Waistband Outer (C): one on fold Pocket (D): four Step two From the contrasting fabric cut: Waistband Lining (C): one on fold PREPARATION Step one Cut out the pattern pieces and transfer the pattern markings to your fabric. Step two If you are going to use a drawstring, apply a small square of interfacing to…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Linen fabric: 15x20cm ■ Quilting cotton: 5x18cm ■ Lightweight iron-on interfacing: 15x20cm ■ Stranded cotton in coordinating shades ■ Metal eyelet: one ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm. DOUBLE HERRINGBONE STITCH Step one Work this stitch on two horizontal lines. Come up on the bottom line. On the top line, dip your needle down through the fabric and then back up, working from right to left. Next, do the same thing on the bottom line. Working from right to left causes the angled stitches to make a criss-cross design. Go back down through the fabric at the end of the line. This is a row of single herringbone stitch.01 Step two To form double herringbone stitch, repeat step one.…

HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF ACCURATELY BACK WAIST LENGTH From the top of your spine at the base of your neck to your natural waist BUST Around the fullest part of your bust HIPS Around the fullest and widest part of your thighs and bottom HEIGHT Stand against a wall, barefoot, then measure from the top of your head to the floor HIGH BUST/CHEST Across the back, under your arms and above the bust WAIST Your natural waistline, around the slimmest part of your waist 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…

Use these basic hand stitches to complete your home and dressmaking projects. 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…

SEW OVER IT Get ready to sew the ultimate chic wardrobe addition with the Anderson Blouse from Sew Over It! This is a gorgeous, drapey wrap top that you’ll feel amazing in, and with no darts involved it’s a simple sew, too. Find styling tips on page 44. MANDI BHARIJ The sound of a whirring sewing machine was a constant for Mandi as a child, so it’s no wonder she spent her career working in fashion. Now, she designs and creates patterns for her company, Make with Mandi. Read all about her journey on page 52. MANJU NITTALA Manju describes sewing as both her addiction and therapy, and she shares her eclectic mix of makes on her blog, SewManju. This month, she’s reviewing By Hand London’s Hannah dress for us…

Wrap tops For sheer versatility it’s a wrap, says Production Editor Emily Freer HANNAH TOP, BY HAND LONDON Keep things easy and breezy with the Hannah top, one of the many variations available within the Hannah dress pattern. Short, bishop or tulip sleeves – the choice is yours! Available in UK sizes 6–34, byhandlondon.com. ADELINE WRAP TOP, FORGET-ME-NOT PATTERNS Dress up weekend jeans in an instant with the oh-so-chic Adeline top. Made for woven fabrics, you can add a little structure with a shawl collar if you wish. The final effect all comes down to your fabric choice. Available in sizes 28–48, forgetmenotpatterns.com. ROMY WRAP TOP, PATTERN SCOUT STUDIO Simple and understated, this peplum blouse features beautiful pleat details, three-quarter sleeves and elegant button closures. It’s a great option if…

AHEAD OF THE CURVE Jenny Rushmore (£26, Quadrille Publishing) Cashmerette are pioneers when it comes to plus-size patterns. Here founder Jenny Rushmore presents five full-size patterns in UK sizes 16–36; a pair of trousers, a T-shirt, a sleeveless top and two dresses. Learn how to make sure they fit your shape perfectly, giving you the skills you need to custom fit your entire wardrobe. Turn to page 63 to find an exclusive pattern from the book! THE MENDING DIRECTORY Erin Eggenburg (£15.99, Search Press) Get nifty with your needle to revamp your old, worn out clothes with a stylish touch. Erin Eggenburg is a leader in the trend for ‘visible mending’, where decorative stitching adds beauty to a garment while repairing it. With over 50 hand-stitched mending patterns to try,…

BONUSPATTERN DOWNLOAD! Download your bonus pattern at gathered.how/sewing-downloads…

TABLE RUNNER A table runner makes a great centrepiece at Christmas. As well as protecting your table from spills and hot dishes, this simple make is an easy way of keeping your table looking styled and festive in-between mealtimes. Choose a contrast backing so you can turn it over for two totally different looks. NAPKINS It really is the small details that make get-togethers so special, and going to the effort of sewing handmade napkins is something everyone will appreciate. They’re a far more eco-friendly option than disposable ones, too. Simply pop them in the wash after your meal and use again and again. SCENTED TREES Christmas really is a full sensory experience! As well as the decorations, the parties and the music, scents like cinnamon are a strong sign…

The Maria Dress (SimplySewingPatterns. etsy.com) This glamorous wrap dress comes in midi and maxi lengths for a stylish make, whatever the occasion. Find it in our Etsy shop! Wildwood Dress (sewhouse7.com) With a detachable wide belt and shawl collar, the Wildwood offers a contemporary take on the classic wrap. Make in linen or fabrics that drape well. Alcott Dress (cashmerette.com) This fixed wrap dress comes in two lengths and has two skirt styles, as well as offering two sleeve lengths for maximum pattern versatility!…

There was always the sound of an industrial sewing machine whirring in the background when I was a child. My mum was a machinist, alternating between working in factories or sewing piece work at home. Unlike here, in the Punjab India, where my mum grew up, sewing was something girls had to learn at school. I think that’s why I took the knowledge mum has for granted – it was something I thought all mums did and not a special skill. Evenings at home were spent with my sisters and parents in front of the TV watching epic Bollywood films and embroidering and embellishing little squares of fabric. I could never sit still and watch those long films, so I would switch between sewing, drawing, creating patterns and designing. When…

“WHEN YOU CAN SEE SOMEONE THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS, IT'S EMPOWERING” “IT'S NOT ABOUT PERFECTION, IT'S ABOUT THE PROCESS I LEARN EVERY DAY AND THAT'S EXCITING TO ME!” Mimi G, the hugely successful founder of groundbreaking US sewing website Mimi G Style (mimigstyle. com) and online sewing school Sew It Academy (sew-it-academy. thinkific.com), might be one of the biggest names in American sewing circles, but that hasn’t stopped her from going back to the fundamentals of fabric with her latest venture. Teaming up with renowned sewing blogger and YouTuber Brittany Jones, the pair decided to move away from the digital sphere and do something completely different when they founded their bricks and mortar fabric business, Melanated Fabrics, in Atlanta, Georgia, in October 2020. The beautiful store has…

Get started on those handmade gifts with our Christmas Makes booklet included with your magazine this month. Packed with 20 project ideas to inspire, you’ll be well on your way to a me-made Christmas filled with presents everyone will love and gorgeous decorations that you’ll bring out year after year. Sew an Advent calendar to hold tasty treats, a Christmas tree skirt to tie in with your scheme, these sparkly tree decorations from Christine Leech, and take some time out with a mindful Merry and Bright embroidery hoop.…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Canvas: 50x140cm, for the outer ■ Lining fabric: 50x140cm, to coordinate with the outer canvas ■ Vlieseline Style-vil foam interfacing: 1mx75cm ■ Elastic, 5mm wide: 71cm, for the inner pockets ■ Zip: 71cm (see notes) ■ Webbing: 23cm, for the top handle ■ Faux leather: 23x23cm, to trim the handle and the zip pulls ■ Fray stopper ■ Fabric glue ■ Matching thread NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 5mm. ■ Please read all instructions through and assemble all items before beginning the pattern. ■ We used a continuous metal zip with two zip pulls put on back to back, but you could also use two regular zips. The zip should be 71cm long overall. ■ Download templates from gathered.how/ss-templates. ■ Fabrics used: Canvas Camouflage and Plain…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Cotton fabric for main: 112x50cm ■ Cotton fabric for lining: 112x50cm ■ Plain cotton for inside panel lining: 40x25cm ■ Medium-weight iron-on interfacing: 112x50cm ■ Wadding, 5mm: 112x50cm ■ Elastic, 1cm wide: 36cm ■ Velcro, 2cm wide: 10cm ■ Binding: 220x4cm ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm unless otherwise stated. FABRICS USED ■ Dashwood Studio Habitat in Multi and Yellow, dashwoodstudio.com ■ G700 interfacing Vlieseline, vlieseline.com CUTTING OUT Step one From the main fabric cut: Outside Panels: two 36x27cm (If not directional prints, cut one 36x52cm) Inside Panel: 36x24cm Multi-Pocket Panel: 42x15cm Handles: two 30x6cm Step two From the lining fabric cut: Main Lining: 36x52cm Outer Pocket: 20x30cm Inner Pocket: 20x30cm Velcro Flap: 16x7cm Step three From the iron-on…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Yellow cotton fabric: 30x40cm ■ Embroidery hoop: 7in ■ Dark yellow stranded cotton ■ Toy stuffing ■ A small bead, button, sequin or similar for the canary’s eye ■ Card ■ Multi-purpose glue ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Templates include seam allowance. ■ Use three strands of cotton. ■ Download the templates from gathered.how/ss-templates. PREPARATION Step one Trace all of the bird sections, including the embroidery designs, onto your yellow fabric. Step two With the fabric in the hoop, whipped backstitch the linear elements of the design, apart from the dots which should be stitched with French Knots. Cut out all pieces. CUTTING OUT Step one From the card cut: Upper Wing: two using the wing template Lower Wing: two using the wing template Tail:…

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…

I’ve always loved to dress in colour and sewing my own clothes has led me to become even more adventurous and embrace a fun and exciting style for myself. I’m very inspired to sew by choosing beautiful fabrics; so many of my me-made garments are fun printed dresses and bold colour-blocked separates with fun shapes – big sleeves and voluminous tiers. It’s unexpected then that my favourite garment is a utilitarian boilersuit, although I had to make it in my favourite colour – purple! I reach for this dark mauve cotton twill boilersuit all the time because it works for so many occasions depending on how you style it. It can be dressed up with boots and accessories for a meeting; it’s great with my bright mustard wool coat and…