Innehållsförteckning för Spring 2023 från Sew News

MEET THE MAKER Helen Mends started at farmers markets in Toronto in 2018, mending textiles and making replacements for disposable items from upcycled materials. Since that time we have kept more than 3,800 damaged items out of landfills. Helen Mends makes products like makeup wipes, produce and tote bags, coffee filters, menstrual pads and pantiliners, cutlery kits, breastfeeding pads, hankies, and seasonal items—all using discarded materials. We are always looking for ways to become more eco-friendly. In 2019 we started using a solar-powered battery for power at outdoor events. During the 2020 pandemic, Helen and her mother, Cookie, pivoted to making masks. Helen works with The ROSE Project (www.roseproject.ca) and together, Helen and Cookie have made over 3,000 masks. Helen is now living in Montreal. She does local mending and…

MEN WHO SEW I am Michael Gardner, a proud father, self-taught sewist, life-long crafter, and DIY enthusiast. Also known as “Ava's Dad.” I can usually be found exercising my creative abilities. I began my sewing journey in 2014. I wanted a way to bond with my daughter while looking for a new creative challenge, and I created Daddy Dressed Me by Michael Gardner. My mission is to help Ava build her self-esteem and establish confidence in herself and her abilities. I sew the clothes, and Ava models. Sew News: Who has been influential in your sewing journey? Michael: Ava has been very influential in my sewing journey. While I create, she checks in on me, provides ideas and encouragement, and brings life to my designs. I call her my muse!…

arc Thrift Stores are a Colorado-based thrift store chain. They have 32 store locations and 15 donation sites across the state. arc Thrift Stores' mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They have developed several programs to achieve this goal. I chatted with Maggie Scivicque, arc's Vice President of Marketing, to get more information about these incredible programs, the lives they impact, and the role thrifters, DIYers, sewists, and resellers play in all of it. MEET MAGGIE AND ARC THRIFT STORES Officially, Maggie is arc's VP of Marketing. However, the role she loves most is heading the Corporate Social Responsibility department. This is by far her favorite part of her job! arc Thrift Stores joined forces with other non-profit organizations in the state of…

SUPPLIES Supplies listed are enough to make one pillow cover. • ½ yard of 60” wide medium— or heavyweight 100% cotton canvas • 1 yard of black pom-pom trim • 14” × 27” pillow form • Black screen-printing ink (see “Source”) • Paintbrush • Off-white all-purpose thread & embroidery floss • Pressing cloth • Open-toe embroidery or couching foot (optional) tip Search local secondhand stores for a pillow to use as the project pillow form. PREPARE From the canvas, cut one 15” × 28” rectangle for the front panel and two 15” X 16” rectangles for the back panels. From the pom-pom trim, cut two 15” lengths. PAINT Cover the flat work surface with cardboard or plastic sheeting. Position the front panel right side up on the work surface. Using…

SUPPLIES Supplies listed are enough to make one pair of earrings. • 12” square of mediumweight 100% cotton canvas • Acrylic paint (amount & colors as desired) • Paintbrush • Fabric stiffener • Jewelry pliers • Two fishhook earring wires • Two 4 mm & 7 mm diameter jump rings • Approximately 2 mm seed beads (amount according to earring size) • Cutting machine (see “Source”) or rotary cutting system • Awl • Hand sewing needle tip Find jewelry making supplies online or at local craft stores. Download the Blank Canvas Earrings pattern and cutting-machine file from www.sewdaily.com/go/SNfreebies for free until April 30, 2023. PREPARE Position the canvas square right side up on a flat work surface. Paint random shapes, lines, and patterns onto the canvas using different colored acrylic…

SUPPLIES • Basic set-in sleeve top pattern for woven fabrics (such as the Penrose Peasant Blouse pattern; see “Sources”) • Lightweight woven fabric (amount according to pattern measurements) • Coordinating thread • Elastic thread for shirring • Pattern or tracing paper ALTER Trace a copy of the bodice front top and bottom, back, and sleeve pattern pieces. On the front bottom piece, remove 3” from the width. Cut the pattern down the center and overlap by IV2” (1). Position the front and back pattern on a flat work surface. Tape a piece of tracing paper along the bottom hem of both pieces and extending down. Add 5” in length to both patterns to create a tunic. Position the sleeve pattern on a flat work surface. Mark a vertical line on…

SUPPLIES • Basic fitted dress with waistline seam (such as McCall's 7047) • Lightweight stretch double-knit fabric, interfacing & notions (amount according to pattern envelope plus ½ yard) • All-purpose thread • Pattern or tracing paper • Straight ruler • Clear tape • Fabric pens or pencils in different colors PREPARE Cut out the pattern pieces. Before beginning the alterations, pin-fit or make a muslin fitting sample of the selected pattern. Make any necessary fit adjustments to the pattern, and then trace a copy onto paper, transferring all markings. ALTER Trace the front-bodice pattern onto new paper, and then flip it along the center-front line; trace to create a full front pattern. Mark the seam allowances on the pattern. Repeat to create a full back bodice, front skirt, and back…

sewdaily network SEW DAILY NETWORK ON YOUTUBE! Join us on YouTube for sewing how-tos, inspiration, trends, and more. There's a new sewing video every week. COMING UP JUMP INTO THE SUMMERTIME VIBE WITH SEW NEWS SUMMER 2023, ON NEWSSTANDS MAY 2023. YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO BAGS FOR ANY WARM-WEATHER OCCASION, FUN PATTERN HACKS (INCLUDING MATERNITY!), AND MORE TIPS AND STORIES ON HOW TO MAKE MONEY WITH YOUR SEWING MACHINE. DEAR READERS AND SEWING ENTHUSIASTS, After a long, cold winter it feels so good to open the windows in your sewing studio and break out the spring fabrics! Breathe in the fresh air and flip through a brand-new issue of Sew News, filled with springtime projects in neutral black and white fabrics. A new year and season is also the…

Q What, styling tips will keep oversized clothing from looking overwhelming? A Oversized garments are certainly hving a moment in fashion and iN sewing pattern design. These oversized looks are fun to wear and easy to fit, since most have no fitting details included. To get a look that does not overwhelm the body, be sure that only one element of the entire outfit is oversized (1). If you choose an oversized top, like a big shirt, sweater, or extra-large Huhirt, b# sure to pair it with a snug pair of pants or a slim skirt to balance the volume on the top. If possible, tuck in the top at the waist to offer a core definition. When the volume is on the bottom, with a tiered full skirt or…

SEW ALONG WITH US Register at sewdaily.com through April 30, 2023, to get the free Yuma Yoga Pants pattern and video sew-along course. In addition to the free pattern and video, you'll be automatically entered to win a HUSQVARNA® VIKING® TRIBUTE™ 150C sewing machine when you register. THE PATTERN Your next trip to the store or gym just got more chic with customizable flared leggings. Add or omit sleek invisible zipper pockets and lettucehem legs based on your own style. Find the Yuma Yoga Pants pattern at www.sewdaily.com after February 16, 2023. Have fun with the panel seam and mix-and-match your favorite knit prints and patterns!…

SUPPLIES • Tea towel • 3 yards of double-fold bias binding • All-purpose thread • Removable fabric marker • Binding clips • 4” square & 4” x 4½” rectangle of leather (pockets; optional) tip Find a great selection of tea towels at thrift stores; just make sure they don't have any stains. CUT Remove any fabric hooks from the tea towel. Fold one towel long edge 7” toward the right side; press. Designate as the apron pocket. If desired, position the leather pockets right sides up on the apron pocket; use binding clips to secure. Unfold the apron pocket. tip Adjust the pocket sizes and placement based on the supplies and tools to be used and the wearer's dominant hand. A small strap can also be added above the pockets…

SUPPLIES • White denim or canvas fabric (amount according to pattern envelope) • Basic miniskirt pattern (such as Simplicity 8300, View A) • Notions (according to pattern envelope) • Fabric paint (see “Source”) • Paintbrushes (various sizes) • Removable fabric pen or pencil PAINT Find inspiration images online for the desired pattern. The featured skirt has a wavy print. Cover a large, flat work surface with cardboard or plastic sheeting. Position the fabric yardage right side up on a flat work surface. Using a removable fabric pen or pencil, lightly draw the desired design onto the fabric using the inspiration images as a guide. Mark the sections of the designs to be painted (1). Using a paintbrush and fabric paint, paint the design (2). Allow the paint to dry according…

SUPPLIES • ½ yards of 54” wide woven fabric • All-purpose thread • Pattern or tracing paper • Ruler: curved & straight • Removable fabric marker CUT Fold the fabric in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. Measure and mark 4” from and parallel to the long edge. Cut along the line through both layers of fabric to create two ties; set aside. Cut along the fabric folded edge to create a front and back panel (1). Cut the tie panel into two 1” wide strips pnd one 2” wide strip along the lengthwise grain. Repeat with the second tie panel (2). Fold the front panel in half length- wise with wrong sides together. Position the fold line on the right side. Measure your head circumference and divide by four;…

With warmer weather on the way, it's time to shed the layers and the sleeves. The column-shaped tank dress is the perfect transitional piece to add to your wardrobe this season. FABRIC Modern and geometric stretch fabrics can turn the classic tank dress into an on-trend street style as seen here at New York Fashion Week. Look for light-colored stretch lace, jacquard stretch knit, or a textured jersey with some stretch. You can line the dress with a solid lightweight knit or layer over another piece. DRESS PATTERN FINAL TOUCHES A knit tank dress doesn't have to be reserved for casual wear. Elevate it by pairing with glamorous sunglasses, a dressy clutch bag, and some platform sandals.…

for spring sewing! MIRROR, MIRROR When changing needles on a sewing machine or serger, place a compact mirror under the needle bar. The mirror will show where the needles should be inserted, making it easier to complete the task. Sylvia, email CARRIER KUDOS Instead of slipstitching wide belt loops to a garment, I use the blind-hem stitch to invisibly anchor the carrier ends from the right side. It's a real time-saver. M. Jensen, email INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH Use an industrial tape measure for hemming large projects. It's easy to lock and bend when altering draperies, which is simpler than marking every 60 inches. Emily P., Facebook TWO FOR YOU Keep two pincushions close when sewing, one containing flat-head pins and the other glass-head pins. Place one by the iron and one…

A key part of swing tacks are the knots that secure them at the beginning and end. While it seems like the most basic of skills, knowing how to make a good knot is imperative. To make a simple knot, moisten the index finger, and then wrap the thread end around the finger so the threads overlap. Roll the threads off the finger with the thumb and pull the thread tight (A). Another simple knot option is to wrap the thread end around the needle several times and hold the wrapped thread in place with one hand as you pull the needle and remaining thread through the wrapped thread with the other hand (B). This produces a nice clean knot that you can “pop” through the fabric so it lies…

VOLUME 4: Every fashion season, I go to my local craft and fabric store to see what new patterns are available for me to make that I can add to my wardrobe. Sadly, as a person who focuses on menswear and masculine-inspired fashion, I usually only find one or two new men's patterns per company—and even then it feels like it could be something I already have in my collection. I won't even mention all the pajama patterns available for men, which are sometimes all that's available. But I'm excited to announce that the commercial pattern landscape is changing! Mimi G formally introduced a new pattern line called Know Me in October 2022. Mimi Goodwin Ford, Vice President of Design Patterns and Brand Management at IG Design Group, had this…

In this business spotlight series, we are highlighting makers who use their craft to earn extra income. Sewing is truly a superpower: sewists can create, mend, alter, and earn money doing so. Today we talk with business owner Ashley Burt, who took the leap to quit her day job to pursue her creative side business full-time. Sew News: Tell us a little bit about yourself and how sewing came into your life. Wooly Maple: My name is Ashley Burt, and I am a 39-year-old creative entrepreneur. As a child I was always exploring different creative mediums ranging from calligraphy to needlepoint, and sewing was a natural next step. I borrowed my mother's sewing machine as a child to make basic items like pillowcases and bags, but it wasn't until taking…

The Winners Are In! We are thrilled to announce the winners of the first annual Sew Daily Readers' Choice survey, where nearly 2,000 dedicated members of the sewing community cast their votes for their favorite sewing products and brands. As you can imagine, the competition was fierce! The results are now in and we're excited to reveal the top contenders in each category. Congratulations to all this year's winners! Check out all the winners here! Find your next favorite pattern at SewDaily.com Sewing Machines Sewists are loyal fans of their machine brands! Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, you are lucky to have so many wonderful sewing machine brands to choose from. BEST MACHINE FOR BEGINNERS Baby Lock Brother HUSQVARNA VIKING® BEST COMPUTERIZED MACHINE Baby Lock Bernina…

SUPPLIES • 1 yard each of heavyweight woven fabric (exterior) & duck cloth (lining) • 2 yards of 1¼” wide cotton webbing • Leather scrap • All-purpose thread • Four 8 mm diameter rivets & attachment tool • 8 mm diameter leather punch • Awl • Binding clips Download the Multipurpose Market Bag pattern from www.sewdaily.com/go/SNfreebies for free until April 30, 2023. Purchase the pattern at www.sewdaily.com after the expiration date. PREPARE Download the Multipurpose Market Bag pattern at www.sewdaily.com/go/SNfreebies. Print, and then cut out. From the exterior fabric, cut one main panel and one base panel. From the lining fabric, cut two lining main panels, two base panels, and one pocket. From the leather scrap, cut one strap holder. From the webbing, cut two 36” lengths. Transfer all pattern…

Download the Moonstone Jumpsuit pattern from www.sewdaily.com/go/SNfreebies for free until April 30, 2023. Purchase the pattern at www.sewdaily.com after the expiration date. SUPPLIES • Jumpsuit pattern (such as Moonstone Jumpsuit by Michele Matsumoto for Sew News) • 4-5 yards of light-to mediumweight woven fabric (such as ikat stripe handloom cotton; see “Source”) • 18” long invisible zipper • Zipper foot • 2 yards of matching pre-pressed 1” wide bias tape MEASURE Download the Moonstone Jumpsuit pattern at www.sewdaily.com/go/SNfreebies. Print, and then cut out. To determine the correct size to sew in a woven fabric, add 2” to your hip measurement and choose a size from the chart. From the fabric, cut two backs with stripe direction going crosswise. Cut one upper front, one lower front, and one pocket with stripe…

SUPPLIES • Basic wrap skirt pattern (such as Laetitia Wrap Skirt by Just Patterns; see “Source”) • Mediumweight woven fabric & knit interfacing (amount according to altered pattern measurements) • Two 18” squares of lining • Button • Two sets of hook & bar closures • All-purpose & topstitching thread • Pattern or tracing paper • Ruler: curved & straight • Removable fabric marker ALTER Trace a copy of the skirt fronts and back patterns. Shorten the skirt fronts and back along the lengthen/shorten line to create the desired miniskirt length. Position the left-front skirt pattern on a flat work surface. Tape a large piece of pattern or tracing paper below the waistline edge and extending upward. Trace the side seams. Measure and mark 2½” from and parallel to the…

Find out about the talented experts featured in this issue and visit their websites to learn even more. PAULINE BRUCE (“That's a Wrap!”—page 69) recently moved to Lisbon, Portugal. One of her favorite sewing pastimes is to recreate fashion runway and designer looks by hacking and customizing commercial and indie sewing patterns. She also loves to express her creativity by mixing different prints and patterns, particularly stripes. www.sewuthinkucan.com JULIAN COLLINS (“Sewing Menswear, Volume 4”—page 20) works in public health during the day but loves to bring joy to the world through his colorful menswear creations by night. His work has been featured in multiple publications including Sewn Magazine and Sew News. He is a BERNINA and Laurastar Ambassador. When he is not sewing, he loves connecting with people throughout the…