Innehållsförteckning för 44 från Simply Sewing

Summer is all about making the most of the great outdoors, which is why at the slightest hint of sunshine we’ve already invited our friends over, fired up the barbecue and started shaking up some signature cocktails. Of course, our summer soirées wouldn’t be complete without a few home-stitched flourishes, so we’re decking out our patio with big boho floor cushions, totally tropical table linen, and cosy blankets for when the sun goes down. We’ll also be needing a new me-made frock for the occasion, and this month’s cover star, The Lola Dress, stitched up in a statement print is a sure way to stand out from the crowd (well, we are the hostess after all!). All we need now is that sunshine...…

SET FOR SUMMER If your everyday style is in need of a me-made boost, Megan Nielsen has you covered with these two new wardrobe-builders: the Ash Jeans, and the River Dress & Top. With four dreamy denim fits to pick from – skinny, slim, wide and flared – Ash is the only jeans pattern you’ll ever need, and the easy-wear River top is a perfect match (although we’ll obviously be making the dress version, too). Find them at www.megannielsen.com PLAY FOR KEEPS Create a fun space for your child to sleep, play and grow in with homewares brand Little Jagger, launched by trained Savile Row tailor Rebecca while on maternity leave. Her collection includes handmade heirloom quilts and bedding, as well as toys by indie designers. Go to…

1. There's no being a wallflower with this statement bag in tow, with vibrant embroidery and mirror and shell embellishments. £49, uk.monsoon.co.uk 2. Nail that laid-back, just-come-from-the-market look in this hand-woven rattan bag with vegan leather handles, roomy enough for everyday essentials (and market-fresh flowers, natch). £45, www.olliella.com 3. You say tomato, we say this tomato-red crossbody bag in sumptuous suede is a holiday-wardrobe must-have! £49.50 from www.oliverbonas.com…

WILD BEAUTY DOVESTONE BY FEENA BROOKS FOR DASHWOOD STUDIO Feena Brooks takes us on a scenic nature walk at the Peak District National Park's Dovestone reservoir through her delicate new designs for Dashwood. Celebrating the diverse wildlife and rich, natural colours of England's countryside, prints include bounding hares and dainty wildflowers in a palette of dusky neutrals and golden mustard. www.dashwoodstudio.com SWEET SCENE W POND LIFE BY  DEAR STELLA DESIGN Stumble across an enchanting pond filled with flora and fauna with Dear Stella's charming new collection. Perfect for kids' makes, little ones will love spotting the dancing butterflies, tweeting birds, and little toy sailboats bobbing along on the water. www.dearstelladesign.com PRETTY PETALS SIGNATURE BY SHARON HOLLAND FOR ART GALLERY FABRICS Sharon Holland depicts…

We’ve teamed up with Italian thread company Aurifil to give away a super-duper box of their most popular threads. Worth a whopping £295, the rainbow of shades in the ‘Best of’ selection box includes forty-five spools of 80 weight 100% cotton thread, all presented in a slick presentation box. Each of the spools are wound with 274 meters of thread, so that’s a huge 12,330 meters of thread we’re giving away in total! With so much meterage to play with and a vast choice of colourways, the lucky winner will be able to stitch, appliqué, embroider and quilt to their heart’s content. Enter at www.simplysewingmag.com now for your chance to win this amazing prize, and head to www.aurifil.com to find out more about the company and all of the fabulous…

The summer months are all about chilled-out picnics in the park, days on the beach, and gettogethers in the garden – and we'll be wearing swishy maxi frocks for them all! Maxi dresses are as much a summer essential as sunnies and sunscreen, so we'll be filling up our new-season wardrobe with this issue's stylish cover star, The Lola Dress. Maxis are perfect for showcasing our favourite prints, especially the on-trend tropicals that are all over the high street right now, and Lola includes two options to make: spaghetti straps with a square neckline, and off-the-shoulder sleeves. We'll be shortening the skirt for a midi-length version, too – after all, a gal can never have too many dresses, right? YOU WILL NEED • Main fabric: Dress A: 140cm (55in) width…

YOU WILL NEED • Pair of jeans that fit • Lightweight cotton fabric, see instructions for details • Tracing paper • Matching sewing thread • Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED We used a Liberty tana lawn from www.sewbox.co.uk CUTTING YOUR JEANS Step one Begin by cutting your jeans to your desired length – this is entirely a matter of preference. To achieve the length here, we cut the legs approximately 9cm (35/8in) down from the crotch seam. You could cut them longer and make turn-ups, or you could do what we have done and fray the hems of your shorts by putting them in the washing machine.01 CUTTING OUT THE POCKETS Step one Trace a template of the shape of each of the back pockets using tracing paper.02 Step two…

Beads can transform an already lovely garment into something gorgeous and extra-special, with sparkle, shine and colour! There are endless ways to embellish with beads, from small details to large-scale designs. They come in all shapes, sizes, colours and finishes and their versatility is vast. SEED BEADS Seed beads are round and chopped from a length of glass cane, which is then heated and smoothed to create their lovely, rounded shape. They come in lots of different finishes. Japanese seed beads are really good quality as they are consistent in size and colour. Czech and Chinese beads are cheaper, but you’ll find these are less consistent and irregular in shape. Seed beads are sized by number – the higher the number the smaller the bead and thread hole. BUGLE BEADS…

My sewing inspiration is all around me. I love clothes! I’m forever snapping pictures of real people in outfits I really like, or screen-gralling images of clothes I find online. I browse the shops regularly to see what’s about, and I follow lots of people on social media whose style I admire. I’m not a slave to fashion trends, I like timeless, wearable classics that won’t go out of date too quickly. My own personal style is practical and comfortable clothes, that make me feel good!…

YOU WILL NEED • 1 fat quarter • Laundry mesh: 50x39cm (20x153/8in) • Zip: 35cm (14in) • Matching thread • Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED The fabrics used are from the Papercuts range by Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cotton + Steel. Available at www.thefabricfox.co.ukPaper Bouquet, Tangerine. Ref: 1966-02. Paper Bouquet, Lemon. Ref: 1966-01. NOTE Either use laundry mesh or buy a larger laundry bag and cut it down to size. CUTTING OUT Step one From the fabric cut as follows: Side seam binding: two strips 5x35cm (2x13¾in). Zip edge binding: two strips 5x25cm (2x97/8in). Bottom strip: 13x25cm (5¼x97/8in). Zip tie: 2x8cm (¾x31/8in). Step two From the laundry mesh cut as follows: Bag front: 26.5x25cm (10½x97/8in). Bag back: 39x25cm (153/8x97/8in). PREPARING THE FABRIC Step one Take the side seam and zip edge…

YOU WILL NEED • Fabric A: 25x55cm (10x22in) • Fabric B: 25x40cm (10x16in) • Fabric C: 65x90cm (26x35in) • Fabric D: 65x90cm (26x35in) • Wadding: 65x90cm (26x35in) • Polyester fibrefill • Doorstop filling: plastic pellets 1kg • Matching thread • Basic sewing kit MATERIALS USED Fabric A: Scattered Showers, Warm. From Day Trip by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics. Fabric B: Plotted Farm Spices. From Spices Fusion by AGF Studio. Fabric C: Magija, Olive. From Tallinn by Jessica Swift for Art Gallery Fabrics. Visit www.hantexonline.co.uk Fabric D: Linea. Green 1525/G. From Makower. www.sewingquarter.com Plastic pellets: Pure White Poly Pellets. www.sewingquarter.com NOTES • Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/downloads • Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance unless otherwise stated. CUTTING OUT Step one Download, print and cut out the templates for…

YOU WILL NEED • Main fabric: 3mx112cm (3¼ydsx44in) • Lining fabric: 3mx112cm (3¼ydsx44in) • Open-ended zip: 180cm (70in) • 4oz wadding: 3mx75cm (3¼ydsx30in) • Drawstring cord: 80cm (31in) • Pillow: 25x35cm (10x14in) • Matching thread • Basic sewing kit FABRIC USED The fabrics used are from Reverie Fusion by Art Gallery Fabrics. Entryways; Sprayed Blooms. NOTES • Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance. • This sleeping bag will fit a child up to eight years old. • The fabric quantities are given as exact measurements but you may need to buy more if you need to pattern-match. • If you can’t find a small pillow, adjust a standard size to fit by working a zigzag stitch across the width and length then cutting off the excess. CUTTING OUT Step one…

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. TAILOR’S CHALKS Chalk temporarily marks fabric and can be easily brushed away. SEAM RIPPER This sharp blade cuts through and unpicks stitches. FABRIC CLIPS Use these instead of pins when sewing thicker fabrics. 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…

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…

We've promised ourselves a summer of selfish sewing, and we're sticking to it, starting from our very next project: The Lola Dress (p34). This elegant maxi style will take you from day to evening, from beach to bar, with just a quick switch of accessories. And, speaking of accessories, you don't get much more statement than our boho Beach Bag (p45) – a super-chic carry-all with on-trend tassels! There are plenty of makes for all you selfless stitchers too, from tropical party décs to wall art and toys. Sewing bliss...…

Alex Collins’ handmade project bags are as beautiful as the crafty things kept inside them; featuring hand-printed botanical designs on crisp organic cotton, they’re just the thing for prettying up our creative pursuits. And it all started with a simple drawstring bag. “I turned some of my early fabric panels into project bags to keep my knitting in,” she explains. “When people saw them pop up on my Instagram they started asking if they would be for sale, and the idea for my shop was born.” Her range now includes everything from tool rolls and tote bags to needle books and knitting needle cases – as well as, of course, drawstring project bags in a variety of shades. Running her own creative business was always an ambition for Alex, but…

APRON Not only will this multi-tasking pinny shield your me-made party frock from accidental drinks and salsa spillages, it will also add a touch of botanicals to your look. The cafe- inspired design can be tied at the front in a statement bow for a nod to vintage style and the knot-detail trend from the high street. We'll be wearing ours to deliver afternoon teas, summer cocktails, chips 'n' dips, and barbecued delights, straight to our guests – and our tummies! MINI LAMPSHADES Continuing the party after the sun goes down requires a well-lit and welcoming space, which for us means swathes of pretty fairy lights. Naturally, we've decided to give our outdoor LEDs a fabric twist by making mini lampshades from plastic cups, decorated with scraps of our fave…

More is definitely more when it comes to beads and tassels. Earrings £5, direct.asda.com, necklace £12, uk.accessorize.com Keep shaded in style (and hide a messy beach 'do) in a monochrome trim hat, £32, www.dunelondon.com What's in our on-trend, pom pom-trimmed beach bag? Sunnies, good reads, and lots of snacks, £10, www.primark.com Up your summer shoe game with orange tassel flats (£18, www.dorothyperkins.com)and sky-high espadrilles (£22, www.tesco.com)…

BUY THIS KIT ! Sewing QUARTER See this demonstrated live on air on 28th July 2018 * Live on Freeview 78 and Sky 678 * Visit page 15 for special offers and T&Cs Whether you're a complete bag-making newbie or a seasoned stitcher looking for a quick project to kick-start your summer crafting, this issue's Beach Bag pattern is a satisfyingly simple sew – not to mention a super-stylish addition to your me-made holiday wardrobe! This jumbo tote bag's straightforward construction means you can get creative, adding fun details like quilting and colourful handmade tassels. We've upped the swoon-factor by making ours in a Spring Poppy print Liberty needlecord from www.sewbox.co.uk…

YOU WILL NEED • Felt: 15x20cm (6x8in) • Seed beads: size 11, pink • Seed beads: size 11, cream • Seed beads: size 11, green • Bugle beads: 6mm, cream • Beading thread, white • Thread conditioner • Beading needle, size 10 or 12 MATERIALS USED • Mill Hill Frosted Glass Seed Beads, size 11, Dusty Rose. Ref 62005. • Mill Hill Antique Glass Seed Beads, size 11, vanilla. Ref 03016. • Mill Hill Glass Seed Beads, size 11, sea breeze. Ref 02008. • Mill Hill Small Bugle Beads, 6mm, Cream. Ref 70123. • Beading thread: Nymo thread. Available from www.sewandso.co.uk NOTES Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/downloads WORKING THE CONE TOP Step one Download and print out the template. Step two Cut the felt in half for the front and…

YOU WILL NEED • Linen fabric: 30x30cm (12x12in) • Contrast fabric: 25x60cm (10x24in) • Stranded cotton: red, green, white and yellow • Matching thread • Basic sewing kit NOTES • Use a 5mm (¼in) seam allowance. • Download the template from www.simplysewingmag.com/downloads WORKING SEED STITCH Step one Each seed stitch is made from a pair of small straight stitches worked close together. Step two Come up through the fabric where you want your stitch to start and take it back down a short distance away. Step three Bring the needle back up, close to the start of the first stitch, but not in the same hole. Go back down close to the end of the first stitch, again not in the same hole.01 Step four Scatter these pairs of stitches…

YOU WILL NEED • Four cotton print fabrics: one fat eighth of each • Backing fabric: 40x50cm (16x20in) • Binding fabric: 30x55cm (12x22in) • Wadding: 40x50cm (16x20in) • Matching tassels • Matching sewing thread • Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED We used a selection of fabrics from the Day Trip collection by Dana Willard for Art Gallery Fabrics. For stockists visit www.hantex.co.uk NOTES • Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance. • Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/download CUTTING OUT Step one Download, print and cut out all the template (T) pieces. Step two Draw around the templates on the fabric and cut out the following pieces: Fabric A (yellow): Cut two from the right side (RS) of T1 – for row 2 right and row 5 left. Cut two from the…

YOU WILL NEED For the blind • White cotton fabric: see instructions • Two D-rings • Velcro with sew-on loops and stick-on hooks: 2.5cm (1in) shorter than the width of your blind • Matching thread • Wooden lath: 2.5cm (1in) shorter than the width of your blind • Wooden batten: 2.5cm (1in) width x 2.5cm (1in) depth. Length 2.5cm (1in) shorter than the blind width • 2 brass screw eyes and cord cleat • Thin cord or twine • Staple gun • Basic sewing kit For the dyeing • Indigo powder: 25g (1oz) • Spectralite: 20ml (4tsps) • Soda ash: 150g (5oz) • Warm water: 600ml (1 pint) • Large glass jar with a screw-top lid • Teaspoon, jug and large lidded pan • Litmus paper, to test pH level…

YOU WILL NEED • Main fabric: 50x75cm (20x30in), for the main body • Contrast fabric: 30x30cm (12x12in), for the snout, front ears and feet • Pair of 10mm plastic safety eyes • Stranded cotton, black • Polyester toy filling • Matching thread • Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED Pom Poms, Marigold. From the All Stars collection by Tula Pink. Linea Texture, Cream. From Makower. FINISHED SIZE Approx 32cm (125/8in) sitting. NOTES • Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/downloads • Use a 5mm (¼in) seam allowance unless otherwise stated. • This giraffe has been made using cotton fabric, so clipping internal curves and making notches around external curves is instructed, but this may not be required if using stretchy plush fabric. CUTTING OUT Step one Download, print and cut out all the…

“I MADE THIS DRESS TO WEAR TO THE DIOR exhibit at Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto this February. I wanted it to be inspired by the gorgeous vintage Dior silhouettes, as well as by the label's Spring/Summer 2017 collection with all the tulle and bra-style tops! The top part of the dress is an underwired and boned bra top with foam cups and a sheer bra-tulle bodice. I covered the bra cups with a fine wool suiting, and also made the boning channels out of the wool to match. I added a wide elastic band to the skirt (so it’s secretly comfy!) and made it using bra tulle, which means it is so light and airy to wear even though I used six metres of tulle! What I love most…

REBECCA REID Simply Sewing technical editor, Sewing Quarter guest designer and all-round stitching superstar Rebecca has been sewing since she was a child. She made this issue’s tropical pineapple doorstop – turn to page 73 to make one for your home. ROSIE MARTIN Rosie Martin runs DIY Couture and is the author of two sewing titles: DIY Couture: Create Your Own Fashion Collection, and No Patterns Needed: DIY Couture from Simple Shapes. Make her patternless off-the-shoulder top for summer on page 38. CLAIRE-LOUISE HARDIE Claire-Louise, aka The Thrifty Stitcher, runs classes for aspiring DIY dressmakers in London, is a freelance costumier, and has worked as a Sewing Producer on BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee. She shares her career journey so far on page 54. JO CARTER Jo worked for…

INDIGO: CULTIVATE, DYE, CREATE Douglas Luhanko and Kerstin Neumuller (£15.99, Pavilion Books) Learn the art (and the science) behind dyeing with indigo, from growing your own to using this powerful pigment for both warm and cold dye techniques, with troubleshooting tips and inspiring ideas for sewing with your dyed textiles, including quilts, embroidery and more. www.pavilionbooks.com SEW: THE GARMENT-MAKING BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE Barbara Emodi (£22, Stash Books) Level up your stitching skills with this must-have book from instructor and blogger Barbara Emodi. Her pearls of sewing wisdom include advice on pattern alterations and fitting, how to choose the perfect fabric for your project, and the best tools and equipment to stock up on. www.ctpub.com SHIBORI Nicola Gouldsmith (£12.99, CICO Books) Discover fabric-dyeing methods that have been practised in Japan for…

7 JULY Orla Kiely bag-making workshop. Artsdepot, London. Make a beautiful new bag from Orla Kiely fabrics at this fun class run by It's Sew Simple. www.itssewsimple.co.uk 14 JULY Exploring Colour and Pattern: Contemporary Embellishment Techniques. Clements Hall, York. Get creative with colour on this one-day embellishment workshop with textile artist Jessica Grady. www.jessicagrady.co.uk 21 & 22 JULY Corset design weekend. Sew in the City, Sheffield. Learn how to create your own pattern for a bespoke corset and make up a toile. www.sewinthecity.co.uk UNTIL 7 OCTOBER Azzedine Alaïa: The Couturier. The Design Museum, London. Discover the life, career and couture of iconic designer Azzedine Alaïa. www.designmuseum.org…

New books mean new projects to try, and we LOVE filling our craft shelves with inspirational titles to fuel our stitching. Shibori by Nicola Gouldsmith and Handmade Glamping by Charlotte Liddle and Lucy Hopping, are two such books (published by our pals at CICO) and are packed with lots of summery tutorials, ideas and techniques to try. We’re giving away a copy of each of these crafty titles to five lucky readers, and it could be you! For your chance to win, enter at www.simplysewingmag.com, and visit www.makeetc.com to browse CICO’s full collection of craft and lifestyle titles. See www.simplysewingmag.com  to enter today! (UK only, see competition rules on p6.)…

YOU WILL NEED • Hat • Paper • Cutting mat • Hobby knife • Stranded cotton • Pen or pencil (in the same colour as your stranded cotton) • Basic sewing kit NOTE • Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/downloads MAKING A STENCIL Step one Measure around your hat to decide the size you would like the stitched words to be. Step two Download and print out the slogan template from the link above. If it is too big or small for your hat, then adjust the percentage you print the template out to suit. Step three Place the printed words on a cutting mat or a piece of cardboard. Step four With a hobby knife, cut around the edges of the letters, removing the words to make a stencil. TRACING…

YOU WILL NEED • Main fabric: see instructions for details, for top • Cotton fabric strip: see instructions for details, for casing • Elastic: 4cm (13/8in) width, see instructions for length • Matching thread • Basic sewing kit FABRIC USED Cotton crochet-effect lace fabric, white. 142cm (56in) width. www.minervacrafts.com NOTES • Use a 1.5cm (5/8in) seam allowance unless otherwise stated. • This off-shoulder lace cover-up is made of four rectangles of fabric. One forms the front of the top and one the back. Each sleeve is made from a smaller rectangle – and that’s it! TAKING YOUR MEASUREMENTS Step one Take the following body measurements and write them down. Full bust Full actual hip: the bony part of your hips where your jeans waistband normally sits. Nape of neck to…

Were we to dream up our ultimate wardrobe, it would probably look a little something like this: a dash of Parisian cool, a sprinkling of classic Chanel, the perfect Little Black Dress for every occasion, and stripy Breton tees galore. France has been leading the sartorial way ever since the lavish tastes of King Louis XIX brought its beautiful textiles worldwide acclaim in the 17th Century, but today’s French fashion is perhaps known more for understatement than extravagance. The classic, effortlessly chic look that Parisians wear so well has inspired countless books and articles, launched a thousand trends, and given us style staples we don’t know what we’d do without. Luckily, though, we don’t need to go on a Champs-Élysees shopping spree to give our everyday outfits a French makeover…

"I’ve been a professional costumier for over 20 years." "Fashion sewing is quite different to both costume and home sewing." As a freelancer, my working life is very unpredictable and can be extremely hectic, but I am fortunate to have a job that I love. There are three strands to my sewing career. I’ve been a professional costumier for over 20 years, and have made costumes for some of the best theatres in the UK and travelled the globe with touring productions. Costumiers usually work to tight deadlines, and for long hours too, so I’m always sewing against the clock when I'm costuming. My most recent big costume project was working on a soon-to-be-released TV show, which I’m sadly not able to name yet! My last publicly shareable project was…

YOU WILL NEED • Fabric A: 42x40cm (17x16in), for the outer edging • Fabric B: 17x34cm (42x13½in), for the long side panels • Fabric C: 32x34cm (13x13½in), for the short side panels • Fabric D: 42x32cm (17x13in), for the base • Bias binding: 70cm (28in) • Narrow ribbon: 2.3m (2½yd) • Cotton broderie anglaise: 1.5m (1¾yd) • Felt: 10x24cm (4x9½in), red • Felt: 10x24cm (4x9½in), pink • Coordinating beads, sequins, and stranded cotton • Polyester fibrefill stuffing • Matching sewing thread • Basic sewing kit NOTES • Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance. • Materials quantities are based on a picnic basket measuring 40x 30x16cm (16x12x6¼in). If your basket is a different size, measure it, add the seam allowance to each piece and adjust accordingly. CUTTING OUT Step one Cut…

YOU WILL NEED To make eight fish • Assorted scrap fabrics: 50x112cm (20x44in) in total • 16 small buttons or circles of felt • Narrow ribbon or cord: 1m (1yd) • Polyester fibrefill • Hook, pole and twine, for the rod • Matching thread • Basic sewing kit NOTES • Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/downloads • Four different fish templates have been provided. Make your game using any combination of these. • Using small buttons is not advised for young children. For safety, you can stitch circles of felt on or embroider eyes instead. CUTTING OUT Step one Download, print and cut out the fish templates. We have given you four different fish shapes to choose from. Make eight fish using any combination of these. Step two Cut a rectangle…

1 TIA KNIGHT FABRICS The largest online supplier of beautiful fashion fabrics that you won’t find easily on the high street! FREE UK DELIVERY and 15% OFF all fabrics when you enter code SIMPLYSEWING. www.tiaknightfabrics.co.uk 2 TISSU FABRICS We are the one stop friendly fabric shop! Florals to fleece and crepes to cotton, we stock them all! For amazing quality fabrics at wholesale prices visit our website! www.tissufabrics.co.uk 3 CHEAP FABRICS Delivering the best hand picked fashion prints and trends. Shop our range of fresh, vibrant beautiful fabrics across the spectrum. 10% off for all readers, enter promo code ‘sew10’ at checkout. www.cheapfabrics.co.uk0845 520 2525 4 JJ TEXTILES As a second generation textile merchants, JJ Textiles offer a range of fabrics for all your sewing needs. In our fantastic summer…

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…