Innehållsförteckning för 56 från Simply Sewing

“If we are willing to try new things, beautiful and fulfilling things can happen,” says designer Sarah Kirsten. Change is good, right? This season we’re embracing a new look for our wardrobes and our homes (after all, we’ve only got so many hangers!). We’re testing our sewing skills with tricky fabrics and buttonholes – and we’re using new tools such a rotary cutters and felting needles. Of course, we’ll have cameras at the ready to document our progress as we go... Because the best part of a hobby like sewing is showcasing and sharing it with like-minded people all over the world. #simplysewingmag WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM #SIMPLYSEWINGMAG facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine twitter.com/simplysewing_ pinterest.com/simplysewingmag instagram.com/simplysewingmag…

SLEEK ASYMMETRY French pattern brand Deer & Doe mix masculine and feminine influences for a new pattern collection full of modern lines, asymmetric details and graceful curves. There are three chic designs to add to your summer sewing list: the Agave reversible wrap skirt, sophisticated Sirocco jumpsuit and lingerie-inspired Pensée dress. Visit www.deer-and-doe.com PACK A PUNCH Sunnies, sunscreen, snacks – check! Pack everything you need for fun in the sun in Sarah Kirsten’s Raspberry Rucksack. With a utility-inspired look, this pattern for a fully lined bag includes a handy front zip pocket and comes in two sizes – Big Raspberry and Little Raspberry – so you can make one for your mini-me, too! Visit www.sarkirsten.com SUNNY STITCHING W When it's finally sit-out-in-the-garden weather, we want portable projects we can take…

1. With fringing, pastels and beads, that's three of this summer's trends sorted thanks to these pretty earrings, hand-crafted by skilled women artisans in northern Kenya. £32, www.bohemiadesign.com 2. What's more luxurious than velvet? A statement velvet lamp trimmed with silky fringing in an opulent mustard hue, that's what! Our side table just got an upgrade. £120, www.abodeliving.co.uk 3. You won't find a more summery necklace than this ombre fringed beauty, hand-dyed and made by Love Astrid, inspired by the beach and sunset. £39.69 from www.loveastrid.etsy.com…

Sewing tools don’t just have to be functional, they can look smart too! This set of must-have tools (for dressmakers and sewists alike) look like they belong in a trendy stationery store, right? This amazing bundle includes 50 Mini Wonder Clips, a Roll and Press tool, Hold It Precision tool, Sewing Guage, Seam Marker Set, Curved Ruler with Mini Ruler, Chacopel Pencil with Sharpener and a Double Sided Thimble. Enter to win at www.simplysewingmag.comand email clover@stockistenquiries.co.uk to find your nearest Clover tools stockist. See www.simplysewingmag.com to enter both today! (UK only, see competition rules on p6.)…

With bright blue skies and signs of summer all around us, it’s time for us to look forward to a new season of pattern releases and trends for spring-summer 2019. There have been lots of amazing new sewing pattern releases so far this year from independent designers and many of these are ideal transition pieces to take us through spring to the warmer months ahead. With this in mind, we headed to Oxford Street in London to get inspired by this season’s fashion trends and how we might be able to recreate these looks for our own handmade wardrobes. The overall styles on the high street have a late 1980s and early 90s feel, with plain fabrics rather than prints in camel, rust, green and beige colours. Here we've curated…

The clothes we love to wear most are often the simplest; the effortless, easy-wear styles we can dress up or down. Luckily, they're the most quick and satisfying to sew, too! This issue's Flora Top by I AM Patterns (www.iampatterns.fr) is a staple shift-style top with a twist; its unique contrast yoke detail means you can get creative with contrast colours, prints and textures. It's a clever way to use your offcuts for an eco-friendly make, too! The instructions will take you through key construction techniques, such as adding sleeves, facings and darts, for a project that'll boost your wardrobe and your sewing skills. YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric: 1.4mx140cm (1¾ydx55in), for the top 20x60cm (8x24in), for the yoke ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit FABRIC SUGGESTIONS Light and…

Oh, hey little birdy! Immortalizing nature in wool, designer Danielle Ives is a dab hand with a needle - and felt. This male Goldfinch, which has been carefully needle-felted onto the pocket of a shirt, is one of 16 stunning projects from her new book; Painting with Wool. Inspired by the many flocks that visit her birdfeeders, this project will only take a few hours and is certain to cheer up your wardrobe. Fancy giving this technique a go? Try her tote bag DIY on page 49 and find more on her book at www.abramsandchronicle.co.uk…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Linen fabric: 28x36cm (11x141/8in) ■ Lining fabric: 20x20cm (8x8in) ■ Iron-on interfacing: 28x36cm (11x141/8in) ■ Matching thread ■ Stranded cotton in bright colours ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance. ■ Download and print the template from www.simplysewingmag.com/ downloads SPIDER WEB STITCH Step one Start with a series of straight stitches radiating from a centre point. You can use as few as three for a triangle or as many as 20 for a large flower. Usually, the stitches meet in the middle and look like spokes on a wheel, but you can also make the centre open, creating a space for other stitches. Come up from the back near the centre of the straight stitches. Slide the needle under the nearest…

It's the personal finishing touches that make a house a home – and you can't get more personal than homewares made by your own fair hands. So give every room in the house a little handmade TLC with this issue's Sew Home Style project book. Inside you'll find practical makes – think an ironing board cover, a Scandi-inspired log carrier, linen placemats and an artisan apron – alongside quirky accessories like a pom pom-trimmed outdoor pouffe and novelty pineapple-shaped doorstop (yes, really!). Home sweet home indeed. This geometric-print placemat and linen napkin set by Anna Johnson is one of 15 home makes to sew in this issue's Sew Home Style project book.…

Looking for new talented makers to be inspired by on Instagram? Our contributors share their must-follows. @theravelout • @_diydaisy • @wellfibre • @abolajioo • @yonopo • @joanna_ essentials @classyfiedlife • @steph nappa • @sablecraft • @createandpray • @eimy marie • @faithstjules • @the cornyrainbow • @victorialucilleanne • @overdriveafter30 @thetwilightstitcher • @sleepless_in_bavaria • @jess_sews_clothes •@pins andpinot •@islandsewcialist…

SUN DRESS YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: 40x115cm (16x45in), for the skirt ■ Contrast fabric: 50x115cm (20x45in), for the bodice (see notes) ■ Bias binding ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED The fabrics used are from the ‘Miffy Bedtime’ and ‘Miffy Spring’ collections designed by The Craft Cotton Company (www.craftcotton.com).Find your nearest stockist at www. visagetextiles.com/stockists NOTES ■ Download the template from www. simplysewingmag.com/downloads ■ The template includes sizes for children aged one to four years old. ■ Use a 1.5cm (5/8in) seam allowance unless otherwise stated. ■ To make the dress from one fabric rather than two different prints, you will need 90cm (36in) of fabric. CUTTING OUT Step one From the main fabric cut: Skirt: 40cm (16in) in length x width of fabric (adjust…

From age and size, to race and religion, we're proud to support designer-makers, models, writers, sewists and photographers of all cultures in the making of Simply Sewing. You can read more about the work Rumana Lasker and other makers are doing to champion inclusivity in craft on page 70. If you're a new reader (inspired by the Sewing Bee, perhaps?) then welcome! Wherever you are, join our community online using the links below - we'd love to hear from you. facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine twitter.com/simplysewing_ pinterest.com/simplysewingmag instagram.com/simplysewingmag * GIFTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PAPER GIFTS ONLY AVAILABLE ON UK NEWSSTAND.…

The process of creating a garment can be in equal parts fun and frustrating, satisfying and exhausting – each one we make is a learning curve, and that’s why we love it! It’s also what first attracted pattern designer Sarah Kirsten to the craft. “The tantalising possibility of transforming ideas of shapes and fabric into the physical reality of clothing has always captivated me,” she enthuses. “My mother is a knowledgeable seamstress and started teaching me the basics of sewing when I was little. Since I had a lot of ideas I wanted to create, she showed me the basics of pattern drafting and we focused on that more than making existing patterns. She and I have a similar approach, and an understanding of mathematical things, so I think that…

15 JUNE Sew the Season workshop – Spring. Guthrie & Ghani, Birmingham. Add a pair of True Bias’ stylish Emerson Pants to your spring wardrobe. www.guthrie-ghani.co.uk 28-30 JUNE The Creative Craft Show. NEC, Birmingham. Stock up on the latest supplies and get advice from the experts at this multi-craft show. www.stitchandhobby.co.uk 29 JUNE Learn to Sew a Drop-Sleeve Top with Lisa Falconer. The Village Haberdashery, London. Learn how to create an easy-wear drop-sleeve top with Lisa, aka The Avid Seamstress. www. thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk 30 JUNE Screen-printing workshop. The Makery, Bath. Create your own paper stencils and use them to screen-print using environmentally friendly inks. www.themakery.co.uk…

STORAGE BANNER This patchwork banner isn't just for prettying up a plain wall (and motivating us to "go get 'em"!); with its useful pockets for storage, it's a practical addition to your workspace, too. Made in simple half and quarter-square triangles, this modern design won't be too tricky to piece together for patchwork newbies. PEN TOPPERS AND COASTER Diamonds are a girl's best friend – so of course we'll be making a set of these pen toppers for our besties. Just add appliqué and embroidery to personalise them. Our other best friend? Coffee! Good thing we can use the same easy technique to stitch this matching diamond-motif coaster for our caffeine fix, too. PENCIL CASE Our sationery collection almost rivals our fabric stash, so only a jumbo pencil case will…

We’ve been getting so much inspiration from the outfits you would like to recreate from garments you’ve seen on T V and in movies and magazines. It can be tricky to find a pattern that matches, so we’ve created the #findmypattern hashtag. Share a photo of a garment you would like to make on Instagram and we will try to find a sewing pattern for you! You can watch a round-up v log of other maker’s pattern requests on our YouTube channel.…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric: 1mx115cm (11/8ydx45in) ■ Bias tape: 1m ■ Erasable fabric marker or tailor's chalk ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES Our top fits a UK size 8-10, so our measurements in the cutting out guide are based on this. To size up, add 5cm (2in) to the width per size. FABRIC USED The fabric used is Abi Light from The Denim Company. Find at www.thedenimcompany.co.uk CUTTING OUT Step one Fold your fabric in half with the selvedge at the bottom edge and cut three rectangles out of fabric to the following measurements. Step two From the main fabric cut: Top: 70x56cm (275/8x221/8in). Thin strap: 5x56cm (2x221/8in). Wide strap: 13x56cm (5¼x221/8in). MAKING THE TOP Step one Fold the wide strap piece in half with right…

With her signature red lips and to-die-for retro-inspired wardrobe, New York-based dressmaker Gretchen ‘Gertie’ Hirsch is the ultimate poster girl for reimagining vintage fashion for modern-day sewists. A multi-talented blogger, pattern and fabric designer, seamstress, author, teacher and general Instagram legend, Gretchen is on a mission to inspire and help people across the world learn to sew their own retro-style dresses. However, it all started out as much more of a personal project. “I first learned to sew when I was about eight years old, but didn’t get into garment sewing until I was 25,” she explains. “I was working in publishing at the time and saw sewing as a way to get the vintage-inspired wardrobe of my dreams, like my two biggest style icons, Marilyn Monroe and Dita von…

Sometimes adding even a dash (or dashes, in this case) of stitching to your existing homewares can completely rejuvenate your interior design. Take this gorgeous table cloth from RICO Design, for example... It's been created on linen fabric with a simple grid design (stitched using a whole skein of cotton over six threads at a time) for a subtle but contemporary look. To give the cloth a rustic finish, secure with a row of zigzag stitch, approx 1cm away from the finished embroidery, before pulling away a row of thread to fray the edges. This subtle embroidered tablecloth project is from Crafted Nature, book no. 166 in RICO Design's book series for counted cross stitch. Find out more at www.rico-design.co.uk…

YOU WILL NEED ¦ Light background fabric: fat eights (see notes) ¦ Assorted fabrics: fat eights (see notes) ¦ Lining fabric: 2/3 yard ¦ Backing fabric: ½ yard ¦ Binding: 1/8 yard ¦ Cushion form: 50x50cm (20x20in) ¦ Batting: 53x53cm (21x21in) ¦ Matching thread ¦ Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED From the Someday collection from Riley Blake Designs. Find your nearest stockist at www.rileyblakedesigns.com NOTES ■ Use a ¼in seam allowance. ■ Fat quarter = 45x56cm (18x22in). ■ We used seven different print fabrics and two light background fabrics and but you can decide on how many colours and designs you would like to include in your cushion. Include as many or as few as you like and adjust the fabric quantities accordingly. FINISHED SIZE 50x50cm (20x20in). CUTTING OUT Step…

The Simply Sewing team would like to take this opportunity to give thanks to the contributors of this piece, and also to the wonderful members of the sewing and wider craft community who are putting in the work and continually pushing for change and fairer representation for all. We strongly believe that everyone is welcome in the sewing room. While there is always more work that can be done, we as a team are continually striving to ensure a fairer balance and visibility for all within the magazine. Thanks, as always, to all readers of the magazine for your continued support.…

SOUTH SEW BUSY Stockists of Makower, Robert Kaufman, Clothworks and Windham, ribbons, haberdashery, sewing goods and classes. sew-busy.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 881 507 beckfordsilk.co.uk WEST MIDLANDS HOUSE OF SMOCKING Exclusive Swiss fabrics, piques, batistes, sea island lawns and wool blanketing. Patterns, transfer dots, mini piping, kits, tuition in hand smocking. Code SS05. houseofsmocking.co.uk WEST MIDLANDS ONLINE FABRICS Largest selection of textiles at your fingertips. Samples available of our whole range. No minimum order level. online-fabrics.co.uk  • 02476 687 776 EAST GATHER ‘N’ SEW Whatever your project, we have a wonderful…

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.…

"I have been sewing for several years now and I really enjoy being able to combine pattern, colour and fabric to produce a garment which is tailored to fit me and my style. As a petite Muslim woman, I found the choices available to me were limited, and I have also become more interested in sustainability and ethical fashion recently. Sewing my own clothes gives me so many options as I am in control of every part of the garment production chain! As I become more experienced I have started to venture into modifying or ‘hacking’ patterns to suit me. For this project, I started with Deer and Doe's Myosotis pattern (shop.deer-and-doe. fr ). I initially didn’t feel very inspired by this pattern but I love floaty midi dresses and realised…

MARIE-ÉMILIENNE VIOLLET Designer and founder of French pattern label I AM Patterns Marie-Émilienne Viollet describes her style as “minimalist and comfortable with a designer touch,” just like her brand new Flora Top pattern, which you can try on page 32. GRETCHEN HIRSCH Multi-talented blogger, designer, seamstress, author and teacher, Gretchen ‘Gertie’ Hirsch is on a mission to help people across the world learn to sew their own vintage-style dresses. Read more on page 52 and try her pocket DIY on page 56. ANNA JOHNSON Anna is the craft writer and designer-maker behind label A Alicia. She is based in East London with her artist husband, their little boy, and a multitude of books and houseplants. Find her padded garden kneeler mat how-to on page 63. DANIELLE IVES Danielle Ives is…

THE NANI IRO SEWING STUDIO (£20.99, Zakka Workshop) Nani Iro fabric has developed a cult following since its launch by artist Naomi Ito in 2002, and this book’s 18 drapey patterns are perfect for making in its dreamy cotton gauze fabrics. You’ll find instructions for making a whole a wardrobe of contemporary staples, along with a look at the brand’s studio in Osaka and how the studio team style their own handmade Nani Iro pieces. www.zakkaworkshop.com GINGERMELON’S EMBROIDERED ANIMALS Shelly Down (£15.99, SewandSo) Gingermelon's embroidered animal dolls are simple to sew and embellish with hand-embroidery stitches; and as they only take a small amount of fabric to make, they’re a lovely way to turn your scraps into something beautiful. With step-by step instructions and full-size patterns, this book has everything…

Ten brand new Miffy fabrics have been designed by The Craft Cotton Company (www.craftcotton.com) just in time for Spring and we’ve got an amazing bundle up for grabs! One lucky winner will receive four Miffy fat quarter packs, a 2m length of Miffy fabric, 24 piece thread box and Heritage Cotton Wadding (120x120cm). The 100% cotton ‘Miffy Bedtime’ and ‘Miffy Spring’ collections each have five different designs featuring Dick Bruna’s iconic bunny, which you can buy in metres (from £8) or in Fat Quarter packs (from £7). Produced to Oeko-tex standard and free from all harmful substances, these vibrant fabrics are perfect for any sewing project - turn to page 78 to see our girl’s sun dress set! Feel inspired? Enter our competition at www.simplysewingmag.com, find the fabrics online at…

One of the reasons we're so hooked on sewing is that it's not just a hobby, but a life-long learning experience. Every day is a school day when you're a sewist! So we love projects that give us a chance to show off our existing skills and try out a few new ones, like this issue's Shirt Dress pattern. This must-have design is all about the fun-to-sew details, from a grandad collar and buttonholes, to an optional waist belt and sleeve cuffs and tabs. That's at least five new skills to tick off our list! YOU WILL NEED Fabric: Dress A: 3.3mx115cm (4ydx45in) 2.7mx140cm (3ydx55in) Dress B: 3.6mx115cm (4ydx45in) 3.1mx140cm (3½ydx55in) 14 x 10-12mm buttons 2 x 10-12mm buttons, for the sleeve tabs (optional) Lightweight interfacing: 30x150cm (12x59in) Matching thread…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Medium-weight woven fabric: 2mx115cm (2¼ydx45in) ■ Narrow double-fold bias binding ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit FABRIC USED The fabric used is Verona Peachskin in Red from Fabric Godmother. Find at www.fabricgodmother.co.uk NOTES ■ The solar plexus is the point midway between your bust and belly button. TAKING YOUR MEASUREMENTS Step one This dress is a trapeze shape with armholes. Shaping is provided by a gathering at the neck and a tie at the waist. You can create the paper template using the instructions below, or draw directly into the fabric. Step two You will need to make the following calculations to create the template: 1) Desired length + 2cm (¾in) turning allowance at neckline (top) and 2cm (¾in) hem allowance at bottom. 2) Throat…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Cotton tote bag (see notes for details) ■ Foam pad ■ Carded wool batt in white ■ Size 38 star felting needle ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Download the template from www.simplysewingmag.com/ downloads ■ The tote shown here is made of a thin cotton fabric. It is possible to felt designs onto thicker cotton fabrics, but it will take more time and effort. In an inconspicuous location, test that the felting needle will travel easily through the fabric before getting started. TRANSFERRING AN IMAGE OR PATTERN If your felting fabric is thin enough, a light box or window can be used to trace a bold image outline. An iron-on transfer pen is also an option, as well as a pen with air-dissolvable ink. When felting…

CUTTING OUT A PATCH POCKET Step one Decide on the size you would like your patch pocket to be and draw this rectangle or square onto pattern paper. Step two Add 2.5cm (1in) to the top edge – this will act as a facing. Add a 1cm seam allowance (3/8in) to the other three edges. Step three Cut out the pattern in fabric and finish all raw edges. SEWING A PATCH POCKET Step one Fold the pocket’s upper hem 2.5cm (1in) to the right side (RS) along the hemline and press then pin into place. Step two Stitch just within the seam allowance around the two vertical sides and lower edge of the pocket, catching the folded hem allowance from the previous step; this stitching becomes a pressing guide in…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Medium-weight cotton canvas: 35x110cm (14x44in) ■ Foam interfacing: 35x110cm (14x44in) ■ Faux leather strap: 50cm (20in), about 3cm wide ■ Gold Chicago screws: 4 x 6mm (¼in) depth ■ Toy stuffing ■ Bradawl ■ Flat-head screwdriver ■ Fabric clips ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTE ■ Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance unless otherwise stated. FABRIC USED Andover Fabrics Tiger Plant Oval Leaves in Kale from www.woolwarehouse.co.uk CUTTING OUT Step one From the main fabric cut: Front and back: two pieces 34x52cm (133/8x20½in). Step two From the foam interfacing cut: Front and back: two pieces 34x52cm (133/8x20½in). Step three From the strap tape cut: two 23cm (91/8in) strips. If necessary, depending on the kind of strap tape you are using, carefully heat seal the…

“OUR COMMUNITY IS SO DIVERSE. IT’S AMAZING TO INTERACT WITH AND LEARN FROM FELLOW MAKERS.” There are many wonderful things about sewing, but probably one of the best is that it brings like-minded makers together. Whether you’re in a virtual or real-life sewing room, the friendly and welcoming creative community is a beautiful melting pot of different cultures, bringing with it a unique blend of styles, tastes and techniques. Yet, as uncomfortable as it is to admit, when you look at mainstream magazines, products, blogs and patterns in the craft sector, it doesn’t take long to see that diversity and inclusivity is all too often lacking. It’s one of the reasons why junior doctor and former Great British Sewing Bee 2016 quarter finalist Rumana Lasker (www.thelittlepomegranate.co.uk) launched #SewInColour. It started…

YOU WILL NEED ■ 2 fat quarters ■ Erasable fabric marker pen ■ Black stranded cotton ■ Embroidery needle ■ Toy stuffing ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit FABRIC USED The pillow fabric is Scallops Arctic from the Panorama Cloud collection by Melody Miller and Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cotton+Steel. Go to www.clothandcandy.co.uk NOTES ■ Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/ downloads ■ Fat quarter = 45x56cm (18x22in). CUTTING OUT Step one We made the tooth and pillow from two contrasting fabrics, so decide which fabric you’d like to use for each one and cut out: Tooth: two using the template. Pocket: one using the template. Cushion: two 12x12cm (4¾x4¾in).01 MAKING THE CUSHION Step one Use a water-soluble pen and mark the opening on the tooth. With the right sides (RS)…

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