Innehållsförteckning för 59 från Simply Sewing

From a beautiful view to a homemade cake, there are some things in life that are even better when shared: including your sewing skills. Our feature on p52 is all about discovering the joys of teaching others – and you’ll have plenty of techniques to pass on with this issue’s skills-boosting patterns, The Amelia Dress (it has pockets!) and the staple Blair Bag. So, let’s get together, get creative with fabric – and have a blast doing it! Tag you and your friends’ finished projects with #simplysewingmag WWW.SIMPLYSEWINGMAG.COM #SIMPLYSEWINGMAG facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine twitter.com/simplysewing_ pinterest.com/simplysewingmag instagram.com/simplysewingmag…

ROAD SHOW A VW Campervan named Dolly and a bundle of beautiful fabrics and haberdashery have hit the road this summer as Birdy & Blue takes its Etsy shop on tour. After a six-month renovation, the VW Campervan has been transformed into the mobile fabric shop of founder Sarah Willock’s dreams. Find out where they’ll be heading next at www.birdyandblue.co.uk INFLUENCER STYLE Sewing influencer Tabitha Sewer's first ever pattern, the Lena Horne dress, is inspired by her trademark fun, feminine wardrobe. Vintage-style, girly and classic, its ruffle straps and swishy gathered skirt make it perfect for posing in – tag your pics with #lenahornedress. www.tabithasewer.com SEW WITH PATRICK Ever wish you could spend an afternoon sewing with GBSB judge Patrick Grant? A group of stitchers won the chance to do…

There’s no such thing as having too many patterns, right? We’ve teamed up with Sew Direct to give you the chance to win this bundle of 20 New Look patterns worth £145! They’ve specially curated this collection just for us and it includes a huge range of garments such as: party dresses, trousers, jersery tops, blouses, tunics, maxi dresses, cargo pants, skirts, a hoodie, leggings, T-shirts, jumpsuits and even a coat. Just imagine how good your me-made wardrobe is going to look after sewing all of these! The best thing about New Look patterns is that their designs come in sizes US 8-20 (EUR 34-46) so whatever your size, or style, there’s bound to be something that’s perfect for you. For your chance to win this huge bundle enter our…

You know when you just have to sew a pattern because you can imagine how easily it’ll fit in with your existing wardrobe? This issue’s Amelia Dress is one of those got-to-sew-it frocks: we can see ourselves wearing it for work, weekends with the family or all dressed up for special occasions, and it can be layered to take us into autumn as well. Its versatile design isn’t the only thing that’s got us excited to make this dress, though – it's also got that all-important detail: pockets! Show us how you style your dress tagged #simplysewingmag YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric: Dress A: 2.3mx115cm (2½ydx45in) 1.9mx140cm (2¼ydx55in) Dress B: 2.9mx115cm (3¼ydx45in) 2.5mx140cm (2¾ydx55in) ■ Invisible zip: 56cm (22in) ■ Lightweight iron-on interfacing: 50x110cm (20x44in) ■ Matching thread ■ Basic…

"The more we can do to make the clothes we love last, the better." When it comes to my fabric stash, like most sewists I border on hoarder status; I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t love fabric. But what about all the bits around the edges? The things that take your projects from basic to brilliant? Embellishments can be that little added extra that make something really special, but are often overlooked by many as being tricky to use or just a bit unnecessary. But, I am telling you – trimmings are not just for your Christmas jumper! Lace or pom poms can take your me-mades to the next level and can make those shop-bought pieces in your wardrobe really stand out, too. Not only can they be used…

YOU WILL NEED ■ A dress or tunic top that fits you loosely ■ Main fabric: 3mx115cm (3¼ydx45in) ■ Elastic: 1.5cm (5/8in) wide x your waist measurement ■ Bias binding: 1m (11/8yd) ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit RECOMMENDED FABRICS Viscose, rayon or cotton fabrics that drape well. We used 'Playful Seaweed Nightglow' rayon, designed by Katie Skoog for Art Gallery Fabrics. See more at www.liveartgalleryfabrics.com and search for your nearest stockist at www.hantexonline.co.uk NOTE Use a 1.5cm (5/8in) seam allowance unless otherwise stated. CUTTING OUT Step one Lay your fabric out folded in half lengthways and lay your template garment on top of your fabric also folded in half along the folded edge of the fabric. We used a garment with grown-on sleeves, so we didn’t have to…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Jute fabric, for the outer shoe ■ Linen fabric, for the lining ■ Espadrille soles in your size ■ Elastic: 5cm (2in) wide ■ Embroidery thread and needle ■ Pom poms in assorted colours ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance. ■ Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/ downloads ■ Our template is designed to fit UK shoe sizes 4.5 to 6.5. CUTTING OUT Step one Download, print and cut out the templates. Step two Fold both the outer and lining fabrics in half. Lay the outer fabric over the top of the lining fabric and place the pattern pieces on top. Pin the layers in place. Cut the pattern pieces out through all of the fabric layers.01 MAKING…

"MYSELF AND THE SEWING QUARTER TEAM WILL BE WORKING ON A NEW CONCEPT; WHAT SEWER WOULDN’T WANT TO BE PART OF A DEDICATED SEWING CHANNEL?!" There’s a new girl in town over on Sewing Quarter, though chances are you’ll already be well acquainted with her. Debbie Shore has authored best-selling sewing books, has her own range of fabrics in Hobbycraft and is something of a celebrity on the YouTube circuit, amassing over 2.3 million views on her videos. Debbie can now add Sewing Quarter presenter to her CV, as this summer sees her join the channel. “At Sewing Quarter, myself and the team will be working on a new concept, so it’s exciting to see the designs coming together,” Debbie says. “Aside from sewing, another of my hobbies is sketching,…

SOUTH SEW BUSY Stockists of quality cottons, cotton jersey, denim, linen, ribbons, haberdashery and sewing gifts amongst others. sew-busy.co.uk SOUTH WEST INSPIRATIONS CLUB A carefully curated parcel of fabrics, ribbons, buttons and other goodies delivered to your door every month. inspirationsclub.co.uk SOUTH WEST BECKFORD SILK Silks & velvet. Natural, printed and dyed. Small quantities at wholesale prices. 01386 881 507 beckfordsilk.co.uk SOUTH WEST INCHES FABRICS Fabrics, Wools and Haberdashery. Buttons, Ribbons and Patterns. Knitting and Sewing lessons. 39 Parsonage St, Dursley, Glos, GL11 4BP. 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 selection of luxury dressmaking and patchwork fabrics, sewing supplies and…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Stretched frame of monk’s cloth with minimum inside dimensions of 20x25cm (8x10in) ■ Canvas fabric: 35x30cm (14x12in), for the backing ■ Cotton muslin fabric: 35x30cm (14x12in), for the lining ■ Staple gun and staples ■ Staple remover ■ Oxford Company #14 mini punch needle ■ Aran/worsted weight yarn suitable for use with a #14 mini punch needle in 3 different colours: 1 x 100g ball in each colour for the details and 2 x 100g balls for the background colour ■ Paint brush and PVA glue ■ 23cm (9in) zip ■ Zip foot for sewing machine ■ Leather cord or fabric tie ■ Short length of wooden dowel or wooden bead for zip pull (optional) ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTE Download the template…

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…

If there's one thing that's really stuck in my mind this month, it's Anna's feature (page 52) about sharing skills. Some may think that dressmaking is quite a lonely hobby, sat in front of the sewing machine (sometimes that's the best bit, right?) but actually there's so much more to it than that. Thanks to social media, craft workshops, visitor events and dedicated TV channels (see Sewing Quarter's latest recruit on p62) learning from others has never been easier. Please do keep tagging and sharing your makes using # simplysewingmag, we adore looking through your photos. Until next time... happy sewing!…

A creative outlet; a learning experience; a mindfulness tool: sewing is about so much more than making beautiful things, and for designer Meghann of Halfmoon Atelier it offers a way to live more sustainably, too. She creates her patterns with ‘simple design, big impact’ in mind. “I believe very much in living a sustainable lifestyle, and I want that to be clear in my business,” she explains. “That means focusing on creating high-quality garments that work in all/most parts of your life, rather than just more garments.” Dressmaking is also a day-to-day necessity for Meghann, as well as a creative one. She moved to Saba in 2015, “a tiny island with less than 2000 inhabitants, so purchasing clothes in person isn’t an option. Making my own clothes is both fun,…

30 AUGUST - 1 SEPTEMBER Great Northern Needlecraft and Quilt Shows. Great Yorkshire Showground. A combined event with needlecraft supplies, workshops, and a quilt show with a Tropical Paradise theme. www.grosvenorshows.co.uk FROM 24 SEPTEMBER Faces & Figures in Stitch. RSN, Hampton Court Palace. Discover how people have been depicted in beautiful embroidery throughout history. www.royal-needlework.org.uk 27 SEPTEMBER 2019 - 26 JANUARY 2020 Zandra Rhodes: Fifty Years of Fabulous. Fashion and Textile Museum, London. A retrospective of the work of designer Dame Zandra Rhodes DBE. www.ftmlondon.org 30 SEPTEMBER Introduction to Visible Mending. Backstitch, Barton. Embrace slow fashion and learn techniques to repair clothing with darning and patches. www.backstitch.co.uk…

Every sewist knows how important it is to ensure you have good light to work in. Say hello to The Daylight Company – they specialise in lighting-up all kinds of creative spaces with their contemporary (and space-saving) lights. The Slimline floor lamp (above, left) offers four levels of brightness and has flexible joints, so you can angle the light over a wider area. The Wafer Lightbox (right) is great for fussy-cutting and tracing templates – and is easily stored thanks to its slim design. Finally, the sewing machine lamp (above, right) is easily mounted onto your machine so you can focus the beam where you need it most! What’s best, all of these lights are powered by LEDs which use minimal energy and never get hot! See more at www.daylightcompany.…

YOU WILL NEED ■ A loose-fitting top to use as a template ■ Main fabric: 65x140cm (26x55in) ■ Narrow satin or cotton bias binding: 1.5m (1¾yd) ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit RECOMMENDED FABRICS A soft fabric that drapes well, such as a crepe viscose, cotton voile or sandwashed silk. NOTES ■ Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance unless otherwise stated. ■ The instructions given are to make a top that fits up to a UK size 16. You will need more fabric if you would like to make a longer or larger top. ■ You may find it more economical to draft the pattern for the top onto paper first and then purchase fabric, depending on the width and length of your pieces. CUTTING OUT Step one Fold…

I love looking at sites like www.net-a-porter.com and www.vogue.co.uk for the latest catwalk shows and designer pieces. I enjoy imagining how designers see the world, how they use embellishments and, of course, to see what trends will be filtering down in a few seasons. Good old Pinterest (www.pinterest.co.uk/ sewcraftyshop) is also my go-to when I want to find out how other people have used a trimming or embellishment. It's such a great resource.…

What do you think of when you look at this quilt? We bet it's picnics in the park, outings to the beach, camping with the family, or catching rays in the garden – everything we love about the summer months! Proving quilts aren't just for cosying up in winter, this kaleidoscopic creation is made with Dana Willard's Summer Side prints for Art Gallery Fabrics – think retro sunnies, rainbow popsicles, summer berries, wildflowers, and even bikinis. Download the free quilt pattern at www.artgalleryfabrics.com…

Debbie says: “This is a speedy last–minute make for your holiday wardrobe. It drapes over the shoulders and hangs really nicely because of the length.” YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: 2m (2¼yd) ■ Pom pom trim: 3m (3¼yd) in a bright neon colour ■ Erasable fabric marker ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit FABRIC USED Tie-dye print georgette from www.sewcraftyonline.co.uk MAKING THE COVER UP Step one Fold the fabric in half with the selvedges at the top and the bottom and the fold on the left-hand side. Step two Measure across from one raw edge to the centre. Using the erasable fabric marker, mark a line from this point upwards to the half way point in the fabric. Step three Cut along the marked line through the top…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: 50x115cm (20x45in) ■ Contrast fabric: 25x115cm (10x45in) ■ Lining fabric: 50x115cm (20x45in) ■ Webbing: 2.5mx3cm (2¾ydx1¼in) ■ 2 x D-rings: 3cm (1¼in) wide ■ 2 x sliding bar strap adjusters: 3cm (1¼in) ■ 2 sets of snap fasteners and tool ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Measurements are height x width. ■ Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance. ■ Use a mediumweight fabric for the outer and a heavyweight fabric for the lining. CUTTING OUT Step one From the main fabric cut: Outer bag: two 47x30cm (18½x12in). Step two From the contrast fabric cut: Base: two 10x30cm (4x12in). Step three From the lining fabric cut: Lining fabric: two 47x30cm (18½x12in). Step four From the webbing cut: Loops: two 12cm (4¾in). Closure tabs: two 18cm…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Outer fabric: 35x112cm (14x44in) ■ Lining fabric: 35x112cm (14x44in) ■ Iron-on wadding: 35x90cm (14x35in) ■ Firm interfacing: 35x90cm (14x35in) ■ Black plastic zips: two 30cm (12in) ■ Bias binding: 1.5m (1¾yd) ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Use a 5mm (¼in) seam allowance. ■ Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/ downloads MATERIALS USED The fabrics used are from Fanciful by Rae Hoekstra for Cloud9 Fabrics. For stockists visit www.hantex.co.ukIron-on wadding is H630 and the firm interfacing is Decovil I Light by Vlieseline from www.ladysewand sew.co.uk CUTTING OUT Step one From the outer fabric cut: Side outer: two using the template. Back outer: one using the template. Front/base outer: one using the template. Lid outer: one using the template. Step two From the lining fabric…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Linen fabric: 32x32cm (13x13in) ■ Quilting cotton: 32x32cm (13x13in) ■ Stranded cotton in green, yellow and blue ■ Embroidery hoop ■ Basic sewing kit ■ Matching thread NOTES ■ Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/ downloads ■ Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance unless otherwise stated. WORKING THORN STITCH Step one Come up at the bottom of the line of thorn stitch and go back down at the top. Leave the long stitch slightly loose. Come up on one side a short distance from the long stitch and go back down just on the other side of the centre line.01 Step two Come up on the second side a short distance from the centre line and go back down just on the other side.02 Step three Repeat…

We’d be lost without our trusty sewing machines or a plain old needle and thread. Sometimes, though, the urge strikes us to branch out and try a new craft. We’ve got Arounna Khounnoraj to thank for our latest obsession – punch needling, or needle punch as it’s also known. This super-talented Canadian artist and maker, based in Toronto, has breathed new life into this forgotten craft through her beautiful book, Punch Needle, published in spring this year. “My book is all about how to get started, with patterns and ideas for what you can make with your punched pieces,” explains Arounna. “It’s really for anyone who's interested in creating colourful imagery and practising a craft that is quick to pick up, without a huge learning curve. The process is very…

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…

STUART HILLARD Stuart is one of the UK’s leading quilt designers, teachers and decor experts, and star of the first series of BBC2’s The Great British Sewing Bee. His book Simple Shapes Stunning Quilts features 100 quilts to sew, including the hexie quilt project on page 77. DEBBIE SHORE Celebrated author, TV presenter and sewist, Debbie Shore is a household name in the sewing industry and after 30 years working as a TV presenter she’s joined forces with Sewing Quarter. Find out more about her sewing journey so far on page 62. AROUNNA KHOUNNORAJ Arounna is a Canadian creative based in Toronto, where she emigrated with her family from Laos. Her work explores a variety of printing and embroidery techniques. Read about her book, Punch Needle, on page 82, and…

Production Editor Michelle's essential jersey dress patterns. TILLY AND THE BUTTONS’ ROMY Tilly’s fun twist on the classic T-shirt dress, the Romy has an elegant slash neckline and the most adorable tie-back detail, and  it can be made as an everyday top, too. A must for giving your weekend wardrobe an easy-sew upgrade. Find the pattern at shop.tillyandthebuttons.com CASHMERETTE’S APPLETON A classic wrap dress “designed to play up your curves,” the Appleton knit dress features an innovative neckband construction that helps to prevent gaping across the bust, so no need to fear a wardrobe malfunction. Hurrah! www.cashmerette.com SIMPLY SEWING LEILA I’ve spotted lots of fab versions of issue 55’s Leila Dress popping up on social media – I think the secret to its popularity is the  clever faux wrap on…

BAGS Anna Alicia (£14.99, Quadrille Publishing) Work your way through 18 stylish bag projects and pick up plenty of new techniques at the same time with this inspiring book by regular Simply Sewing contributor, Anna Alicia. You'll learn how to create different shapes and styles, work with bag fabrics, and add zips, poppers, pockets and straps. Psst! Make a backpack from the book with the tutorial on p57. www.hardiegrant.com THE EMBROIDERED ART OF CHLOE GIORDANO Chloe Giordano (£25, Search Press) Take a peek at the creative process of textile artist Chloe Giordano and discover her unique way of working with thread to create delicate, lifelike nature embroideries. The book takes one project from conception to completion, showing how Chloe plans, chooses colours, selects threads and stitches her design, along with…

BUNNY COMFORTER Sew little ones a huggable fabric friend for comfort and learning, featuring an embroidered friendly face and ear detail to help with tactile development. Going to a baby shower? Make a matching teething ring as a gift set, with bunny ears that can easily be removed for washing. SIMPLE QUILT Don't have time to stitch an intricate patchwork quilt before baby arrives? This modern, minimal design is just as beautiful in its simplicity and is a dream to sew for quilting newbies; you'll learn how to work with layers of fabric and wadding, stitch neat quilting lines and add binding for a lasting finish. NAPPY AND WIPES POUCH Parents are heroes. Their superpower? Always coming prepared with wipes, nappies and a whole lot of love (even without a…

There's nothing like the feeling of being able to proudly say "I made it myself" when someone compliments your dress – and it's even better when you can say it about your handbag, too! This issue's The Blair Bag pattern is an essential bag that has a just-right mix of practical features and stylish detailing, with a zip closure, four pockets, lining and statement silver zips and hardware. We've made our Blair in a textured plain, but we're thinking stripes, spots, florals, geometrics – with a bag this timeless, any fabric goes! CLICK HERE! TO BUY THIS PATTERN FROM £6.99 WHILE STOCKS LAST…

As if it wasn’t hard enough to learn about all the parts of your sewing machine, you’ve finally bought an overlocker and now there are dozens of new parts to learn the names and functions of! Don't stress, though – we’ve got you covered with this guide to the key overlocker terms. Cut out and keep this page for a reminder of the proper names and functions of each part – formerly known as do-dahs and thingamajigs! While not all of these parts will be relevant to your machine's make and model, features are generally similar across the board so this should be a good reference. Be sure to read through the instructions that came with your machine before you start your project, too. PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT SCREW This is used…

Sometimes, a passing comment can really stay with you. A few weeks ago, chatting with a colleague about our shared love of embroidery, she mentioned how this particular craft has a special place in her heart, as she remembers the hours she spent with her grandma learning the skill. It was a brief comment, but it resonated with the warmth of their time spent together and it got me thinking. I started to wonder what happens when we share our creative skills with our friends and family at home, and particularly what happens when we discover what we might have to offer as informal teachers. Nowadays, we’re not short on ways to acquire new skills – online there’s a YouTube tutorial or a blog how-to for pretty much everything. But…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Small piece of white calico or cotton to fit in the hoop ■ Small embroidery hoop ■ Square of green felt ■ Erasable fabric marker ■ Beading needle ■ Seed beads in white, two shades of green, red and black ■ Fabric glue ■ Safety pin ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTE Download the template from www. simplysewingmag.com/downloads CUTTING OUT Step one Download, print and cut out the watermelon template. Step two Cut a circle of calico slightly larger than the embroidery frame and fit it in the frame. Step three Using the template, draw the watermelon onto the calico.01 Step four From the green felt cut: Pin tab: 2x2.5cm (¾x1in). MAKING THE BROOCH Step one Stitch a line of dark green beads on…

YOU WILL NEED For one single duvet cover and one pillowcase: ■ Fabric A: 1mx110cm (11/8ydx43in, for the pillowcase ■ Fabric B: 1.4mx110cm (1¾inx43in), for the duvet cover ■ Yellow sheeting cotton: 1mx140cm (11/8ydx55in) ■ Blue sheeting cotton: 2.1mx140cm (2½ydx55in) ■ Kam snap tool and 5 white snaps ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Use a 1cm (3/8in) seam allowance. ■ If you are using patterned fabric for the duvet cover ensure that the print is non-directional as this piece will be cut sideways so that it is wide enough. Alternatively, use an extra-wide fabric. MATERIALS USED Pillowcase: King of Beasts by Leah Duncan for Cloud9. Visit www. hantexonline.co.uk for stockists. Duvet Cover: Spot White from the Monochrome collection. Visit www. makoweruk.com for stockists. CUTTING OUT Unless…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Assorted print and solid cotton fabrics in yellow, grey and blue greys, to make 144 half hexagons ■ Cotton backing fabric: 1.4mx140cm (1¾ydx55in) ■ Bias binding ■ Wadding: 1.4mx140cm (1¾ydx55in) ■ Walking foot and/or darning foot ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Download the templates from www. simplysewingmag.com/downloads ■ Use a ¼in (6mm) seam allowance. ■ You might find it easier to label the blocks and rows by pinning notes to the fabric to avoid mixing up prints. ■ Use a walking foot to quilt straight lines, use a darning foot to quilt free-motion swirls, shapes and stipples FINISHED SIZE The finished quilt measures approx 54x52in (137x132cm). CUTTING OUT Step one Download and print the template. Step two From the assorted fabrics cut:…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric A: white cuddle plush 65x65cm (26x26in) ■ Fabric B: black cuddle plush 11x8cm (4½x3in) ■ Fabric C: orange cuddle plush 9x9cm (3½x3½in) ■ Fabric D: wool felt in five floral colours and green for leaves, 12x5cm (5x2in) of each colour ■ Pink narrow ribbon: 35cm (14in) ■ Selection of six small beads ■ Black stranded cotton ■ Polyester toy filling ■ Basic sewing kit FINISHED SIZE Approx 25cm (10in) tall. NOTES ■ Download the templates from www.simplysewingmag.com/ downloads ■ Measurements are width x height. ■ Arrows on the templates indicate stretch direction. Cut pattern pieces so the stretch is on the width. The nap on the plush fabrics should run downwards. ■ Use a 6mm (¼in) seam allowance. ■ A walking foot is recommended. CUTTING…

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. TAILOR’S CHALKS Chalk temporarily marks fabric and can be easily brushed away. SEAM RIPPER This sharp blade cuts through and unpicks stitches. 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…

"You know that saying, "find a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life"? Being the cynic I am, I always laughed out loud at that. Well, the time has come to eat humble pie – I really have found the perfect job for me and I love it! It's not like I haven't had fabulous jobs before – I've had such a wonderful career. It all started with art school in Wimbledon, learning how to sew costumes. It wasn't long before London's West End beckoned, then working on Broadway before Hollywood rang. I've been blessed to have worked with stars including Robin Williams, Pierce Brosnan, Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise to name but a few. Then…