Innehållsförteckning för 67 från Simply Sewing

Whether you treat yourself to the effortlessly glam Claudie Top or the comfy and casual Breton Dress – or both! – we think you’ll love the patterns this issue. It’s not just about the dressmaking though, we’ve also included Nellie the Elephant for you to gift to a little one or keep as a cute household addition. And whilst we’re on the subject of cute, who could possibly resist the adorable bunny toy with its own wardrobe? This month we’re all about bringing that seaside vibe indoors... just in case this rain never stops. Our coastal kitchen set and starfish cushion will help you channel thoughts of splashing in the sea, sand between your toes, and that delicious smell of fish and chips – yum! Whatever you make, be sure…

SMART CASUAL We love a versatile wardrobe essential and the new Viktor pattern from Lenaline is a trouser that's got it all. Stylish? Check. Can be dressed up or down? Check. Beautiful belt option? Check! We could go on, but there's no need because this super-striking design speaks for itself. Available in UK sizes 8–18, download it as a PDF for ›10 from www.lenaline.com FEEL-GOOD FABRICS Bristol Cloth produces 100% wool which is holistically farmed, biologically washed, naturally dyed by Botanical Inks, and woven at Bristol Weaving Mill. The company has launched the second edition of its fabric and products, including scarves and throws to see you through the last of the cold weather. Visit www.bristolcloth.co.uk OH SEW NATURAL C Pauli has launched a new range of gorgeous organic cottons,…

4 APRIL Make yourself a cosy lap quilt at the flying geese workshop taking place at The Sewing Studio in Cornwall. www.thesewingstudio.co.uk 8 APRIL Head to the bargello embroidery class for beginners at Tea and Crafting in London. www.teaandcrafting.co.uk 24–25 APRIL The Creative Craft Show heads to ExCeL, London with crafting stalls, workshops and make & takes galore to enjoy – the perfect day out for sewists and other crafters. www.stitchandhobby.co.uk 3 MAY Need a hand with a tricky project? Sewing Bee champion Juliet Uzor is here to help at one of her special Sew So Natural Sewing Surgeries. www.sewsonatural.com…

1 WHAT IS A BRETON STRIPE? Traditionally speaking, a true Breton stripe hails from the Brittany (or Bretagne) region of Northern France, and should consist of horizontal lines in navy blue and white. These days, however, the term is used to describe an array of different colours and styles of stripe – but almost always it's made from jersey or another knit fabric. 2 STRETCH FACTOR To determine the stretch of your fabric, first take a look at the fibre content – the higher the percentage of elastic, the stretchier it will be. To get a true measure, lay your fabric down and place one pin through it, 2.5cm in from the edge. Measure and place another pin 10cm across from the first. Pull the fabric gently until it can't…

Thread Theory launched in 2012 and is at the forefront of menswear sewing. Morgan and Matt, who are behind the brand, are sewing enthusiasts who launched the business to strengthen the presence of menswear in the DIY fashion movement. Their online shop stocks project kits, sewing tools, fabrics, knitting supplies, and literature suited to menswear making. Their diverse pattern selection covers everything from formalwear to underwear. Find patterns to sew your own Quadra Jeans and Fairfield Button-up Shirt combo at www.threadtheory.ca…

YOU WILL NEED ■ A jumper to use as a template ■ Wool, fleece or thick jersey knit 1.5mx140cm (1¾ydx55in), see notes ■ 3.5m (4yd) bias tape ■ Erasable fabric marker or tailor's chalk ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm (3/8in) unless otherwise stated. ■ You will need more fabric if you want the cape longer or wider, or if you need to make it larger than a UK size 16. ■ If you are unsure whether the item will fit, add extra seam allowance all around. The size of the cape can always be altered later on. CUTTING OUT Step one Fold the fabric twice bringing the selvedges together so there are two folds and four layers of fabric. Step two Fold…

We are always super inspired by colour trends. Looking at the spring/ summer trends for 2020 we are loving that solid colours are here to stay! We find that every garment you make for your wardrobe in a solid is so versatile and easy to mix and match. We both love to wear colour and especially like to play with colour blocking, colour clashing, and head-to-toe monochrome. sewing challenges such as #sewhappycolor and #dresslikeacrayon are great for finding inspiration for wearing more colour.…

YOU WILL NEED ■ 50x50cm (20x20in) quilting weight cotton in light blue ■ 50x50cm (20x20in) quilting weight cotton in soft green ■ 1.5m (1¾yd) piping in pale blue ■ 50x50cm (20x20in) plain unbleached cotton for lining ■ 1 wooden button, approx 2.5cm (1in) wide ■ 250g bag of toy stuffing ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm (3/8in) unless otherwise stated ■ Download the templates from www.gathered.how/ss-templates MATERIALS USED ■ Add It Up by Ruby Star Society in Soft Aqua and Polar, from www.thefabricfox.co.uk CUTTING OUT Step one Download, print and cut out the star segment template. Step two From the light blue fabric cut: Blue Star Segments: five using the template Step three From the green fabric cut: Green Star Segments: turn the…

High quality pressing is the secret to a professional-looking, perfectly finished garment, and pressing as you sew is the key. There are differences between ironing and pressing – and when you’re sewing, it’s pressing that you need! Ironing is the process of sliding the iron back and forth across your fabric, whereas pressing is placing your iron on the fabric and pressing down with some force, often applying steam at the same time. WHY TO PRESS Pressing is a step that can be easily missed when you’re sewing as it slows the process down, but it is essential. With some projects you may spend almost as much time pressing as sewing. You should always press as you sew, then each stage of the stitching process will be neat and flat…

Isn't Nellie the Elephant just the sweetest little chap? This cheerful plushie design from Jo Carter is one of your bonus pattern packs included with this issue, so he can be all yours to keep or to make as a special present. There are also video tutorials available online to help you make Nellie. Check out the following Sewing Quarter episodes on YouTube to see Jo Carter making the elephant herself: Welcome to Wonderland (23/09/17) and Creature Comforts (27/10/17). Enjoy!…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Linen fabric, fat quarter ■ Quilting cotton, fat quarter ■ Stranded cotton in coordinating floral shades ■ Small embroidery hoop ■ Rice and lavender for stuffing ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Fat quarter = 45x56cm (18x22in) ■ Use a 7mm seam allowance unless otherwise stated ■ We used lavender, yellow ■ Download the templates from www.gathered.how/ss-templates WORKING GRANITOS STITCH Step one Come up and go back down to make a straight stitch. Bring the needle up again through the first hole at the bottom of the stitch. Go back down at the top of the stitch. As the needle passes through the fabric, hold the working thread to the left of the first stitch, guiding the thread to lay on the fabric…

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…

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…

I love nothing more than driving down to the stunning Devon coastline for a last-minute weekend break. I can't resist the opportunity to breathe in all that fresh sea air – and (if I'm feeling braver enough) swim in the ocean. I've taken inspiration from a recent family getaway to bring you an issue packed with gorgeous coastal-inspired DIYs. Recreate that holiday-home look with coastal kitchen accessories (p26) and a stylish starfish cushion (p64). Add nautical stripes to your wardrobe with an easy shirt refashion (p74) and classic Breton dress (p22) – trust me, it's guaranteed to become one of your favourites.…

Wrap dress For easy fit and fabulous style, it's a wrap says Production Editor Emily Freer 1940S WRAP DRESS, SEW OVER IT Get your vintage style on with this 1940s-inspired versatile wrap dress that has two sleeve and skirt options. With a front collar and pretty shoulder pleats this pattern is suitable for intermediate to advanced sewists. Find in sizes 8–20 at www.sewoverit.co.uk SAINT-GERMAIN WRAP DRESS, LIESL + CO Forget 1970s- style knit wrap dresses, this cool new design has been created for woven fabrics, with pleats in the bodice and skirt for an easier fit and comfort. Choose from two skirt and sleeve options, available in sizes 0–20. Head over to www.oliverands.com TRINA WRAP DRESS The semi-fitted Trina wrap dress has dramatic kimono-inspired flared sleeves and gathers above the…

SEW A BAG Amy Karol (£11.99, Abrams & Chronicle) For this book you'll need to put your machine to one side as it focuses on hand-sewing, used here to make some beautiful bags as a way to get beginners used to techniques for sewing on buttons and repairing items – which they can then use on other projects in the future. Both practical and purposeful this would make a fab gift for a sewing newbie friend. www.abramsandchronicle.co.uk THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE: SUSTAINABLE STYLE Alexandra Bruce and Caroline Akselson (£27, Hardie Grant Books) Alteration Challenge fans ahoy! If watching Sewing Bee contestants upcycle outifts is your favourite part of the show, read this for info on sustainable and natural fabrics, how to breathe life into old garments, and tips on…

Sitting down to craft, with the prospect of making something completely from scratch, can be a daunting task. But how about also being faced with the issue of adapting the pattern to accommodate your disability, changing your equipment to ease the process or scheduling in breaks to prevent exhaustion? People who are less able, due to a disability or illness, face many of these types of issues when it comes to their passion for sewing. But instead of being stumped in the face of adversity, here are the people championing accessibility. CHANGING PATTERNS AND PROCESSES "IT WOULD BE AMAZING IF SEWING PATTERNS WERE MADE WITH WHEELCHAIR USERS IN MIND" Even when it comes to the seemingly simple task of selecting which pattern to make, disabled sewists face a challenge. Sewing…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Trench coat ■ Medium weight iron-on interfacing 10cmx1m (4inx11/8yd)* ■ Hand sewing kit ■ Sewing machine NOTES ■ *Use this amount as a guide, the amount of interfacing required will depend on the width and length of your trench coat's hem. CUTTING THE TRENCH Step one First step is to establish where you want to cut. The pockets, the hidden placket, and the back vent all present potential challenges to overcome when it comes to rehemming. Where you cut is a matter of preference, condition of the garment, and how much work you want to do!01 Step two We opted for a very cropped look and cut our coat at the waist. This removed the pockets and back vent as an obstacle, but left the concealed…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Old shirt that fits you ■ Bias binding ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm (3/8 in) unless otherwise stated. CUTTING THE SHIRT Step one Cut the collar and sleeves off and remove some length from the bottom of the shirt.01 Step two Mark out a curved V-neck onto the shirt and cut away the excess fabric. You could make this a more rounded neckline depending on your desired look.02 Step three To ensure the shirt will fit you, you will need to mark and cut away some excess fabric from the side seam and sleeves, you can use an existing top as a template for this. Stitch the new side seams together wrong sides (WS) facing. Finish the raw…

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.…

"There are so many reasons why this faux leather jacket is my favourite piece in my handmade wardrobe, but I’ll try to narrow it down. I hadn’t made a full-on piece of clothing for a while before I made this. I have sewn all my life and find that as much as I love it, I do go in and out of the mood for sewing complicated garments. I find that something must fulfil a real need in my wardrobe to warrant the commitment in time and money to create it. This jacket definitely filled that need for me. Being a plus-size gal, I find that leather jackets are usually ill-fitting, bulky, hot to wear, and often make you look like a leather armchair. Nobody wants that! When I found…

SAMANTHA CLARIDGE Samantha is a sewist, designer and handmade advocate. She lives in Berkshire with her husband and three cats where she runs her online store and design house Samantha Claridge Studio. See her favourite wardrobe make on page 98. JO CARTER Jo spends most days in her sewing room, accompanied by a radio drama and a warm cup of tea. Inspiration comes from illustrations in her son’s picture books, clothing, and the talented makers of Instagram. See Jo’s elephant toy on page 79. THE STITCH SISTERS The Stitch Sisters – comprised of Nikki and Rachel – are best friends and sewing buddies. As mums, small business owners, sewing teachers, and YouTubers they’ve become juggling extraordinaires! Read more about what motivates them on page 54. FIONA HESFORD Fiona is the…

PICK YOUR POCKETS  Keep your essentials close with handy optional pockets situated on the chest or front hip. TWO NECKLINE OPTIONS  Choose from a flatterung boat neckline or a retro 1960s-inspired funnel neck design. UP AND DOWN Pick from a hip-skimming tunic top or longer-length dress design. COCO Coco from Tilly and the Buttons is the perfect pattern for showing off jersey stripes, with both a hip-skimming tunic top and longer-length dress option to choose from. It also features both a flattering boat neck and retro funnel neckline, full or three-quarter length sleeves, and pockets – which look great in both matching or contrasting fabric. A full sewalong is also available on Tilly's website, giving heaps of extra guidance. www.tillyandthebuttons.com PATTERN INSPIRATION Make a statement with our pick of the…

SHOPPER BAG Perfect for carrying your picnic supplies or your beach lounging gear, this bag is roomy and practical. Add a rope handle for a fun nod to all things nautical. TABLE MAT AND COASTER SET Serve up a taste of the seaside with these circular table mats and coasters. Quilt some wavy lines on your fabric for an extra professional wash-proof finish. TEA COSY There's nothing like a cup of tea to warm you up after a seafront walk. Use this cute tea cosy to keep your pot of tea nice and toasty, ready for the inevitable second slice of cake. DOORSTOP This easy-sew doorstop is both pretty and practical. Add a splash of seaside colour with a contrasting shape and fabric on each side to remind you of…

“Fabric can be replaced if things go wrong, just give it a go.” Michelle Mason “If you lose your sewjo, sometimes a little absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder and you will come back to it refreshed and inspired.” Marie Lawlor “My advice is to not push yourself to complete projects at someone else's pace.” Andie Wells “Don’t compare your progress to others. You don’t have to do things the ‘proper’ way if it doesn’t feel right, sewing is all about doing what works for you.” Anna Colwill…

Nothing beats that feeling when you look at something and think “I could make that” Back in 2014 we had the idea of opening up our homes in the Cotswold countryside to people who wanted to learn to sew. We had been so inspired by the brand new Great British Sewing Bee and we wanted to share our passion with as many people as possible. Sodbury Sewing School started with a single 'Learn to Sew' class, but we were soon running up to eight classes a week, teaching everything from quilting to dressmaking. We both turned our dining rooms into dedicated sewing studios and over the next five years were lucky enough to teach thousands of people how to sew. As self-taught home sewists, we both appreciate that learning to…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Outer fabric (see notes) ■ Lining fabric (see notes) ■ Iron-on interfacing (see notes) ■ 4.5m (5yd) paracord/cotton cord ■ Cord toggle ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1.5cm (5/8in) unless otherwise stated ■ Fabric and interfacing requirements will depend of the diameter of your circle template. We used 50cm (20in) of each. FABRICS USED ■ Outer fabric: Anagram 80s Pattern by Ruby Star Society ■ Lining fabric: Grid Blue by Ruby Star Society ■ Both fabrics from Samantha Claridge Studio, available at www.samanthaclaridgestudio.com MAKING THE PATTERN Step one Decide how big you want your make-up bag to be when it’s laying flat. We made ours with a 50cm diameter. Step two Make a template using half of your measurement,…

1 Start by washing your denim separately, using warm water, then dry the fabric naturally. 2 If possible, use a new needle – 90/14 for medium-weight and 100/16 for heavyweights. 3 Lengthen your stitch if you are sewing through multiple layers. 4 Use a wider hem allowance to help with the bulk. 5 For enhancing your garment use a denim topstitching thread and an all-purpose thread in your bobbin. 6 As with all sewing projects never forget the importance of pressing the fabric at every stage.…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric 35x70cm (13¾x28in) ■ Coordinating lining 35x70cm (13¾x28in) ■ H630 iron-on wadding 35x90cm (13¾x35in) ■ 18cm (7in) brown metal zip ■ Two 1.5cm (5/8in) silver anorak studs (Prym) ■ Prym Vario pliers, for attaching the stud fastener ■ Faux leather cord, for the zip pull ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 5mm (¼in) unless otherwise stated ■ Download the templates from www.gathered.how/ss-templates ■ Anorak studs and Vario pliers by Prym. Visit www.hantex.co.uk/mystockist for stockists ■ Vlieseline from Lady Sew and Sew www.ladysewandsew.co.uk SUGGESTED FABRICS ■ Oilcloth, waxed cotton, canvas or denim. CUTTING OUT Step one From the waxed cotton cut: Front and Back Outer: two Base/Sides Outer: one Pocket Flap: one Pocket Body: one Zip tabs: two Step two…

SEAM RIPPER This sharp blade cuts through and unpicks stitches. 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. FABRIC WEIGHTS Use instead of pins to hold your pattern in place. THIMBLE Wear to protect your fingers when handstitching. TAILOR’S CHALKS Chalk temporarily marks fabric and can be easily brushed away. FABRIC CLIPS Use these instead of pins when sewing thicker fabrics. BOBBINS This forms the underside of the machine stitch. TAPE MEASURE A flexible fabric tape measure will take accurate measurements. MARKING PENCIL Choose a colour that shows up on your fabric. PINS Stainless steel pins with sharp points are best. THREAD This forms the…