Innehållsförteckning för 98 från Simply Sewing

We’re all about embracing the sunshine in this issue! Sew a gorgeous wrap dress complete with a statement ruffle neckline with Adaku Parker’s exclusive pattern; add a breezy casual top to your summer wardrobe with an easy self-draft tutorial; and pack a book in your Meadow Tote for a lazy afternoon in the park. In between projects, treat yourself to some time out and enjoy the feature about sewing for changing bodies from the SewOver50 community. You’ll also find a lightweight beach cover-up inside and six projects to make the most of the light evenings with some al fresco dining. WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING #SIMPLYSEWINGMAG facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine twitter.com/simplysewing_ pinterest.com/simplysewingmag instagram.com/simplysewingmag…

HEAD TO TOE Freshen up your summer style with Deer and Doe’s latest collection. The new patterns include Genêt, a pair of high-waisted trousers or shorts; Hysope, a boxy crop top with side buttons; and Fougère, a lightweight overshirt made with a curved or cropped hem. Available in EU sizes 34–60. Find styling inspiration, reviews and recommendations at deer-and-doe.com. FULL SUPPORT Get comfortable support and lift with Cashmerette’s Willowdale bra. This new pattern is available in 120 sizes (28C–54J) so you can achieve a perfect fit, and it comes with full and half-lace options. Find the pattern and a bra-making guide at cashmerette.com. HAPPY DAYS Brook Gossen (@brookgossen) creates fun, feel-good art, and her Happy Days collection for Cloud9 Fabrics is the epitome of just that. This colourful collection will…

For Adaku Parker, a career in fashion and textile merchandising was never part of the grand plan. In fact, most of her adult life has been spent deeply entrenched in the legal world, working as a criminal barrister. It wasn’t until she was pregnant with her second child in 2016 that she had the thought of doing something different with her working days. Though her job was “great, for a time,” the feeling of change was on the horizon. And it all started with a chance viewing of The Great British Sewing Bee. “I BROUGHT FABRIC THAT I ALREADY HAD TO A MARKET ON THE OFF-CHANCE THAT SOMEONE MIGHT WANT SOME.“.“ “It really sparked an interest,” she explains. “I took some classes over the course of the year, and I…

DRAFT YOUR OWN! YOU WILL NEED ■ Lightweight woven fabric: 2m ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED ■ Sea green cotton from Cotton Print Club, cottonprintclub.co.uk. TAKING YOUR MEASUREMENTS Step one To establish the width (W) of the rectangles, take your bust or hip measurement (whichever is the fullest). Add 11in to this measurement then divide it by two. Step two To establish the length (L) of your rectangles, measure from the base of your neck to your ankle and add 1in. CUTTING OUT Step one Cut two rectangles that measure WxL. Remove a 2in strip from the long edge of one of these rectangles and set this strip aside, this will be used to create the Waist Tie later on in the making process. Step two…

A GOOD READ One thing we know for sure from our SewOver50 community is that wearing well-fitting garments in the colours, fabrics and styles that we like makes us feel happy and increases our self-confidence. From the day we are born our bodies are constantly growing and changing. We may reach full height in our late teenage years, but our bodies don’t remain static. Around age 50 the changes seem to speed up, and the menopause can really kick-start this. We are lucky as sewists that we can adapt our making to suit our needs. We can also be inspired by seeing how the over-50 sewing community encourage and inspire each other to look fabulous and stylish in their me-mades. GOING THROUGH CHANGES Menopause can affect women in many ways,…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Knit fabric: 2–3.5m x 150cm* ■ Erasable fabric marker or tailor’s chalk ■ Safety pin or loop turner ■ Matching thread NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm unless otherwise stated. ■ Be sure to test your stretch stitch and/or zigzag stitch on your fabric before sewing to prevent any seams or hems from breaking. ■ *The fabric quanitites listed will make a top in UK 6–20 (US 8–22). If you fall outside of this size range, we recommend drafting a paper pattern first to determine how much fabric you will need. RECOMMENDED FABRICS ■ Light- to medium-weight knit fabrics such as cotton spandex, cotton jersey, double brushed polyester, or viscose spandex. FABRICS USED ■ Foil Abstract Faces in Orange, joann.com. DRAFTING THE PATTERN Step one First,…

No 11 BRAID STITCH YOU WILL NEED ■ Vest or tank top ■ Stranded cotton ■ Embroidery or tapestry needle ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ For the best results, be sure to practice this stitch on a folded piece of fabric before you start. WORKING THE STITCH Step one Work all of the stitching on the wrong side (WS) of the neckline. Thread a needle with three strands of stranded cotton and tie a knot at the other end. Slide the needle under the hem and come up through the folded hem edge. 01 Step two Form a loop that looks like a backward ’e‘. The thread that’s attached to the fabric should be in front. 02 Step three Slide the needle through the loop of thread and then…

If, like me, you enjoy wearing vibrant prints and floaty fabrics in the sunshine, you're going to love Adaku Parker's statement ruffle dress (p22) and Zaji-Kali Boyer's easy-sew swing top (p66). For a really quick sew, try Portia Lawrie's beach cover-up (p46), made from gorgeous Cotton Print Club fabric (get 15% off with our discount code). Don't miss SewOver50 community hosts, Judith and Sandy, as they share their thoughts on sewing for changing bodies (page 54). I found their honest discussion around menopause a really refreshing read. Share your thoughts @SimplySewingMag.…

Swimwear Dip your toe into swimwear says Production Editor Emily Freer CLAUDIA BIKINI, JALIE Mix and match necklines and waist rises with the versatile Claudia bikini. The top is fully lined and comes with an additional cup pocket to add to your lining. As well as technical guides for applying elastic and measuring fabric stretch, you’ll also find a tutorial for turning the bikini top into a bralette on the Jalie website. Available in 28 sizes for children and adults, jalie.com. CORALIE, TILLY AND THE BUTTONS Team Tilly collaborated with Evie la Lùve to bring us this oh-so elegant swimsuit and bikini set. Add ruffles to the neckline and leg for a fun holiday vibe or omit the ruffles for a staple one-piece to wear on your weekly visit to…

SAVVY STORAGE Add well-placed in-seam pockets for a little extra detail. MIX AND MATCH Add optional Victorian-inspired frill details on the cuffs, collar and waist. ONE PATTERN, THREE LOOKS Choose from an above-knee dress, a classic long-sleeved shirt or a cropped blouse. ASHLING BLOUSE AND DRESS With three different garments to choose from, this design from Papercut Patterns is ideal for those who love ruffles, with the option to add them to the collar, cuffs and even at the waistline. The classic design can be made up as a cropped shirt, a classic long sleeve button-up or a casual loose-fitting dress. papercutpatterns.com PATTERN INSPIRATION Create your own ruffled designs with our pick of the best patterns featuring this eye-catching element 1 LESSYA DRESS This gorgeous dress from Lenaline Patterns is…

Name & pronouns: Geri Berman (she/her) Instagram handle: @geri_in_stitches Website: geriinstitches.com Pattern used: Bubble Frock by Lydia Naomi Size range: UK 4–24 (US 0–20) Fabric used: Silk dupion fabric in Fuchsia Fabric provided by: minerva.com The first thing that drew my eyes to this pattern was the adorable scalloped edge of the bodice. I’ve never sewn a scalloped edge before, and was intrigued to try it out; it’s such a fun detail! I really love the unusual horizontal princess seam on the bodice, it’s a very flattering style line and opens up possibilities for colour blocking or pattern mixing in the use of fabrics. I love my finished Bubble Frock, it’s such a great summer dress. The scalloped edge gives it a whimsical quality, and depending on the fabric used,…

Creative time has always been my happiest time, so having worked as a buyer for large retail companies for over ten years, it was being made redundant at seven months pregnant that gave me the push to start Lolly & Kiks (lollykiks.com). After taking some time to reset with my new daughter, I decided I wasn’t going to be defeated and I borrowed a sewing machine from a friend in 2018 and taught myself to sew tote bags with French seams from the kitchen table during my daughter’s nap times. I began selling them on to friends and family and eventually progressed to selling on platforms such as Etsy. Now, I have my own website where I sell made-to-order sustainable African wax print products, including homewares such as cushion covers…

YOU WILL NEED Brown giraffe ■ Light brown plush fabric: 75x50cm ■ Brown plush fabric: 12x13cm ■ Grey plush fabric: 12x8cm Yellow giraffe ■ Yellow plush fabric: 75x50cm ■ Beige plush fabric: 12x13cm ■ Grey plush fabric: 12x8cm Both ■ Black stranded cotton thread ■ Extra strong thread ■ Long doll needle ■ Polyester filling: 200g per giraffe ■ Basic sewing kit FINISHED SIZE ■ 45cm tall FABRICS USED ■ Shannon Cuddle Plush in Camel and Taupe, and Banana and Sand NOTES ■ Find the templates on page 81 or at gathered.how/ss-templates. ■ Fabric measurements are WxH. ■ Arrows on the templates indicate direction of fabric pile. Note on the Horn and Ear the nap on the plush pile runs upwards. ■ Use 6mm seam allowances. ■ Fasten stitches at…

DRAFT YOUR OWN! YOU WILL NEED ■ A loose-fitting T-shirt to use as a template ■ Enough fabric to trace around the T-shirt twice and add ease and seam allowance ■ Enough fabric for a gathered skirt twice the width of your top and as long as your waist to desired length (see notes) ■ Double fold bias binding for neckline as long as neck opening or a 12mm bias tape maker ■ An A4 sheet of paper or card for the neckline template ■ Matching thread NOTES ■ Download the template from diydaisy.com/sew-it-yourself-templates. The template is one size, so be sure to test this to check it fits. ■ Seam allowance is 1cm unless otherwise stated. ■ Due to the patternless nature of this garment, we recommend marking your…

GIRAFFE TOYS PAGE 59 ACTUAL SIZE 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. BOOTIES PAGE 63 ACTUAL SIZE…

MY FAVOURITE THING “Well, this was a hard choice as I love all my makes, but I decided I had to share something epic, so here is my favourite stage outfit I’ve made... so far! The whole reason I started sewing was to make costumes to perform in. After years of wearing incredible creations made by other people I decided it was a string I wanted to add to my bow too, so I took a dress sewing class and I was hooked! I made my first stage dress the day after. It was a pretty simple vintage style one I made with a beginner’s pattern... fast forward three years and I pulled this look together on a mannequin by draping and a lot of pins! I had a big…

ADAKU PARKER We can’t wait for you to fall in love with the Adaku Dress like we have! Adaku Parker of Dovetailed has created this exclusive design and we’re thrilled to share it with you on page 22. Turn page 26 to read more about Adaku and her fabric business, too. SEW OVER 50 The online sewing community is one of the many highlights of this wonderful hobby we share. This month, Judith and Sandy who co-run the Sew Over 50 community have written a feature about sewing for changing bodies. Find it on page 54. ALICE PALAZON The Vivienne Top from Tesew is one of the first dressmaking patterns Alice Palazon designed, and it’s named after none other than Vivienne Westwood! Turn to page 52 for fabric and styling…

FABRIC WEAVING Mathew Boudreaux and Tara J Curtis (£15.99, C&T Publishing) Fabric weaving is a brilliant way of adding colour and texture to your makes, and with this new book from Mathew of Mister Domestic and Tara of Wefty Needle, you can jump in with 12 patterns to try. The varied projects inside include bags, a cushion, striking wall and hoop art, a storage basket, a denim jacket panel and a coaster set, as well as tips on choosing fabrics and mastering techniques. MINI FASHION Julika Landermann (£14.99, Tuva Publishing) Sew clothes for little ones with designs and step-by-step guidance from the founder of Scandinavian children’s clothing label JULESNaht (@ jules_naht). The patterns in this book are designed with babies and toddlers in mind, so they’re comfortable, easy to put…

This ruffled wrap dress from Adaku Parker of Dovailed (dovetailed.co.uk) is such a joyful addition to your wardrobe! We love garments that can serve our everyday style as well as being a go-to for a special occasion, and with some simple styling changes the Adaku Dress can be worn on a warm summer’s day trip or dressed up for a wedding. Be sure to tag us in your makes – @simplysewingmag – and use #AdakuDress to share your make with others. YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: 4mx115cm or 3mx152cm* ■ Interfacing: 50x90cm ■ Elastic 1cm wide (see pattern) ■ Basic sewing kit ■ Matching thread NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm. ■ *You will need more fabric if you are going to be pattern matching or fussy cutting around…

AL FRESCO DINING SHOPPER BAG YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric A: 100x45cm – outer main and inner eyelet strip ■ Fabric B: 50x40cm – outer bottom ■ Fabric C: 100x35cm – lining ■ Vlieseline iron-on interfacing: 1m ■ Vlieseline Thermolam: 50cm ■ Cotton rope, 12mm diameter: 2m ■ Eyelets x4: 14mm ■ Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED ■ Capri collection by Katarina Roccella for Art Gallery Fabrics, artgalleryfabrics.com. ■ Essex Yarn dyed Linen in Flax. ■ Cotton rope provided by Minerva, minerva.com. ■ Vlieseline products provided by vlieseline.com. NOTES ■ Use a 1cm seam allowance. ■ If you want the bag to be firmer use a foam interfacing or a heavier weight fabric, e.g., canvas. CUTTING OUT Step one From the iron-on interfacing cut:Outer Main Interfacing: two 48x28cmInner Eyelet Strip…

This modern design from TESEW (tesew.co.uk) has gone straight to the top of our must-make list! It’s the smart-casual answer to all your ‘jeans and a nice top’ events, and it’ll also suit the office paired with some wide-leg trousers or a pencil skirt. From the wide-front neckline to the optional puffed sleeves and soft curved hem, this blouse has some lovely details that makes it stand out from a basic top – which seems only right since it’s named after Vivienne Westwood! Be sure to tag @_tesew and @simplysewing mag in your final make, and use the hashtag #TesewVivienne to inspire others with your fabric and styling choices. YOU WILL NEED Fabric (both versions), 115cm wide: ■ Size 6–10: 1.25mx115cm ■ Size 12–16: 1.5mx115cm ■ Size 18–24: 1.75mx115cm Fabric…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Soft natural leather or faux leather: 50x30cm ■ Rubber sheet, 1–2mm thick: 14x10cm ■ Two needles ■ Thick thread (0.8mm) ■ Scissors ■ Hammer ■ Leather punch (for punching holes 1 and 3mm diameter) ■ Pair of shoelaces ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Download the templates from gathered.how/ss-templates. ■ Boots are designed to fit a heel to toe length of 9–10.5cm. CUTTING OUT Step one Download and print the templates. Step two Onto the leather trace then cut: Vamper: one pair Heel: one pair Soles: one pair Step three Onto the rubber trace: Soles: one pair. 01 MAKING THE SHOES Step one Punch six 3mm holes on the upper part of the Heel (three holes on each side). Keep the holes close to the edge…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Front fabric: 24x15cm ■ Back fabric: 24x15cm ■ Iron-on fleece: 24x15cm ■ Piece of elastic 6mm wide* ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ *Hold the elastic around your head from ear to ear with a slight stretch to get the correct length. ■ Seam allowance is 1cm. ■ Download the template from gathered.how/ss-templates. PREPARATION Step one Press the iron-on fleece onto the wrong side (WS) of the front fabric, ask an adult to help when using the iron. Step two Draw out a grid and topstitch over these lines or go freestyle and quilt wavy lines! If you don’t want your mask to be quilted, you can either press the iron-on fleece without quilting it, or you can leave out the iron-on fleece…

HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF ACCURATELY ALWAYS MEASURE YOURSELF BEFORE you choose a pattern size to cut out. The sizes do vary greatly from pattern to pattern, so it’s always best to measure yourself accurately and then refer to the pattern’s size chart to find your size. The chart will usually be printed on the pattern envelope or on the instructions inside. Measure yourself in your underwear and preferably in the bra you’ll be wearing underneath your garment as this can alter the measurements slightly. Use a fabric tape measure as it’ll curve around your body well for accuracy. You can measure on your own if you stand in front of a mirror, but, for best results, ask a friend to help so they can check the tape measure is sitting…