Innehållsförteckning för 102 från Simply Sewing

Christmas is nearly upon us! We say it every year but it really does seem to come around quicker and quicker. Luckily, we’ve packed this issue with quick and easy-to-make gifts. From washbags to laptop sleeves, pencil cases to coasters, and the most dapper set of bow ties, there’s something to leave a lasting impression on everyone on your gift list. For those still looking for a festive party dress, the fit and flare Mila dress with elegant sheer sleeves is the dreamy wardrobe addition you need in your life. From all of us here at Simply Sewing HQ, we wish you and your family a very happy Christmas! WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING #SIMPLYSEWINGMAG facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine twitter.com/simplysewing_ pinterest.com/simplysewingmag instagram.com/simplysewingmag…

HERITAGE CHIC The second Atelier Brunette x Studio Walkie Talkie collab has dropped and it's safe to say we'll be making Christmas party dresses and trousers in each and every one of the six fabrics. Paris-based Atelier Brunette has taken inspiration from its heritage to create six classic Jacquard fabrics with added sparkle, all entirely made in France. Find out more at atelierbrunette.com. JOLLY JUMPERS Christmas jumpers are a seasonal must-have and this year, you can sew the merriest of jumpers to hang on your tree. Designed by Christine Leech, the sparkly decorations will bring a smile to even the biggest grinch! Find the tutorial at gathered.how. ESSENTIAL SELF-CARE ✷ Between present making and wrapping and the harsh weather on the way, our hands may suffer. Take good care of…

LAST-MINUTE GIFTS PENCIL CASE Fill with stationery for a useful stocking filler that's bound to delight come Christmas morning. And, it's not just handy for pencils, this cute pouch is the perfect size for make-up, a few first aid bits and bobs, or a mini craft project to take on the go. LAP QUILT Think there isn't enough time to make a quilt in time for Christmas? Think again! Dashwood's pre-printed Block Panels make it super simple to whip up quilts, cushions and hangings. And, we're sure you know someone who will appreciate the gift of warmth this winter! COASTER You don't always need to spend a lot on fabric to make a heartfelt gift. Each of these coasters only needs a 12cm square of fabric, so it's a great…

YOU WILL NEED For the washbag ■ Main fabric: 34x25cm ■ Lining fabric: 34x25cm ■ Felt: 34x25cm ■ Plastic zip: 25cm ■ Polypropylene webbing, 2.5cm wide: 24cm For the headband ■ Main fabric: 68x9cm ■ Towel fabric: 68x9cm ■ Velcro: 6cm For the make-up remover pads ■ Main fabric: 35x23cm ■ Towel fabric: 35x23cm ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm. RECOMMENDED FABRICS ■ Main fabric: cotton or canvas ■ Lining fabric: jersey or cotton FABRIC USED ■ Wallflower Anemones in Powder Blue by Cotton + Steel MAKING THE WASHBAG Step one Take one piece of felt and lay it on your work surface. Lay a piece of the main fabric on top. Step two Place the 25cm zip over the right-hand side of…

Growing up, I’d watch my seamstress mum create amazing outfits for her clients and always admired her sense of style. She’s now 88 years old and still sews her own clothes. She recognised my creativity early on and, instead of ignoring my rather ‘interesting’ fashion sense, decided to teach me the ropes. Back then, I had a love-hate relationship with Ankara fabrics. I didn’t like the traditional outfits my mum made for me; I felt the prints were too busy and loud. Over the years I'd visit my parents in my hometown, Lomé in Togo. I would only wear wax prints to church or family gatherings. I'd reluctantly agree to take some of my mum’s outfits, but they would linger in my closet only to be pulled out when I…

Utilise YouTube YouTube is the ultimate destination for learning a new skill. Don't know where to begin? Start by searching your favourite suppliers as you'll be surprised how many brands have their own step-by-step videos to help you on your journey. Subscribe to sewing A handy way to keep your motivation from waning is by signing up for a sewing subscription. You can opt for boxes that come with particular patterns and tools to give you a new project to embark on each month. Or, subscribe to Simply Sewing and get a monthly dose of crafty inspiration direct to your door. Find out more on p14. Buddy up It's great to learn from an expert, but it's surprising how sharing skills with your friends can be a savvy way to…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Blouse with round neckline ■ Stranded cotton: brown, white and two shades of spruce green ■ Iron transfer pen ■ Tracing paper ■ Iron ■ Embroidery hoop ■ Embroidery needle ■ Embroidery scissors NOTES ■ Download the templates from www.gathered.how/ss-templates TRACING THE DESIGN Step one Use the transfer pen to trace the winter greens pattern onto tracing paper. Place the pattern face down on your blouse so it curves around the neckline, then press the paper with a hot iron. Be sure to check if you can safely iron your blouse fabric before using this transfer method. If not, use another pattern transfer method. 01 Step two Place the neckline of the blouse in an embroidery hoop (the one pictured is wrapped to add extra grip).…

THRIFTY MAKESUPCYCLE YOU WILL NEED ■ Quilted throw or fabric – (single size throw or 1-2m of standard width fabric depending on finished size) ■ Binding (taken from the quilt or shop bought. 3-3.5m depending on finished size) ■ Pattern to use as an armhole/neckline template. (The pattern used here is Butterick B6175) ■ Pressing cloth ■ Metal snap fasteners ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Allow for additional yardage for pattern matching bold quilting designs, like the one in our project. Pattern matching here was prioritised at the centre front and back, at the expense of the side seams, which are less visible. ■ Binding around throws is often cut on the grain as opposed to on the bias, so will not shape around acute curves as well as…

MY FAVOURITE THING “As a mother of two young children, finding time to daydream about, or actually do, any sewing can be difficult. On the upside, this forces me to go with the flow and let whatever ideas I have come to fruition at their desired pace. This approach to sewing has led me to create some of my favourite pieces, essentially forming my entire me-made wardrobe and daily attire. My closet is full of slowly created casual, breezy separates. Clothing that allows movement, large pockets, and the potential to mix and match are all prerequisites. These requirements ensure maximum wearability when getting dressed. One of my favourite ways to dress is layering monochromatic clothing. It keeps things simple yet playful. This outfit is the embodiment of that: my flowy…

When it comes to making gifts, quite often I get a bit ahead of myself. So, I've decided to set realistic goals this Christmas, with some quick makes (p26) that will leave me time for some selfish sewing! After all, with party season in full-swing, I'm looking forward to making something just for me. I'm in awe of the gorgeous sheer sleeves on The Mila Dress (p18). We had fun sewing two very different looks for our shoot, which do you prefer? If you're new to sewing with tulle, check out our 10 top tips (p22). And on the topic of new skills, don't miss the online sewing course discount codes we've sourced for you (p54). You're welcome!…

LUNA PYJAMAS, SEW OVER IT This beginner-friendly pattern is a speedy sew and one you’ll love wearing. The trousers have no outside seams, making them super-comfy, and the wrap top makes this duo stand out from the rest of your PJ collection. Sew a matching set for a little one using the Pomegranate Pyjamas from Sew Over It’s Poppy and Jazz kids label. Available in UK sizes 6–30, sewoverit.com. AGNES PJS, PAPER THEORY PATTERNS This pattern promises comfort! The oversized, button-up top features batwing sleeves and the trousers sit high on your natural waist for a relaxed and unintrusive fit. Choose lightweight denim or canvas to make this as outerwear. Available in US sizes 6–28, papertheorypatterns.com. SPINIFEX PJS, MUNA AND BROAD For a classic look, the Spinifex is a great…

We love any excuse to get dressed up and the Christmas party season is the perfect occasion. The Mila Dress features a simple fit and flare silhouette, which is elevated with statement sheer puff sleeves. The elegant square neckline is trendy and timeless all at the same time, offering a subtle nod to those Bridgerton vibes we just can't get enough of right now. And, whilst this dress offers glamour, comfort is key when you're looking to dance the night away, so the shoulders are fitted with cotton elastic to keep the sleeves in place. Feel pretty in pink with elegant lace sleeves, or go for delicate black tulle for timeless appeal. A classic LBD is anything but boring. It's black for starters, which means it will never go out…

If one of your New Year's resolutions is to push your sewing skills to the next level, why not give bag making a go? This issue's bonus crossbody bag paper pattern is easy to follow and a great project for beginners. Lauren Holloway (@laurenhollowaydesigns) has designed the pattern with practicality in mind. It's roomy enough for all your day-to-day bits and bobs, with handy compartments to make things easy to find, and it's made from durable cotton canvas. Don't forget to share a pic of your finished make with us using #SimplySewingMag.…

Up your eco credentials this season by sewing Anna Alicia's reusable fabric crackers for your festive tablescape YOU WILL NEED For each cracker: ■ ¼m quilting-weight fabric (cut as a fat or long quarter) ■ 1m of 12.7cm wide single side fusible cotton buckram ■ 1m satin ribbon in a coordinating colour, 1cm wide ■ Double-sided tape ■ Fabric clips ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED ■ Spice collection by Dashwood Studio, supplied by anbo.co.uk CUTTING OUT Step one From the quilting-weight fabric cut: Cracker: 21x43cm (HxW). Step two From the iron-on buckram cut: Buckram: two pieces 8x20cm Cracker Ends: two pieces 12x20cm. PREPARATION Step one Lay out one of your Cracker fabric rectangles, right side (RS) down, landscape position on your ironing board. Along the bottom…

Sewing for children is so much fun; we can be playful with the fabric prints in a way we're often not brave enough when making our own clothes. With a full skirt for twirling around the dancefloor, and a fully-lined bodice for the ultimate comfort, this Kids' Dress from Made By Me Patterns (madebymepatterns.com) is the perfect combination of practical and playful! Plus, the skirt is adjustable so you can shorten or lengthen it to fit the child's measurements. YOU WILL NEED Main fabric (115 or 140cm width): ■ 1m-3m: 69cm main, 21cm lining ■ 3m-6m: 72cm main, 23cm lining ■ 6m-9m: 77cm main, 23cm lining ■ 9m-12m: 82cm main, 26cm lining ■ 12m-18m: 87cm main, 26cm lining ■ 18m-24m: 92cm main, 28cm lining ■ 2y-3y: 97cm main, 28cm lining…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Existing fitted dress ■ Triple crepe fabric: 2m ■ Stiff netting: 1m ■ Medium-weight interfacing: 30x90cm ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm unless otherwise stated. FABRICS USED ■ Triple crepe in fuchsia from minerva.com. ■ Stiff netting in burgundy from minerva.com. ■ Interfacing from vlieseline.com. MEASUREMENTS NEEDED Take the following measurements: Bust, Waist, Hip, Desired length. CUTTING OUT THE DRESS PANELS Step one Cut four panels: Width = your widest measurement divided by 4 plus seam allowance. Length = your desired length plus 5cm for hem allowance at the top and bottom. SHAPING THE DRESS Your panels can be left as rectangles if your bust and hip measurements are similar. Step one Lay all panels against a straight edge…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Brown cuddle plush: 60x50cm ■ White cuddle plush: 27x22cm ■ Red cuddle plush: 21x21cm ■ Black cuddle plush: 45x30cm ■ Black wool felt: 2x4cm ■ White stranded cotton thread ■ Polyester toy filling: 200g ■ Long doll needle ■ Extra strong thread ■ Basic sewing kit FINISHED SIZE ■ Approximately 35cm tall. FABRICS USED ■ Shannon Cuddle Plush in red, brown, snow white and black. NOTES ■ Fabric measurements are W x H. ■ Find the templates on page 86 or download and print from gathered.how/ss-templates. ■ Arrows on templates indicate direction of plush fabric pile. ■ Templates include seam allowances. ■ Use 6mm seam allowances throughout unless stated. ■ Always tack before sewing. CUTTING OUT Step one Download and print the templates. Step two Place…

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…

DRESS PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheets x4 ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric:Sizes 6-10: 2.5mx115cm Sizes 12-20: 2.9mx115cm Sizes 22-30: 3.1mx115cm Sizes 6-20: 2.5mx140cm Sizes 22-30: 3.1mx140cm ■ Invisible zip: 56cm ■ Elastic: 10mm wide x 60cm ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Use a 1.5cm seam allowance unless otherwise stated. RECOMMENDED FABRICS ■ For the dress: Light to medium-weight woven fabrics such as cotton lawn, crepe and viscose. ■ For the sleeves: Tulle, netting or chiffon. SIZE CHART WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING © Printed in the UK for Simply Sewing. Supplied by Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company), Bristol, BS1 4ST. For individual, private use only and not for commercial or manufacturing purposes. Not for resale. CUTTING LAYOUTS PATTERN MARKINGS STITCHING TERMS Right side (RS)/Wrong side…

PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheet x1 ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED ■ Main outer fabric: 40x80cm ■ Contrast fabric: 40x30cm ■ Lining fabric: 40x110cm ■ Curtain bonded cotton lining: 40x80cm ■ Medium weight interfacing: 40x30cm ■ Metal zip: 30cm ■ D-rings, 25mm: two ■ Cotton webbing, 25mm wide: 2m ■ Buckle slider: 25mm ■ Lobster or trigger clasps, 25mm: two ■ Magnetic clasp: 25mm ■ Zip foot ■ Craft knife NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 8mm, unless otherwise stated. MATERIALS USED ■ Main body: Mind the Maker Organic Washed Cotton Canvas in Mustard from minerva.com ■ Outer pocket: Kokka Cotton Linen Canvas in Coral & Indigo from minerva.com ■ Main bag lining: 100% cotton in taupe ■ Zip: No.5 metal zip in antique brass ■ Strap, 25mm wide: 2-3mm…

ALEXANDRA STRATKOTTER Alexandra (she/her) is the creative mind behind Florals and Floss, an embroidery-focused design business (floralsandfloss.com). She lives in Canada with her husband, two kids, and cats. Try a quick-stitch cardigan update, from her book, on page 47. JULIAN COLLINS Julian (he/him) works in public health, but loves to bring joy to the world through colourful menswear creations (@Juliancreates). He’s a BERNINA and Laurastar Ambassador and a Designer with Know Me patterns. Read more about his work on page 70. MARTYNA SIEPIETOWSKA As a mother of two, Martyna (she/her) always wants to see her kids feel as comfortable as possible (and wearing nice clothes!), which is why she started MadeByMePatterns, a kids’ clothing pattern brand. Find her most popular dress pattern on page 50. PAULINE BRUCE Pauline (she/her) loves…

EASY BARGELLO Rosemary Drysdale (£16.99, GMC Publications) Get to grips with the basics of bargello with expert embroiderer Rosemary Drysdale. Once you’ve mastered the tools and techniques, you can try out your new stitch with 25 projects, before having a go at designing your own patterns. Sew colourful cushions, towels and wall hangings for your home and make detailed accessories for yourself with a purse and phone case pattern. SASSY SAYINGS IRON-ON LABELS FOR QUILTS, SEWING PROJECTS & MORE Julie Creus (£12.99, C&T Publishing) ‘Made with the last of my sanity’, ‘Don’t look too closely’ and ‘This probably contains cat hair’ are just some of this book's iron-on labels we're sure will ring true. There are over 100 designs to stitch, colour or paint so you can customise and embellish…

STEVIE DRESS Named after and inspired by '70s style icon Stevie Nicks, this flowing dress pattern from Sew La Di Da Vintage (pictured here in eyelet lace but equally as lovely in tulle) was designed with free spirits in mind. It features two length options with plain or bell sleeves, and with no zips or buttons, it's quick and easy to sew up. sewladidavintage.com PATTERN INSPIRATION Our pick of the best patterns crying out to be made from soft, versatile tulle fabric 1 MONTROSE TOP This short-sleeved top from Cashmerette has been created with curves in mind, with options for sizes 12-32 and cup sizes C–H, plus the choice of standard or full bicep sleeves. The pattern provides two variations, with a scoop neck blouse designed for lightweight cottons, and…

Name: Debbie Wainhouse (she/her) Instagram handle: @hila.studio Patterns used: The Landgate coat by Merchant & Mills Fabric: Merchant & Mills Flax Cotton Dry Oilskin Fabric in Tobacco Fabric stockist: minerva.com You can never have too many coats, am I right?! The weather in the UK calls for at least six variations in my wardrobe; from full-on cosy parkas for the winter to lightweight waterproof jackets for autumn and a fancy evening coat, just because. There is always a gap in my wardrobe for the next ‘perfect’ coat or jacket. I’ve been wanting to make the Landgate since I first saw the pattern. I love the modern shape with its big hood and pockets. The jacket has the perfect combination of style, practicality and comfort, which I really crave…

"Add the designs to a winter hat, the ends of a knitted scarf, or a pair of mittens." YOU WILL NEED ■ Knitted cardigan ■ Transfer tools ■ 5in (13cm) embroidery hoop (if garment thickness allows) ■ Backing stabilizer (optional) ■ DMC tapestry wool ■ Chenille needle ■ Needle threader ■ Embroidery scissors ■ Soft-touch interfacing (optional) NOTES ■ Download and print the template from gathered.how/ss-templates EMBROIDERING THE DESIGN Step one Transfer the designs to your cardigan. Step two Hoop your pattern or stabilise the fabric, if necessary. This cardigan was too thick to hoop, so we used a backing stabilizer. Step three Begin stitching the sun by filling the petals with satin stitch. The space is quite tight, so you’ll be able to fill each petal with only a…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Plain linen, or cotton fabric: 40x40cm ■ Felt in light, neutral colour: 30x30cm ■ Embroidery hoop: 25cm ■ DMC stranded cotton (see notes for specific colours and quantities) ■ Heat erasable pen or tracing paper ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ For more of a border, increase the hoop size (and the amount of fabric). ■ DMC 310: 100cm ■ DMC 823: 250cm ■ DMC 520: 400cm ■ DMC 21: 400cm ■ DMC 22: 400cm ■ DMC 152: 400cm ■ DMC 754: 400cm ■ DMC 3712: 400cm ■ DMC 3726: 150cm ■ DMC 826: 100cm ■ DMC 827: 100cm ■ DMC 834: 100cm ■ DMC 3809: 100cm ■ DMC 3816: 100cm ■ Download the template from gathered.how/ss-templates ■ Go to gathered.how for our guide to embroidery…

After a lifetime of love for sewing, Julian Collins is making waves in the craft community and his drive to add some lightness to the world through his work. He does a great job of it. Based in Ohio, the sewist has gained a strong online following by sharing his joyful clothing creations, with some encouraging affirmations peppered in along the way. Known to his followers as @juliancreates, Julian has been a sewist since 2016 when he finally decided to have a go behind a sewing machine. It had long been an interest since he was a child watching both grandmothers make clothes. The process of seeing an item go from two-dimensional to three-dimensional was an early draw, as well as the soothing, methodic nature of the act itself. So,…

TOY PAGE 67 ACTUAL SIZE All templates are available to download from our website. Scan the code to go straight to the templates page! 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.…

DRESS PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheets x1 ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED Main fabric (115 or 140cm width): ■ 1m-3m: 69cm main, 21cm lining ■ 3m-6m: 72cm main, 23cm lining ■ 6m-9m: 77cm main, 23cm lining ■ 9m-12m: 82cm main, 26cm lining ■ 12m-18m: 87cm main, 26cm lining ■ 18m-24m: 92cm main, 28cm lining ■ 2y-3y: 97cm main, 28cm lining ■ 3y-4y: 102cm main, 31cm lining ■ 4y-5y: 107cm main, 31cm lining ■ 5y-6y: 112cm main, 33cm lining ■ 6y-7y: 117cm main, 33cm lining ■ 7y-8y: 122cm main, 36cm lining ■ 8y-9y: 127cm main, 36cm lining ■ 9y-10y: 133cm main, 36cm lining ■ Iron-on interfacing: 10x35cm (all sizes) ■ Snaps: 3 or 4 ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 6mm FABRIC SUGGESTIONS ■…