Innehållsförteckning för 103 från Simply Sewing

We’re kick-starting 2023 with a bumper roundup of projects, features and competitions. At the top of our to-sew list is the Nomi Dress from Sew Over It. With multiple hem and neckline variations, it’s guaranteed to become a pattern you’ll want to sew more than once! New to sewing knit fabric? Don’t worry, we’ve got 10 top tips to get you started. If you’re looking for some cosy makes to keep you warm this season, don’t miss our hot water bottle cover, self-draft tunic top (because you can never have too many layers, right?) and embroidered jumper update. Happy New Year from Simply Sewing HQ! WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING #SIMPLYSEWINGMAG facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine twitter.com/simplysewing_ pinterest.com/simplysewingmag instagram.com/simplysewingmag…

SUSTAINABLY COOL If there's one book you buy in 2023, it should be Portia Lawrie's debut tome; The Re:Fashion Wardrobe. Let Portia show you that with some basic sewing techniques and a dash of creative vision, a wardrobe made entirely from recycled garments and textiles can be just as stylish, edgy and aspirational as anything the high street has to offer. Pre-order from searchpress.com NATURE'S FINEST As we become more conscious of our spending, these nature-inspired iron-on patches are a quick and easy way to give existing wardrobe favourites a stylish update. Perfect for rucksacks, jackets, jumpers and more! etsy.com/uk/shop/LittlePaisleyDesigns NEW HOBBY It's that time of year when we start to think about what we want to achieve in the next year. For anyone looking to take up embroidery,…

January is that time when we start plotting our crafty endeavours for the year and looking to broaden our sewing skills and our stash. Little Miss Sew n Sew is offering one lucky reader membership to their My Guilty Pleasure Fat Quarter Club, a themed monthly subscription box containing three fat quarters, a pattern sheet and all you need to make the project. The year’s membership is worth £16.50 per month, and the lucky winner will also receive four bonus fat quarter bundles worth £60! Join the My Guilty Pleasure Fat Quarter Club and view all the latest fabric collections at littlemisssewnsew.co.uk.…

SISKO DRESS The Sisko dress from Named Clothing includes two variations, with options for a crossover dress, and a wraparound crop top. This design features a unique layered and interlaced bodice with a scoop neck and a keyhole detail at the front. The dress features a midi-length skirt, and is gathered with a comfortable elastic waist. namedclothing.com PATTERN INSPIRATION Wrap yourself in soft jersey with our pick of the best knit-friendly patterns 1 S9598 DRESS This design from Simplicity creates a fitted V-neck pullover dress in two lengths, with additional options for long or short sleeves and a cut-out twist back detail. We also love the possibility of making this dress a split colour design! thefoldline.com 2 LIMESTONE LEGGINGS AND TOP This fun and functional knit set from Sew Liberated…

Name: Ilaria Harris Instagram handle: @zestandlavender Website: zestandlavender.com Pattern: Atelier Jupe Emma Blouse Fabric used: Atelier Jupe Retro Vibe Viscose atelierjupe.com I was really excited to be one of the first to make the new Emma blouse pattern from Atelier Jupe. The pattern comes with a range of great features that create a romantic yet contemporary look, and the blouse is wearable for all seasons and occasions. It has beautiful wide sleeves with long cuffs which are currently in style, but also completely timeless, which is perfect. There are so many details to admire on the Emma blouse and these are also a great way to build on your existing bank of sewing skills. I fell in love with the playful Victorian collar and the pleats in the…

The phrase ‘Necessity is the mother of Invention’ is thought to have come from Plato, who originally wrote that ‘our need will be the real creator.’ This idea that specific needs spur creative thinking is demonstrated by disabled people in many ways. So often, the problem-solving skills demonstrated by disabled people and their parents or carers are something to marvel at in the absence of readily available and affordable solutions. Finding suitable and fashionable clothing is something of a long-term nemesis to those whose needs are different to the average non-disabled consumer. The historic availability of adaptive ready-to-wear clothing is often prohibitively expensive, and – it has to be said – not particularly fashionable. As a result, there are many people who began sewing through necessity, to create clothes that…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Scraps of fabric for butterfly ■ Main fabric: 85x60cm ■ Lining fabric: 85x60cm ■ Bamboo wadding ■ Stuffing (or an old pillow) ■ Free motion quilting/darning foot or a walking foot ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED ■ Scrap Liberty Lawn fabric from Alice Caroline alicecaroline.com NOTES ■ Add a 1cm seam allowance to the butterfly template ■ Download the templates from gathered.how/ss-templates CUTTING OUT Step one From the main fabric cut: Front: one on fold using the template (adding 1cm seam allowance). Step two From the lining fabric cut: Back: one on fold using the template (adding 1cm seam allowance). Step three From the wadding cut: Wadding: one on fold using the template (adding 2cm seam allowance this time to allow for…

BUTTERFLY CUSHION PAGE 61 ACTUAL SIZE HOT WATER BOTTLE COVER PAGE 34 ACTUAL SIZE OVEN GLOVE PAGE 70 ACTUAL SIZE POT HOLDER PAGE 70 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.…

I'm don't usually make resolutions, but I have decided that 2023 is going to be a year of self-care – and I encourage you to adopt the same mantra. I'll be making sure I add feel-good (and feel warm!) garments to my me-made wardrobe. The comfy Nomi Dress from Sew Over It (p18) is one I can see myself sewing for both the school run, and the office! I'll be adding chunky stitching to my beloved jumpers (p75) and stitching up a bespoke hot water bottle cover (p34) to see me through to Spring. If you're new to our magazine, don't miss our latest subscription offer (p14) – 3 issues for just £9.99! You're welcome.…

HOMEBODY JOGGERS, MY HANDMADE WARDROBE This gender-neutral pattern features a slim, straight leg with roomy pockets, fitted ankle cuffs and a comfy elasticated waistband with optional drawstring. Opt for a stretch fabric like sweatshirt, velour, fleece and French terry. Available in sizes XS-XXL, craftysewandso.com OVERSIZED HOODIE AND JUMPER, STITCH IN STEPS This supersized blanket hoodie will become your new working-from-home friend. The downloadable PDF pattern gives you the option to make the jumper with and without a hood, short or knee length, and reversible or single layer – we say the cosier the better this winter! Available in UK sizes XS-XL, from Stitch in Steps HQ on etsy.co.uk. LOUNGEWEAR SWEAT SET, KIANA BONOLLO DESIGNS Loungewear doesn't come much cosier than this sherpa fleece duo. The pattern includes options to make…

Our friends at Hobbycraft are offering one lucky winner the chance to win a spending spree and perks that will last all year long! This bumper prize includes a £120 voucher to spend on craft goodies, a £50 voucher for workshops to broaden your skills, and a year’s membership to the brand new Hobbycraft Plus scheme worth £80. As a member you’ll receive perks such as 15% off in store and online, expert seminars throughout the year, free next-day delivery and more. View the full range of products, store locations, details of workshops and the new Hobbycraft Plus scheme at hobbycraft.co.uk. See gathered.how/sew_comps to enter today! (Competition is open to UK residents, aged 18+. Closing date is 23.59 on 18/1/23. Full T&Cs can be found here: gathered.how/competition-terms-and-conditions.)…

BEDROOM MAKEOVER APPLIQUÉ CANVAS It just takes these three words to make your guests feel welcome! Choose colours to match your décor if blue and white don't work. The letters are cut out individually before attaching to the canvas and topstitched in place. HEAD BAND Backed with soft towelling fabric, this cute head band will come in handy at the beginning and end of the day, when you need to sort your face out. It's wired as well so it's easy to fasten – just wrap it around your head and twist the ends. COSMETICS BAG An absolute must-have for any guest, this lightly quilted cosmetic bag has plenty of room for all those make-up essentials, and it's even got a handy zip to keep everything safe inside. The patterned…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Medium to heavy weight woven or stable knit fabric: 2mx140cm ■ Standard zip: 25cm (10in) or longer ■ Lightweight iron-on interfacing ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED ■ Atelier Brunette Pinnacle Honey from atelierbrunette.com CUTTING OUT THE WAISTBAND Step one Start with a waistband pattern that you know fits your waist. This can be for a straight or gently contoured waistband and can be self-drafted or traced from a sewing pattern that fits you well. We used a single self-drafted pattern (pictured) to cut front and back waistband pieces from interfacing. 01 Step two Cut two back waistband pieces from interfacing with 1.5cm seam allowance added in the process. 02 CUTTING OUT THE SKIRT PIECES Step one Measure the bottom edge of your…

Whether your looking for a little extra comfort and style for lounging around the house in, a showstopping spa-day robe or a transitional light-weight jacket to layer up under during the colder months, the gender-neutral Kiko jacket is yours for the stitching! Designed by Lotta Jansdotter and taken from her latest book (Everyday Patterns, published by Abrams), this jacket pattern is perfect for dressing up or down with three different length options to choose from. Perfect for a confident beginner, Kiko is one to add to your to-sew list, whether you're just starting out on your dressmaking journey or a seasoned stitcher with years of experience under your belt. If you're anything like us too, you'll love how versatile and functional Kiko is while still keeping style front and centre.…

Get your pattern tracing technique up to the golden standard before you take your scissors to paper! With our best practice method, you can keep your pattern paper in tip-top shape to be used again and again – especially important if the garment has multiple variations. Patterns are, more often then not, double sided like ours – so it's really best to make it a staple part of your dressmaking to-do list. For a handy, comprehensive guide on pattern tracing, head to gathered.how/tracing-patterns or scan the QR code below. Find our guide to pattern tracing at gathered.how/tracing-patterns. Scan the QR code to head straight there!…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Turtleneck jumper ■ Yarn or tapestry wool: shades of yellow, orange, and pink ■ Pins ■ Yarn needle ■ Basic sewing kit PREPARATION Step one Try your jumper on to see how the neck fits and where you will want to add the daisies. Lay the jumper flat with the neck folded down and use pins to mark where each daisy will go. 01 EMBROIDERING THE DESIGN Step one Cut a piece of tapestry wool that's about half a metre long and thread your needle. Step two Working on the back of the folded collar, slide your needle through the back of the knitted stitches near where you will stitch the first daisy. Check to be sure that you can't see the coloured yarn on the…

MY FAVOURITE THING “I've had an interest in sewing since I was young, but it wasn’t until my 30th birthday when I was given a sewing machine that I really took to it seriously. I learned with simple makes through trial and error, lots of unpicking and swearing! I worked my way up to bigger and more complex makes, and I eventually got a job at an alterations studio where I would hover over the dressmakers and tailors asking how and why they did things as they did, absorbing as much skill and knowledge as I could. As I progressed, I decided to move into costume making and applied to study Costume at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney. I got onto their Bachelors Course where I study…

PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheets x4 ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED Jacket (A): ■ 3 yards (2.7m) of fabric at least 45in (114cm) wide Knee-length robe (B): ■ 3¾ yards (3.4m) of fabric at least 45in (114cm) wide Ankle-length robe (C): ■ 4½ yards (4m) of fabric at least 45in (114cm) wide ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ All seam allowances are ½in (1.3cm) unless noted otherwise. RECOMMENDED FABRICS ■ Lightweight to midweight cotton or linen for robe, midweight to heavyweight cotton or linen for jacket This gender-neutral jacket pattern is taken from Everyday Patterns by Lotta Jansdotter, published by Abrams. SIZE CHART WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING © Printed in the UK for Simply Sewing. Design by Lotta Jansdotter. Supplied by Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company), Bristol,…

JOANNA CHAMBERLAIN Joanna loves making outfits, especially when they’re classic vintage and vintage-inspired. She loves to style her whole look with vintage accessories too. Read her column on page 46 and find her on Instagram @vintage_jo_sew_and_sew SAMUEL GUEVARA Costume maker and creator Samuel has had an interest in sewing since he was young, but it wasn’t until his 30th birthday when he was given a sewing machine that he really took to it seriously. Find out all about his favourite make to-date on page 90. PAIGE JOANNA Paige is your go-to-gal for colourful crafts, sewing, and lifestyle content. Spreading joy through online tutorials, creative projects, and colourful me-made fashion inspiration. Try out Paige’s patch butterfly cushion tutorial for yourself, find it on page 61. JULIET UZOR The wonderfully talented Juliet…

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF ROSE MINUSCULE Laurence Bonnet (£14.99, Search Press) Say hello to Amelie the Rabbit, Robinson the Lion and the rest of the Rainbow Friends in this compilation of adorable patterns. We adore the mix and match party hats, scarves, capes and bags, and the easy-to-follow instructions make it easy to create professional-looking toys at home. Follow the adventures of Rose Minusule at @minusculerose. LOTTA JANSDOTTER EVERYDAY PATTERNS Lotta Jansdotter (£21.99, Abrams) Swedish designer, Lotta, created this issue's Kiki jacket bonus pattern (see p52) and also has a brand new book out. Everyday Style aims to inspire you to create a classic seven-piece wardrobe with modern Scandinavian elegance at its heart. Learn how to customise garments and layer looks to suit every season. Lotta shares her creative endeavours…

Who says we can't be comfortable and chic at the same time? The Nomi Dress, designed by Sew Over It (sewoverit.com), is the ultimate in knit dresses, keeping you cosy by day and sophisticated by night! Choose from a crew neck or the twisted bodice option, and customise the length too – from a simple gathered skirt, to a midi or maxi dress with extra tiers of fabric. YOU WILL NEED Dresses A & B 115cm wide fabric* ■ Sizes 6-10: 3.5mx115cm ■ Sizes 12-14: 3.7mx115cm ■ Size 16: 4.3mx115cm Dress A & B 140cm wide fabric* ■ Sizes 6-8: 3mx140cm ■ Size 10: 3.1mx140cm ■ Sizes 12-16: 3.7mx140cm ■ Sizes 18-20: 3.8mx140cm ■ Sizes 18-24 (18-30 range): 4.2mx140xm ■ Sizes 26-30: 4.4mx140cm Dresses A & B ■ Elastic: 1.5m…

Dressed in rustic linen and adorned with a felt flower crown and baby blue bow, this issue's easy-to-follow, bonus woodland deer toy pattern would make a great gift for one of the little ones in your life. Designed by Lucy Ward (@thewhistlingcowgirl), this sweet, straight-out-of-a-story-book creature would look gorgeous in a nursery. Find more of Lucy's toy patterns (free to download and print at home!) on our website at gathered.how. Don't forget to share a pic of your finished toy using the #SimplySewingMag hashtag.…

When I was young in the 1960s, sewing and knitting were what most people did out of necessity to save money – even a small town would have a fabric and wool shop. My mum used to make most of my clothes despite the fact she hated sewing. I can remember half-sewn garments often being thrown across the room in temper – although she loved knitting. When I was seven, I wanted a pretty tutu party dress like all my friends and she knitted me one! It wasn’t quite what I had in mind, even at that young age… I didn’t follow in her footsteps though – as a small child, I had a toy sewing machine and I used to make doll clothes with scraps of fabric. I started…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Heavy-weight woven fabric: 1.5mx140cm ■ Lightweight iron-on interfacing 1.5mx140cm ■ Mid-weight lining fabric: 1.5mx140cm ■ Point turner ■ Loop turner ■ Shank buttons: two 1cm ■ D-rings: two 40/45mm ■ Straight and curved ruler ■ Fabric marker or chalk ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ The seam allowance is 1.5cm unless otherwise stated FABRICS USED ■ Fabric used is Tartan Fabric from susanwillow.co.uk MEASUREMENTS NEEDED ■ S: 0.5 x shoulder width measurement ■ L: distance from the nape of the neck to the upper hip ■ N: neck circumference ■ W: 0.25 x waist circumference PREP AND CUT THE FABRIC Step one Press the fabric and cut it using the calculation below:Front: L x (S + 1.5cm seam allowance): cut one on the…

Sewing might be a creative outlet, a hobby and a handy skill, but it’s also an invaluable tool to break the cycle of fast-fashion and over-consumption. Garments made with sustainably-sourced fabrics and pieced together by hand are not only a delight to wear, they’re also more likely to stand the test of time in your wardrobe. Homemade garments and accessories offer something that off-the-rail items never could. We can tweak patterns to suit our bodies; create clothes in colours and styles that bring out the best in the rest of our wardrobe and contribute towards a more sustainable future. Someone who makes sustainable sewing look effortless is Kate Ng, known as @timetosew on Instagram. Her beautifully made creations combine sustainability with style, inspiring her followers to ditch fast-fashion in favour…

SEAM RIPPER This sharp blade cuts through and unpicks stitches. SHEARS Keep a pair of sharp shears just for cutting out your fabric. SMALL SCISSORS Use for snipping threads and cutting notches. PINKING SHEARS These cut a zigzag edge on fabric to neaten. 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. MARKING PENCIL Choose a colour that shows up on your fabric. PINS Stainless steel pins with sharp points are best. THREAD This forms the top side of the machine stitch. TAPE MEASURE A flexible fabric…

PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheets x6 ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED Dresses A & B 115cm wide fabric* ■ Sizes 6-10: 3.5mx115cm ■ Sizes 12-14: 3.7mx115cm ■ Size 16: 4.3mx115cm Dress A & B 140cm wide fabric* ■ Sizes 6-8: 3mx140cm ■ Size 10: 3.1mx140cm ■ Sizes 12-16: 3.7mx140cm ■ Sizes 18-20: 3.8mx140cm ■ Sizes 18-24 (18-30 range): 4.2mx140xm ■ Sizes 26-30: 4.4mx140cm Dresses A & B ■ Elastic: 1.5m x 6mm-10mm wide ■ Ribbon: 30cm of ribbon ■ Clear elastic to stabilise the shoulders ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1.5cm unless stated. ■ *Fabric requirements given are for the maxi length skirt. For the midi tier, subtract 0.6m from the requirements. For the non-tiered skirt, subtract 1.1m. ■ Finished skirt lengths Gathered skirt length:…

PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheet x1 ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED ■ Brown fabric: 50x45cm ■ Dark brown fabric: 28x22cm ■ White fabric: 22x20cm ■ Small brown buttons: x2 ■ Pale yellow wool felt: 10x8cm ■ Pale blue wool felt: 10x8cm ■ Green wool felt: 8x12cm ■ Orange wool felt: 4x4cm ■ Purple wool felt: 8x8cm ■ Pink wool felt: 8x8cm ■ Brown wool felt: 23x8cm ■ Black seed beads: x15 ■ Light blue satin ribbon: 65cm ■ Black stranded cotton ■ Long doll making needle ■ Polyester toy filling: 150g ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit FINISHED SIZE ■ Approximately 43cm tall. FABRICS USED ■ Robert Kaufman Essex Linen in Nutmeg, Espresso and White. NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 6mm unless otherwise indicated. ■ Fabric measurements are…