Innehållsförteckning för Issue 104 från Simply Sewing

For dressmakers and sewists alike, the lure of a vibrant fabric or print is enough to inspire your next project and this month we’ve got heaps on offer. Delve into making a six-piece travel set using Tilda’s beautiful new Chic Escape collection, perfect for personalising and giving as gifts throughout the year. Go bold by adding a colourblock panel to the back of a wool coat, choose a playful print for your new favourite everyday smock – The Alexandra Dress – and colour yourself happy with embroidered rainbow hearts on a T-shirt. There’s plenty of vibrant makes to brighten up your month. Enjoy! WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING #SIMPLYSEWINGMAG facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine twitter.com/simplysewing_ pinterest.com/simplysewingmag instagram.com/simplysewingmag…

WONDERLUST London retro meets Parisian chic in Atelier Brunette's latest collection. Wonderlust bottles empowerment and romance with prints that sing with personality. Described as "a mix of emblematic influences from across the English channel. A style with a resolutely Franglais accent," from viscose to velvet, there's luxury in abundance. See the full collection at atelierbrunette.com BLOOMING DELIGHTFUL Developed by a team of professional embroiderers at Hand and Lock, this large, luxurious case, lined with gorgeous Ciara original Liberty fabric and encased in black, vegan leather, is perfect for all your tools on-the-go! handembroideryshop.com PIN UP! Made from responsibly sourced European Birch Plywood, the fab series of pin badges from Storigraphic keep makers in mind. Wear your passion with pride on your jacket, apron, bag, sewing pouch and more! Each 25mm…

ATLAS DRESS This soft wrap dress from Sewing Patterns By Masin is a versatile piece that can be dressed up or down for work, drinks, brunch, or for a long walk along the beach. If you're new to shirtmaking, this pattern is the ultimate first make – not only will it teach you how to sew a collar and a sleeve placket, but the added addition of a wraparound detail, too. sewingpatternsbymasin.com PATTERN INSPIRATION Make a stand with our pick of the best indie patterns featuring gorgeous collar details. 1 THE CROPPED JACKET This fitted jacket from The Assembly Line will add a hint of retro style to any outfit, with a smart silhouette based on 1940s cuts. The jacket is cropped to the waist and features raglan sleeves and…

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.…

YOU WILL NEED ■ T-shirt ■ Stranded cotton in rainbow colours ■ Pencil ■ Water-soluble or tear-away Stabiliser ■ Pins ■ Embroidery hoop ■ Embroidery needle ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ DMC Stranded cotton in shades 3716, 352, 744, 472, 964, 156 + 211. ■ Download the template from gathered.how/ss-templates or find it on page 85. PREPARATION Step one Trace the heart pattern onto strips of stabiliser. Use as many as you need to fit across the hem of the t-shirt. 01 Step two Fold the t-shirt in half and mark the centre point with a pin. Use the pin to centre the strips of hearts. Be sure to keep the bottom of the patterns evenly spaced above the hem. 02 Step three Peel and stick (or tack) the…

In this month’s workshop, Simply Sewing’s Senior Technical Editor, Roisin, shows us how to design our own Peter Pan collars. Peter Pan collars have been design staples since the early 1900s, and with the recent return of oversized statement collars, there’s never been a better time to experiment with the shape and style that best suits you! In this workshop, we walk you through altering Peter Pan collar pattern pieces to match your style. If the collar on your pattern is too small – make it bigger. Too curved? Make it angular. You get the gist! Get creative and have fun experimenting... WHAT IS A PETER PAN COLLAR? Peter Pan collars are flat collars (without a stand) that follow the neckline of a garment. The collars usually have rounded corners,…

The older I get, the more important it's becoming for me to schedule in some dedicated me-time. My favourite kind of evening involves having a soak in the bath before snuggling-up in my favourite PJs with a hot water bottle and an embroidery hoop. This doesn't happen every night (hello, kids!), but I do try and make time for mindful stitching where I can. I'll be adding some happy rainbow hearts (p69) to my hoop this month, that's for sure! I love the idea of turning an old duvet cover into a set of PJs (p50) – how clever is that? Don't miss our hot water bottle cover project (p56) which has an extra pocket to keep your hands snug too. Cosy-up, enjoy!…

FALLON SHACKET, GEORGETTE PATTERNS Imagine yourself, coffee in hand, tote bag full of fresh pastries, a cosy beanie on your head... and a soft, warming Fallon shacket wrapped around you. This intermediate pattern offers an edgy addition to your wardrobe that you won't leave the house without! Available in EU sizes 34-36, from GeorgettePatterns.etsy.com POLINA SHACKET, TINTOFMINT This beautiful oversized shacket is a gorgeous throw-on piece to grab on your way out and layer over a chunky knit or to wear over a t-shirt as the weather warms up! You can also watch the accompanying YouTube video for a sew-a-long! Available in UK sizes 6-16, tintofmintpatterns.com OVERSIZED SHIRT JACKET, SEWINGMAN PATTERNS Comfort meets style with this oversized beauty, perfect for sewing in cotton or linen. With an optional collar, the…

You really can’t have too many fabrics, right? Because collecting different prints to store away for future projects is at the top of our list of hobbies! And with this stellar prize from Tilda, your fabric cupboards will be full to the brim before March! With a whopping 20 fat quarters and a roll containing 40 pieces of their cosy Hometown collection, all we can say is, one lucky winner will need to get on Pinterest to source some inspiration for future projects! The whole collection is a warm and autumnal addition to the Tilda family and was inspired by a love of home and the community. groves@stockistenquiries.co.uk See gathered.how/sew_comps to enter today! (Competition is open to UK residents, aged 18+. Closing date is 23.59 on 15/02/23. Full T&Cs can…

When you need a one-and-done outfit for those days where you want to feel casual but look on-trend, the Alexandra Dress is ready to step into the limelight. YOU WILL NEED Sizes 6–16 (150cm wide fabric only): ■ 4mx150cm for Dress A ■ 4.5mx150cm for Dress B ■ Interfacing: 50x90cm Sizes 18–32 (150cm wide fabric only): ■ 4.9mx150cm for Dress A ■ 5.4mx150cm for Dress B ■ Interfacing: 50x90cm For all styles: ■ 2cm wide elastic enough for two cuffs ■ Hook and eye ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ We strongly suggest you pick your size based on your bust measurement if you fall between sizes, as the rest of the garment is non-fitted. ■ Sizes 6-16 have been drafted with a B cup bodice, and…

Name: Mark Francis Instagram handle: @sewmarkfrancis Website: sewmarkfrancis.com Pattern: I AM Patterns Men’s Artemis Coat Fabric: Lady McElroy pure wool coating Fabric stockist: minerva.com I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect light-weight coat or jacket pattern for a while now, and was drawn to the I AM Patterns Artemis Coat for men (a women’s version is also available in PDF and paper pattern format). This pattern has a lovely drape to it, is easy to throw on, and looked like it had some interesting features. Plus, it also includes the most important detail for all of us sewists... it has POCKETS! MY STYLE My style has developed rather a lot since learning to sew and, as I improve my skills, so does my ambition. I now enjoy…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Single or double cotton duvet cover ■ Buttons ■ Elastic ■ Tailor’s chalk or erasable fabric marker ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm unless stated otherwise. ■ Head to gathered.how/ss-templates to download the templates. ■ RS = Right side. ■ WS = Wrong side. CUTTING OUT THE PJ SHORTS Step one From the main fabric, cut:Front: One pair. Back: One pair. Waistband: Two. ASSEMBLING THE SHORTS Step one With RS facing, sew together the Back panels at the centre back. Zigzag stitch or overlock and press the seam flat. Step two Repeat step one to join the Front panels. With RS facing, sew the Front PJ short panels to the Back PJ short panels along the side seams. Zigzag…

Throwing on a plain pair of jeans to make your fresh-off-the-machine top shine is something we're used to doing. But have you ever considered making a pair of bottoms to stand bold on their own? The Culottes by Lisa Falconer of The Avid Seamstress (theavidseamstress.com) make a gorgeous focal point when paired with a plain tee. There's no end to the styling options; pair with a patterned top, wear with a linen shirt tucked in, colourblock with a jumper! Not just made for style, they're a comfortable alternative to your usual go-tos with a wide leg fit, thick waistband and pockets. You're going to want a pair in every colour! Plus, it's a great pattern for showing off a favourite corduroy or velvet whether in a pattern or a solid…

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. 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…

MY FAVOURITE THING “I acquired basic sewing skills at school, but it was only until my daughter hit school age that I became increasingly interested in the skill of sewing. I purchased a basic sewing machine and an overlocker and I obtained a handful of beginner sewing patterns. My sewing journey started in earnest and it quickly became my principal hobby. I joined a local quilting group and found the construction of quilts absorbing – I flourished in the fellowship of the group. Following a breast cancer diagnosis aged 50 and subsequent surgery that turned my world upside down. None of my current clothes fit and I didn't find anything commercial that I liked for my new body shape, so sewing and creating custom clothing fast became my therapy. Fabric…

SIZES 6-22US 4-20 EUR 34-50 PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheets x3 ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: Sizes 0-3: 2.15mx112cm or 1.7mx145cm Sizes 4-8: 2.5mx112cm or 2.3mx145cm ■ Light-medium weight iron-on interfacing: 50x90cm ■ Invisible zip: 20cm (8in) ■ Invisible zip presser foot ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ We use a combination of 6mm, 1cm and 1.5cm seam allowances. Each step will explain which to use. SUGGESTED FABRICS ■ Light-medium weight woven fabric: cotton, poplin, corduroy, linen, velvet. The Leah Culottes pattern is designed by Lisa Falconer of The Avid Seamstress, theavidseamstress.co.uk © Printed in the UK for Simply Sewing. Design by The Avid Seamstress. Supplied by Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company), Bristol, BS1 4ST. For individual, private use only and not for commercial…

LIZ STANLEY-DAVIES When Liz Stanley-Davies isn’t in her school classroom teaching 4-5 year olds you’ll find her at a her machine sewing colourful dresses to wear to work! This mum of two (who is also a passionate baker) shares her creative life on page 54. LINDA MAFUBA Linda Mafuba is the talented designer behind bespoke tailored brand, MYDEI, and creator of @the.rectangle.dress. Try out her clever project on page 50 where you can learn how to turn an old duvet cover into a pair of pyjamas. LISA FALCONER Lisa Falconer is the designer behind The Avid Seamstress pattern brand (try out The Culottes pattern on page 60). Shop her full pattern range at theavidseamstress.co.uk and read more about what inspires her design work on page 64. MARK FRANCIS Former Sewing…

RESTYLE & RESTITCH FOR LITTLE ONES Linnea Larsson (£12.99, Search Press) Transform your pre-loved clothes to ones that can be worn again and again by your mini-me! Great for the environment and , of course, your bank balance, the 30 different sewing projects in Linnea Larsson's new book are perfect for newborns to two year olds. Make a whole wardrobe of stylish unique garments for your little ones. SEW MADDIE Debbie Shore (£15.99, Abrams) Meet Maddie, the adorable doll who loves fun and fashion. Inspired by Half Yard Sewing Club's favourite rag doll, join Maddie on her adventures with her mischievous dog, Mo! From dresses, tops, shoes and more, Maddie's world is colourful and crafty. Make your 66cm tall Maddie doll and her fabulous wardrobe with Debbie Shore's step-by-step projects.…

TRAVELLING IN STYLE GARMENT CARRIER Keep your occasionwear clean in a carrier that looks as good as its contents. Because there's nothing worse than finding a shampoo spillage when you open your case – we've all been there! TRAVEL SEWING SET If you're anything like us, your sewing comes with you everywhere. With multiple pockets and a felt patch for needles, keep your stitching toolkit safe while you're on-the-go. TRAVEL PILLOW Sink into comfort (and style) with a soft and cosy travel pillow – your best buddy for catching some z's on your long-haul flights and cross country road trips. Just prepare yourself for 'can you make me one?' requests. PASSPORT CASE Fussy cut your favorite print to show off its pattern in Jess' tidy passport case. If you've got…

A GOOD READ Every year in the UK, 1.2 million tonnes of fabrics are sent to landfill. According to Earth.org, the fashion industry is responsible for more CO2 emissions than air travel and shipping combined, and Clothes Aid found that over 60% of UK homeowners say they’ve got unwanted textiles lying around the house. For some creatives, however, the unloved fabrics that would otherwise add to this issue of waste hold the potential to become something entirely new — and, most importantly, something useful. For Dana Andrews, owner of Sunworn Vintage (sunwornvintage.com), the draw towards reworking old fabrics is one rooted in a childhood of sustainable habits. “I grew up thrifting and shopping second-hand because it was more affordable for my family at the time, and I always enjoyed digging…

Makers often strive to create things that fit effortlessly into our day-to-day lives. Whether it’s a backpack that you carry to work every day, a reusable lunch bag that you pack your child off to school with every morning, or a cushion that you throw on your bed each time you make it. The joy of making is rooted in these simple pleasures – the way that something will be used long after we’ve made it. This is particularly true when it comes to making our own garments. Is there any greater pleasure than being able to say “I made it!” when someone asks where your outfit is from? One of the designers making patterns that have the “I love that, where did you get it?” effect is Lisa Falconer,…

If you need a break from dressmaking and want a more practical and useful project on your horizons, this issue's bonus tote pattern is the perfect first step in your bag-making journey! Designed by Bristol based designer and maker, Lauren Holloway (@laurenhollowaydesigns), The Pippin Tote is made of durable cotton canvas, making it a reliable companion on your trips to the shops, library, picnic, school run and more. Don't forget to share a pic of your finished bag using the #SimplySewingMag hashtag.…

OLIVE THE DOVE PAGE 72ACTUAL SIZE STITCH PAGE 69ACTUAL 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.…

SIZES 6-32US 4-30 EUR 34-60 DRESS A DRESS B PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheets x4 ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED Sizes 6–16 (150cm wide fabric only): ■ 4mx150cm for Dress A ■ 4.5mx150cm for Dress B ■ Interfacing: 50x90cm Sizes 18–32 (150cm wide fabric only): ■ 4.9mx150cm for Dress A ■ 5.4mx150cm for Dress B ■ Interfacing: 50x90cm For all styles: ■ 2cm wide elastic enough for two cuffs ■ Hook and eye ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ We strongly suggest you pick your size based on your bust measurement if you fall between sizes, as the rest of the garment is non-fitted. ■ Sizes 6-16 have been drafted with a B cup bodice, and sizes 18-32 have been drafted with a D cup bodice.…

PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheet x1 ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED ■ Bag outer fabric: 50x115cm ■ Contrast band fabric: 20x115cm ■ Outer pocket fabric: 25x30cm ■ Lining fabric: 80x115cm ■ Cotton webbing tape for handles: 1.6mx35mm wide ■ Bonded curtain lining: 80x115cm ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 8mm unless otherwise stated. MATERIALS USED ■ Top outer fabric and pocket: Kokka linen canvas fabric from minerva.com. ■ Bottom outer fabric: Robert Kaufman Big Sur Cotton Canvas Fabric from minerva.com. ■ Lining fabric: Cotton canvas in stripe from minerva.com. ■ Bonded liner: Curtain bonded lining interlining. ■ Cotton webbing: Cotton acrylic webbing tape in turquoise. Lauren Holloway runs her own slow fashion and accessories brand. Find out more at laurenholloway.uk. © Printed in…