Innehållsförteckning för Issue 107 från Simply Sewing

The spring equinox has brought us so much inspiration, from warmer colours, painterly prints and, not to mention, patterns fit for a summer on the coast, sunny mornings in the garden, and picnics in the park. In line with this fresh squeeze of summer-loving, we’re positive you’ll love our cover star this issue – the gorgeous Sofia dress in all her ruffled beauty! The Frankie top is also the perfect accompaniment to a pair of shorts or a floaty midi skirt. Plus, sew a breezy loungewear set, an explorer backpack for all your holiday adventures, a self-drafted pair of linen wrap trousers and so much more! WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING #SIMPLYSEWINGMAG facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine twitter.com/simplysewing_ pinterest.com/simplysewingmag instagram.com/simplysewingmag…

PIE IN THE SKY! If you were to bottle happiness, creativity and summer vibes and infuse it into a fabric collection, this would be it. Tilda's new collection, Pie in the Sky, features sweet motifs and gorgeous shades that have a deliciously vintage look and feel. Indulge yourself in a joyful sewing experience with prints that sing with playfulness and colour. For stockist information, email groves@stockistenquiries.co.uk, and check out the whole collection and more from Tilda at tildasworld.com. TGBSB: THE SKILLS This go-to guide is an essential for any sewist's bookshelf – once you've mastered the basics, build up your skills and take the next step in your sewing journey! Level-up your stitching know-how with brand new The Great British Sewing Bee: The Skills (Quadrille, £16.99). SEW AWAY! Drum roll…

We're giving four winners the chance to get their hands on a June Tailor Quilt As You Go Tori Tote kit, plus an amazing selection of Liberty Fabrics to complete the bag – a bundle worth over £65! Featuring straightforward instructions using a sew-by-numbers method, each kit can make anything from a stylish tote bag to an insulated lunch box or sewing machine cover! Plus, the Tori Tote is the perfect sized bag for transporting all your stitching goodies. It's as simple as cutting your fabrics, sewing by number through each layer, and binding. Explore the full range online at eqsuk.com/products/brands/june-tailor See gathered.how/sew_comps to enter today! Competition is open to UK residents, aged 18+. Closing date is 23.59 on 10/05/23. Full T&Cs can be found here: gathered.how/competition-terms-and-conditions.…

Get ready to be saying "Oh, this? I made it!" all summer long with the sophisticated, stylish Sofia dress, with her pretty cap sleeves and optional ruffles – she ticks all of our boxes! Start getting your holiday wardrobe ready and put the Sofia Dress at the top of your list. We used Flora by Victoria Johnson and Solid Rayon in Flame fabrics, kindly supplied by Anbo! anbo.com YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric: Sizes 6-16: 4.1mx150cm Sizes 18-26: 4.4.mx150cm Sizes 28-32: 5.3mx150cm ■ Elastic: 1cm wide x your waist measurement ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ We recommend making a toile of the bodice if you want to use a woven fabric as we can’t guarantee a great fit. ■ We recommend using a fabric that is…

Are you making 2023 the year of home improvements? Forget your paint rollers, and screwdrivers... your sewing machine is about to become your greatest DIY tool. Sign up to our newsletter to download your copy of 101 Home Sewing Ideas – for free! From table setting stapes to al fresco garden accessories, there's something for every space in your home. Head over to gathered.how/bonus-gift to download your digital magazine. Already a newsletter subscriber? You'll find the download link included in your weekly newsletter.…

Name: Lucie JonesInstagram handle:@love_lucieWebsite:lovelucie.orgPattern used: Tello Jacket by Pauline Alice Patterns paulinealice.comFabric: Meet Milk canvas in mustardFabric Stockist:minerva.com Whilst I have sewn up many jackets and blazers over the past couple of years, I was on the lookout for a more casual ‘Worker Jacket’, a lighter weight relaxed jacket. The Worker Jacket is a piece of outerwear designed to stand up to manual labour. It has a simple button front, classic collar, three or four patch pockets to the front, and is typically made from heavy cotton fabric like duck canvas, drill, or sometimes moleskin. There are many examples, of worker jackets by indie pattern designers, but I went with the Tello Jacket by Pauline Alice due to its simplicity and lack of lining. I liked the quirky zip breast…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Pattern paper■ 2.5m soft woven fabric (Eilidh used cotton flannel)■ Loose fitting T-shirt■ Trousers or jeans■ 5cm cotton tape■ 1m elastic, 2cm wide■ Matching thread■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ SA: Seam allowance.■ RS: Right side.■ WS: Wrong side.■ CF: Centre front.■ CB: Centre back.■ HE: Hip and ease measurement. RECOMMENDED FABRICS Soft woven fabric such as cotton flannel, linen, cotton blends, or viscose. DRAFTING THE PATTERN Step one Fold the T-shirt in half down the CF and place on a piece of pattern paper, aligning the folded edge with the edge of the paper. Draw around the T-shirt, then put it to one side. Shorten the length on the pattern to give a slightly cropped fit. Widen the armhole by 1-2cm at the top or…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: 51x51cm■ Strap: 60x10cm■ Matching thread■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm unless otherwise stated. RECOMMENDED FABRICS ■ Heavyweight fabrics such as waxed cotton, canvas, denim, or oilcloth. MAKE THE STRAPS Step one Fold each of the Strap pieces in half lengthways and press to mark the central line. Unfold and then fold each raw edge to the pressed centre line. Fold in half again . Step two Pin the open edge closed and topstitch along the two sides of the handles. MAKING THE BAG Step one Place the two main fabric pieces right sides (RS) up. Cut out a 7x7cm square from each of the bottom corners. Step two The bag is finished with French seams for a neat finish inside.…

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…

DRESS A DRESS B PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheet x 2 ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric: Sizes 6-16: 4.1mx150cm Sizes 18-26: 4.4.mx150cm Sizes 28-32: 5.3mx150cm ■ Elastic: 1cm wide x your waist measurement ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ We recommend making a toile of the bodice if you want to use a woven fabric as we can’t guarantee a great fit. ■ We recommend using a fabric that is 150cm wide because of the width of the pattern pieces – you may be able to use narrower fabric for sizes 6-16, but you may need to reduce the amount of flare in the skirt. ■ Please allow more fabric if you would like to pattern match or if your fabric has a directional…

The bulbs my littlest one planted at the childminders house have just flowered – and I couldn't be happier! Nothing marks the arrival of Spring more than a cheery yellow daffodil head, am I right? This issue, we've got plenty of florals for you, too. The Sofia Dress (p22), with optional ruffles, is the perfect transitional piece for warmer days to come, and our handy oilcloth bag (p73) is a must-sew for the weekly shop. Are you excited about the Great British Sewing Bee returning to our TV screens? Give your sewing space a makeover with our set of makes (p26), and bookmark our website for the latest news at gathered.how/sewing-bee…

Culottes Floaty trousers are a summer staple, says Production Editor Jessie Newton SARCOCO TIERED CULOTTES, SEWILLOW All hail the tiered culottes of dreams! We love the floaty, vintage vibe these trousers embody – featuring a high rise, elasticated waistline with a sweet bow to tie at the back and three sets of gathers on the leg for gorgeous movement. Available in UK sizes 6-24 from sewillow.etsy.com. HANNAH PAPERBAG WAIST CULOTTES, NH PATTERNS The versatile and lightweight Hannah culottes feature front pockets and an elasticated paperbag waistband for ultimate comfort. These culottes can be adapted in so many ways to create heaps of different gorgeous pieces to fill the gaps in your summer wardrobe! Available in UK sizes 4-18 from sewdirect.com. HILDA SHORTS AND TROUSERS, SLOW MORNING STUDIO The perfect addition…

Simply Sewing magazine readers can pick up a FREE copy of McCall’s 7909! This chic, wide-legged jumpsuit pattern features four styles to try including sleeves and ruffle trims. Available in sizes 8-24, you’re saving £12.50! HOW TO GET YOUR PATTERN 1 Scan the QR code and enter your email address on the offer page. We’ll email you an exclusive voucher code. 2 Put the McCall’s 7909 pattern into your basket on the Sew Direct website – sewdirect.com 3 Use the voucher code during checkout and your basket total will update to give you McCall’s 7909 for FREE! SCAN ME to get your voucher! Terms and conditions Offer available while stocks last. No alternative patterns provided. You will only be able to claim one free pattern with this offer. Checkout…

SEWING ROOM MAKES TOOL TIDY Ideal for on-the-go or at-home sewing, stitch a sunny, fabric tool tidy to keep your cutting, measuring and marking kit safe and sound. Simply open it out, choose your weapon and go! SEWING MACHINE COVER Keep your precious machine snug and dust-free with Jess' fantastic sewing machine cover project! Perfect for showing off a favourite print that compliments your sewing station. PROJECT BAGS Keep all your WIPs safe (no matter how big or small) when you're taking a break to whittle away at a different project – no judgment here, we all have multiples on the go, it's an unspoken rule in sewing! NOTEBOOK COVER Do you have a favourite notebook for jotting down your sewing ideas in? Why not dress it in a little…

When it comes to the perfect ‘me-made’, fabric has a big impact. Colours and patterns are often a magpie for choice – tactility and softness are important. But what about performance, durability, structure and fluidity? And what cloths are better when it comes to the planet? From raw materials to the production processes, fabric has an environmental footprint, some of which are greater than others. So, what are the more sustainable fabric choices? Natural fibres are always preferable to synthetics; they are biodegradable and easier to recycle. Synthetics derive from crude oil (fossil fuel); the manufacturing process is highly pollutive and they shed plastic micro fibres. So, what about cellulose fibres? Made from wood pulp (or even post-consumer cotton waste now!), they undergo a chemical process which can be highly…

SELF-DRAFT YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric 1mx140cm■ Elastic: 3.5cm wide x your waist measurement + seam allowance■ Matching thread■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ We recommend using a 140cm+ wide fabric for this project as the panels will be quite wide. If your fabric is narrower, you may need to cut your panels in sections and hide the seams at the back of the skirt. SUGGESTED FABRICS ■ Light to medium weight fabrics that have a little structure such as organza, linen, tulle, chambray, acetate, or needlecord. TAKING YOUR MEASUREMENTS Step one Take your waist measurement at your natural waist point. CUTTING OUT Step one From your main fabric cut: Tier One: Width = Waist x 2, Height = 27cm. Tier Two: Width = Waist x 2.75, Height =…

Designed by Bristol-based bag designer, Lauren Holloway (@laurenhollowaydesigns on Instagram), use a favourite print to make this trusty backpack, perfect for holding all your stitching bits, water bottle, book, purse, phone and more as you head out for an al-fresco sewing session. We love the Minerva cotton canvas fabric Lauren has chosen, featuring sweet lemurs in their exotic habitat! What theme will you go for? See more designs at laurenholloway.uk and share a pic of your finished make on Instagram using #SimplySewingMag…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Fluffy cuddle plush fabric: 50x50cm■ Purple cuddle plush fabric: 46x37cm■ Light-purple cuddle plush fabric: 28x17cm■ Pink cotton fabric: 23x31cm■ 20cm long zip■ Scraps of wool felt in white, light-blue, dark-blue, and pink■ Polyester toy filling: 150g■ Basic sewing kit FINISHED SIZE ■ Approximately 35cm tall. FABRICS USED ■ Shannon Luxe Cuddle Sorbet in Mermaid and Cuddle Plush in Jewel and Lavender, Ruby and Bee Solids in Perfect Pink. NOTES ■ Find the templates on page 87 or download and print from gathered. how/ss-templates.■ Fabric measurements are WxH.■ Use 6mm seam allowances throughout unless otherwise indicated. Seam allowance is included in the templates.■ Cut pair = cut mirror image.■ Fasten off at the beginning and end of stitching.■ Tack before sewing. CUTTING OUT Step one Download and…

WORRY MONSTER PAGE 77ACTUAL 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.…

TOP PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheet x 1 ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric:Sizes 8-18: 1.55mx115cm or 1.55mx140cm Sizes 20-26: 2.35mx115cm or 1.74mx140cm ■ Fabric marker or sewing needle to mark on the darts ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ The top has a low-cut arm hole. Please raise the armhole according to the instructions if you don’t want it to be low cut. ■ The top is also slightly cropped, so consider lengthening it using the shorten/lengthen lines if cropped styles aren’t for you. FABRICS USED ■ Linen slub from Sew me Sunshine (yellow). ■ Viscose Crepe from Atelier Brunette (leaf print). ■ Swiss dot cotton (mint). RECOMMENDED FABRICS ■ Light to medium woven fabrics, for example viscose, cotton lawn, lightweight linen. The Frankie…

MERIDY DUNN Final year fashion student, Meridy, is based in Australia and loves experimental sewing. Turn to page 38 to read her column all about her glamorous, ultra-visible makes and her journey to rediscovering her love of dressmaking. MAYA PEREDA Originally from Peru, Maya is a London based designer and owner of L’Atelier de Maya, creating 100% handmade accessories. Turn to page 73 to find her gorgeous waterproof tote bag project, perfect to stitch over a weekend! VANESSA HANSEN Designer, Vanessa, loves expressing herself through clothing – and that’s just what you can do with the Frankie top pattern with this issue! Turn to page 56 to read all about it and browse our fabric suggestions and accessorizing inspo. YVONNE COLECLOUGH Yvonne of The Wheelie Stitcher has been sewing since…

THE SWISH Tash Bell (£8.99, Candy Jar Books) Meet Kat, a thrift shop Cinderella, in funny, feel-good teen novel, The Swish, by Tash Bell. Bullied at school for being poor, protagonist Kat gets her happiness from sewing away in her room, creating gorgeous ‘new’ outfits from old clothes. Dare she take on the haters, and sew her own gown for the Wonderland Ball? The Swish is an honest, heart-warming story of one girl’s attempt to transform herself with the flash of a needle. ARTFUL BOTANICAL EMBROIDERY Alice Makabe (£16.99, Search Press) Following the success of her book, Beautiful Botanical Embroidery, Japanese embroidery artist, Alice Makabe, is back to further explore and celebrate her love of pattern through floral embroidery. Artful Botanical Embroidery hits the shelves on 25th April and features…

JOELLE DRESS The Joelle dress from Sew Love Patterns can be worn as a maxi or mini design and is ideal for makers who want something a little extra, with a ruffled hem, peekaboo underbust detail, and optional pockets. The cute add-on bust bow is the perfect finishing touch, too. sewlovepatterns.com PATTERN INSPIRATION Gather up your supplies and get making today with our pick of the best ruffled patterns. 1 M7757 TOP AND TROUSERSThis two-piece design from McCall’s creates a stylish off-the-shoulder crop top and trouser set that features a number of different options, including this tropical-inspired ruffle design. The loose-fitting pull-on pants have an elasticised waist and handy pockets. Match it with a crossbody bag and a pair of wedge sandals for the perfect summer evening fit! sewdirect.com 2…

When I was 8-years-old, I made my very first outfit using my mother’s sewing machine. The fabric for the skirt had been pre-cut and hemmed, and the waist had even been elasticated. All I had to do was sew the back seam. My mother and sister, Marilyn, taught me the basics; this was the start of my sewing journey. During the 1980s, I was particularly fond of making disco clothes. This was my ‘make it this morning, wear it tonight’ period. It’s fair to say that my disco outfits were not finished well! I wore one of my disco outfits to a club in New York in 1979. My love of shiny sparkly clothes is still as strong as ever. In the 1990s, my baby girls were my sewing inspiration.…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: 3mx140cm■ Matching thread■ Basic sewing kit■ Existing Trousers (optional) FABRIC USED ■ Minerva Core Range Enzyme Washed 100% Linen Fabric, Dark Beige, JLL000-Stone. minerva.com SUGGESTED FABRICS ■ Light/medium weight fabrics with good drape. NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1cm unless stated otherwise.■ To neaten crotch seam: Overlock, zigzag stitch, bind, or french seam. MEASUREMENTS Step one Take your waist measurement and make a note of it. Step two Divide your waist measurement by two and then add a seam allowance for both the crotch seam and side seam. Step three Take your hip measurement and make a note of it. Step four Divide this measurement by two and then add a seam allowance for the side seam. Step five Take your crotch length measurement…

THE FRANKIE TOP With low cut arms, a loose fit and a cropped hem, the Frankie Top by Vanessa Hansen (vanessahansenstudio.com) is the answer to all our heatwave woes here at Simply Sewing HQ. Light, airy and breathable are the key staples of our summer wardrobes, and Frankie fits the bill across the board! Featuring sweet, bunny tie straps for added interest, you'll want to make one for every day of the week. We love the Atelier Brunette fabric Vanessa has used (right), but the yellow linen fabric version (below) also shows off how versatile and easy it is to change the look to suit your style. We're predicting lots of strolls down the promenade, iced coffee in hand, the sun beating down on your shoulders and the sound of…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Source garments: Three relaxed-fit cotton T-shirts■ Optional: One pack of black dye – Portia used Intense Black machine dye by Dylon®■ Matching thread■ Basic sewing kit PREPARATION Step one Select one T-shirt as the top section of the dress and unpick the hem. Step two Remove the top sections of the remaining two T-shirts by cutting straight across, under the arms. Set aside the top sections (these can be saved and used for future projects). Retain the bottom portions for the skirt section. 01 Step three Unpick the hems of the harvested bottom sections and give all three hems a good press. 02 Step four Cut away one side seam on each of the harvested bottom sections so they can each be opened up into a…

YOU WILL NEED ■ T-shirt with pocket■ Stranded cotton (see notes)■ Pencil■ Water-soluble or tear-away stabiliser■ Embroidery hoop■ Embroidery needle■ Scissors NOTES ■ Mollie used DMC stranded cotton in the shades: 3687, 3824, 743, 745, 367, 368, and 504. Embroidering above a pocket is a great way to spruce up a tired T-shirt or to personalise a new one. It's also be a fab way to save a holey T-shirt from ending up in landfill! TRACING THE DESIGN Step one Trace or print the floral pattern onto the stabiliser. Leave excess stabiliser at the top to help prevent the T-shirt from stretching, but trim the bottom so it can fit into the pocket. 01 Step two Place the T-shirt in the embroidery hoop. Be sure that the fabric doesn't stretch…

MY FAVOURITE THING "I have been sewing since I was a little girl and was devastated when I thought I’d have to stop due to my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2011. Fortunately, that hasn’t been the case as I’ve since found ways to work around my disability. I just love the creative process of dressmaking and now being able to make clothes that suit my requirements as a wheelchair user is really satisfying. "I cherish all my makes, but there is very definitely a clear favourite – not only because I love the finished garment, but also because of the sense of achievement I feel having battled through making it. My fingers are often numb, so tasks like hand sewing, dealing with large amounts of fabric and making ties…

PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheet x1 ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: 50x115cm ■ Lining fabric: 75x115cm ■ Flap fabric: 30x80cm ■ Bonded lining: 80x90cm ■ Medium weight interfacing: 30x60cm ■ Cotton webbing tape: 2.3m ■ Heavy duty press studs x3 sets ■ Tri glide buckle sliders x2 ■ Rectangular loop rings x2 ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 8mm unless otherwise stated. SUGGESTED FABRICS & HARDWARE USED ■ Main fabric and side panels: Cotton canvas in blue from Minerva. ■ Flap fabric: Robert Kaufman Big Sur Cotton Canvas in denim blue from Minerva. ■ Lining fabric: Robert Kaufman Big Sur Cotton Canvas in beige from Minerva. ■ Bonded liner: Curtain bonded interlining. ■ Cotton webbing: Stephanoise shoulder webbing in light…