Make It Today Issue 16 Dressmaker

Dressmaker Make it Today!

EASY-SEW Floral Dress

Everyday style for your

SUMMER WARDROBE

LOVE IT • STITCH IT • WEAR IT

READ IT • SHARE IT

MADE BY YOU!

Shorts, Crops, Maxis & Tunics START STITCHING TODAY!

PLUS ways to 10 CREATE THE

perfect fit

ve o l CRISP & CLASSY WE

Nauticals

NIP AND TUCK...

BONUS PULL-OUT GO VINTAGE!

DARTS

Masterclass

Make It Today | Issue 16 | July/Aug 2016 | £7.99

10

SUMMER STYLES with your

FREE PATTERNS OPPOSITES ATTRACT WITH FLARED DRESSES AND TAPERED TROUSERS

S

titch fancy frocks and trousers in every length under the sun with your free McCall’s patterns. These two free gifts deliver multiple combinations, so you can pick a style that suits your figure, and the occasion.

Create sweet shorts in a multitude of prints for your summer holiday, or a stylish pair of fitted culottes for work. Once you’ve topped up your trouser collection, use your McCall’s M7082 pattern to create a beautiful flared number. Get creative with colour blocking, a mix of prints, and a rainbow of fabric shades.

What’s Your

SIZE?

If you would like a smaller size, alternative versions are available: M7082 (6-14), M7098 (6-14). Call Butterick at 0344 880 1263, quoting voucher code MIT7082 or MIT7098 to redeem your replacement pattern at half price. (£4.37 for M7082 and £4.37 for M7098).

Offer valid until 19th August 2016.

Flattering fit Master panels to create four complementary designs 4

Make It Today | Dressmaker

Your FREE

GIFT McCall’s M7082 pattern makes a stunning structured dress.

The flare is created through the use of interfacing and multiple panels.

Stitch a wardrobe of tapered trousers and shorts in various styles with McCall’s M7098 pattern.

Detailed steps explain the process of creating notches, slits and pockets.

Don’t miss

VINTAGE ISSUE...

On sale 2nd September

Easy casuals

Six styles for every occasion makeittoday.co.uk

5

PINNING PERFECTION

Roll up, roll up! Online sewing shop Sew Crafty has released four yummy pink and blue pin badges, perfect for sticking on your sewing stash or your latest make. But hurry, as these cute pin-ups are sure to sell out fast. £7 for one, £25 for the set, sewcraftyonline.co.uk

BUTTON BEAUTIFUL

Silver linings are so last season! This summer, it’s all about the buttons, and these pretty pink, blue and white trims from Groves are sure to add a fun, feminine touch to canvas bags, hemlines, collars and even home-made knickers.

50p per metre, groves@ stockistenquiries.co.uk

PLAY TIME

Happy birthday to Swedish brand Polarn O Pyret!

Maker of comfy kiddie couture turns 40 this year and, to celebrate, it’s organising a range of releases to celebrate its popular popsicle and stripe fashion motifs. polarnopyret.co.uk

make BUY

PATTERNS, STYLES AND RELEASES THAT ARE HOT, HOT, HOT!

WALK THE BOARDWALK Carefree seaside days, childhood nostalgia, salt-water taffy and ice-cream scoops are the inspirations behind Dana Willard’s AGF Boardwalk Delight collection. Ripe with vivid splashes of cotton candy pink, lemon sorbet and chewy mint, this fabric feast of geo shapes, scribbles and sprinkles is sure to brighten your summer style. artgalleryfabrics.com 6

Make It Today | Dressmaker

HAVE BAG, WILL TRAVEL

The perfect getaway requires the ultimate carry-all, which makes this Amy Butler bag pattern essential holiday reading. Freshly updated this July, it includes instructions for using quilting cotton and foam stabliser, so all you need is the fabric! The Weekender Travel Bag pattern, £10, amybutlerdesign.com

Mmeaadseutroe OUR FAVOURITE ETSY TAPE MEASURE GIFTS

NEEDLE CASE Colourful organiser for your stitchy stash. £12.55, KellysMagnets.com

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH!

VINTAGE PURSE Cute coin carrier with kiss clasp. £21, pursepoppet.etsy.com

MIDI MARVEL

TIE’S COMPANY

Your fella is never fully dressed without one, and we’ve found just the thing to put a smile on his face.

These savvy bow-tie kits from The New Craft House, with pattern, clip and Dashwood cotton fabric, are all you need to give the man in your life a well-deserved pop of sartorial elegance. £18, thenewcrafthouse.com

Small really is beautiful, so treat yourself to the diminutive Hobbycraft Midi. This budget stitcher comes with all the essential thread functions, adjustable speed and direction, and a user-friendly design. It’s also light and portable, making it perfect for summer travels. £40, hobbycraft.co.uk

PINK EARRINGS Repurposed bright pink danglers. £6, undoneclothing.etsy.com

HAIR BOW Bright barnet adornment that’s sew pretty. £3.70, etsy.me/295Wsbr

JUMP TO IT The hottest-trending outfit of the season is

getting a style revamp with Marigold, the new two-in-one jumpsuit and trouser pattern by Tilly and the Buttons. Featuring a sweetheart neckline, cinched waistline and slash pockets, this pretty make is sure to have you jumping for joy. £12.50, shop.tillyandthebuttons.com

TOTE HANDBAG Snazzy showstopper with frills and buttons. £23, MrsMzSewingRoom.etsy.com

makeittoday.co.uk

7

your free pattern · your free pattern · your free pattern · your free pattern · your free pattern · your free patte

Flared frocks

BEAUTIFUL, FLATTERING STYLES FOR THE SUMMER SEASON

T

he perfect dress fits like a dream, makes you feel beautiful, and can be worn to those extra-special occassions. These elegant designs in McCall’s M7082 pattern deliver just that. Ideal for medium-weight woven fabrics, it offers a variation of strapless and sleeved options. The flare and figure-flattering structure of this dress is created through the construction of 23 pattern pieces and interfacing. Whilst the panel count sounds a tad daunting, it offers the opportunity to customise the look of the garment; try colour blocking, or mixing a print with a solid accent shade. Whether you’re looking for an evening number, a sweet day dress or a frock for a fancy occassion, you can create one to suit with your free McCall’s pattern.

PROJECT DESIGNER

Jayne cordle

· for intermediates ·

makeittoday.co.uk 13

your free pattern · your free pattern · your free pattern · your free pattern · your free pattern · your free patte

TROUSER

SEPARATES SWEET SHORTS AND CAPRIS FOR THE ULTIMATE IN SUMMER CHIC

A

s the summer hits, hemlines rise, which means only one thing: welcome to the season of the shorts! As this gorgeous selection of cropped and longer-length designs from McCall’s proves, you don’t have to rely on denim cut-offs for your fix of figureflattering pin-flaunters. Whether you fancy a trendy tapered trouser or a knee-length knickerbocker, the M7098 pattern is your chance to work with pockets, cuffs, waistbands and zippers whilst whipping up some deeply dippy sunshine street wear. The long and short of it is, you’ll love it.

PROJECT DESIGNER

torie jayne

· for beginners · makeittoday.co.uk 25

PROJECT DESIGNER

Amanda Walker

Spotty · for beginners ·

RETRO DRESS JOIN THE DOTS FOR SWING AND SASS

T

he pretty polka dot has been dressing up trends ever since the days of Betty Page and Chili Williams. Its timeless appeal is given a fresh slice of fifties flair with this dreamy dress project by Amanda Walker. Consisting of a fitted bodice and multiple skirt pieces for added swish, this frock is perfect for crisp cottons and lightweight linens, and will hug you in all the right places while guaranteeing you a big entrance when you give ’em a twirl.

USE YOUR

FREE PULL-OUT PATTERN

22 Make It Today | Dressmaker

PROJECT DESIGNER

Amanda Walker

· for beginners ·

Summer

SARONG THE PERFECT ADDITION TO YOUR BEACH WARDROBE

A

dd some sunshine to your sewing with a breezy maxi skirt. This patternless sarong is made to measure, and ties at the waist, so you’ll be sure to create a perfect fit. Once you’ve mastered the pleating and buttonhole techniques in this project, all you need is the right sunhat and you’re ready for the beach!

Find pattern online

makeittoday.co.uk 19

Little Helper KEEP KIDDIEWINKS CLEAN WHEN COOKING UP A STORM

itchen couture was never so cute and colourful as with this sweet overall to protect small family members.

Indulge your budding sous chefs in their culinary adventures with a durable and jazzy fabric, and mix it up with a contrasting colour for the collar and pockets.

This project is the perfect way to pass the time while you’re waiting for those tasty treats to bake – we can’t promise it will keep your little one free from frosting or flour, but it’s sure to keep ‘em sweet!

Cutting Guide

All seam allowances and bottom hem 2.5cm, unless otherwise stated.

Optional: skip the patch pocket or use contrasting fabrics as desired.

ESSENTIAL KIT Medium to heavy weight fabric, 0.7m x 115cm Co-ordinating thread Ribbon, 2m x 2.5cm Measurement: Children three-five years

50 Make It Today | Dressmaker

PROJECT DESIGNER

Theresa Gonzalez

· for beginners ·

LITTLE HELPER APRON

1

Download the pattern from makeittoday.co.uk and follow the cutting guide, with the pocket on one layer of fabric. Double-fold hem the top, side and bottom edges of the apron pieces (see The Knowledge), but leave the arm openings unstitched. Similarly, double-fold hem each short end of the facing pieces.

2

With right sides together, align the main and facing pieces along the armholes and sew using a 1.25cm seam allowance. Trim and press the seam open. Fold and press the facings to the wrong side, then fold the raw edges 1.25cm to the wrong side and press again. Stitch the folds to the main body, 2.5mm from the inner edge, to make casings for the straps.

3

Make a double-fold hem on one long edge of the pocket piece for the top. Double-fold the sides and bottom to the wrong side and press. Pin to the main apron and, starting at one top corner, stitch 2.5mm from the folded edge, leaving the top open. Sew vertically through the centre to create two pockets.

4

Double-fold hem the short raw edges of the ribbon.

Thread through the armhole casings, starting at the bottom of one opening, out and into the other top opening, and back down, leaving a long loop for the head to slip through.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE HILL GERULAT

K

APRON

Embroidered TOP

Multisize make!

COMFY AND LIGHTWEIGHT, THIS SUMMER TUNIC IS A BREEZE!

E

very gal needs a casual pullover for sunshine excursions and cool beach nights. This easy-make pattern by Amanda Walker, guaranteed to work with any body shape, matches clean, classic lines with a sweet boho hem detail. Stitched using a gauzy linen, its delicate drape and crisp contours make for some dreamy blue sky thinking.

ESSENTIAL KIT 1EMBROIDERED TOP Linen or cotton fabric, 1.5m x 150cm Co-ordinating thread Measurement: One-size

Cutting Guide

Front: Cut one Back: Cut one Sleeve: Cut one pair Neck band: Cut a bias strip, 5cm x 72cm Base detail: Cut 60 discs, 3cm diameter, from leftover fabric 1.5cm seam allowances throughout, except for neckline where 1cm is used

Download the pattern from makeittoday.co.uk and cut out. Neaten the shoulder edges with overlocking or zigzag stitching. Match the shoulder seams of the front and back pieces, pin and sew with right sides facing, and press open.

2

Stitch the neckband ends together with right sides facing. Turn out, fold in half lengthways and press. Pin to the top, matching the join in the neckband to the centre back. Sew with a 1cm seam allowance and neaten using overlocking or zigzag stitching.

Fold and press the seam edges in the top so the neckband turns upwards.

3

Open out the front and back of the top, right sides uppermost. Mark the notch at the centre top of the sleeves, then pin this point to the end

Why not try?

This pattern works a charm with florals and abstracts in citrus (6793) or aqua (6791). ÂŁ16.95 per metre, stonefabrics.co.uk

56 Make It Today | Dressmaker

SUBSCRIBER

BENEFITS

As well as receiving every issue overflowing with exclusive patterns, expert tips, advice, stitching inspiration and features you will: • Receive FREE regular supplements and covermounted gifts!

• SAVE over £15 off the cover price • Get BRAND NEW projects, tips and tricks in every issue • Get FREE delivery straight to your door before it hits the shops

Pay today via at makeittoday.co.uk/ subscribe

DESIGNER PATTERNS H INCLUDED WITOF YOUR COPY AY MAKE IT TOD

PERFECT GIFT IDEA!

A gift subscription is the perfect present that lasts all year round

Free patterns every issue worth up to £15!