Simply Sewing issue 58

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ISSUE 58

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FRESH IDEAS AS WITH WITHF FABRIC

ISSUE FIFTY EIGHT

NEW PATTERN!

The Maria 8 LOOKS FOR SUMMER!

WRAP DRESS IN SIZES 6-20

CUSTOMIZE

Update your wardrobe with on-trend embroidery

SEW TODAY!

✓ Scarf dress ✓ Rainbow cushion ✓ Beginner quilt

9 kieasy-sew d's projects

12 stylish projects to sew for your seasonal wardrobe NEW SKILLS: Turn a scarf into a dress Make rouleau straps Sew a duvet set

IDEAS

INSPIRATION

ACCESSORIES

WEBSITES

EVENTS

STUFF

SUN SEEKER

Cashmerette’s Holyoke Maxi Dress & Skirt pattern has plenty of design features to swoon over: the sophisticated swishy silhouette; the oh-so-flattering princess seams; the button-up fastening; the bra-friendly wide straps; the cute maxi skirt option. The best thing of all, though? It has pockets! In sizes 12 to 28 and three cup sizes, from www.cashmerette.com

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Pinboard A We FINEloveART the look of ▼

hand-stitching, be it a hand-sewn hem or a stitched sampler, and with the Halo Table Magnifier you can focus on even the smallest of stitches thanks to its 5 diopter (2.25x) magnification lens and a 12 diopter (4x) magnification inset lens – and there are three brightness levels of daylight LEDs, too. Its fold-up design is also perfect for taking sewing projects on the go.

Visit www.daylight company.com

THAT 70S LOOK

Two cute styles have joined the Tilly and the Buttons pattern gang! Channelling 1970s cool, the wide-leg, high-waist Jessa trousers have a gentle flare and patch pockets, and can be made as shorts, too. Pair them with the Romy top in a rainbow stripe for a full-on 70s vibe. Go to www.tillyandthebuttons.com

SEWING SUPERSTAR

You may have spotted a new (but very familiar) face on our sister TV channel Sewing Quarter recently: Debbie Shore!

She's been sharing lots of inspiring tips and projects, and has even designed some fabric panels exclusive to Sewing Quarter. Keep your eyes peeled for more from Debbie on Sewing Quarter on Freeview channel 73, Sky Channel 687 and at www.sewingquarter.com

PURE SHORES Go on a Mediterranean adventure with Atelier Brunette’s dreamy new fabric collection inspired by its beautiful scenery – think the Andalusian sun, the golden sand of the wild Camargue dunes, and the pebbly beaches along the Italian coast. There are three gorgeous, exclusive designs you’ll definitely see popping up on your sewing Instagram feed a lot soon – Dune, a delicate viscose crepe print that evokes swirls of grass in the sand dunes; Sunset, with tiny golden suns dotted on cotton crepe; and Granito, a graphic viscose design inspired by pebbles. We can already feel the warm sun on our face, the breeze in our hair, and the swish of our new handmade dress! Visit www.atelierbrunette.com

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Say "ciao!" to the new Italy-inspired prints from Atelier Brunette.

kid's bedroom

over the moon

Take their imaginations to infinity (and beyond!) with bedroom makes in space-themed prints.

Designers: JESSICA ENTWISTLE Styling: LISA JONES Photography: DAVE CAUDERY

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DOOR HANGER

Three...two...one...lift-off! Stitch a rocket-motif hanger for your little explorer's door, complete with a 'window' to personalise with a stamped name or saying. A speedy project with appliquÊ details (can you spot the fussy-cut sleepy moon?), it's a fun stashbuster for scraps – and a nifty last-minute gift idea, too.

DUVET COVERS AND PILLOW SET

They'll have sweet dreams under the stars, moons, planets and rockets (oh, and animal astronauts!) with this duvet cover set. It's one of the simplest projects you'll ever sew, but, with a print as awesome as this one, it'll earn you serious cool-parent points!

THE shirt DRESS PSSTo:r fabric and

leaf f ion, and be r e v o Turn spirat r finished n i g n styli share you tagged s o sure t ress with u ag D m Maria mplysewing #si

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COVER STAR

THE maria DRESS

With a tie fastening, elegant flutter sleeves and midi and maxi lengths, The Maria Dress is the ultimate in summery chic.

refashion

holiday romance Two complementary floral prints make a perfect match for Karoline Dahrling's patternless colour-block halter dress.

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refashion

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MY SEWING WORLD

By Rumana Lasker

Rumana shares how sewing her own wardrobe has helped her to rediscover her confidence for a second time.

M

y sewing journey is probably pretty similar to most people reading this: born out of frustration at not finding something you like on the high street, a basic grasp of a sewing machine and a load of motivation (and a seam ripper!).

Then, something else happens. It changes your mindset about everything: how you appreciate workmanship and handmade details, being conscious of textile waste and recycling. It might also become the thing you use to unwind and relax, keeping your mental health healthy. For me, it also led to a journey of selfdiscovery (I know, how Eat Pray Love of me).

But it really did. After I started wearing the hijab I really struggled to find anything to wear to suit my religious needs on the high street but also feel stylish and fashionable. So I turned to sewing to create my own wardrobe and in turn rediscovered a sense of style that was less utility – ‘layers to cover up’ – and more ‘me’. The freedom sewing gave me helped me create clothes that I wanted to wear, that expressed myself and in that helped me rediscover my confidence.

See more of m Instagram @ y latest makes on thelittlepome granate

"You learn what shapes, silhouettes and fabrics you like."

NEW CHALLENGES The other great thing about sewing your own clothes is that you develop a real appreciation of your body – you learn about each curve and slope. The slightly curved back, the short waist, uneven bicep circumferences.

You learn that you’re not an identikit shape, much more unique than the set sizes that ready-to-wear clothes have to offer. You learn what shapes and silhouettes you like, which fabrics work well for your lifestyle. You know it all.

And you learn to love it all – after all, it’s your body.

But what happens when you suddenly don’t know your body anymore? Where do you go from there? Like a lot of people, my body has gone though a phase of change. It happens to us all, whether it’s down to stress, illness, activity, inactivity, or a holiday with a threetimes-a-day gelato habit (no? Just me?). Shapes change; weights go up and down. C’est la vie. But how does that affect your sewing? My body feels like it’s been through it all since being pregnant and having my daughter.

Everything got wider: bust, waist, and hips. Then things started to go back down, but at different rates. Bones have shifted, skin stretched, soft bits got softer and

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new projects that g in n n la p en be e I'v ent and comfy. d fi n co el fe e m e mak

g "I’ve been gravitatin towards patterns I’ve never thought of before."

Don't forget to look to your own wardrobe for sewing inspiration! I bought this skirt in 2013 but it didn't fit my style anymore – so now it has a new look as this drapey, frilled-hem cardigan.

here we are: a body so far away from my pre-pregnancy measurements, but still firmly my body.

So, now what? I’ve got a wardrobe of handmade clothes that no longer fit and no idea where to start with creating a new one.

I won’t sugar-coat it, it’s been hard and it’s been frustrating. More than ever I’ve been getting mid-make doubt, ready to fling the unfinished garment into my scrap bin. I’ve found it really difficult to sew for myself, from knowing what sizes to cut and grade from, to knowing which adjustments to make (I’ve never had to make a full bust adjustment until now). I’ve also found myself gravitating towards patterns I’ve never thought of sewing before, and wearing separates and loving the versatility. The Ninni Culottes from Named Clothing have an elasticated waist and wide legs for an easy fit. Another unexpected favourite is my Tilly and the Buttons Ness Skirt, which has great design details and deep pockets.

I’ve gone full circle and found myself back at the beginning of my sewing journey – re-learning how to create a wardrobe which makes me feel comfortable, confident and happy in myself. And I guess that’s what I need to remind myself of: that it’s a journey. I’ll find my way, one stitch at a time.

See more at www.thelittlepomegranate.co.uk

Keeping me inspired...

I love the easy , wide-leg fit o f Named's Ninn i Culottes patt ern.

There’s been a lot of conversation around textile waste recently and how we can be more environmentally conscious with our sewing.

Keeping this in mind (and wanting to clear some space up in the house), I’ve been inspired to delve into my stash and my wardrobe. I made my Ness skirt and Nora top using up remnants leftover from other makes and repurposed a skirt I’ve had for six years into a cardigan. I’m sure I’ll be doing more of this in future.

My Tilly and the Buttons Ness Skirt is one of my favourites – and it's made from fabric remnants.

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NO PATTERN xxxxxxxxxx NEEDED!

✂

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beachy keen

It's time for sun, sea, sand – and stripes!

Get beach ready with Portia Lawrie's selfdrafted cover-up made in drapey rayon.

toy alpaca

softiesaurus

Lucy Ward's little dinosaur might have a loud roar and sharp fangs, but it's a total softie! Sew your own with her dino plushie project.

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my favourite thing

red CARPET carpet READY ready RED Duncan Carter boosted his sewing confidence with this designer-inspired, jewel-studded velvet jacket.

"This bejewelled velvet blazer was inspired by a selection of crystal-studded blazers from the Balmain menswear collection a couple of years ago. At the time I saw these gorgeous blazers, I never dreamed I’d be able to make my own (or ever afford the real thing!), but it all came together and the project has proved to be a milestone in my sewing confidence.

It was definitely the most time-consuming garment I’ve ever worked on – there were a multitude of decisions I had to make before I could even get started on the construction.

First off, I couldn’t find a pattern with the right silhouette, so I had to drastically alter an old Burda pattern to get the style and fit – I even cut up my old bed sheets to make a toile! There are over 200 jewels on the blazer

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and it is fully lined with self-drafted facings and lining pieces. I spent days planning the layout of the jewels, making sure they weren’t too close to the seams or stress points on the garment. That was followed by hours of latenight glueing and hand-sewing to attach everything to the flat pieces, before sewing together the outer shell. I’ll be honest, there was a fair bit of sweating and swearing during this make, and at one point I thought it would never be finished! But I’m glad I took on the challenge and happy with how it turned out.

It’s not going to be something I wear every day, but I love having this statement piece in my wardrobe… and if I’m ever on the red carpet, well, I know what I’ll be wearing!"

Visit www.instagram.com/duncan_carter

S TH DRESS EP FRIDA SIZES A6TTERN, -20

Clutch bag 6 makes for baby Easy duvet cover Patternless pinafore Quick beach cover-up Toy swan plushie Canvas backpack Sheer box blouse and more...

+ ✓ The frida dress ✓ the blair bag

✄

EXCLUSIVE

PATTERNS WORTH

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* CONTENTS AND GIFTS MAY VARY. PAPER AND FABRIC GIFTS NOT AVAILABLE WITH DIGITAL EDITIONS.