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A JA JANO NOME ME MACHINE Worth £249

STYLISH SEWING

MADE SIMPLE

EASY SKIRTS

TOP TO P TIPS Sewing Bee stars share their secrets

3 designs designs to make tonight!

P i in c us hi on

hion sh d ccu s Quilt ed

CLEVER CRAFTING with your free fabric

Vintage

STYLE

Sizes 8-18

FREE Sewing Bee

blouse pattern

PExpert tips PStep-by-step

instructions PEasy patterns www.lovesewingmag.co.uk

INSIDE! Inspire Imagine Create

PLAY TIME: FUN MAKES THEY’LL LOVE

KNICKERS! HOW TO SEW YOU Y OUR R OWN

ISSUE 10 UK £6.99

COSY DOG COAT: FREE PATTERN TO DOWNLOAD!

Welcome to the t he new issue of Love Sewing... I you are like me, January has been a time to catch your breath (and save some cash) afer all that Christmas gif sewing. Now, though, I eel more than ready to start abric shopping and planning some new projects, as well as finish those slowburner makes that were put aside to make room or more urgent ones. Afer a couple o o months months o cosy, candle-lit evenings, I'm craving light, greenery and flowers and I'm already thinking about spring makes, as well as brightening the house with abrics in brights and florals. I'm also looking orward to new skirts and dresses that will be ready to wear when the daffodils arrive. So with a spring wardrobe in mind we've got three Your Y our skirts to make this month, which you can team with a FREE Simple sweater and tights or now, or a lightweight top when Sew pattern See page 30 warmer days come. And i you're looking or a great for details blouse pattern, we have one o those too: a beautiul 1930s-inspired collared blouse courtesy o Te Great British Sewing Bee Design Bee Design eam. Be e returns A third series o Te Great British Sewing Bee to our screens very soon and to herald its return, this month's issue also includes a at quarter o abric rom Te GBSB's new collection or Dunelm Mill, with a ew suggestions or a projects you can make with it – including a great little star patchwork cushion (below right) by Very Berry Handmade's Ali Burdon. We love seeing the projects PLUS: you make with your ree gifs and patterns, FREE Sewing Bee fat quarter so remember to take a ew snaps o your See page 58 successes and share them on our for projects Facebook page. Pretty Happy sewing! Purse

page 76

Patchwork cushion page 58

Helen McLaughlin , Editor

www.lovesewingmag.co.uk www.facebook.com/lovesewingmag www.facebook.com/lovesewin gmag www.twitter.com/lovesewingmag www.pinterest.com/lovesewingmag

A BIG THANK YOU... To this month's shoot location, the Old Stables Vintage Tea Shop, Chorley, home of delicious home-cooked food, cakes and teas, with a range of locally homesewn items on sale. www.facebook.

com/TheOldStables VintageTeaShop

www.lovesewingmag.com

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What's inside this issue of

78

38

46

Cover photography: Cat Powell @ CT Images Hair & Make-up: Alison McMath Model: Lauren Ibbotson

25

REGULARS AND FEATURES 6

LOVE SEWING LOVES...

Te patterns, people, fabric and finds getting us sewing this month 10 THIS MONTH

70

16

LOVE SEWING LIBRARY

26 SEWING BEE SEWING TIPS

Tis month's best new books

ricks and wisdom from the stars of the shows

18 LOVE SEWING LETTERS

Your sewing queries and project pics

82 READER OFFERS

Exclusive giveaways and discounts

Events, dates and happenings 22 MY PATTERN PICKS 12

NOW IN STORE

Te best new fabrics

86 COUTURE SEWING WITH ALISON SMITH

Katie Marcus from 'What Katie Sews' shares her favourite makes

Princess seams explained 88 CLASSES, COURSES & WORKSHOPS

14

SHOP OF THE MONTH

25 WIN A SEWING M ACHINE WORTH £249

Eastleigh Sewing Centre

We have a Janome 525s up for grabs

uition and meet-ups around the UK this month

This month's guest contributors

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Wendy Ward

Ali Burdon

Stephanie Stanesby

Wendy teaches sewing, dressmaking and pattern cutting at her MIY Workshop in Brighton. She also designs her own range of sewing patterns called MIY Collection. Her first dressmaking book, The Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking , is available now. www.wendyward.co.uk

Designer and maker Ali runs the Very Berry Handmade blog and Very Berry fabrics online shop. When she’s not sewing things for books and magazines, she enjoys crochet and baking. Her Patchwork Star cushion is on page 58 and her Cafetiere cosy & pot holder is on page 78. See www.veryberryhandmade.co.uk

With her blog The Crafty Kitty, Stephanie specialises in sewing with organic, eco-friendly or repurposed materials. You can find her Kids' Knit tunic on page 46 and her Dolly quilt set on page 72. For more tutorials and tips on sewing organic, see www.thecraftykitty.co.uk


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Editorial Editor Helen McLaughlin Art Editor Craig Chubb Chief Sub-Editor Becky Higgins Sub-Editor Jessica Farricker Contributors Fiona Pullen, Alison Smith MBE

74

Editorial Assistant Hugh Metcalf

Publishing & Advertising

PROJECTS

Group Sales Manager

30 WAIST�TIE SKIRT & WIGGLE SKIRT Tis month's ree pattern gif

Kevin Edwards

Advertising Sales Executive

34 EASY DENIM SKIRT Back to basics with this easy make 42 1930s BLOUSE Hollywood glamour rom the Sewing Bee Design eam 42 PRETTY AS A PICNIC MINIS Let your lingerie skills blossom with these cute floral knickers

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Distribution

46 KIDS' KNIT TUNIC One pattern, two great styles

Newstrade COMAG Magazine Distribution

Craft Store Distribution Executive

50 TEEPEE TENT Playtime un or rainy days indoors

Jody Byron-Smith [email protected] Tel 0844 826 0613

54 DUFFLE BAG Use up your remnants with this retro bag

Contact

58

Practical Publishing International Ltd, Suite G2 St Christopher House, 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport SK2 6NG [email protected]

58 FREE FAT QUARTER PROJECTS Patchwork cushion, card holder, machine pincushion, doorstops & pattern weights 66 THE LOTTA TOTE A simple, stylish statement bag

Noune Sarkissian noune.sarkissian@practical publishing.co.uk Advertising Consultant Jane Bates Subscriptions Manager Daniel Tutton Senior Art Editor Jennifer Lamb Managing Editor Lee Campbell Publisher Gavin Burrell Group Publisher Carol Jones Managing Director Danny Bowler Group Managing Director Robin Wilkinson

www.practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 0844 561 1202 Fax: 0161 474 6961 60

Subscription Enquiries Tel: 01858 438899

70 LIBERTY SEWING KIT Store your mending essentials in style 72 DOLLY QUILT SET Miniature bedding with appliquéd finish 74 DOG COAT Free pattern download in sizes S-L 76 PRETTY PURSE Bring some early spring cheer to your bag

Love Sewing is published by Practical Publishing International Ltd ISSN 2054-832X

Subscribe to Love Sewing today... and receive your FREE Gertie Sews Vintage Casual book by Gretchen Hirsch

78 CAFETIERE COSY & POT HOLDER A quicksew set to brighten your mornings

Turn to page 36 for more details

98 30�MINUTE MAKE I Heart You -Shirt

All material © Practical Publishing International Ltd. The style and mark of Love Sewing is used under licence from Craft Media Ltd. No material in whole or in part may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form whatsoever without the prior written consent of Practical Publishing International Ltd. The publisher welcomes contributions from readers. All such contributions and submissions to the magazine are sent to and accepted by the publisher on the basis of a non-exclusive transferable worldwide licence unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to first publication. Such submissions are also subject to being used, reproduced, modified, published, edited, translated, distributed and displayed in any media or medium, or any form, format or forum now known or hereafter developed, for any purpose, in perpetuity.

Susan Dunlop

Claire Garside

Katie Marcus

Susan, who made this month's Lotta tote bag, is the creative talent behind the bag pattern and supplies website, Susie D Designs. Her new book, Style & Swing is out next month. Check out her site for patterns, kits, hardware and lots of bag making tips and advice. www.susieddesigns.co.uk

The founder of Manchester-based pattern labels Simple Sew and Eliza M, Claire designed this month's three skirt patterns. To see more of her designs, see www.simplesew.co.uk and www.elizamvintagesewing.co.uk

Sewist, web designer and cat-mum, Katie's adventures in sewing can be followed on her brilliant blog, What Katie Sews, a chronicle of her attempts to build a wearable everyday wardrobe. She shares her favourite patterns on page 22. whatkatiesews.net


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BUYS & INSPIRATION

Te patterns, people, fabric and finds getting us sewing this month

NEW PATTERN:

The Emmeline Tee Designer and blogger Ami Lowden, better k nown as Te Little ailoress, has launched the first design in her debut pattern collection – the Emmeli ne ee. Simple, elegant and incredibly versatile, the Emmeline has three different versions (in sizes XS-XXL), all o which are dartless and can be made in either knit or woven abric. Te pattern has a ull set o illustrated instructions or knit abric and or woven abric. Also included is a guide or anyone new to working with jersey abric. “I studied pattern cutting a number o years ago and being able to draf p atterns has been an integral part o my love or garment design and sewing,” says Ami. “So I wanted to produce some o my designs as sewing patterns or others to make and wear.” Te Emmeline is available to download now rom her pattern shop in PDF orm or £7.50 and wil l be available to buy as a paper pattern next month. o see more o Ami’s designs, along with her abulous archive o tutorials, pattern reviews and some beautiully photographed vintage-style inspiration, visit sewinglondon.co.uk

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LOVE SEWING LOVES

Sew it now: chalk cloth Fabric doesn’t come much more practical than chalk cloth – a heavy duty, durable oilcloth with a special surface you can write or draw. It can be wiped clean and used again and again just like a blackboard (you just need to prime it with chalk beforehand). You can use it on bags, toys and even on clothes – just like these fantastic Chalk and Tees T-shirts (right) by Little Mashers (£19, www.notonthehighstreet.com). Another good idea is chalk-cloth bunting – a stylish alternative to kitchen notice boards. There’s a tutorial on how to make it on the brilliant blog Delia Creates ( www.deliacreates.com). Buy yours for £11 per metre at www.plushaddict.co.uk

Whinberry & Antler I you love prints inspired by the countryside and wildlie, seek out the wonderul Whinberry & Antler screen-printed abrics by Jacinta Walton. Woven in Yorkshire and drawn and printed by Jacinta at her studio in Somerset, the abrics are a truly British creation, with designs (also eaturing hedgehogs and hares) inspired by Jacinta’s passion or drawing and wildlie. Each combines a clean contemporary eel with traditional illustrative style. Te prints are also available in a range o homeware – lampshades, cushions and kitchen textiles – and stylish tote shoppers. Sold by the metre, the abric is suitable or sof urnishings and upholstery and is priced at £35 per metre. www.whinberryantler.com

www.lovesewingmag.com 7

BUYS & INSPIRATION

Te patterns, people, fabric and finds getting us sewing this month

Marianne by Christine Haynes Now in stock at Te Village Habadashery, Christine Haynes’s lovely Marianne patttern is a great project for your spring wardrobe – a casual figure-skimming, above-theknee dress that’s perfect for throwing over jeans or leggings in cooler weather. Version one of the pattern (in the red and white fabric) has a Peter Pan collar, while version two (in the blue and white fabric) has threequarter-length sleeves and contrast cuffs with three-button decorative detail. Both are available in sizes UK 8-18 and come complete with an instruction booklet and printed tissuepaper pattern. £14, www.thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk

Kiss Kiss by Abi Hall

You don’t have to be a fan of Valentine’s Day to love this print from Abi Hall’s Kiss Kiss collection for Moda. With the delightful name Love Birds in Cloud, it’s suitable for quilting or dressmaking and part of a selection available from this month at Eclectic Maker. £12 per metre, www.eclecticmaker.co.uk

8 www.lovesewingmag.com

LOVE SEWING LOVES

NEW ARRIVAL:

Liberty Pictures and Conversations This year is the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and to mark the occasion, Liberty’s new spring/summer collection includes a special collection, Pictures a nd Conversations, featuring prints inspired by the book. Lauren Child (of Charlie and Lola fame) and jewellery designer Alex Monroe have both contributed to prints in the collection, which features bold patterns, floral motifs and exquisite illustrations recalling the Mad Hatter’s tea party, the Queen of Heart’s rose garden and the Oxford riverbank where Carroll first read his story aloud. A hand-picked selection of Pictures and Conversations is available now at www.alicecaroline.co.uk

SEWING ROOM SWOON Tis month’s gorgeous sewing room is the work of home-décor blogger Susan of Maple and Magnolia. Successfully combining vintage finds with IKEA basics (the sewing table, Frode folding chairs and the oh-so-handy Råksog trolley), she has transformed a once-drab spare room into a light, bright sewist’s haven. Look out for the cle ver use of the painted dresser to store fabric rolls and the restored antique linen cabinet that turns f at-quarter storage into a stunning focal point. www.mapleandmagnolia.com

Got a sewing room to swoon over? Send your photos to letters@lovesewing mag.co.uk


This month... Events, dates, suggestions and happenings for your diary in the weeks ahead P PLAN YOUR TRIP…

...to the Henley Create Festival & Home and Garden Festival, taking place  rom Saturday 28th February until Sunday 1st March at Lady Sew and Sew, Farm Road in Henley. Following the success o last year’s Henley Creates estival, this year’s event looks set to be bigger than ever, with a great line-up o workshops including bag making, lampshade making, quilt displays and a ashion show. Find out more at www.ladysewandsew.co.uk P PRE�ORDER…

...your copy o Style and Swing . Tis great new book by Susan Dunlop eatures 12 brilliant bag-making projects or sewists o all skill levels, starting with a simple, yet elegant handbag, and progress to more challenging designs, including a pleated clutch, large market bag, trendy hipster bag and hobo bag. Te book includes a comprehensive rundown o techniques with inormation on using tools, abric preparation, interacing and purse hardware. Te book will go on sale in March rom Susan’s own website, www.susieddesigns.co.uk and will be available through Amazon later this spring. P LEARN THE BASICS OF DRESSMAKING…

P REV UP YOUR MACHINE…

...or the start o winter Kid’s Clothes week. aking place on 2nd-8th February, the aim o this seasonal sewing challenge is to sew something or kids (yours or someone elses) or one hour each day or s even days – and share the results. Te challenge is to encourage sewists to put a little bit o time aside or making each day, to eed your creative spirit and provide an opportunity to put all your ideas into motion among a community o supportive like-minded stitchers. Te theme or this season’s event is upcycled. o sign up, visit blog.kidsclothesweek.com, where you can also grab a special KCW button to put on your blog, or twitter, or Facebook, or Intstagram and spread the word.

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…at the Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafs show, taking place on 6th-8th February at EventCity in Manchester. Part o the line-up o workshops and demonstrations at this popular weekend event will be a series o drop-in mini workshops led by expert tutors Telma Judge and Linda MacDonald, who will help you get to grips with a sewing machine and teach simple dressmaking processes. Tere will also be advice on abric quantities, cutting out and buying your dressmaking ‘notions’. ickets or the event are £8. o book, visit www.stitchandhobby.co.uk


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Dinara Mirtalipova Wild Field Gallop in White, £12 per metre, www.eclecticmaker.co.uk

Modern Neutrals Geometrics, £14 per metre, www.raystitch.co.uk

Now in store

fabric Our favourite favourite finds from the latest collections

Below left: Temple Outline Lawn Blue, £22 per metre, www. raystitch.co.uk. Below right: Landscapes Pigeon and Green, £12 per metre, www.fabricrehab.co.uk. Below: Illustrated Forest Sea Green, £11.96 per metre, www.fabricrehab.co.uk

Robert Kaufman Urban Zoologie Flamingoes, £12 per metre, www.plushaddict.co.uk;

Mimosa Green Ditsy Stems, £12 per metre; Frances Newcombe Utopia Utopia Orni Birds Pink, £12 per metre, both www.fabricrehab.co.uk 12


NEW ARRIVALS FABRIC

Frances Newcombe Utopia Aglow Sapling Sky, £12 per metre, www.fabricrehab.co.uk

www.misformake.co.uk e.co.uk Flowered Engrams Ornate, £12 per metre, www.misformak Makower Siamese Cats, £12 per metre, www.plushaddict.co.uk

Clockwise from top left: AGF Hello Bear in Follow Me Peach, £12, www.misformake.co.uk; Makower Birds & Eggs Kites on Orange, £12 per metre, www.plushaddict.co.uk; Peacock Garden Wavy Train Aqua, £12 per metre, wwwfabricrehab.co.uk; Gina Martin From Bump to Baby in Silver Flowers, £12 per metre, www.eclecticmaker.co.uk ; Geometric Bliss Vertex Tulips in Mint, £12 per metre www.villagehaberdashery.co.uk ; Charley Harper Nurture Murre, £18 per metre, www.misformake.co.uk www.lovesewingmag.com

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Eastleigh Sewing Centre Eastleigh

we have a wealth o knowledge and are ully trained in the our main embroidery sofware packages: Brother, Husqvarna, Janome Janome and Bernina. B ernina. We offer training on a one-to-one basis, or as groups i required.

T

his family-run shop is more than just an old-fashioned haberdashery. Te range of sewing machines on offer is second to none.

How long have you been open and what’s the story behind the shop? Te shop was set up in 2005 in the centre o Eastleigh, to try and help with the massive lack o shops in the area o our kind. We wanted to create a shop that was a one stop shop or all your sewing needs, with everything rom a needle and thread to the top o the range embroidery machines and sofware.

Below right: The shop stocks a large range of quilting, dressmaking and craft fabrics and offers machine tuition classes

How would you describe the shop? We are very much an old-ashioned haberdashery shop. We’ e’re re also a amily business with a combined knowledge – rom dressmaking and quilting, to sewing machines and teaching – and an enthusiasm that that we think helps to makes us unique. We have also become renowned in the south or being a centre o excellence when it comes to embroidery-machine sofware due to our experience gained over a number o years. Embroidery machines require sofware to enable you to create your own designs,

What can people expect to find when they visit? A large range o patchworking and quilting abrics along with dressmaking and craf abrics. We also stock Bernina, Brother, Husqvarna, Janome, Elna, Babylock and Singer sewing machines, overlockers and soware. We have a range o machines, rom £99 to the top o the range sewing and embroidery machines or the more experienced. For every machine brought rom us we always offer ree tuition on it to make sure you can get the most o your machine. What’s selling well at the minute? Recently,, we have seen Recently s een a lot o younger people getting new machines, and having lessons. Tis is really inspiring, especially when some o their parents have absolutely no idea how to even turn a machine on. It’s great to see a new generation being creative. What kind of service do you offer for shoppers who aren’t local? We currently only offer mail order by phone and we are working tirelessly on building our webshop. I anything is needed people can just give us a call and we can sort it out or them. What do you offer in terms of classes and teaching facilities? We have a ully equipped training room at the back o the shop and we are currently booking out our course calendar or 2015. We run a range o courses, rom ‘Get to know your sewing machine’ to ‘Quillow making’ days and ‘Jelly Roll’ days. We are also looking or new tutors to bring resh ideas to our training room, as well as offering one-on-one tuition on all makes and models o machine – anyone interested can drop in the shop or give us ring. O Contact: Eastleigh Sewing Centre, 22 High Street, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 5LD Phone: 023 8065 0808 Email: [email protected] www.eastleighsewingcentre.co.uk


Our picks of this month's new sewing and dressmaking books

library By HUGH METCALF

SEW FAB

by Lesley Ware £12.95, Laurence King For the younger generation with a burgeoning interest in sewing, Sew Fab is a perfectly pitched delight – simple enough for beginner dressmakers while hitting the nail on the head when it comes to youthful fashion. Captured in sweet illustrations, it’s a book that’ll really get them engaged, with just the right amount of fluffy style advice and inspirational ideas versus projects so that they can get down to some serious sewing. Small accessories will get them started, while DIY leggings, skirts, tops and this simple little black dress will get them desperate to create a handmade wardrobe of their own.

BABY SAYS SEW

by Rebecca Danger £21.99, Martingale Rebecca Danger is best known for her cute and quirky monster-toy knitting patterns for children, but this time, with a sewing machine in tow, she’s turned her hand to giving sewing for baby a contemporary twist. With simple but fun designs, she’s letting the fabric do the talking, forgoing the standard pastel pinks and blues to make way for bold, graphic prints. If you’re looking for some practical baby patterns, there’s plenty here, as well as cute ideas for toys such as a stacking turtle set seem to be Rebecca’s speciality.

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LOVE SEWING LIBRARY

SEW USEFUL by Debbie Shore £9.99, Search Press Love Sewing regular Debbie is quite the

prolific author and, if like u s, you’ve been hoarding her many craft books, the latest offering might just help you figure out how to best store them. Sew Useful is all about practical projects for your home, with a focus on storage accessories so that everything can be kept its proper place – neat freaks rejoice! There are lots of ideas that’ll transfer well into your craft room, so if your aim for this year is to create a ‘Sewing Room Swoon’worthy space, here’s a great place to start.

TORIE JAYNE’S STYLISH HOME SEWING by Torie Jayne £14.99, Cico

Torie’s blog (check it out at www. toriejayne.com) is already a firm favourite on our reading list – a beautiful collision of gorgeous photography and craft projects in Pinterest-appeasing pastel shades, of which we just can’t get enough. Stylish Home Sewing is much of the same, but with more of a focus on sewing skills and simple but chic projects using a wellmatched fabric selection of Torie’s own design. The book is separated into dining room, kitchen, bedroom and lounge, with the aim of Torie’s dreamy set styling inspiring you to turn your house into your dream home. EASY TO MAKE! CURTAINS AND BLINDS by Wendy Baker £7.99, Pavillion Craft

The ability to make your own curtains is a great skill to possess, opening up your window-treatment options two-fold. After all, not only will you be able to custom-fit your curtains or blinds to whatever width and length you need, you’ll also save a bu cket load by not having to call in the professionals. That’s why we’re happy to see this reprint of Wendy Baker’s popular book, giving advice on the conventions that frame your curtain making, as well as practical guides to achieving different styles. After getting hold of a copy of Easy to Make! Curtains and Blinds , you’ll never buy off the shelf again! www.lovesewingmag.com

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About me

letters Got a question for Wendy Ward? Or a project to share?

Get in touch by emailing us at [email protected] a go at a simple shape in a knit abric; they make quick, easy and most importantly, wearable garments. Look or a nice stable knit such as ponte roma or sweatshirt rather than jersey as medium-weight stable knits are a bit easier to work with or beginners.

Q

I’ve just started sewing, but am finding even sewing in a straight line a challenge! Any tips to make it easier? Ros Jefferies

A Q

I’m ready to make my first garment – what do you recommend? Louisa Forde

A

For woven abrics, a simple A-line skirt is a great first garment project as they’re quick to make, easy to fit and cover lots o basic techniques. Or, why not have a go at stretch abrics? Tey’re not the nightmare they’re made out to be and I ofen recommend my beginner students to have


Don’t watch the needle all the time, it kind o hypnotises you! Line up the edge o the abric with something on your machine. I it has them, use the seam guides – they’re the lines and numbers on the flat part o your sewing machine to the right o the presser oot. I your machine doesn’t have any seam guides, make some! Place a strip o masking tape across the machine bed so that the distance between the edge o your tape and the needle equals your seam allowance. Remove it regularly though otherwise you’ll be lef with a permanently sticky sewing machine.

Q

What is the tension dial on my machine and how do I set it? Nicky Lloyd-Jones

I have my own business called MIY Workshop in Brighton where I teach sewing, dressmaking and pattern cutting. I am a qualified teacher, have a degree in fashion and spent seven years working in the fashion industry before starting to teach in 2007. My first dressmaking book The Beginner’s Guide to Dressmaking is available now. I also design my own range of sewing patterns called MIY Collection. www.wendyward.co.uk www.miyworkshop.co.uk www.miycollection.co.uk

A

Te tension dial controls how tight or loose your stitches are. For thicker abric, tighten the tension to a higher number and or lighter weight abric, loosen the tension to a lower number. As a starting p oint, or two layers o medium-weight woven abric set your tension on our. Move it up or down by just one number at a time when you need to adjust it. When the tension is set correctly the stitch should look the same on the top and bottom and i you pull the two layers o abric apart, you shouldn’t be able to see the stitches (called ‘seam grinning’).

LOVE SEWING LETTERS

Readers’ MAKES

f t h e m o n t h ter L e t t e r o ska dress. I took the

the or the d made m y o wn pa t tern f an t ar bodice ap ais tband as the bodice back panels, added a w ded was qui te shor t and ad ss pocke ts, e ver y good dre has pocke ts, and voilá!

P M y version o f

Ree Rose Lawr ence

P My

attempt at the baby dungarees from issue 7. I slightly adapted the pattern by fully lining them, and managed to make them from fabric I had leftover from another project! lready planning on making another pair! Dressy Jessy

P

My tartan skirt. I love it and have had lots of compliments today when I wore it. Now want to sew more clothes! Nicki Klingenberg

P

This is my slightly adapted zipped jacket pattern from issue 9. This is made using a lovely dark grey woollen fabric and the whole thing only cost me about £13! Sue Bedford

P Love the Bella dress pattern thanks so much! Such a stress-free make! Claire Houchell

If you've made something using the projects or patterns in Love Sewing, tell us about it and we'll publish it. Share it on our Facebook page or email us at [email protected] www.lovesewingmag.com 19

NATURE EXPLORER BAG

Win a Janome 525S Get your hands on a new machine, as seen on Te Great British Sewing Bee!

Wo r t h

£249 !

If you’re ever lucky enough to find yourself in Te Great British Sewing Bee studio, you’d notice that not only is it well equipped with a fabulous fabric stash, haberdashery and dress forms, but also Janome sewing machines. Te 525S is the model of choice, as it’s perfect for sewists of every level – offering a well-balanced range of stitches that make it ideal for coping with everyday sewing tasks. Stitch selection is by dial – just choose the letter that matches the stitch and start sewing – while the automatic buttonhole produces perfect buttonholes in one easy step and the automatic needle threader takes the strain out of fiddly threading. Plus there’s plenty of accessory storage and a hard cover for protection. If you’re looking for an upgrade from a basic model, here’s your perfect opportunity. Simply enter our competition for your chance to win a Joanome 525S worth £249!

o enter, visit www.ppjump.com/ls10janome By entering this competition you accept that your details may be passed on to a third party. Competition open to UK entrants only. Closing date March 2nd, 2015


As we gear up for a new series of Te Great British Sewing Bee, past contestants (and judge May Martin) share their advice on the secrets of successful sewing

sewing tips “Te most important thing to learn first is the very basics. In sewing, the foundation is simple tasks such as perfect seams, perfect darts, being able to put zips in and being an absolute stickler for measuring. Make everything as perfect as possible no matter how simple it is and stick to what you are supposed to be doing. If you’ve got darts, make them exactly the same – same angle, same width, same length and you won’t go wrong.” Heather Jacks, series 2 winner

“The key to success is preparation, preparation, preparation. Make sure you have everything you need before starting and that you understand the pattern.” Ann Rowley, series 1 winner

“Keep things tidy as you go. Press (using a steam iron) and neaten (using a zigzag stitch) as you construct your project – rather than doing it all at the end. Trying to press seams and neaten edges at the end of a project is much more difficult.” May Martin, judge

“Read the instructions from beginning to end, then read them again, and you’ll get that ‘ah ha’ moment before you even start.” Stuart Hillard, series 1 contestant


“Don’t be afraid to try your hand at new fabrics and, even if you don’t do very well with it first time round, don’t give up. Te more you handle a specific fabric the more you will understand how it works.”

“Use just enough pins to hold you fabric together. While it’s tempting to use up your whole box of pins to keep the fabric from budging, too many can distort the fabric.”

Chinelo Bally, series 2 contestant

Tilly Walnes, series 1 contestant

“Have a neat and tidy workspace. Organise your sewing equipment so that it's all to hand and readily available.” Linda Lewis, series 2 contestant

“Keep two or three seam rippers handy and don’t use your scissors for anything but fabric. Also, treat yourself to a pin magnet – they are brilliant.”

“Using a razor blade rather than a seam picker is much faster. If you don’t have the fancy gadgets that you think you need, try to find an alternative around the house. Te truth is people made clothes hundreds of years ago without fancy gadgets.” Chinelo Bally, series 2 contestant

“Get the right tools – it seems like a big investment but it will make life a lot easier if you have goodquality equipment.”

Tamara Melvin, series 2 contestant

Lauren Guthrie, series 1 contestant

“If you struggle to sew straight, accurate seams, mark them lightly with a pencil; most people can sew accurately if they have a line to follow.” “Embrace your Stuart Hillard, series 1 contestant

mistakes – you can always unpick something and you will learn so much from it so it’s never a waste of time. And be brave – try something you’ve never attempted before, work through it slowly step by step.” Lauren Guthrie, series 1 contestant

“When you notch, snip only a little into the fabric rather than taking out the ‘V’-shaped wedges that most patterns seem to call for. Tis saves time and doesn’t weaken your seam.” Chinelo Bally, series 2 contestant

“A mistake I see time and time again in dressmaking is women not measuring themselves. Tey will go and pick a dress pattern from the size on the envelope, cut out the pattern, just make it and then wonder why it doesn’t fit. It’s very rare that it will fit because pattern sizes are different to dress sizes, so you need to measure yourself and compare your measurements with the ones on the envelope.”

“Don’t be too ambitious and take May Martin, judge on something more difficult than your learned techniques. It will end up in disappointment! And be absolutely accurate in your cutting out. Sewing is like a fabric jigsaw puzzle and if all the pieces aren’t the right size then they “Take your time and savour the process.” won’t fit together.” Heather Jacks, series 2 winner

Ann Rowley, series 1 winner


NEW FOREST FABRICS

www.newforestfabrics.co.uk t: 02381 783386 e: sue@newforestfabrics. [email protected] co.uk

28


Lotta to te bag tote b ag

66

Projects 44 pages tss ec t je of pro j t here ar t ta s t

Teepee tent

50

74

Quilted dog coat Dolly quilt set

72

O SPRING SKIRTS O LOTTA TOTE O TEEPEE TENT O DOG COAT O DOLLY QUILT SET

This month, we have three simple spring skirts to skirts to make, plus a beautiful a beautiful 1930s blouse designed by the Great British Sewing Bee team Bee team for the more advanced stitcher.. We also have a couple of fun projects for kids, a stitcher kids, a cosy quilted dog coat and some great project ideas for your free fat quarter www.lovesewingmag.com 29

THIS MONTH'S

FREE PATTERN GIFT

Tie-waisted skirt Part one o this month’s ree pattern gif, this this tulip-s tulip-style tyle skirt skirt creates creates a lovely curved silhouette and has a pretty bow-tied detail at the rear Project: CLAIRE GARSIDE

Claire says:

“I you’re looking or a spring skirt that’s a little bit different but that’s still very simple to make, this is it. Te darts on the hip create lovely sof curves so it’s very flattering or hourglass hourglass shapes – or even i you’ you’re re looking to create one! It works best in a good-quality cotton, like this beautiul organic Daisy Janie abric we used, but you could also make it in a mid-weight jersey. jersey. Te skirt is 22" length but i you want it longer, simply extend the pattern rom the hip."

We used... Daisy Janie Midsummer Dream, £14 per metre, www. mauds-fabricfinds.com

30


The rear zip is covered by a belt tie


31

WIGGLE SKIRT

Wiggle skirt Part two of this month’s free pattern, this elegant kneelength pencil skirt features a tummy-shaping high waist for maximum flattering fit Project: CLAIRE GARSIDE

Claire says:

T o p t p i

Lear n how to line y our skir t with T illy Walnes’s photo tutor ial at w ww . t illy and t hebut to ns.com

“If you’re using tweed, you’ll need to add a lining, which will make this more comfortable to wear and help the skirt keep its shape. Te silky fabrics used for linings are acetates or polyester and come in a range of colours, although almost any fabric can be used. Te rule is that the lining fabric must be lighter, or at least no heavier, than the main fabric. If you’re not yet confident enough for lining, stick to a lighter fabric such as cotton. If you need to extend the skirt length, do so from the hip.”

We used... Lintons tweed in blue and green, £26 per metre, www.linton direct.co.uk

32


M ak e y our mat ch ing jac ke t in ne xt mont h’ s Lo ve S ew i n g , on sale 26t h F eb r uar y

THIS MONTH'S

FREE PATTERN GIFT


33

EASY DENIM SKIRT

Easy

denim skirt I you’re new to skirts, start with this basic A-line. Tere’s a side zip, but to keep things simple there’s no waistband and i you use a fine, sof denim, you won’t need a jeans presser oot Project: CLAIRE GARSIDE

SKILL LEVEL:

SIZE CHART

O

MATERIALS:

O O O O O

free template sheet denim fabric (see size guide) interfacing (cut to required waist size) 9” zip zipper foot

FABRIC REQ’S 45”/60”�M’S�

Size

Length

Waist

Hips

Fabric

8

22"

26"

26"

1.5m

10’

22"

28"

38"

1.5m

12

22"

30"

40"

1.5m

14

22"

32"

42"

1.5m

16

22"

34"

44"

1.5m

HOW TO MAKE:

� Cut out your two pattern pieces (f ront skirt/back skirt), pin to the paper pieces to the fabric and cut the shapes from the fabric. With right sides together (RST), join the front and back skirts at the side seams. Make sure you leave an open gap to the zip notch which is marked on the pattern. (See Pic A.) � Iron on the interfacing to the wrong side of the waist facing on the front skirt and the back skirt. Zigzag stitch the b ottom edge. (See Pic B. Pin the facing RST with the skirt at the waist, with the zigzagged edge you have just stitched at the bottom. (See Pic C.) Stitch in place. Flip over the waistband facing to the inside of the skirt and iron in the the seam.

A

Gap

B

E C x

D

zip tape

� Pin the zip in place RST with the side seam of the skirt. Hand-tack into position. Switch to the zipper foot on your machine and remove the pins. Stitch the zip in place. (See pics D and E.) � Turn the skirt inside out and from the last stitch you made continue to sew all the way down to the bottom of the skirt. Turn the skirt so it is RS out. Fold the facing over the top so that the facing and the skirt are right sides together. Stitch down the side of the zipper tape on each side through the skirt and the facing. Flip the facing back to the inside of the skirt. Turn up the edge of the skirt hem by 0.5cm and iron flat, stitch close the edge. Repeat. Your skirt is finished! O

34


G F

T o p t p i

Need mor e help ? T her e’s a g re at beg inner s tutor ial on mak i ng a zipped A-line sk i r t at ideas.st it ch c ra f tc re at e. c o.uk /how -t o-m ak ean-a-line-sk ir t


35

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1930s blouse Evoke the spirit of vintage Hollywood with this beautiful collared blouse with nipped-in waist and bias-cut peplum. Adapted by the Great British Sewing Bee team, its design is based on an original 1937 pattern Project: TESSA EVELEGH Photography: TIFFANY MUMFORD & CHARLOTTE MEDLICOTT

38


D ow n l oa d y ou r F RE E p at te r n at

w ww . l ov e se g m ag . c o. wi n u k

1930s BLOUSE SKILL LEVEL:

OO O

FABRICS TO USE:

O silk, satin, silk crêpe, silk and satin mixes, MATERIALS:

O O O O O O O

B

rayon and polyester

free template download 2m (2yd) silky fabric, 115cm (45”) wide shirring elastic 50cm (20”) interfacing small hook & eye three small buttons co-ordinating thread

The retro blouse has a collar, back button fastening, side placket opening, shirring elastic detail at centre front, central gathering front and back into a peplum and set-in puff sleeves with side teardrop detail and fastening.

SIZE GUIDE:

To fit sizes: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18

withRS. rim off the placket extension on the right edge o the back piece and then pin, tack and stitch the RS seam rom the armhole to the bottom edge. Pin, tack and stitch the lef side seam rom the armhole to the top o the placket. rim and finish the seams and press them open. (See Pic B). CUTTING OUT THE FABRIC:

Launder and iron the fabric before cutting. 1.5cm (�⁄�”) seam allowance included. Transfer markings. Cut two collar pieces in interfacing.

HOW TO MAKE:

� Stitch the peplum side seams: with RS together, pin the ront and back peplum pieces along the RS seam and stitch. rim the placket extension off the back piece along this seam. Pin the lef side seam in the same way and stitch rom the hem up to the notch, leaving the top part unstitched. rim and finish the seams and press them open. (See Pic A).

A

� Stitch the shoulder darts: ollowing the instructions below, mark up and stitch the two darts on either side o the back piece. press the darts towards the centre. All the pattern markings need to be accurately transerred to all layers o abric. Te easiest way to do this is to use a dressmaker’s tracing wheel and carbon paper. When you have cut out the pattern pieces, choose a carbon paper that is similar in colour to the abric. Slip one piece o carbon

paper ace down between the two layers o abric and another piece ace down between the paper pattern and the top piece o abric. Pin in place to keep the layers stable. Now use the tracking wheel to trace over all the dart lines. Check that the li nes have transerred in the orm o a line o dots, and then remove the pins. Fold the first dart along the old line, matching the dots at the widest part. Match the dart lines and pin. ack just inside the dart lines. Starting at the widest part o the dart, stitch down the dart line, just outside the tacking lines. When you get to the sharp point at the end, take a ew extra stitches on the old to make a crisp, clean point. Cut off the threads leaving long tails. ie the two end thread tails together in a knot and trim. On the RS o the abric, press the dart open, working the tip o the i ron right into the point to flatten it out. On the WS, press the dart towards centre o the garment.

� Prepare the front and back pieces and stitch the side seams: run two lines o gathering stitches on the main ront and back pieces between the circles at the waistline. On the ront piece, five lines o shirring between the circles, starting 1cm below the neckline. o do this, slowly wind the shirring elastic onto the bobbin without stretching it. Slightly lengthen the stitch length (check the tension on a spare piece o abric), t hen stitch as normal. Place the ront and back pieces

� Join the peplum to the blouse: with RS, pin the top edge o the peplum to the bottom edge o the blouse, matching the c entres and notches. Pull up the gathers on the ront and back o the blouse s o the pieces fit. ack in place and then stitch. rim and finish the seams and press them open. (See Pic C). C

� Make up the side placket: old the placket extension on the lef side seam in hal lengthways with right sides together and stitch along the top and bottom edges. rim the corners, snip into the seam allowance at the top and bottom o the placket and turn it through. urn the raw edge under and stitch within the seam allowance so the stitching is not visible rom the right si de. urn in and neaten the seam allowance on the other side o the opening. (See Pic D).


39

� Attach the collar: with RS together, pin the collar pieces to the neck edge, matching the notches on each collar piece with a notch on the front and back of the blouse on each side. ack in place. (See Pic F).

F

D

� Make up the collar sections: place two main collar pieces with RS together, then place a collar interfacing piece on top. Pin and stitch around all sides, except the neck edge. rim the seams, clip the cur ves and snip off the corners. Press the seams open, then turn through and re-press. Repeat with the other collar pieces. (See Pic E).

E

40


G

� Make up the neck facing: with RS together, match the short ends of the front and back facing pieces. pin and stitch, then press the seams open. Press in a narrow 1cm (3/8”) double hem all the way around the outside edge of the facing and stitch in place. (See Pic G). � Make the rouleau button loops: cut a bias strip 2cm wide and 15cm (6in) long. Fold it in half lengthways, with right sides

together, and stitch down the middle of the length, leaving the threads long. rim close to the seam. Tread a tapestry needle with the threads and pass it back through the tube to turn it right side out. Alternatively, you can use a rouleau turner. cut the rouleau into three equal pieces. (See Pic H).

� Stitch on the neck facing: with RS together, pin the raw edge of the facing to the neckline of the blouse, matching the shoulder seams, notches and dots at the back opening seam allowances. ack just inside the seamline. Snip into the first 2.5cm (1in) of

1930s BLOUSE

I

H

the slash line down the centre back and insert one button loop between the back piece and acing, just below the seam allowance o the top right side o the neck opening, with the ends to the centre. Tack in position. Stitch along the seamline around the neck and down the ‘V’ o the back opening, taking in the ends o the loop. Slash the through the

centre back and acing between the stitch lines to create the back opening. Trim the seams and clip the curves. Press the seams open, turn through and press the acing in place on the inside o the blouse. Secure the acing with a couple o stitches at the

shoulder seams and the base o the shirring. (See Pic I).

� Prepare and insert the sleeves: turn in and pin a small double hem to the WS along the bottom edge and around the teardrop section o each sleeve, and stitch in place. run gathering stitches between the dots on the sleeve head 1cm below the raw edge. Fold the sleeve in hal lengthways with right sides together and pin the underarm seam. Stitch, then finish the seam and press it open. Place a marker pin at the opposite old on the sleeve head. Insert the sleeves, ollowing the instructions below. With RS together, pin the inner seam o each sleeve and stitch. Press the seams open and finish the raw edges. Fold the sleeves in hal lengthways and mark the centre top with a pin. At the head o the sleeves, run gathering stitches between the markers that you have transerred rom the pattern piece. Turn the shirt inside out and the sleeves RS out. With RS together, pin one sleeve to each armhole, matching the notches and matching the inner seam o the sleeve with the side seam o the shirt and the top centre pin with the shoulder seam. Pull up the gathering stitches to fit the sleeve head in the armhole. Tack the sleeve into the armhole using small tacking stitches, and then stitch in place. Remove the tacking, then trim the seam. Press the seam, working the tip o the iron along the curve o the seam. (See Pic J). J

� Turn up and stitch a narrow double hem along the lower edge o the peplum. Stitch a button on the lef side o the back opening to correspond with the rouleau loop. Stitch a button and loop at the bottom o each sleeve teardrop. Stitch a hook and bar at the waist o the lef side seam opening. O The Great British Sewing Bee: Sew Your Own Wardrobe by Tessa Evelegh, published by Quadrille, £25


41

PRETTY AS A PICNIC

Use your free templa tes

42


COTTON MINI

PRETTY AS A PICNIC COTTON MINIS

Pretty as a picnic cotton minis

Lingerie sewing is becoming increasingly popular and these sweet floral minis are an excellent project to help your skills blossom – just in time for Valentine's Day! Project: KATHERINE SHEERS & LAURA STANFORD

SKILL LEVEL: OO MATERIALS: O 0.5-1m cotton lawn O 8mm leg & waistband O 1.5-2.5m elastic O cotton jersey for the floating gusset O ribbon for the bow

� Fold the cotton jersey with the main stretch perpendicular to the fold. Lay the floating gusset paper pattern piece along the fold, pin in place and cut out. � Remove the pins and paper pattern pieces. Open the pattern pieces out flat. SEWING A FLOATING GUSSET

Sizing: W (Waist) H (High hip) Size 8 - 65cm (W) 81cm (H) Size 10 - 70cm (W) 86 cm (H) Size 12 - 75cm (W) 91 cm (H) Size 14 - 80cm (W) 96 cm (H) Size 16 - 85cm (W) 101cm (H) Size 18 - 90cm (W) 106cm (H) Note: This style sits on the hips with slight

fullness to the front and back panels.

HOW TO MAKE: LAYING AND CUTTING OUT PATTERN PIECES

� Iron the cotton lawn and cotton jersey fabric. Fold the cotton lawn in half along the crosswise grain. L ay the front and back paper pattern pieces on the fold, pin in place and cut out.

A

� urn the seam allowance along the top edge of the floating gusset pattern piece to the wrong side of the fabric, pin and topstitch in place. � Align the gusset seam of all three pattern pieces by laying the front and back panel, right sides facing. Place the floating gusset wrong side uppermost onto the back panel. Pin, tack and sew along the gusset seam. (See Pic A.) � urn the floating gusset so that it sits wrong side facing the f ront panel. It should sit centrally with a gap down each side. Pin and tack in place along the leg lines. Press the gusset seam flat.

to allow you to sew a French seam, which encloses the raw edges of fabric within it.

� Lay the front and back panels wrong sides together and align the side seam. Pin, tack and sew a 0.5cm seam allowance. rim the seam allowance to 3mm. � urn the front and back panels right sides together, press the side s eam flat and sew another 0.5cm seam allowance to complete the French seam. (See Pic B.) ATTACHING THE ELASTIC

� urn the seam allowance for the waistband and leg openings, pin and tack in place. (See Pic C.) � o determine how long the waistband and leg elastic should be, measure around the waistline of your pattern pieces and cut the elastic 20% shorter than this measurement. Add 3cm back onto the length of the elastic before you cut it (this extra will make it easier to join the ends of the elastic together). Repeat for the leg openings.

SEWING A FRENCH SEAM

Te side seam has a 1cm seam allowance

B

� Make one length of leg elastic into a loop.

C


43

PRETTY AS A PICNIC

COTTON MINI

D

E

F

Overlap the elastic by 1.5cm at each end. Tis won’t be the finished overlap, but it gives you and your machine something to grip onto while you sew the ends together. It will be trimmed in the next step. Sew one back-andorth row o stitches through the centre o the overlap. rim each end by 1cm to leave 0.5cm each side o the join.

T o p t pi

ths To accurately calculate the leng e of elastic required, alwa ys measur r the garment itself and not the pape s arie tic v elas use pattern pieces. Beca ed rmin dete ve in modulus, once you’ tic, the length of the waistband elas f eels if it slide it onto your bod y to see comf ortable. If you need to make an y ad justments, this change can then be applied as a percentage to the leg elastic too


� Divide one leg elastic loop into our equal sections, marking it with our pins, one o which should sit on the elastic join. Align this pin with the gusset seam o the leg opening and pin together. Divide the rest o the leg opening into our equal sections and align each with one o the pins. Use the pins as markers to ensure you get an even tension along the elastic. o make things even easier, divide the elastic and leg opening into eight sections rather than our to give you twice as many markers to work with. (See Pic D.) � Sew the elastic to the leg opening using a zigzag stitch just a little narrower than the width o the elastic. Start sewing just afer the elastic join at the gusset seam (so that you finish sewing on the join). Stretch the elastic out to sit flat against the abric as you go. Do not try to stretch the abric itsel. � Repeat steps 14 and 15 with the other leg opening and then with the waistband, aligning the elastic overlap with the LHSW (lef hand side as worn) side seam. Remove

the tacking rom around the waistband and leg opening. Note: Sometimes, afer sewing the elastic to a garment, the tacking stitch can distort the edges, causing it to look as though the garment is not very elasticated. Tis is particularly true o garments with a mix o abric types. Don’t panic – once you remove the tacking, the elastic will be released. ATTACHING THE BOW

� Attach a bow to the centre o the  ront panel by hand, sewing small bar tacks through the bow loops right beside the knot. Tis is better than stitching through the knot, which can turn the loops into ‘bunny ears’! (See Pic F.) O The Secrets of Sewing Lingerie by Katherine Sheers & Laura Stanford. Photography by Ali Allen. £12.79 from Kyle Books


46


KNITTED KIDS' TUNIC

Knitted

kids' tunic Tis cosy, easy-to-wear top is quick to sew and can be made either as a -shirt or as a longer tunic with in-seam pockets Project & styling: Stephanie Stanesby

SKILL LEVEL:

OO

MATERIALS:

O free template sheet O 1m organic knitted fabric O small pieces contrast organic

knitted fabric for pockets (if including) & neckband PREPARATION:

O Pre-shrink the fabric by washing and

tumble drying. O Trace off pattern pieces from pattern

The shorter, T-shirt version

HOW TO MAKE:

� If you are sewing the tunic with in-seam pockets, then sew these, RSF, to the side seam of the front and back pieces. Press open. (See Pic A.) � Sew the front and back along the shoulder seam, RSF, and press towards the back. (See Pic B.). Sew the sleeves to the armhole of the top, right sides facing, and press towards the top. (See Pic C.)

insert and cut out from fabric. NOTE: Unless stated otherwise, seam

allowances are ½” and seams should be sewn together using an overlocker or a sewing machine, using overlock stitch, stretch stitch or narrow zigzag stitch.

� Align the side seams with RSF and sew a continuous seam from the wrist (around the pockets if making a tunic) to the hem. (See Pic D.)

A

B

C

D

E

F


47

KNITTED KIDS' TUNIC

G

H

I

� Cut out a 2”-wide neckband that is about 85% the length of the neckline. Fold the neckband, RSF, with the short edges aligned, and sew together. (See Pic E.) � Fold the neckband lengthwise with WSF and pin to the raw edge of the neckline. Line up the seam of the neckband with the centre of the back and then pin in place at the centre front and the two shoulders. (See Pic F.) � Sew the neckband to the neckline, stretching the neckband slightly as you go. Press the seam towards the top. (See Pic G.) � Finish off the cuff with overlock or zigzag stitch and press under by ½”. Top-stitch in place. Repeat for the other cuff. (See Pic H.) � Finish off the hem with overlock or zigzag stitch and press under by ½”. Topstitch in place. (See Pic I.) O

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Come and see an Aladdin’s Cave of fabrics, ribbons, buttons and haberdashery!

Open Monday to Saturday 9.30 - 4pm Coach parties welcome, workshops also available please ring 01482 843663 for details.


50


PLAYTIME TEEPEE

Playtime

teepee Cheer up cold rainy days with a teepee tent that will provide hours of imaginary play. Its clever fold-away design also means you can store it easily behind a door or in a corner

SKILL LEVEL:

HOW TO MAKE:

OO

� Make a mark with a pencil approximately 4” in from one ed ge of the fabric. Measure in 15¾” and 31½” along from this point and mark the points with a pencil. Measure in 13¾” and 15¾” along the top of the fabric and mark thes e two points with a pencil. (See Pic A.)

MATERIALS:

118x57” canvas pencil tape measure cotton fabric in different colours double-sided fusible 40” interfacing graph paper ruler 60” 1�⁄�”-wide white tape 20” stick-on Velcro ¾”-wide coloured tape measuring 40" (100 cm) O five 71” bamboo poles O O O O O O O O O O O

� Fold over the first section of fabric so that you join the mark made at 4” at the bottom with the mark made at 13¾” along the top edge. You are making a diagonal line between these two points. Make sure when you fold over the fabric that the straight edges of the folded over section are aligned with the straight edges underneath, top and bottom. Crease down the diagonal line and then cut along the line. (See Pic B.)

� Fold the fabric again, so that you join the mark along the top made at 15¾” to the mark made at 15¾" along the bottom. Keep the straight edges aligned as before. Using the diagonal line as a guide, cut along the edge to make a triangle with the top cut off. (See Pic C.)

A B

D C

F

E G


51

PLAYTIME TEEPEE

end of each half to each side of the inside of the opening, approximately halfway up, placing each one ¾” in from the edge. Sew a row of zigzag stitching to secure. (See Pic K.)

H J

� Starting with the canvas with the front opening, pin and sew together each of the canvas triangles with right sides together. Continue until you have the five sections joined together. urn the teepee the right way out. (See Pic L.)

I

� ake the triangle you made in Step 3, turn it over and lay it on top of t he next section of fabric, aligning the di agonal sides together. Cut a second triangle and repeat to cut three more, making a total of five. (See Pic D.)

positioned ½” up from the b ottom edge and approximately ⅝” in from each side edge. Follow the instructions to iron and fuse the triangles to the canvas. Repeat with the other canvas triangles. (See Pic H.)

� ake one of the triangles made in Step 4, fold it in half and cut along the fold line. Pin and stitch the two halves together along the straight edge, from the top to 20½” down with a ½” seam allowance. Fold over a ½” hem down each side of the opening below the sewn seam and sew a line of zigzag stitches over each of the raw edges. (See Pic E.)

� On the front section position two triangles either side of the opening. If you like, sew a line of stitching around each triangle to secure them extra firmly.

� Mark in pencil a large cross at the base of the sewn seam (the beginning of the front opening). Go over the lines in a wide, close zigzag stitch in a coloured thread. Tis stitching strengthens the top of the opening while adding a nice design detail. (See Pic F.) � Cut out 20 rectangles of coloured cotton measuring 8x12”. Cut out 20 pieces of fusible interfacing the same size. Iron the i nterfacing onto the backs of the coloured fabric pieces. (See Pic G). � Measure and draw onto a piece of graph paper a triangle that is 7” across the base and 10½” high. Cut this out and use as a template to cut 20 triangles from the coloured fabric. � ake one of the canvas triangles made in Step 4 and position four of the appliqué patches along the base. Tey should be

� Cut 15 4” strips 1½”-wide tape and ten ¾” sections of stick-on Velcro. Peel the Velcro sections apart and stick the loop side to ten of the tape strips, centered on the length. Fold the tape in half with the Velcro on the inside. Pin this to the inside top of one of the canvas triangles, positioning it ½” down from the top and with the raw edges extending ½” in from the edge. Sew the tape to the canvas, going over the stitching twice for extra strength. Repeat this at the top of each of the four remaining canvas triangles. (See Pic I.)

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� At the top of the remaining bamboo poles place the other hook strips of Velcro 13½" down from the top. You may have to adjust this measurement if, for instance, your poles are slightly different in length. Feed the p oles through as before, easing the loops with the Velcro around the poles to attach. � Set up the teepee by manipulating the poles until you have a nice tent shape. As a finishing touch tie some tape around the poles at the top of the teepee. Tis serves two purposes – it hides any Velcro that maybe showing and it looks good! O

� Now pin and stitch tape loops to the bottom of the canvas triangles. Tis time, place two loops of tape ¾" (2 cm) apart, with the loop with the Velcro inside at the bottom. Before pinning in place, sew a line of stitching along the lower edge of the lower loop with Velcro, to join the two pieces together to form a pocket into which to drop the pole. (See Pic J.) � ake the canvas with the front opening. Cut the strip of ¾”-wide tape in half. Pin one

L

K

� Place a section of the hook Velcro around each of the bamboo poles, positioning the pieces ½” up from the bottom. Feed one of the poles in from the top opening, through any one of the top loops and down through both corresponding bottom loops. Ease the bottom loop (with the Velcro) over the Velcro on the bamboo, so they join. (See Pic M.)

A Year In Crafts

M

by Clare Youngs is published by Cico Books, priced £14.94. www.ryland peters.com


53

PATCHED TOTE BAG

Rope Handle

duffle bag Use up your favourite remnants to make this retro-look duffle bag. Constructing the handles will teach you how to work with rope and rivets Project: BECI ORPIN


54


PATCHED TOTE BAG

A

B

E

C

F

H

SKILL LEVEL:

G

I

O

sew the two long edges together to make a tube. Repeat with the lining abric pieces.

MATERIALS:

O O O O O O O O O

D

free pattern download 4 35x45cm pieces fabric for outer 4 pieces fabric for lining 35cm square fabric for bottom (I used velvet) 35cm square fabric for bottom lining, stiff interfacing gold 16x12 mm rivets hammer 2m 1cm-diameter natural rope cut in half

HOW TO MAKE:

� Following the templates, cut out all the abric pieces as indicated. (See Pic A.) � Iron the interacing onto the WS o the bottom piece, ollowing the manuacturer’s instructions. (See Pic B.) � Sew the long edges o the outer abric pieces together to create one large piece, then

� Cut small holes in the marked spots so that the inner cylinder o the rivet can fit through. (See Pic F.)

� Iron all the seams open. (See Pic C.) � With RS together, pin and then sew the bottom outer piece to the outer abric tube. Make small cuts around the bottom piece to make this easier to manipulate (ewer tucks will be needed). (See Pic D.) � Repeat with the lining and bottom lining pieces, but leave a 10cm gap when sewing so you can turn the abric the right way out later.

� Hammer the rivets into position. Do this on a hard surace. Sew up the bottom o the lining. (See Pic G.) � Tread the rope through the rivets. Tread one piece o the rope through one side o the bag and one piece through the other side, astening each end with a knot. (See pics H and I.) O

� urn the outer abric RS out. Place the outer abric inside the lining so that the right sides are acing. Sew the top seam. Make & Do by

� Pull the outer abric through the hole le f in the bottom o the lining. Iron the top seam. � Using a pencil, mark small dots where the rivets are to be inserted. Position them on either side and two in between each seam, our rivets per panel. (See Pic E.)

Beci Orpin is published by Hardie Grant Books, priced £20. www. hardiegrant.co.uk


55

56


PATCHWORK STAR CUSHION E YO U R

U S

Patchwork Star cushion

F

C E F A B R I

R E

Combine your free fat quarter with a co-ordinating solid and make this simple, striking cushion Project: ALI BURDON

T o p t p i

W hen positioning th e squar e, r emember that the edg e of the squar e near est the middle of the r ec tang le w ill ev entually bec o me the w ide base of the star point, so position the f abr ic ac co r ding ly if y ou w ant it to point in a par tic ular dir ec tion . I alter nated the dir ec tion of the pr int f abr ic thr oug h 90� f or neig hbour ing star points to add mor emov eme nt to the patc hw or k bloc k

58


PATCHWORK STAR CUSHION SKILL LEVEL:

OO

MATERIALS:

O free GBSB fat quarter O 0.5m solid co-ordinating fabric O O O O

(we used Kona solid in Hyacinth) 0.5m lining fabric 0.5m low-loft fusible fleece 40cm-square cushion pad fabric marker

CUTTING:

For the cushion top, cut: O 16cm-square print fabric O eight 8.5cm-square print fabric O two 3x31cm pieces print fabric O two 3x35cm pieces print fabric O four 8.5cm-squares solid fabric O four 8.5x16cm pieces solid fabric O two 4x35cm pieces solid fabric O two 4x41cm pieces solid fabric O 40cm-square lining fabric O 41cm-square low-loft fusible fleece For the cushion back, cut: O five 40cm square print fabric O two 24x40cm pieces solid fabric O two 24x40cm pieces lining fabric O two 24x40cm pieces low-loft fusible fleece SIZE GUIDE:

O 38cm square, to fit a 40cm-square

cushion pad NOTE: The seam allowance is

Your FQ will provide enough fabric for the star and the trim o the square and stitch. Trim as beore – this time you will be cutting away the bottom-lef corner o the rectangle and square. Fold down the print abric and press the seam to one side.

� Repeat Step 2 with all the other solid coloured rectangles and print squares so that you have our sets o star points. COMPLETING THE STAR BLOCK

� Take the large-print abric square and stitch a set o star p oints on two opposite sides o the square. Take one o the remaining star-point blocks and stitch a solid 8.5cm square on each o the two short sides o the block. Repeat with the final star-point block. Press all the seams open.

5mm unless

otherwise noted.

HOW TO MAKE: MAKING THE STAR POINTS

� Pin one o the 8.5cm squares print abric aligned with the right-hand short edge o one o the 8.5x16cm solid rectangles, RST. � Use a abric marker to draw a diagonal line rom the top-right corner o the print square to the opposite corner o the square. Stitch the square to the rectangle along this line. � Trim away the excess abric 5mm rom the seam line you have just sewn (you will be cutting away the bottom-right corner o the square and rectangle). Fold the print abric down along the stitching line and press the seam to one side. You should have a rectangle with a print triangle on the right-hand side. � Place another print square RST with s ame rectangle, this time with the edge o the square aligned with the short lef-hand edge o the rectangle. Mark a line rom the top-lef corner to the bottom-right corner

� Pin, then stitch these three rows together to create the completed st ar block. To ensure a neat finish, make sure that the seams are aligned when you are pinning the rows. Press the seams open. COMPLETING THE CUSHION TOP

� Take the two 3x31cm pieces o print abric and stitch one on either side o the star block. Press the seams to one side. Repeat with the two 3x35cm pieces on the other two sides o the block. � Take the two 4x35cm pieces o solid abric and stitch one on either side. Press the seams as beore. Repeat with the two 4x41cm pieces on the other two sides. � Fuse the fleece to the cushion top, ollowing the manuacturer’s instructions. Quilt the cushion top however you like – I machine-quilted the outline o the star, stitching directly along the seam lines, which is known as stitching in the ditch. I then used co-ordinating embroidery floss to outline each o the smaller s olid print sections o the star block.

� Trim the completed cushion top to a neat 40cm square. MAKING THE BACK OF THE CUSHION

� Fuse the two 24x40cm fleece pieces to the corresponding pieces o solid abric. � Take the 5x40cm piece o print abric and old it in hal lengthways. Unold and old the two long edges to the middle and press. Press again down the middle to create a piece o binding. � Put a piece o lining abric and a piece o fleece-lined backing abric wrong sides together. Fold the binding around one o the long edges (it doesn’t matter which one), pin and then machine-stitch into place, making sure you are catching the back o the binding. � Take the other lining and outer piece and pin, RST, along one o the 40cm edges. Stitch this edge, then turn right side out and press. Top-stitch the seam. ASSEMBLY

� Put the cushion top, right side up, on your work surace and place the back piece with the bound edge RST with it, and t he long raw edge aligned with the right-hand side o the cushion top. Put the other back piece, again RS down, on top, covering the lef side o the cushion top and overlapping the other back sect ion. Pin, then stitch all around the edge o the cushion with a 1cm seam. Afer stitching, trim the seams to a generous 0.5mm then finish them with a zigzag or overlock stitch. Reinorce the section where the two back pieces overlap with some extra zigzag inside the seam allowance. � Turn the cushion cover RS out, press thoroughly and insert the cushion pad. O


59

FAT QUARTER CARD HOLDER

Fat Quarter

card holder Your free fabric is a medium-weight, durable fabric that will stand the wear and tear of every day life, so why not use it to make it a handy card wallet? Project: EMILY LEVEY

SKILL LEVEL:

O

MATERIALS:

O free GBSB fat quarter O medium iron-on interfacing O Thermolam, fusible fleece or iron-on interfacing O approximately 5” of elastic O basting spray O point turner O vanishing marker CUTTING LIST:

Exterior and interior: O Cut two 8�⁄�x3�⁄�” fabric panels O Cut an 8x3�⁄�” panel of iron-on interfacing O Cut an 8x3�⁄�” piece of Thermolam Top card pocket: O Cut one 8�⁄�x3�⁄�” piece of fabric O Cut a 8x2�⁄�” panel of iron-on i nterfacing Bottom card pocket: O Cut a 8�⁄�x2�⁄�” piece of fabric O Cut a 8x2” piece of i ron-on interfacing

HOW TO MAKE:

� With the two card pocket pieces bond the interacing to the relevant pocket piece, t he interacing is sized i n such a way that you should have a ¼” gap along the bottom and the side edges and a slightly larger gap along the top edge. urn over the top edge, using the interacing as a guide, and press. opstitch ¼” rom the top edge, this will hold the raw edge down to the WS o the pocket. � Bond the interacing to the interior abric piece, there will be a ¼” gap all the way around (this is to reduce the bulk in the final seam allowance). Using basting spray adhere the Termolam to the exterior abric piece, or i using usible fleece or interacing bond this in place.

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� Place the top card pocket piece on to the interior abric piece, aligned along the bottom edge. Using a abric marker draw a line parallel to the top o the pocket 2” down, stitch along this line. Tis will be hidden under the bottom card pocket and will prevent your cards rom slipping down inside the pocket and make them easier to see and remove.

Emily says:

� Place the bottom card pocket piece onto the interior abric piece, aligned along the bottom edge. Pin in place. Fold your elastic in hal and position on the bottom edge, 1½” in rom the right hand side with the raw edges o the elastic on the bottom edge.

the holder easier to close. Starting on the top edge, stitch down this li ne. When you get to the bottom o the holder, leave your needle in the work, lif your presser oot and pivot the holder and then top-stitch all the way around the outer edges o the holder until you get back to the centre bottom. Tis will close your turning gap and give the holder a proessional finish. I your machine struggles stitching through the layers you can just machine the centre line then hand sew the opening closed. O

� Stitch along the bottom edge using a ¼” seam allowance. Tis will baste the pocket piece in place and hold the elastic down making the final assembly easier. � Put the exterior piece RS acing down onto the card pockets/interior section and pin in place. Leaving a 3” turning gap in the top edge, st itch all the way around using a ⅜” (1cm) seam allowance. Be sure to backstitch at the start and end to secure your stitches. � Clip the corners to reduce the bulk and turn the right way out, take care to do this gently and slowly so as not to stretch the turning gap out o shape. Poke out the corners and press well, tucking the raw edges o the gap in as you do so. Be careul not to touch the elastic with the iron. � Using a vanishing abric marker draw a line down the centre o your wallet, this will be to divide the pockets and make

“Hair bobbles are a perfect alternative for the thin elastic on this project and you can get great colours. Simply cut out the metal bar”

We used an old hair bobble for the elastic closing

Y O U R F R E E S E U

F A T Q

E R

U A R T

T o p t i p r

Use a longe for s ti tch leng th l-looking pro fessiona g, i t will top s ti tchin er! also be easi


NATURE EXPLORER BAG E YO U R

U S

Sewing machine

pincushion

F

C E F A B R I

R E

Got some lefover pieces rom your ree at quarter? Whip up this handy little pincushion that ties to your machine with two pieces o elastic Project: LOU ORTH

SKILL LEVEL:

O

MATERIALS:

O free fat quarter O 1m 5mm-wide elastic O toy stuffing

� Sew all the way around, using a 0.5cm seam allowance. Remember to leave a gap in the middle of one of the long sides of approximately 3cm-4cm for turning out. � urn the right way out and fill with toy stuffing.

FINISHED SIZE:

O 9x4cm

� Using ladder stitches, hand-stitch the gap closed. O

All you need is two 10x5cm rectangles

HOW TO MAKE:

� ake your free fat quarter and cut out two rectangles measuring 10x5cm. Cut two strips of elastic 30cm long. � Place the rectangles RS together and pin. Place the elastic in the middle of the short sides at either end of the fabric, with the elastic tucked inside. Te elastic is quite long for this small pincushion, so you can let the elastic hang out in the gap you will leave when sewing.

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PSee more of Louise’s projects on her blog, imstudiolou.wordpress.com


PATTERN WEIGHTS & DOORSTOPS

Pattern

weights & doorstops With this clever two-in-one project, you can use your fat quarter to make a pair of pyramid doorstops plus a set of mini pattern weights Project: KATY CAMERON

SKILL LEVEL:

O

MATERIALS:

O free GBSB fat quarter O free template sheet O filling CUTTING:

For each pattern weight, cut: O four equilateral triangles, with each side measuring 3½”. Note that if you have a quilting ruler, they often have 60˚ angles marked, which will help. For each door stop, cut: O four equilateral triangles, with each side measuring 8”. Again, a quilting ruler will help with this. PREPARING THE PIECES:

� On the remaining side, mark an opening of about 1” in the middle of the seam, then sew from the corner marks up to the opening mark on each side. � Turn RS out and use a pointed object, such as a chopstick, to p oke out the corners gently. � Make a cone shape out of a piec e of scrap paper so that there is an opening large enough for your filling to pass through. Place the tip inside the opening of the pyramid and slowly pour in the filling, like a funnel. Note that they shouldn’t be stuffed to the brim, otherwise it will be difficult to sew the opening closed without covering yourself in filling!

O At the corner of each triangle, make a

mark ¼” in from each side (not the tip!). Seam allowance is ¼”

HOW TO MAKE: ASSEMBLING THE PYRAMIDS

� Ensuring that you stay between the dots in the corners, take two triangles and place RS together. Sew together on one side. Open out and add another triangle to the side of one of your triangles. Add the fourth triangle onto the third so that you create a row of triangles in alternating directions. � Take the strip and fold it so that the long open edge at the base of the first triangle meets the long open edge of the third triangle RST. Sew between the marks to create the pyramid with one open side. � Fold the flap of the fourth tri angle up to meet the rest of the pyramid and join along one side between the marks.

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� Once the pyramid is filled, use ladder stitch or whip stitch to close the opening. O

T o p t p i

Y ou c an use r ic e or dr ied beans to c re ate the w eig ht to fill these w eig hts. F or the door stops, y ou may w ant to fill the to p w ith a little poly ester t oy stuf fing so that it doesn’t bec ome too heav y

Use the bigger template to make the doorsto ps

E YO U R

U S

F

C E F A B R I

R E




66


THE LOTTA TOTE

The Lotta

tote

Tis stylish little tote calls out for a constrasting selection of bold statement prints, and Lotta Jansdotter’s latest collections are ideal. Metal cut-out handles complete the look Project: SUSAN DUNLOP, SusieDDesigns

A

SKILL LEVEL:

B

OO

MATERIALS:

O free template sheet O 4 fat quarters co-ordinating cotton prints O 1m medium-weight woven fusible

interfacing O 0.5m medium-loft fusible fleece O pair of 9cm oval cut-out metal handles

HOW TO MAKE:

� Adhere the fusible interfacing pieces to the WS of the corresponding fabric pieces. � With RST, sew two of the main body panels to the long edges of a centre panel. Press the seams toward the centre panel and topstitch 5mm from the seams. Repeat to sew and top-stitch the remaining main body panels and centre panel. (See Pic A.)

CUTTING LIST:

From fabric 1, cut: O four 14x25cm pieces, main body panels From fabric 2, cut: O two 14x25cm pieces, main body centre panels O two 25x38cm pieces, main body lining From fabric 3, cut: O two pieces from pattern, outer top panels From fabric 4, cut: O two pieces from pattern, top panel lining

� With RST, pin and sew the bottom edge of an outer top panel to the top e dge of the pieced main body. Press the seam toward the top panel and top-stitch 5mm from the seam. Repeat to sew and top-stitch the remaining main body and top panel. (See pics B and C.)

C

fleece. Trim 1cm from all edges of the fleece, to avoid bulk within the seam allowances. Fuse the fleece to the WS of the main body outers, positioning centrally to leave equal gaps around all the edges.

� Place the outer main b ody pieces RST, matching up the seams at the bottom edge. Stitch down one side, across the bottom and up the other side. Press the se am open and leave WS out. Repeat to sew the lining pieces together but this time leave a turning gap at the centre of the bottom seam. (See pics E and F.)

Susan says:

� Join the lining main body pieces and top panels in the same way. (See Pic D.)

“Use a pressing cloth when fusing the fleece"

� Using the pieced main body outers as a template, cut two pieces from the fusible

From the fusible interfacing, cut: O six 14x25cm pieces, main body and centre panels O four pieces from pattern, outer/lining top panels NOTE: Seam allowance is 1cm throughout, unless stated otherwise SIZE: Approximate finished size: 36x33x6cm

D

E


67

THE LOTTA TOTE

F

G

H

I

J

K

We used...

Sylvia Ada in Mormor Rubine Black and White Leaf and String £3 per fat quarter, www.thevillagehaberdashery.co.uk Interfacing and metal cut-out handles available from www.susied designs.co.uk

L

� Make the flat base by boxing the outer and lining corners: refold a corner to match up the side and bottom seam and pin with RST. Measure 3cm down from the corner and draw a line across where the width measures 6cm between the folded edges. Stitch the marked line and trim off the corner to le ave a 5mm seam allowance. Repeat to box the other corners. Turn the outer bag RS out, easing all the seams out neatly. Leave the lining bag WS out. (See Pic G.) � Insert the outer bag into the lining, so RST, matching up the top edges and side seams, pin. Stitch all around the top edges. Snip into the inward corners, going right up to the stitching but not through it. Trim

68


across the top corners, avoiding the stitching. (See Pic H.)

� Pull the outer bag through the gap in the lining, to bring both RS out. Put your hand through the lining gap and use a point turner to ease out the handle seams. Fold in the lining gap edges, to match the rest of the seam, press and pin. Slip-stitch by hand, or machine-sew, staying very close to the edges. Push the lining down inside the outer bag and press the top edges so that the seam sits neatly at the top edges. Top-stitch all around the top edges of the bag with a 5mm seam. (See pics I and J.) � Install the cut-out handles: unscrew the

handle pieces and using one of the front pieces as a template, position it centrally onto the RS of the bag top panel. Use a pencil to draw around the inner oval. Pin through the top panel layers around where the handle will go, to keep the layers in line. Cut the shape out, going through all the layers. Place the handle parts together, with the top panel sandwiched between. Trim back more fabric bit by bit and evenly all around the cut-out shape. Continue until you don’t see any fabric sticking out when the metal parts are put together. You’ll also need to snip little notches, where the screws will be situated. Once you’re happy with the cut-out shape, screw the handle parts together. Repeat to install the other handle. (See pics K and L.) O

We haved moved to our new store at 217 -219 Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN25 7HB and we have a fabulous range of fabrics, haberdashery, sewing machines, sewing furniture, patchwork classes, sewing classes and a lovely tea room for you to enjoy a fresh coffee, tea and some yummy cakes. Our fabrics are by Moda, Riley & Blake, Michael Miller, Hantex, John Louden, Fabric Freedom, Nutex Macower, stoff

T. 01 472 60 0874 [email protected] . www.lcfabrics.co.uk

At L & C Fabrics, We sew, we make, we create

217-219 Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7HB

FREE CAR PARKING!

Ne w ue ca ta log w ! o n ou t

r cop y, To g e t you it our is v p lease i we bs te


LIBERTY TRAVEL SEWING KIT

Liberty Travel

sewing kit Planning a Valentine's weekend away? Keep your mending essentials to hand in this smart Liberty-print travel kit Project: AMANDA RUSSELL & JULIET BAWDEN, R&B Consultants

SKILL LEVEL:

O

MATERIALS:

O fabric for the outside & inside of the travel kit O heat-bonding interlining O needle O 5mm-wide elastic O button

Sewing items for completed sewing kit: O miniature scissors O multicoloured thread plait O needles O safety pins O spare buttons O needle threader O pins

Juliet and Amanda say:

“A travel sewing kit is always handy, making it possible to tackle any mending when you’re on the move. We love these gorgeous miniature bow scissors – they are a perfect fit for this make. Te multi-coloured thread plait is a great way of having a huge selection of threads. Pins, needles and safety pins are added to the fabric of the middle folding section. We’ve included a useful pocket for storing any other bits you might need, including a selection of buttons in a re-sealable plastic envelope”

HOW TO MAKE:

� Cut two pieces of fabric for the outside, lining and interlining measuring 17x10cm. (See Pic A.) � To make the pockets, cut another two pieces of fabric and interlining measuring 10x12cm. � Iron the interlining onto the reverse of the cut pieces of fabric. � Fold the two pocket pieces in half and press with an iron. Take one of the p ocket pieces, find the center by folding it crossways and press to crease. (See Pic B.) � Pin and tack both pockets in position, one at each end of t he lining fabric. � Use a sewing machine to sew along the

centre of the creased pocket, then around the edges of both pockets.

� For the buttonhole, cut a 5cm length of 5mm-wide elastic, pin and then sew in position using a sewing machine. (See Pic C) � RST, place the outside piece of fabric onto the lining fabric, covering the pockets, then pin together. Sew around the edge using a sewing machine with a 1cm seam a llowance. Leave a 4cm opening on one of the long sides between the pockets for turning out. � Trim the seams, clip the corners and turn right sides out through the opening. Press along the seams. Take a needle and thread and slip-stitch the side opening closed. Sew on a button for closing. (See Pic D.) O

A

B

We used... Liberty Wiltshire Tana Lawn, £22 per metre, www.sewbox.co.uk

C

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D


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Dolly

quilt set Tis mini quilt set with butterfly embellishment is ideal for using up scraps (or your free fat quarter). It's also a great project to share basic sewing skills with little stitchers Project & styling: STEPHANIE STANESBY

Use your free template

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DOLL BEDDING

HOW TO MAKE:

� Sew the pillow rectangles together, right sides facing (RSF). Leave a gap for turning and clip corners. (See Pic A). � Turn pillow RS out, stuff and close gap using a whip or blind stitch. (See Pic B). � Place mattress rectangles RSF with wadding underneath. Sew all the way around, leaving a gap for turning and then trim corners. (See Pic C).

SKILL LEVEL:

O

MATERIALS:

O O O O

free template sheet 0.5m fabric for mattress and pillow fat quarter for quilt front fat quarter for quilt back plus scraps for cutouts O wadding O stuffing

� Turn mattress RS out and close gap using a whip stitches or blind stitches. (See Pic D). Take the quilt front and sew the butterfly shapes onto the front with a co-ordinating thread. (See Pic E).

� Cut out the butterfly shape leaving a ¼” allowance on the inside of the butterfly. (See Pic F). Clip the allowance and press to w rong side of quilt front. (See Pic G). � Pin the scraps of fabric in place behind the cut outs. Sew in place with a contrast thread close to the butterfly outline. (See Pic H). � Put quilt front and quilt back RSF with layer of wadding underneath. Sew all the way around, leaving a gap for turning and then trim corners. Turn quilt RS out and close gap using a whip stitch or blind stitch. (See Pic I). � Add additional embellishment if desired – including quilting. (See Pic J). O

T o p t p i

T ra c e the butter fly onto ir on on stabi liser , ir on it in plac e and sew ar ound the outside

CUTTING LIST:

O two 30x15cm rectangles for pillow O two 35x50cm rectangles for mattress and one for wadding O three 50cm squares, one quilt back, one quilt front and one quilt wadding

A

D

H

We used Cloud 9's Wildwood fabric, £12 per metre, www.misformake.co.uk

B

E

C

F

I

G

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D ow nload y our F RE E t em plat e a t

w ww . lov es e w i n mag .c o.uk g

Quilted

dog coat Keep your pooch snug and dry with this stylish, quilted dog coat finished with a smart bias binding trim Project: TRACEY DENNIS, Owl and Sewing Cat

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QUILTED DOG COAT

A

C

� Stitch up and down the lines quilting through all the layers of fabric. A walking foot would help eliminate creases forming in the fabric. Remove the tacking and pins. (See Pic B.)

D

B

� Pin your pattern template enclosed onto the fabric and cut your quilted fabric to shape. � Stitch a large buttonhole in position as marked on the pattern, this is to allow for your dog’s lead to pass through the coat. (See Pic C.) � ake the collar pattern piece and fold 35cm of bias binding over the raw curved edge of the collar. Pin and stitch in place. (See Pic D.)

E

� Leave the straight edge free from binding. Tis can be fiddly on the curves so take it slowly. (See Pic E.) � Pin the collar in place as shown. (See Pic F.)

G

SKILL LEVEL:

F

OO

MATERIALS:

Small size (finished length 40cm): O O O O O

60cm main fabric 60cm lining fabric 60cm wadding 50cm sew in velcro 3m bias binding

Medium size (finished length approx 50cm): O 70cm main fabric

O O O O

70cm lining fabric 70cm wadding 80cm sew in velcro 4m bias binding

Large size (finished length approx 60cm): O O O O O

85cm main fabric 85cm lining fabric 85cm wadding 1m sew in Velcro 5m bias binding

NOTE: Use a 1cm seam allowance

HOW TO MAKE:

� Lay the lining fabric for your dog coat face down on the table. (DO NO cut any of your pattern pieces until Step 5.) Place the wadding layer on top and then lay your main fabric on top of this with RS up. (See Pic A.)

� Pin or tack your layers together. Using a vanishing marker pen or tailor’s chalk, mark your lines for quilting using a ruler. We have used a diamond design for the quilting with lines approximately 2½” apart.

� Pin the remaining bias binding all around the raw edges of the dog coat. Using your zipper foot, sew around your bias binding. Stitch as close to the inside edge of the binding as possible. ake extra care when sewing across the collar to ensure it is securely attached. � Pin and stitch the Velcro in place where shown on the pattern. (See Pic G.) O

P This pattern was created by Owl and Sewing Cat, whose extensive range of sewing patterns are on sale in its fabric and sewing supplies shop, located on Eastbourne's seafront. All patterns are printed full-scale on quality paper, so there is no scaling up and enlarging to do. Browse the range online at www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ OwlandSewingCat or visit

www.owlandsewingcat.com


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T o p t p i

If y ou find t h is t oo fiddly t o do by mac hine, y ou c an do it by ha nd. Just k eep t he st it c hes nic e and small an d all w ill be w ell!


Embroidered purse Create a little early spring cheer with this floral-themed coin purse with embroidered embellishment Project: DEBBIE VON GRABLER�CROZIER

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EMBROIDERED PURSE

SKILL LEVEL:

� Cut two 17cm-square pieces o lace, one or the ront and one or the back. Tey w ill be just a little bit longer than needed. Tis lace is pretty notorious or unravelling, so do not trim it until afer the purse is sewn so that the ends are well caught into the seams and thereore protected.

OO

MATERIALS:

O free template sheet O 7.5cm-square purse frame with

a pink (or other coloured) snap O 35x10cm mottled green fabric O 35x8cm pretty pink floral fabric O O O O O O O O O O O O

with small print 31x16cm pretty green patterned fabric for lining extra 4x35cm piece pink floral fabric bronze bag clip (small) 10mm split ring Pink Perle 8 cotton 35cm-square thin wadding panel green (266), medium pink (54), pink (75) & yellow 295 Anchor embroidery thread water-soluble marker 35cm green cotton lace Jet Black Ranger Archival Ink 6x1.5cm cotton tape small floral stamp of your choice

Be sure to read all instructions through before beginning the project NOTE:

� Sew the lace to the part o the purse where the two abrics join. Attach the label to the right-hand side as indicated on the pattern. � Cut out the purse shapes, ront and back. Pin the outer with RS and keep an e ye on the hinge position. Machine-sew around the bottom rom hinge to hinge. (See Pic B.) HOW TO MAKE:

� ake the piece o pink floral abric and the piece o green mottled abric and sew them together. Using the line drawing, trace the purse shape onto the two abrics. Be sure to line up the line on the pattern with the seam between the two abrics. Do not cut out yet. Mark the hinge positions as indicated on the pattern and try to reehand-draw the flowers. I you don’t eel comortable doing this, transer them to the mottled  abric using your preerred method. (See Pic A.) � Cut two pieces o lining  rom the floral green but, this time, ignore the  abric join line and cut them in whole pieces. � You can embroider the b ack or leave it plain. Lay these pieces onto the wadding and pin or tack them i n position ready or embroidery. Te stems o the flowers are backstitches in green and the le aves are lazy daisy stitch in green. Te flowers are blanket stitched in medium pink and also lazy daisy stitches in pink with yellow French knot centres. Use two strands o embroidery thread throughout. Embroider the flowers, going through the wadding as you sew.

A

� Do the same or the lining. Leave a gap or turning out though in the bottom o the lining. Clip the curve on the outer piece. urn the lining inside out and put it into the outer piece so that the right sides are together. Match the seams and se w around the top. � Pull the completed piece through the gap that you lef beore and slip-stitch the opening closed. � Fit the top o the purse into the rame and stitch in place using Perle cotton. � o make the label, old the 6cm piece o tape in hal and stamp both sides with your chosen stamp using black ink. Attach it to the purse where indicated on the pattern. � o make the strap, old the 4x35cm strip o extra pink abric in hal lengthwise. Crease with your finger and then old the two raw edges to the middle. Crease-old so that you now have a 1cm-wide strap with the raw edges enclosed. op-stitch down both sides o the strap. Attach to the bag clip and sew securely. O

B


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Ali says:

“You need two layers of wadding to create the necessary insulating effect. For one of the layers I used Insul-Bright, which is a wadding specially designed to provide maximum insulation. It’s widely available but you can replace it with another piece of fusible fleece if you can’t get hold of it.”

Cafetiere

cosy & pot holder Brighten up drab winter mornings with this pretty, practical cafetiere and pot holder made using Ochre & Ocre linens and insulated wadding Project & photography: ALI BURDON 78


CAFETIERE COSY & POT HOLDER

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SKILL LEVEL:

O

MATERIALS:

O 2 co-ordinating fat quarters of cotton or linen O 42x31cm low-loft fusible fleece O 18x34cm Insul-Bright insulating wadding O 4x2cm of 2cm-wide Velcro NOTE: The seam allowance is 1cm throughout.

This cosy will fit an 8-cup cafetiere with a 31cm diameter and a height of approximately 18cm CUTTING LIST:

From Fabric A cut:

O 1 piece measuring 10cmx34cm From Fabric B cut:

O 2 pieces measuring 6cmx34cm O 1 piece measuring 18cmx34cm O 2 pieces measuring 6.5cmx8cm From low-loft fusible fleece cut:

O 1 piece measuring 18cmx34cm O 2 pieces measuring 6.5cmx8cm

HOW TO MAKE:

� Take one of the 6x34cm pieces of Fabric B and place right sides together with the piece of Fabric A, aligned with one of the l ong edges. Pin and stitch. Repeat with the other piece of Fabric B on the other long edge of Fabric A. (See Pic A.)

�Press the seams open and then iron on the fusible fleece, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Top-stitch the two seams, about 2mm from the seam, on the pieces of Fabric B. Use something with a curved edge (a cotton reel is good) as a template to create curved corners on the outer section. (See Pic B.) � Measure 1.5cm from one of the short sides of outer section – position and pin one half of the piece of Velcro at this point. Stitch into place. (See Pic C.) � Create curved corners on the 18x34cm piece of Fabric B, in the same way that you did in Step 3, and repeat with the piece of Insul-Bright. Zigzag these two pieces together, all round the edge. (See Pic D.) � Iron on the fusible fleece to the two remaining small pieces of Fabric B. Cut two (only two!) curved c orners on each of these pieces.

trim seams to about 0.5cm, trimming off excess fusible fleece in the seam allowance. Turn RS out, press, then top-stitch close to the edge. (See Pic F.)

� Pin the completed fastening tab to the RS of the outer section at the opposite end to the other piece of Velcro, and with the Velcro facing up, as shown in the picture. (See Pic G.) � Pin the outer and inner sections right sides together and stitch all round, leaving an 8cm-10cm turning gap in one of the long sides. Trim the seam allowance to 0.5cm, trim any excess fusible fleece in the seam allowance and notch the curved corners. Turn through and press thoroughly, turning the edges of the turning gap in to match the seam line. Top-stitch all around the outer edge of the cosy to finish.

We used...

� Take one of these pieces and measure 1.5cm from the edge with the curved corners. Position the other half of the Velcro at this point, aligned ce ntrally, and stitch into position. (See Pic E.) � Put this piece RS together with the matching small piece and stitch round 3 sides (leaving the long side with no cur ved corners unstitched). Notch the curved corners and

Madeleine in sage and Ledbury in blue grey, both £3.25 per fat quarter, www.ochreandocre.com


CAFETIERE COSY & POT HOLDER

HOW TO MAKE:

� Iron the medium-weight interfacing onto the smaller pocket piece. Iron the fusible piece onto the back of the pot holder (large piece of Fabric B). (See Pic A.) � Use a fabric pen to mark quilting lines on the front section of the pot holder (large piece of Fabric A). I marked a 5cm diagonal grid. Pin the wadding to the piece of fabric A, with the shinier side against the fabric and quilt the 2 fabrics together along the marked lines. Start at the centre of the fabrics and work outwards. (See Pic B.) � Fold the 18cm by 6cm piece of Fabric B in half lengthways, unfold, then fold edges into the middle. Fold in half down the middle again and then stitch down both edges to form the hanging loop. (See Pic C.)

Quick quilted pot holder MATERIALS:

O O O O

two fat quarters co-ordinating fabric one 27x23cm fusible fleece one 27x23cm insulating wadding one 19x23cm medium iron-on interfacing

CUTTING LIST:

O one piece of Fabric A 27x23cm for the front of the pot holder; 1 piece 2cm x 23cm for the pocket lining. O one piece of Fabric B 27cm x 23cm for the back of the pot holder; 1 piece 19cm x 23cm for the pocket front and 1 piece 18cm x 6cm for the hanging loop. NOTE: 1cm seam allowance

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A

B

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I

J


� ake the two pocket pieces and put them RS aligned at the top edge, pin and then stitch together with a 1.5cm seam. (See Pic D.) Te lining will be longer at the bottom edge. Fold the larger piece of fabric up, then down along the marked line. (See Pic E.) Press then stitch a couple of mm away from the seam. (See Pic F.) � Use a cup or glass to use as a guide to trim curved corner pieces on the pot holder front, back section and the bottom of the pocket section. (See pics G and H.)

C

� Pin the back and front sections together, RS then stitch all round, leaving a turning gap of about 10cm on one of the long sides (avoid placing the gap in the top edge of the pocket). (See Pic J). rim some of the bulk of the interfacings away from the s eam allowance and cut small notches in the corners (See Pic K.). urn RS out and press the edges of the turning gap under so they line up with the stitched part of the seam. Glue or pin it closed, then stitch all round on the right side, 2mm from the edge, to secure the turning gap. (See pics L and M.) O

We used...

Malvern in Lapis, ochre and grey and Ledbury in ochre and grey, both £3.25 per fat quarter, www.ochreandocre.com

D

G

K

� Align the bottom edge of the pocket section with the back section of the pot holder and zigzag round the edge to hold in place. Fold the hanging loop in half and pin in one of the top corners of t he pot holder, with the loop facing inwards. (See Pic I.)

H

L

M

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C

Couture sewing with

Alison Smith MBE Stitching and pressing princess seams Of all the seams, a princess seam can be the most daunting, because of the fear of creating wrinkles. But follow this advice and you’ll be successfully conquering them in no time

A

princess seam in a garment is a seam that is vertical through the bodice, starting at either the shoulder or armhole and going through the bust to create bust shaping by means of a curved seam. Tis shaping on a garment is very flattering as it creates a vertical slimming line in the garment design. However all is not as it would appear because only one side of this seam is really curved, the

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other side is just a gentle curve. One side is concave and the other is convex, so let's see how it can be sewn successfully. Cut out your pattern pieces and make all necessary markings – these may be notches and or dots, which need marking with tailor's tacks. Tese markings are important as t hey indicate to you the part of the pattern piece that will require easing. If you place the

B

D

garment front and side front next to each other you can see how the one shape will have to fit into the other one. (See Pic A.) Note where I have clipped out my notch markings. In order to stitch a successful princess seam you need to sew the seam with the side front uppermost. Te reason for doing this is so that you can keep the straighter edge the centre front on the seam guide, and s o that you can stretch the straighter seam as your sewing and ease the more curved half of the seam. Tis also means that one side will be sewn top to bottom and the other side bottom to top – this should not be a problem if you have pinned carefully. Place the side front and front RS. Match the notches/ tailor’s tacks together first and then match the straight part of the seam below the curve. Carefully pin together through the curve stretching the front, the straighter seam, into the curve and push the curved side into it. Tere is a knack to this, so persevere! Pin making sure your they're going in to hold the fabrics on the stitching line, as it's this stitching line that needs to be wrinkle free. If there are wrinkles at the cut edges that is not a problem. (See Pic B.) Place the seam under your sewing machine and stitch. (See Pic C.) As you sew, you can stretch out the underlayer – the front with the fingers of your right hand. Remove the pins as you go. If you are unsuccessful and wrinkles get stitched in, carefully unpick the whole area and try again. Tese seams are

COUTURE SEWING WITH ALISON SMITH

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F

SAVE 20% on Craftsy's Couture Finishing and Dressmaking courses with Alison Smith G

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For £25.50 (RRP £32) you will receive: P P P P

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I

not always easy, especially if your fabric has little give in it. You will now find that the front side of the seam looks quite tight and the side front side looks looser. (See Pic D.) You now need to clip and notch the seam so that it can be pressed flat. Te front side of the seam needs straight snips cut into it to release the tension, and the side f ront side of the seam needs notching ‘V’ shapes clipped out to remove the fullness. (See Pic E.)

J

a ham as you need to press the fullness into shape. If you don’t have a ham, try a crushed up towel wrapped in a pressing cloth. Very gently, using just the point of the iron, press the seam open. (See pics G and H.) As one side of the seam has been clipped and the other side notched the seam will press out flat with no wrinkles or creases. (See pics I and J.) O

Create couture garments with a flawless look that lasts

Underline bodices to give them stability, structure and shape Stabilise neck edges and shoulder seams so they never stretch

Create lovely shaping using slashed, balanced and contoured darts

P Stitch crease-free princess seams and hand-finished necklines P Discover couture boning techniques for bodices that

fit like a dream P Use sleeve heads and ribbon stays to sew gorgeous set-in sleeves with a touch of fullness and no wrinkles P Choose and insert impeccable linings P Harness couture dressmaking techniques to create special-occasion attire that eclipse ready-to-wear

To receive your Love Sewing special discount on Couture Finishing Techniques, enter www.craftsy.com/ext/AlisonSmith_3986_D To receive your Love Sewing special discount for Couture Dressmaking, enter www.craftsy.com/ext/AlisonSmith_3988_D

P Please note these samples have been stitched with no seam neatening to show the PRESSING o press the seam, press the seam techniques. I would normally flat as sewn first. (Se e Pic F.) Te have overlocked the edges prior princess seam needs pressing over to construction.

Alison Smith MBE is the author of several best-selling books on dressmaking. She also teaches a workshop that includes sleeves and other couture techniques at her School of Sewing. For details, see www.schoolofsewing.co.uk


London and South East

8th February

29th January

Luxe-lined leather clutch Saturday Sewing Session, Chelsea, London Get ready to glam up cocktail hour with your own handmade, fold-over, leather clutch bag with tassel decoration. A great class for an introduction to working with leather and a perfect session to build on your sewing skills. 6.30pm – 9.30pm, £45 www.saturdaysewing session.co.uk

Zip pouch and phone case Annie’s Attic, Westerham Tis workshop is a great introduction to Patchwork and Quilting. Make a gorgeous patchwork zipped pouch and phone case. You will also learn how to insert a zip and make a boxed bottom. 10am – 3pm, £45 www.anniesattic.co.uk

14th & 15th January

Sew an unlined wool coat in a weekend Raystitch, Islington Make a cosy winter coat in boiled wool. With the help of expert pattern cutter Alice, adapt your pattern and make your very own uniquely styled coat. Sat 1-6pm, Sun 11am – 5pm, £165 www.raystitch.co.uk

18th February

31st January

A-line Skirt My Sewing Club, Kent Using a commercial pattern create a simple, flattering skirt. You will be taught how to sew seams, hems and the scary zip insertion and help with fit and laying out and cutting to get a professional finish that you replicate at home in different fabrics for the coming seasons. 1 – 5pm, £28 www.thesewingclub.co.uk


3 Week Sewing Techniques Beautiful Tings, Brentwood A three-week course to teach you the techniques you need to know to sew confidently. Learn how to sew button holes, zips and bias binding. 9.30am – 12.30pm, £65 www.clairemackaness.com

18th & 25th February

Roman Blinds Sew Over It, Islington Learn how to make professional roman blinds. You will learn how to measure the window correctly, square off the fabric, fully line the blinds, attach the necessary parts to make the

blind functional and how to fit it to the window. 6.30pm – 9.30pm, £99 www.sewoverit.co.uk

24th February

Beyond Beginner Quilting Course South Downs Quilt Workshops, Storrington A course for those who have done a beginner’s quilting workshop, or know some basic patchwork techniques and want to learn more advanced techniques. Runs on alternate uesdays. 1pm – 4pm, £125 www.southdownsquilter. wordpress.com

25th or 27th February

Sewing 101 Sew Enjoyable, St Albans If you have a machine gathering dust, or had a new machine for Christmas, these sessions are great way to get you going. Sewing 101 is a set of three weekly sessions where you learn to use your machine, gain confidence and make some lovely projects at

the same time. Make a cushion cover, an apron and a very useful tote bag. Materials and refreshments included. 9.30am – 12pm, £30 www.sewenjoyable.co.uk

28th February

Sew a Dresden Pouf Te Village Haberdashery, London Make a beautiful and functional Dresden pouf in this fun one-day class! You’ll learn how to sew a dresden plate, construct a pouf and insert a zip, plus loads of tricks and techniques along the way. 10am – 5pm, £90 www.thevillagehaberdashery. co.uk

4th March

4 Patch Quilt with a Twist Stitched By You, Alton Tis quick rotary cut project will grow quickly using modern patchwork methods. You will start with a four patch block and with just a few cuts manage to change it into something new. 10am – 4pm, £60 www.stitchedbyyou.co.uk

details like inserting invisible zips and hand finishing to make this lovely vintage-inspired Dress. Five weeks, £78 lauraafermidnight.com

13th February

Getting to know your overlocker Venn School o Sewing, Cardiff You will be guided through the threading process, 2, 3 and 4 thread stitching, straight, around curves and corners, securing ends and adjusting the tensions. You will also learn about the differential eed and how to use it. 10am-4pm, £70 venntailoring.com

20th – 22nd February

Beginner's Corset Making Sew Curvy Corsets, Oxord Tis is an intense three-day course or beginners and experienced sewers who would like to start learning dip a toe into the intriguing and addictive craf o real corsetry where students will learn how to make a modern waist reducing corset based on the traditional Victorian steel-boned corset. 9am – 4.30pm, £280 www.schoolocorsetry.com South West & Wales

3rd February

1940s Tea Dress Laura Afer Midnight, Bristol Make the Sew Over It 1940s tea dress pattern. Tis course covers cutting out, making adjustments to the Pattern (i needed), sewing up and fitting as well as stitchery

13th – 14th February

Patchwork & Quilting or Beginners Exeter Sewing Machine Company, Devon Learn the basic techniques or the entire process o making a patchwork quilt. Te aim o the class is to keep it simple whilst introducing you to the wonderul world o quilting!

10am – 4pm, £75 www.exetersewing.co.uk

Midlands & East

25th February

Bedside Organiser Crafy Sew & So, Sileby Make a super-handy bedside organiser which slips on to the side o your bed to hold all your essentials. 2 – 5pm, £25.00 www.meetup.com/ Crafysewandso

Beginner’s Sewing Workshop Sewansome, Plymouth In this workshop you will learn how to set up your sewing machine, how to thread it and how to wind the bobbin. Learn about the correct needles and threads, the tension and stitch lengths. You will practice variety o basic stitches and seams, make corners and make your first project to take home with you. 10am – 1pm, £40 sewansome.co.uk

28th February

Patchwork Cushion Workshop Creative at Incanto, Bournemouth Suitable or anyone who can use a sewing machine. Learn how to dress up your home by making your own patchwork cushions. A selection o pretty vintage style and patchwork abrics can be supplied at cost or bring your own. 1.30pm – 4.45pm, £25 www.creativeatincanto.co.uk

18th February

Teddy Bear Quilt Butterfly Bright, Sherborne You will learn the patchwork block and repeat it as many times as required to complete the finished size quilt you would like. You will learn how to correctly layer and quilt the three layers, and also how to create a binding to finish the quilt. Four-week course. Weds 10am – 12pm, £55 www.butterflybright.com

31st January

7th February

Lovely Lampshades Te Sewing Caé, Leicester Tis no-sew project is a great way to update your home, in this workshop you’ll learn how to create your own drum lampshade, picking rom either a 20cm or 30cm shade and a choice o abrics rom the shop. 10am – 1pm, £45 www.thesewingcae.co.uk

18th – 20th February

Trousers – Block, Pattern and Construction UC uition, Barton-Upon-Humber Tis three-day course will help you make the perect trousers with great fit and a proessional finish. Not suitable or beginners. 10am – 4pm, £200 uctuition.co.uk

25th February

Pattern Cutting Ruth Singer Studio, Leicester In this advanced class you will learn how to make a pattern rom scratch so you can make garments that fit you perectly and design your own patterns. Five-week course on Wednesday evenings. 6pm – 9pm, £150 www.ruthsinger.com

28th February

Card wallet/purse Space to Sew, Shrewsbury Create a purse that will hold your notes, change and cards. Choose your inner and outer abric have plain abric or the card pockets, dark or the lining and bright or the outside. Mix and match to create a unique purse. 10am – 1pm, £40 www.spacetosew.co.uk


North West

28th February

31st January

Beginner’s Blackwork Jen Goodwin Embroidery, Poole, Dorset Another new design for 2015 inspired by floral motifs found within historical embroidery samplers. Tis class will introduce shading through stitches and thread thicknesses. 10am – 4pm, £37.50 www.jengoodwin embroidery.com

Curtain Making Workshop For Beginners Te Sewing Sanctuary, Tornton, Lancashire Learn how to measure a window or curtains, to cut abric and linings, sew hems and seams, and make a mitred corner. 1pm – 3.30pm, £29 www.grace-avour.co.uk

10th February

16-week Patchwork course Te Sewing Sanctuary, Tornton Over the 16 weeks you will learn how to use your patchwork tool kit and how to piece accurately. You will make 12 patchwork blocks using the templates provided each week and learn all about sashings and borders to join your blocks together to create your very own sampler quilt. 6.30pm – 8.30pm, £160.00 www.grace-avour.co.uk

17th February

Junior How to Use a Sewing machine, hal-term special Te Sewing Sanctuary,Tornton Te perect workshop or younger people – no prior experience needed. We promise them a un filled workshop and that they will leave with some amazing new skills and a stunning cushion cover. 10am – 1pm £14 www.grace-avour.co.uk

21st February

Sewing Patterns Decoded Ministry o Craf, Manchester Get advice on what sewing patterns to choose, how to take accurate measurements and how to make sense o the envelope markings. You’ll come away with all o the skills and know how you need to eel totally at home with commercial sewing patterns. 10am – 1pm, £37.50 www.ministryocraf.co.uk

21st February

Stretch Yoursel – Sew a Jersey op


21st February

Ministry o Craf, Manchester You’ll learn how to stabilise seams, by using the correct machine stitches and stabilizing tape. You’ll gain confidence in how to cut stretch abric out, lay it up and sew it correctly. You’ll also make a great top, with or without sleeves. 1pm – 5pm, £42.50 www.ministryocraf.co.uk

28th February

Reverse Appliqué with James Fox Creative Treads, Garstang Layering stitching and cutting back, reverse applique is an exciting technique using multiple layers o abric to produce colourul designs. James Fox textile artist will teach you all the tips and techniques need to enjoy this creative applique technique. 10am – 4pm, £40 www.creativethread workshops.co.uk

2nd March

Day o Zips Abakhan Fabrics, Liverpool Start with a standard zip, moving onto a lapped zip, then progressing to an open ended zip and finish off the day with a concealed zip which can be tricky but trust us - once you’ve learnt how to do it you’ll never look back.

10am – 3pm, £35 www.abakhan.co.uk Scotland & North East

28th January

Dress Fitting Shell York School o Sewing, York Tree-day make your own fitting shell course with Vogue 1004. Adapt and fit this basic body ‘dress’ shell to fit your own shape and learn how to transer these alterations to any Vogue or Butterick commercial pattern. 10am – 4pm, £275 www.yorkschoolosewing.co.uk

1st February

Bunting Mania Craf Yoursel Silly, North Shields Bunting making is a lovely way learning some basic sewing and applique skills to create something worthy or display in your house. 1.30 – 4pm, £29

Make-up Bag Red Tread Studio, Edinburgh Develop confidence in cutting abric, threading up a machine and stitching seams and corners. Learn how to insert a zip and sew in a lining. You will come away with an excellent set o sewing skills and a gorgeous makeup bag or pencil case to show off or give away. 10am – 4pm, £45 www.redthreadstudio.co.uk

21st February

Te Elisalex Dress Course Te Stitchery, Glasgow Tis our-week course centres itsel around the beautiul Elisalex Dress rom By Hand London. Te course itsel is designed or sewers with at least a basic level o dressmaking experience. Saturdays 11am – 4pm, £175 www.thestitcherystudio.com

28th February

Bag Making Craf Yoursel Silly, North Shields Learn all the basics you will need to make a handbag using lots o different abric crafing techniques to create unique bags. 1.30pm – 4pm, £35

Saturday Cushion Class Red Tread Studio, Edinburgh Come along and learn the skill o how to make an Envelope Cushion in the abric o your choice, whilst learning to sew at the same time. Develop confidence in pinning and cutting abric, threading a machine and stitching seams and corners. Suitable or complete beginners. 2pm – 5pm, £30

crafyourselsilly.com

www.redthreadstudio.co.uk

crafyourselsilly.com

8th February

Centre Front Studio is a sewing and textile studio that teaches industrial and couture techniques. Learn how to: • Sew • Pattern Cut and Drape • Construct Garments • Make soft furnishings for the home • Make accessories

1 Alexandra S treet, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, NE28 7SP www.centrefrontstudio.co.uk

Oh Sew Sweet Shop 6- 7 Fountain Parade Mapplewell, Barnsley

S75 6FW, 01226 386863 www.ohsewsweetshop.co.uk Reasons to be cheerful? * Wide range of fabrics from major manufacturers. * Excellent range of accessories, waddings & haberdashery. * Spacious workshop space for our very popular classes. * Large FREE car park & close to other shops & Tea rooms. *10 minutes from Jct 38 M1, Call in or see us online!

Better choice, Better prices Better service & Free P&P (on UK mainland orders over £20)

Need advice? phone Jerry on 01373 454448

www.craftlamps.co.uk 92


Lovely fabrics, sewing supplies, books & magazines, workshops, sewing machine sales, servicing & repairs **New online shop coming soon** www.sewmuchtodo.co.uk

7 High Street Passage, Ely, Cambs CB7 4NB 01353 664000

ADVERTISE P ADVERTISE P ADVERTISE

STYLISH SEWING

M ADE SIM PLE

To advertise please contact Noune on 0844 826 0612 or email [email protected] or Jane on 0844 826 0613 or email [email protected] ADVERTISE P ADVERTISE P ADVERTISE www.lovesewingmag.com 93

Master

Top tip

your machine

Lost your sewing machine manual? Do an online search with your make/ model and you'll probably find a downloadable version

Each machine model offers a range of features and functions, but all have these fundamental elements in common. Use this handy guide and you'll know your way around yours in no time

1

THREAD GUIDES

� wo threads make up each stitch. Te top thread from the sp ool of cotton and passes through these guides to regulate the tension of the thread before feeding it through the needle. Te second thread comes from the bobbin.

17

SPEED CONTROLLER

� A slider that sets the speed the machine will work at when the pedal is pressed, allowing control and precision when sewing. 2

REVERSE FUNCTION

3

� Use this to set the machine working in a reverse direction, to move backwards across a stitched line. Tis function is used when securing the threads at the start and end of a line of stitching.

NEEDLE AND NEEDLE CLAMP

� Te needle is removable to allow you to select from a variety of types and sizes to suit your project. Te needle is held in place by the clamp. Most machines include a tool for tightening and loosening the clamp to access the needle.

4

PRESSER FOOT

5

� Holds the fabric in place as you work. Can be removed and replaced with the type required for a specific sewing task, ie zips.

7

8

6

BOBBIN CASE

16

� Inside the removable cover is the bobbin cas e, which houses the bobbin. Te bobbin is wound with thread and provides the second thread for each stitch. 17

FEED DOGS

� Tese moving parts lie underneath the needle plate. With spiked teeth that protrude from the opening, these help to move the fabric through the ma chine.

NEEDLE PLATE

� Te metal plate directly below the needle and presser foot. Te small opening allows the thread from the bobbin to pass through while the needle enters to make the stitches. On the plate are guide markings to assist straight sewing and measuring seam allowances.


Top tip If you're struggling with the threading on a new machine, practise with red thread until you get the hang of it

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

TENSION CONTROL

TROUBLE WITH TYOUR TENSION? O Check that both the machine and bobbin are

correctly threaded. If these aren't exactly right, this can cause incorrect tension. Also check that the thread on the bobbin is wound correctly. If it's too tight or too loose, it won't feed through the machine and make even stitches. Another good tip is to use the same thread in the machi ne and the bobbin – even slightly different threads can unbalance the tension

Top tip Don't use polish to clean your machine – the chemicals and moisture may damage it. Remove any dust with a lint-free cloth

10

� Tis dial regulates the tension o the stitches by determining the speed at which the thread passes through the machine. Messy stitches, or loops o thread or knots on the right or wrong side o the abric are a common sign that the tension needs to be reset.

BOBBIN WINDER

� Winds thread rom the cotton spool onto the bobbin, ensuring that the thread is ed evenly onto the bobbin and maintains the correct tension.

11

SPOOL HOLDER

14

� Tis pin runs through the centre o a spool o thread, allowing it to eed smoothly through the machine.

SCREEN

12

� Displays the relevant inormation regarding the stitch style, width and length that has been selected.

15

13

HAND WHEEL

� Manually operates the mechanics o the machine, moving the needle up and down and engaging the eed dogs.

STITCH SELECTOR

� Allows you to select rom the different stitches on the machine and includes a menu rom which you make your selection. Te stitch is selected by moving the wheel to the correct symbol.

STITCH LENGTH AND STITCH WIDTH SELECTORS

� Use to increase or decrease the length or width o your stitch. Te shorter the stitch, the more stitches are worked across the line o sewing, making it stronger. Te width only applies to stitches where the needle moves to the lef and right, ie zigzag. For decorative stitches, the bigger the width the better.

FREE ARM

Top tip Use the little brush in your machine's care kit to give it a quick clean every time you refill the bobbin. It helps keep dust and fuzz from gathering

� Can be removed to recreate a narrower working space, which is used when sewing smaller items or inserting sleeves.

ACCESSORY DRAWER

� Use to store alternative presser ee t, spare bobbins and maintenance tools.


THE SEW NG SHOP Essex

Aldershot

AND SEW ON FABRICS • Family-run business, set within a beautiful craft centre, for all your fabric needs. Michael Miller, Dashwood studios, Riley Blake, Moda etc. Also furnishing and dressmaking fabrics.

BANBURY SEWING CENTRE 57 Parsons Street, Banbury, Oxon, OX16 5NB

Tel: 01295 262344 Email: [email protected]

Unit 12, Blake House Craft Centre, Rayne, Essex, CM77 6SH Tel: 01376 346532 www.andsewonfabrics.com

• Suppliers for sewing, knitting, craft, felting and much more. Telephone orders welcome.

Hertordshire

Haberdashery

CRAFT CORNER • Huge range of 100% cotton fabrics, polyester, felts and calico.

THE BUTTONHOLE • We stock a range of high quality dress and crafting fabrics. An extensive range of haberdashery. Crafting kits.

Phillimore Garden Centre, Cambridge Road, Melbourn, Hertfordshire, SG8 6EY Tel: 01763 268686

Needlecrafs

53 Chapel Street, Chorley, PR7 1BU Tel: 01257 260900

Cheshire

JUST SEW • A real aladdin’s cave of fabric just wa iting to be made into something gorgeous! We stock a wide range of patchwork and dress fabrics as well as haberdashery, patterns and threads.

Poets Walk, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7HJ Tel: 01768 866791 www.justsewpenrith.co.uk


BECCLES SEWING & HANDICRAFTS DRESSMAKING & CRAFT FABRICS, HABERDASHERY & CRAFT REQUIREMENTS SEWING MACHINES REPAIRS & SALES

Authorised dealer for: JANOME, BROTHER, BABYLOCK, SILVER, ELNA, SINGER, JUKI, ALFA & FRISTER+ROSSMANN. 15A, Blyburgate, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9TB 01502 714234

North Devon

STEP BY STEP • Patchwork and quilting supplies. Classes and workshops.

Open 9am - 5pm Monday to Saturday 11-12 George Arcade, South Molton, Devon, EX36 3AB, 01769 574071 www.stepbystep-quilts.co.uk

Cumbria

Lady Heyes Craft Centre, Kingsley Road, Frodsham, Cheshire, WA6 6SU Email: [email protected]

POPPY PATCHWORK • Fabric & Wadding • Haberdashery & Notions • Patterns & Books • Workshops

71 Westbury Hill, Bristol BS9 3AD Tel: 07900 927279 www.poppypatchwork.co.uk

Gubbergill, Irton, Holmrook, Cumbria CA19 1YQ Tel: 01946 724764 www.fobbles.co.uk

Saltaire, West Yorkshire

Saltaire, West Yorkshire

Fabric

• Lessons are available too.

Cumbria

Bristol

Suffolk

FOBBLES • Specialists in Patchwork, Quilting & Needlecrafts Fabrics, threads, patterns, books, magazines Variety of workshops available Tailor made retreats to suit your group Swift efficient mail order service

SEW SIMPLE • We are Quilting and Patchwork specialists offering a large range of 100% cotton fabrics and quilting accessories.

96

Haberdashery

SEW A GOOD YARN BARLEY CRAFT FABRICS • Stockists of over 500 beautiful 100% cotton poplin and craft fabrics plus quilting supplies and notions.

3 Oastler Road, Saltarie, BD18 4SE Tel: 07804 171611

Unit 101, Edgar Place The Mall - Chequers Centre Maidstone – Kent ME15 6AP Tel. 01622 688638 www.sewagoodyarn.com [email protected]

SEWBOX • Sewbox – the ultimate way to shop ‘on-line’ for your dressmaking supplies! Sewbox aims to bring together carefully selected, global ‘indie’ sewing patterns that are both modern and stylish and beautiful, exciting fabrics. In addition, the website offers a whole range of haberdashery, buttons and the convenience of matching threads, zips, interfacing etc. Liberty fabrics in stock. Beautiful fabrics & stylish patterns

www.sewbox.co.uk

Next month in ST YL I SH SEW IN G M ADE SI MP L E !

FREE Jacket pattern with every issue Quick make s

S p ri n g d re s s e s

N e w s ea s on f ab ri c s

All the latest on Te Great British Sewing Bee

ISSUE 11 ON SALE 26TH FEBRUARY 2015 All contents subject to change


30�MINUTE MAKE

I you T-shirt Project: Joanna Gosling

Joanna says:

SKILL LEVEL:

“Decorating a plain T-shirt is always a good rainy day activity – it’s un and creative, but you also get something to keep and use aferwards. It’s always satisying to wear your own creations. Stickybacked plastic is brilliant to use to make unky designs that look screen printed. We’ve gone or a Valentine’s Day theme, but you can use any moti you like”

O

MATERIALS:

O T-shirt O heart image O sticky-backed plastic O tin foil O fabric paint O sponge O craft knife

HOW TO MAKE:

� Draw or trace a heart moti onto the shiny side o the sticky-backed plastic. Keep the backing so you can keep the template later. Use a craf knie to cut out the image. � Stick the cutout onto the abric, making sure both are completely smooth. � Place the tin oil in between the ront and back o the -shirt. Tis will stop the paint leeching through to the back.

98


� Lightly sponge abric paint into the cutout area, building up a strong colour. � Leave to dry. Peel off the sticky-backed plastic careully. Stick it back onto its backing so you can use it again. � Follow the paint instructions to fix it permanently onto the abric. Usually, you have to iron over the design, with a cloth between the paint and the iron. O

Home Made Simple for Kids by Joanna Gosling is published by Kyle Books, priced £13.59, www.kylebooks.com

Lowe Sew is 102015

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