Table of contents for Issue 124 in Simply Sewing

With the summer in full swing, there’s never been a better time to don your brightest prints and spread positive vibes through your me-made wardrobe! From midi ruffle dresses (the High Street trend for Summer 2024) to easy-sew boxy summer tops and beach cover-ups you can throw over anything, we’ve got you set for the season. If you’re short on time over the holidays there’s heaps of small projects to pick up between work, day trips, childcare and social engagements. Transform a plain tee into a summer top with a simple macramé technique, personalise a straw beach bag with yarn and refashion a pinstripe shirt into a bow-front crop top. Whatever you sew, don’t forget to share your makes with us on social media using #simplysewingmag WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING #SIMPLYSEWINGMAG facebook.com/simplysewingmagazine twitter.com/simplysewing_…

QUILTED JACKETS Jump on the trend and sew your own patchwork jacket – the easy way! There are two patchwork variations for one coat pattern in 16 sizes. The ‘bog coat’ construction keeps it simple, starting with a quilted panel with a few snips and folds to whip it into shape. Start simple and mix basic squares to create the cheeriest colour-block quilt coat or combine checker board squares with super-sized HSTs to make a bold, starry jacket. Get the pattern in issue 140 of Love Patchwork and Quilting. ourmediashop.com TOP IT OFF WITH TAIMI! A must-have pattern - the New Taimi Top which also comes with a dress option. Taimi is a simple sewing pattern and both variations feature a voluminous, gathered hem, and a round neckline and armholes…

sewing this easy-to-make and easy-to-wear beach cover up is can be made as a boxy top or an elasticated-waist dress. Either option will fill you with joy when you throw it on in the sunshine! Go for cool breezy fabrics like ours for staple wardrobe favourites. Turn to page 30 to get 10% off at lamazifabrics.com and share your makes with us @SimplySewingMag. YOU WILL NEED ■ Version A All sizes: 3.5mx145cm fabric■ Version B All sizes: 2.5mx145cm fabric■ 3m optional fringing trim (Version B)■ 1.5cm wide elastic - 5cm longer that waist measurement (Version A)■ Matching thread■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowances are 1.5cm, unless otherwise stated.■ Hems are 3cm.■ Sleeve hems are 1.5cm. FABRIC SUGGESTIONS ■ Lightweight drapey woven fabrics such as chiffon, georgette, voile, cheesecloth,…

Looking for a satisfying easy make that will give you lots of wear over the summer months? The Sali Dress (UK sizes 6-30) is a loose-fitting smock-style dress with elasticated sleeves, frilled hem and two lengths. She's our fave for 2024! Shop more at simplysewingpatterns.etsy.com YOU WILL NEED ■ Dress A: sizes 6-20 - 2.8mx140cm, sizes 22-30 - 3mx140cm■ Dress B: sizes 6-20 - 2.4mx140cm, sizes 22-30 - 2.9mx140cm■ Lightweight iron-on interfacing: 30x90cm■ Zip: 56cm■ Narrow elastic: 1m■ Matching thread■ Basic sewing kit FABRIC SUGGESTIONS ■ Lightweight drapey fabrics such as Tencel, viscose, fine soft cottons and silk. FABRIC USED ■ Option A (longer): My Dress Made − Candy Pop Viscose Crepe Fabric, lamazifabrics.com■ Option B (shorter): Lise Tailor − Laines Viscose Fabric, lamazifabrics.com NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1.5cm.■…

LET IT SHINE! Handpaint and sew your own lovely pouch − perfect to store your shades in. New Craft House show you how SUNGLASSES CASE YOU WILL NEED ■ Leatherette fabric■ Pencil■ Thread■ Gold leather paint■ Thin paint brush■ Sewing machine■ Leather punch■ Round head screw stud MEASURING UP Step one Place your sunglasses on the wrong side of the fabric and draw a large rectangle shape around them. Step two Add a rectangle the same size along the long edge. Step three then a semi-circle on the other long edge to create the flap. CUTTING OUT Step one Cut around your shape. MAKING THE CASE Step one Paint simple triangle outlines onto the leather and leave to dry. Step two With right sides together, fold one rectangle over the…

YOU WILL NEED ■ 10 x Fat quarters of quilting cotton■ 4m Bias binding■ Point turner■ Matching thread■ Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED ■ Fat quarters from Heirloom by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics. NOTES ■ Download the template from gathered.how/ss-templates ■ This will make 4m of bunting, but you can add more by making more flags and using more bias binding. ■ If using a directional print, consider the orientation of the flag, once it has been sewn. CUTTING OUT Step one Download and print the template. Step two Place the template on the fold of your fabric and cut out the shape. You should be able to cut out two flags from each fat quarter. 01 STITCH THE FLAGS Step one With right sides (RS) together, pin…

SHELL TOY PAGE 69 ACTUAL SIZE PAGE 69 ACTUAL SIZE PAGE 69 ACTUAL SIZE PAGE 69 ACTUAL SIZE All templates are available to download from gathered.how. Scan the code to go straight to the templates page! Thank you for making these projects from Simply Sewing. The copyright for these templates belongs to the designer of the project. They work hard to create projects for you to enjoy, so please don’t re-sell or distribute their work without permission. Please do not make any part of the templates or instructions available to others through your website or a third party, or copy it multiple times without our permission. Copyright law protects creative work and unauthorised copying is illegal. We appreciate your help.…

DRESS A DRESS B PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheet x 2 (Tracing required)■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED Fabric: ■ Dress A: sizes 6-20 - 2.8mx140cm, sizes 22-30 - 3mx140cm■ Dress B: sizes 6-20 - 2.4mx140cm, sizes 22-30 - 2.9mx140cm■ Lightweight iron-on interfacing: 30x90cm■ Zip: 56cm■ Narrow elastic: 1m■ Matching thread■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowance is 1.5cm.■ Please note that this dress can only be made from 140cm wide fabric due to the width of the frill. FINISHED LENGTH ■ Dress A: Approximately 117cm■ Dress B: Approximately 107cm FABRIC SUGGESTIONS ■ Lightweight drapey fabrics such as Tencel, viscose, fine soft cottons and silk. Shop more of our Simply Sewing patterns in our online shop at simplysewingpatterns.etsy.com BODY MEASUREMENTS WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING © Printed in the UK for Simply Sewing. Designed…

PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheet x 1 ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric A: 1m medium weight cotton canvas fabric ■ Fabric B: 20x40cm medium weight cotton canvas fabric ■ Medium weight interfacing: 50cm x 1m ■ 30mm wide cotton webbing: 3m ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ This bag uses the same fabric for the lining and the outer, however, you could make yours with a contrast cotton lining. ■ If you are using a very stiff canvas, or for a less structured bag, you can omit the interfacing. ■ The seam allowance is 1cm, unless otherwise instructed. RECOMMENDED FABRIC ■ Main fabric: Medium to heavy weight fabrics such as canvas, corduroy, waxed cotton WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING © Printed in the UK for Simply Sewing. Design…

It's the summer holidays, the sun is finally out, and I'm fully embracing all the colours and patterns on offer! The Sali Dress (p28) is the perfect seasonal sew − echoing the midi ruffle dress silhouettes we've seen all over the High Street. We've got all the holiday essentials covered with tutorials for a bucket hat (p65), beach cover up (p20), and picnic mat (p49). Plus, our expert sewing pals Patrick Grant and Claire-Louise Hardie share tips for sewing the perfect Savile Row shirt (p34) and cloned camisole top (p59) − thanks both! Right, I'm off to pack the camping gear for our annual family trip to the coast. Wish me luck!…

Nothing quite completes an outfit like a big statement bag − and this one is perfect for the summer holidays! The last installment in our Capsule Wardrobe pattern collection (see more at gathered.how) this is as stylish as it is practical − with a front pocket and lots of storage space inside. You won't want to leave the house (or hotel!) without it. We lined our Sicily Bag with the same fabric as the outer fabric, but you could easily go for a bold print and make a vibrant design to stand out from the crowds. We're thinking lemon print? #simplysewingcapsule…

A GOOD READ Ever wondered what exactly goes on behind Savile Row’s elegant store fronts? Thanks to the Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant we can now find out. The owner of Savile Row house Norton & Sons, Patrick has created this new, beautifully illustrated guide (below) to the art of bespoke tailoring: the people, the fabric, the history and − crucially for people who love to sew − the secrets behind how the garments themselves are made. “ I drew very bad illustrations and then the illustrator redrew them!" The Savile Row Suit is more than just a lovely-looking coffee table book: fascinating chapters on craft and cloth are interspersed with practical interludes explaining how to make your very own tailored garments. Instructions on how to create a Savile…

A GOOD READ You may have heard of the 10,000 hours theory. It's that if you do something over and over for that length of time, you'll almost inevitably become a pro. Well, as well as natural talent, three decades of dedication to sewing has given Claire-Louise Hardie expert status and a whole wealth of knowledge… Claire-Louise, aka The Thrifty Stitcher (thethriftystitcher.co.uk) is a former Sewing Producer for The Great British Sewing Bee. As well as soaking up skills during her time behind-the-scenes on the hit BBC show, she now works in the wardrobe team for ITV's Good Morning Britain. Plus, she has gathered a range of impressive techniques by working in an array of places around the world. "I REALLY GOT TO SEE HOW JAPANESE CREW DID THE SAME…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Fabric A: 0.5mx112cm – Outer and Brim■ Fabric B: 50x50cm – Lining■ Vlieseline M12 medium weight sew-in interlining: 0.5m■ 25mm cotton bias binding – 58cm (for Small), or 60cm (for Medium), or 62cm (for Large)■ Matching thread■ Basic sewing kit FABRIC USED ■ Dashwood Studios Night Jungle prints – Outers■ Kona Solids, Limelight and Candy Pink – Lining■ Vlieseline products supplied by vlieseline.com NOTES ■ Download the template from gathered.how/ss-templates■ Use a 1cm seam allowance.■ Templates include seam allowance.■ Pay attention to fabric placement if your fabric is directional.■ Fabric is cut on the horizontal fold for all templates apart from the hat top.■ Use a walking foot if you have one, to help sew through thick layers.■ Our hat comes in three sizes: Small 56cm,…

HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF ACCURATELY ALWAYS MEASURE YOURSELF BEFORE you choose a pattern size to cut out. The sizes do vary greatly from pattern to pattern, so it’s always best to measure yourself accurately and then refer to the pattern’s size chart to find your size. The chart will usually be printed on the pattern envelope or on the instructions inside. Measure yourself in your underwear and preferably in the bra you’ll be wearing underneath your garment as this can alter the measurements slightly. Use a fabric tape measure as it’ll curve around your body well for accuracy. You can measure on your own if you stand in front of a mirror, but, for best results, ask a friend to help so they can check the tape measure is sitting…

PATRICK GRANT Patrick is a Scottish clothier, businessman and television personality − famed for being a judge on The Great British Sewing Bee. Find out what Patrick has to say about his latest book Savile Row Suit. Find out more on page 34. LIANA GILLOTT Liana was born and brought in the republic of Georgia. After graduating she studied marketing in the UK and worked as a Consumer Insights Director for 15 years, before establishing Lamazi Fabrics with her husband James. Read more on page 22. MAX HEDINGTON Max started sewing 4 years ago when his then partner started running an upholstery business (he wanted to find a use for all the excess fabrics!) − now he enjoys sewing clothes for loved ones and himself. See his favourite make on…

LAYER UP This pattern not only makes a sheer shirt-dress, but a comfy tank dress to wear underneath for a full outfit in one hit MADE FOR SHEERS This casual shirt-dress is specifically designed to be made in sheer fabrics such as chiffon, voile, and organza OUI, OUI French seams keep the lines of this dress looking neat from any angle ME2026 SHIRT-DRESS AND TANK This fun design from Know Me patterns creates an oversized button-front dress with smart French seams, and a stylish high-low hem. Designed to be made in sheer fabrics including chiffon, it also features an optional contrast banded edging, and a comfy knit tank dress that can be worn underneath. sewdirect.com PATTERN INSPIRATION Lean in to sheers with our pick of the best chiffon-friendly patterns on…

DRAFT YOUR OWN! YOU WILL NEED ■ Main fabric: 4m of 140-150cm wide fabric■ Matching thread■ Basic sewing kit FABRICS RECOMMENDED ■ Lightweight woven fabrics with a good drape, such as viscose, silk, satin, crepe FABRIC USED ■ Neon Bloom Rayon in Jade by Dashwood Studio. Supplied by Anbo Textiles, anbo.co.uk NOTES ■ Seam allowance: 1.5cm for dress and 1cm for neck and waist ties■ Hem: 2.5cm■ This dress is cut on the bias so check prints work on diagonal CREATING THE PATTERN Step one For Dress Front, cut the top edge of your fabric so that it is completely straight. Measure the width (eg. 145cm). Step two Taking one corner, turn the fabric so that it is on the bias. The triangular point at the top will be the…

THRIFTY MAKESREFASHION YOU WILL NEED ■ Classic “business” shirt in a mid weight cotton shirting■ Flat elastic (we used 6mm & 3mm wide)■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Instructions given are for the classic business style of shirt used. Bear in mind slim fit, short sleeve and smaller sized shirts will yield less fabric to play with. Depending on the size of the finished top you want to make, and how long you want the body and ties, you may need to combine with fabric from a second source (such as another shirt) to achieve your desired top. PREPARATION Step one Start by establishing the length and circumference of the “tube” that will form the foundation of your top. I’ve marked the top and bottom of the area I want…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Basic tool kit ■ A well-fitting camisole top ■ Fabric for a toile (muslin) ■ Fabric for your final cloned version ■ Lining fabric ■ Interfacing ■ Lingerie strap adjusters if your cami has those ■ Matching thread NOTES: ■ It’s important to work on the same side/half of the garment while you clone, so that you can easily align side seams when you need to true up and walk the seamlines on your pattern. FABRIC QUANTITY This UK size 14 (US size 10) cami top used 0.75m (⅞yd) of main fabric 150cm (60in) wide and used 0.75m (⅞yd) of lining fabric. CLONING METHODS USED Direct Measuring; Tracing PATTERN PIECE INVENTORY 1 x cami front 1 x cami back 1 x long strap 1 x short…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Ivory dimple cuddle plush fabric: 78x50cm■ Ivory smooth cuddle plush fabric: 40x50cm■ Pink smooth cuddle plush: 65x30cm■ Thick quilt wadding: 80x35cm■ Thin quilt wadding: 80x40cm■ Polyester toy filling: 100g■ Black stranded cotton■ Pink stranded cotton■ Long doll making needle■ Basic sewing kit FABRICS USED ■ Cuddle plush in Dimple Ivory, Smooth Ivory and Smooth Coral, all by Shannon Fabrics. NOTES ■ Download the template from gathered.how/ss-templates■ Fabric measurements are W x H.■ Templates include seam allowances.■ Use 6mm seam allowances throughout unless otherwise indicated.■ Arrows on the templates indicate direction of plush fabric pile.■ Fasten off at the beginning and end of stitching, unless otherwise indicated.■ Remove tacking stitches after sewing.■ Finished size approximately 16cm tall with pearl inside. CUTTING OUT Step one Download and print the templates. Step…

MY FAVOURITE THING I grew up in South Africa and was one of the first boys to take sewing and typing as subjects in an ultra conservative society. We had to make place mats on old Singers and I remember being relaxed and hyper focussed while pinning, stitching and pressing them. This was probably the root of my obsession with straight lines and crisply-pressed seams! After school I had decided that I loved maps and launched my career at the largest mapping company in South Africa. I started as a typesetter and finally, years later, became a Senior GIS specialist, replacing the sewing machine with a computer and the needle with a mouse. I’ve now been a GIS Specialist for over 20 years. As the pandemic hit, my then-partner bought…

VERSION A VERSION B PACK INCLUDES ■ Pattern sheet x 2 (Tracing required) ■ Instruction sheet YOU WILL NEED ■ Version A All sizes: 3.5mx145cm fabric ■ Version B All sizes: 2.5mx145cm fabric ■ 3m fringing trim (Version B) ■ 1.5cm wide elastic - 5cm longer that waist measurement (Version A) ■ Matching thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES ■ Seam allowances are 1.5cm, unless otherwise stated. ■ Hems are 3cm. ■ Sleeve hems are 1.5cm. FABRIC SUGGESTIONS ■ Lightweight drapey woven fabrics such as chiffon, georgette, voile, cheesecloth, double gauze or viscose. Shop more of our Simply Sewing patterns in our online shop at simplysewingpatterns. etsy.com BODY MEASUREMENTS WWW.GATHERED.HOW/SIMPLYSEWING © Printed in the UK for Simply Sewing. Designed by Becky Perry (Pattern Paper Scissors); illustrations by Terry Evans for…