half of dress TThhee UUKK,,ss NNoo..11 sseewwiinngg mmaagg Sew your SUMMER MAXIMUM IMPACT MAXI DRESS LL How to create faced hems Sizes 4-30 LL Underlinings & interlinings explained LL Top tips for sewing on the go Sizes 8-20 Use your Sew a Vogue sophisticated pattern BLOUSE Feel-good FAUX JUMPSUIT COUTURE TIPS for curved SEWING BEE waistbands "Harry Potter ISSUE 108 UK £10.99 has nothing on Patrick & Esme!" 2 to issue 108 of Love Sewing! Meet the TEAM H ello! I am SEW excited to bring my first issue as Editor to you! Much of my sewing knowledge and inspiration has come from reading Love Sewing over the years, so it’s brilliant to now be bringing you the magazine Michelle that helped me so its pull-over style makes it the perfect dress much. I can’t wait to throw on in a hurry as you head out into EDITOR to share lots more the sunshine! Turn to page 18 to see how our Michelle loves inspiring projects, reader reviewer Ashley used appliqué to put her dressmaking, fashion fascinating reads personal stamp on her stunning version. history and celebrating and loads of sewing fabulous makers! See know-how from If you’re looking for separates, V9302 is a what she’s sewing industry experts brilliant pattern for sewing trousers that you’ll next on her Instagram: with you. wear and wear! The cropped version is ideal for stitchywhitney this time of year, whilst the longer length option What a great will provide you with the perfect pair of trousers month to start for all year round. You can also hack the pattern my role – June to make the faux jumpsuit of dreams using Ruth is the month for Brown’s clever pattern hack on page 44.   casting cooler weather aside Our indie pattern designers treat us to some Ruth and for finally gorgeous summer staples. Swish your way Pattern hack your way being able to get through summer with Crafty Sew & So’s dreamy CONSULTANT our wardrobe maxi skirt on page 60, and sew a stunning to a dream faux summer-ready. summer showstopper with Ayisha Davis’s maxi EDITOR jumpsuit on page 44 With sunny days dress on page 30. I honestly don’t know which to Ruth hopes to inspire your creativity in every just around the sew first! issue. For more sewing corner, we can antics see her Instagram enjoy putting our All this plus the expert advice and inspiration grinlowsews and visit summer sewing you need to take your sewing to the next level www.grinlowsews.com  plans into action!   with our industry experts Claire-Louise Hardie, Amy Scarr, Alison Smith MBE and Elisalex. We What could be a are also delighted to bring you an interview with better pattern for The Great British Sewing Bee contestant Mitch. kick-starting our The show is in full swing, and we are loving it! summer sewing than this month’s As always, write in with your makes and superb Vogue comments to [email protected], or IIan dress pattern? tag us on Instagram at lovesewingmag. We love V9237 is a dream hearing from you! SENIOR DESIGNER of an easy breezy When not spending time summer dress Until then, with his family, Ian is – loose-fitting enthusiastic about great with a gorgeous design and loves getting gathered back creative with the team. Sew a pretty summer panel feature; M i c h e l l e Check out more of his arty work at maxi skirt on page 60 icdartwork.etsy.com I nside this ISSUE choose from! REGULARS Includes a 15 AND FEATURES duo of 6 Love Sewing Loves 10 Interview with Sewing Bee perfect series eight contestant Mitch Bridgewater pull-over 13 Exclusive giveaway: Make at 140 dresses 18 Reader Review 24 Skill building with Amy Scarr 28 SUBSCRIBE TODAY PROJECTS 35 I nterview with Victoria Finlay, Fabric author 15 Your Vogue 9237 dress 41 Dressmaker’s diary with 2-in-1 pull-over dress Elisalex de Castro Peake 20 Your Vogue 9302 trousers 46 Fabric focus: 20% off 3-in-1 front pleat trousers Midland Textiles 30 Summer maxi dress 48 History of: Daylight 38 Japanese appliqué wall art Co Lamps 56 Thrifty Stitcher with 44 Faux jumpsuit pattern hack Claire-Louise Hardie 50 Yarn lover’s set 64 Couture sewing techniques 53 Ruffle blouse with Alison Smith MBE 68 Pattern picks FREE 61 Maxi skirt 70 Daisy pillow 70 Exclusive giveaway: Storage4Crafts 72 Donating handmade garments to charity shops Find us online Wendy Ward book when 78 Company spotlight: you subscribe Frank Nutt www.craftworld.com 80 Coming next issue Turn to page 28 to find out more 82 This month I’m making search ‘lovesewingmag’ 4 20 Editorial Editor Michelle Rowley Consultant Editor Ruth Brown 30 Chief Sub-Editor Kayleigh Hooton Sub-Editor Victoria Smith Designer Ian Danby Photographer Laura Conroy Covermount & Packaging Designer Sharon Dury Contributors Claire-Louise Hardie, Alison Smith MBE, Elisalex de Castro Peake, Amy Scarr 3 trouser Advertising Advertising account executive Noune Sarkissian noune.sarkissian@practical lengths to publishing.co.uk Publishing choose from! Head of Content Kate Heppell Group Buying & Licensing Controller Lucy Pedder Group Business Development Manager Chris Cooke Head of Product Carol Jones Head of Publishing Ruth Walker Strategy & Insights Director Dave Cusick Managing Director Danny Bowler Group Managing Director Robin Wilkinson Distribution Newstrade Seymour Distribution Ltd Tel: 0844 826 0613 Contact Practical Publishing International Ltd, Suite G2 Vitality House, 217 Wellington Road South, Stockport SK2 6NG [email protected] www.practicalpublishing.co.uk Tel: 0161 327 0440 Fax: 0161 474 6961 Subscription Enquiries Tel: 0161 327 0441 53 [email protected] Love Sewing is published by Practical Publishing International Ltd ISSN 2054-832X All material © Practical Publishing International Ltd. The style and mark of Love Sewing is used under licence from Practical Publishing International Holdings 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 38 and submissions to the magazine are sent to and accepted by the publisher on the basis of a non-exclusive transferable 70 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. Stock images provided by Shutterstock Inc CONTRIBUTORS Amy Scarr Claire-Louise Hardie Amy is here to help take your skills up to the next level with her Claire-Louise is an author, pattern designer, teacher and expert tips and tricks. Discover how to elevate your sewing with costumier. Claire-Louise teaches a range of step-by-step interlinings and underlinings on page 24 and stay up to date sewing classes online at www.thriftystitcher.co.uk and this with Amy’s latest makes at www.almondrock.co.uk month guides us through how to add faced hems. Head to page 56 to learn more! Elisalex de Castro Peake Alison Smith MBE Elisalex is a regular columnist for Love Sewing and is Awarded an MBE for her services to dressmaking, Alison is also the head of design and co-founder of By Hand an industry expert in classic couture, an author and has her London, which produces high-quality patterns available own shop and line of patterns. Join Alison on page 64 for her at www.byhandlondon.com. Turn to page 41 to discover expert tips on drafting a curved waistband. what sewing essentials are on her holiday-packing list! 5 The patterns, people, fabric and finds getting us sewing this month BBrriilllliiaanntt BBaarrggeelllloo Have you ever tried the craft of Bargello? This fun craft creates a retro vibe and can be picked up by any keen crafter. Nerrisa Pratt of The Bargello Edit has created an incredible book for those of you inspired by her beautiful creations to try something new. Add some colour to your interiors and accessories with her book Bargello, which contains 17 projects and shows you how to bring a little Bargello magic into your world. www.thebargelloedit.com Sizes 6-34 EXCITING NEW PATTERN The ISLA Wrap dress is a cool, comfortable and layer-able pattern that any seamstress will absolutely love. This dress by Jennifer Lauren Handmade is the ideal addition to your me-made wardrobe and is available in Original and Curve sizes, so there is a version for every body. The back wrap bodice gives the dress an elegant look and a 50s house-dress chicness. www.jenniferlaurenhandmade.store 6 Stacey's CORNER DREAM MACHINE The new Janome M Series offers sewists more. More Stacey Chapman is a power, more stitches and of renowned textile artist and course, more accessories. The free-motion embroidery Model M50 QDC machine expert. Every month, she comes with a huge 50 built-in will be sharing useful tips stitches, including three handy and tricks to help you buttonholes. There is no need for a pedal with this machine with Stacey achieve sewing success. See more from Stacey at its easy-to-use start/stop button, www.artseacraftsea.com which lets you sew at the touch of a button. This fantastic mid- range machine allows you to create any project you can dream of with ease and precision. Ceaseless sensory bombardment from the Find out more about this machine and the whole range at www.janome.co.uk modern world is dizzying. Stop the train – I want to get off! However, the joy of starting MADE TO MEASURE a piece of stitched artwork on a train meandering through beautiful countryside Promising the perfect fit, was wonderful for my creative mind. Hobbycraft has created the Made to Measure platform, allowing Forget the spa – this is the definition of users to submit their sizing deep relaxation in my personal dictionary. information to make personalised WiFi and screen-free breaks allow restless sewing patterns adapted to fit fingers the unfettered luxury of needle and their figure. Dressmakers are thread time. Yet, what to create? What to able to choose from hundreds ‘draw’? If deep spa-intensive relaxation is of stylish dresses, jumpers, the intention, how about you ditch any jumpsuits, jackets, skirts, tops subject? Gift yourself parameters of a hoop, and trousers. This is truly one calico and just one colour thread with giant leap for sewists everywhere. various finishes. Find out how to sign up to this For my self-imposed challenge of picture exciting new technology at free intent, I chose shiny, hand stitch skein www.hobbycraft.co.uk to find and machine polyester. I made clusters your perfect fit! of matching stitches, using each cluster CCllaassssiicc ccaappssuullee wwaarrddrroobbee twoo inusldp idreiff tehre f rnoemxt wbyh atht iIn hkaindg j uasbto duotn weh. at Working across the hoop until finished, work your holiday memories into every stitch. Have you heard about the brand- new ebook from the incredible team at Sew Over It? Switch off the screen and relax with your favourite hobby Vintage Dreaming is the latest addition to the Sew Over It Capsule Wardrobe ebook collection. It is filled with five stunning patterns (alongside 20 variations so you can make your dream vintage wear!) That’s not all. This ebook also contains essential techniques and new skills to take your sewing skills to the next level. This ebook is a must-have for any fans of the vintage style. www.sewoverit.com 7 JJooiinn tthhee ddoottss BOOK OF THE MONTH Have you ever fancied giving paper piecing a go but not sure where to start? Well, this is the book for you. The Crafty Gentleman’s Guide to Modern Paper Piecing is filled with We are joining the dots over at the Dot to Dot Studios website, handy advice about tools and materials, advice and tips, matching gorgeous fabric to exciting patterns. Check out the essential step-by-step instructions and 26 full-size templates latest arrivals from this fabulous shop, with a whole range of to cut out and stitch right away. This book has a clean strikingly beautiful fabric from Golden Geum Twill, Satin-Backed modern feel and contains seven projects, including a pillow Crêpe and Orient Empress Sateen. You will not be short of cover, a tote bag, and even a beautiful quilt design. This inspiration and can find everything you need for your next fantastic book is created by Mike Aspinall, one of the project in this amazing online shop. UK’s most popular craft bloggers. So check out his blog www.dottodotstudio.co.uk www.thecraftygentleman.net to find out more, and pick up your copy of the Crafty Gentleman’s Guide to Modern Paper Piecing from the publisher www.searchpress.com COOL COTTON If you are looking for a new fabric to create some fun makes for little ones, take a look at these exciting cotton fabrics over on Bombay Fabrics. These fabrics are great for a whole range of projects, including costumes, bunting, quilting and children’s clothes. Washable at 30°C, we love SSmmooootthh sseewwiinngg these charming prints on fabrics such as pirates, sailboats and parrots! www.bombaystoresfabrics.co.uk We all love a rotary cutter! These handy devices allow us to whip up a garment in no time. Easy to use and sharp as can be, a good rotary cutter is a perfect addition to any sewist’s sewing kit. One of our favourite cutters comes from the talented team at Clover. The Clover rotary cutter has a soft cushion handle to expertly support your hand as you glide across your fabric for speed and accuracy. There are many different sizes to choose from in this range, so take your pick! Clover products are available from www.clover-mfg.com or nationwide from all good craft, knitting and hobby shops. For stockist information, contact Clover mail: [email protected] 8 9 STITCHER’S STORY MITCH Great British Sewing Bee Contestant We chat to Sewing Bee series eight contestant Mitch Bridgewater about his rewarding time on the show 10