What’s new for Sew Me Something this month?

The month of August is full of last minute summer fun (fingers crossed for the return of the sun!) and for some of us getting ready for the new School year. So, it seemed logical to honour the last month of the summer with another gorgeous Dress Sewing Pattern and Back to School / Back to the office / Back to the gym / Accessories Sewing Projects.

Introducing The Lavinia Dress

Annette, SMS Pattern Developer.

“With staycations in mind and another heatwave on the way… we welcome Lavinia. A floaty dress perfect for the summer weather, with elegant details including shirred back and pin tucked bodice. Dressed up for a glam evening or a casual look for a country stroll. I can’t wait to make mine up in the Laundered Linen Chalky Pink Fabric‘

Purchase the pattern here.

Perfect for all seasons, this flattering dress makes a wonderful addition to your wardrobe. If you’re a Linen fan (and let’s face it, what’s not to love?!) this dress makes up beautifully in our Laundered Linen Fabric. Helen, models the dress in the gorgeous Laundered Linen Chartreuse.

The Lavinia Dress is also the perfect opportunity to show off a printed fabric pattern. We have a selection of gorgeous floral patterns in our online fabric shop at the moment including Coleman Bouquet Cotton Lawn, Midnight Rosette Cotton Lawn and Summer Splendour Cotton Lawn, Claire is modelling this fabric in the image above.

If floral isn’t your cup of tea, Festival Paisley Olive or Red, Pretoria Marlie Cotton Lawn or Casablanca Cotton Poplin are great options too.

When making up the shirring back bodice panel, remember to hand wind the shirring elastic onto the bobbin. Here’s one of our previous Technique Tuesdays with a couple of extra tips in for ‘How To Sew in Shirring Elastic’

For Shirring top tips, a troubleshoot checklist, and step by step images and descriptions, we have included a article in our Technical Library. All members of the Sewing Studio (Silk, Wool and Cotton) have access to our Sewing Skills, tips and articles. Login or register here.

To add surface interest to your plain fabrics a pin tuck detail looks lovely. Sewing a pin tuck doesn’t take long, and matching thread is amazingly forgiving of any crooked stitching or uneven pintucks.

The great news is, we have extended our size range. The Lavinia Dress is available in UK Sizes 8-34. (Misses UK Size 8-18 or Curvy 20-34) You can order a PDF or a Paper Pattern here.

If you purchase a PDF and would like your pattern printed, take advantage of our Pattern Printing Service.

Pattern Cutting Series: Drafting a Trouser Block

The fifth episode in our Pattern Cutting Series. Learn how to draft your own Trouser Block and work on getting trousers to work for you.

Our In-Depth Course accessible in the Online Sewing Studio includes two trouser blocks, the basic trouser block and the close fitting trouser block – both created in the same way.

Watch Jules as she guides you through step-by-step from Lesson One to Lesson Five.

• Trouser Block Measurements
• Drafting The Front Trouser Block
• Drafting The Back Trouser Block
• Trouser Back Crotch Ease
• Trueing Up The Pattern

Pause, Stop and Rewind each lesson and sew at your own pace.

Do you have a Silk Membership to our Online Sewing Studio? Access the Pattern Cutting Series here. Not yet a member? Learn more about the benefits here.

New Projects for August

Both Silk and Cotton Sewing Studio Memberships are able to access our projects section. Each month we update The Sewing Studio with quick and easy makes, perfect to rekindle your Sewing mo-jo or to keep your busy on an afternoon.

Interested in joining? Sign up here.

Adults Drawstring Bag

Great for a beginner sewing project! This is an ideal practical bag for keeping all your bits and bobs in, to hit the gym, a walk with friends or family or to take out and about.

Finished bag size: 35cm large x 50cm height

Make sure you’re prepared with a drawstring bag… access the project in The Sewing Studio.

Drawstring Swim Bag

A top pick for all the swimmers out there. This practical drawstring bag is ideal for carrying swim kit. 

Finished bag size: 35cm large x 50cm height

September will be here before we know it and the new term will soon be upon us, personalise the swim bag and send the kids back to School with a new drawstring bag to carry their kit … find this project in The Sewing Studio.

Fabric Wristlet Key Fob

This quick and easy sewing project will save you searching for your keys, they are much easier to find on a colour strap! Keeping your keys round your wrist when carrying a million and one things is a lifesaver. Also makes a great little gift or a back to school item for the kids.

Login to your Sewing Studio account to access the project. Or Sign up for a membership here.

Quilted Pencil Case

Perfect for keeping your pens and pencils in. I’m like a kid in a sweet shop when it comes to new stationary, you can never have too many highlighters!

Choose a cotton fabric to suit your personality, download the pattern and get started on this project. It also makes a great ‘back to school’ gift or a little gift for a friend.

All of our projects featured in the Sewing Studio include photographs to make it as easy as possible to follow. Head to the projects section here.

Happy Sewing x