What’s New For Sew Me Something This Month?
Ah November, what a beautiful sight it is! As the day shortens and the leaves change colour, things couldn’t get any cosier. The end of last month was all about spooky treats and pumpkin carving needless to say, but as December creeps up so does…(dare we say it) Christmas. It seems to have been one of the quickest months here at SMS, to be honest it’s getting bit scary how close the New Year is. Our yearly plan has been set in motion and we are ready to go. While our team grows with new apprentices, we are more prepared for the chaos of the festive season than ever. Let the celebrations begin.
Introducing the Cleo Jumpsuit
I know what you’re thinking, am I going to struggle taking it off to go to the toilet? Short answer no, and anyway we will all be layering due to the temperature drop, so no topless toilet trips. Yay!
Featuring a v neckline, wrap over back bodice plus pockets and gathered in with a sash belt, this garment is the definition of classy and stylish. You will easily enjoy making Cleo for all occasions. Dinner party, check, morning walk, check, work outfit, check, need I go on? Buy the sewing pattern here.
This one is especially perfect for any linen lovers out there, here are some fabrics we recommend for this sewing pattern:
–Laundered linen hunters green
-Calico days lavender cotton jersey
–Sprinkled peonies cotton jersey
–Red and pink stripe cotton jersey
–North Star serene cotton jersey
As always, Christmas will be here before we know it. If you’re ready to get in the Christmas spirit, we do have a collection of Christmas fabrics which all would look lovely and festive made up in the Cleo Jumpsuit.
–Defoliage Spice Cotton
-Winterberry Spice Cotton
-Let It Glow Cotton
-Tree Farm Lit Cotton
You can view our full range of fabrics, available to buy online here.
This is another of our recent sewing patterns (and all future patterns) that is available in two size ranges. Misses UK 6-20 and Curvy 20-34. If you’d like to sew the Cleo Jumpsuit… buy the Paper or PDF sewing pattern here.
Learn to sew the Cleo Jumpsuit
Wanting a step-by-step guide to help you make this garment? No problem. Our in depth online sewing courses are there to support you with your sewing. They provide you the ability to sew along, pause, rewind and fast forward as much as you need to, sewing at your own pace in the comfort of your own sewing space.
To get started on your Cleo Jumpsuit, sign up to our Sewing Studio or if you are already a member you can head to your account and start watching now.
Becoming a Silk Sewing Studio Member gives you unlimited access to all in-depth online sewing courses and you are able to download the PDF sewing pattern for each course for free.
The 8 easy to follow lessons to make your Cleo Jumpsuit Sewing Pattern include:
-Suitable fabrics
-Supplies needed
-A little bit of prep
-Making up the bodice , neckline and facing
-Side seams and armholes
-Making up the trousers
-Joining the bodice and trousers
-Hems
Find out more about the In-Depth Online Sewing Courses in the Sewing Studio here.
Sewing Project: How To Make A Clutch Bag
Who doesn’t love a compact clutch that easily accommodates all of your essentials? Dress it up or down with your choice of fabric and style it day or night.
For this project you’ll need:
Embroidery Thread
1/4m Main Fabric
1/4m Lining
1/2m Interfacing
Magnetic Purse Clasp
Download the Clutch Bag Pattern and Clutch Bag Embroidery Template here, and follow along to our step-by-step photo sewing tutorial.
Pattern Cutting Series: Sleeve Adaptations
As we continue The Pattern Cutting Series, this months edition features a Kimono sleeve, a Dolman sleeve and a Raglan sleeve, all designed to give you total creative freedom when adapting your garments.
You may be sat there like ‘what on earth is a kimono sleeve?’;
Well it’s effectively a grown on sleeve as there is no armhole seam, the sleeve is actually part of the bodice. The underarm of the seam is lowered for ease of movement. But you can angle the shoulder and the shoulder and underarm seams to create a narrower cuff or for different style ideas.
Or ‘I’ve never heard of a Dolman Sleeve before, what is it?’;
The Dolman Sleeve is a lovely adaptation to use on loose easy fitting garments such as sweatshirts or loungewear tops. It’s a sleeve that is very wide at the top of the arm and narrows towards the wrist or elbow, cut in one piece with the body of the garment.
Or even ‘what is a Raglan sleeve?’
The Raglan adaptation moves the armhole seam from the shoulder in to the neckline. So the armhole seam separates and both the front and back sides of the seam slant off towards the neckline. This adaptation works really well on both structured and easy fitting garments.
Helpful? If you’d like to learn more about these sleeves and follow along to the step-by-step videos. Head to Part 8 of our pattern cutting series.
To access the Pattern Cutting Series so far, including Sleeve Adaptations, visit our Sewing Studio here.
Sewing Skills and Techniques: Zips
How To Attach a Dress Zip
Sometimes even the simple things can be a bit tricky, especially zips. Now in the Sewing Studio, as part of the sewing techniques, Claire talks through everything you need to know to fit a centred zip.
What is a centred zip? I hear you say, well this zip is most commonly found in the centre back seam of dresses and skirts. It was a method widely used before the invention of the concealed zip, and is the simplest of the zips, a good one to start with if you’re a beginner and new to sewing. It perhaps is the most traditional method of inserting a zip.
If you’re looking for extra support on how to attach a dress zip, head over to the Sewing Studio.
Sewing Project, Christmas Table Runner and Placemat
Bring the festive spirit to your dinner table this year with this beautiful, handmade, quilted decor.
You will learn how to make 4 at a time flying geese blocks, which are then made into a saw tooth star block. We made 5 star blocks to make our table runner but you can add or reduce the blocks to make the runner longer or shorter.
Finished measurements for each mat: 13 ½ inch x 11 ¼ inch (34.5cm x 29cm)
Seam allowance is ¼ inch (or 6mm)
Finished measurements for table runner: 56 ½ inch x 11 ½ inch (143cm x 29cm)
Seam allowance is ¼ inch (or 6mm)
We used our craft cotton as below
Colour A:
Snow Crystals Ash Cotton
Colour B:
Aurus Cotton
Colour C:
Tree Farm Lit Cotton
Colour D:
Gentle Feather Cotton
Get your fabrics ready and follow the step-by-step photo tutorial found in the Sewing Studio, please share your handmade creations we love seeing them!
Want to access over 50 Sewing Projects? Sign up here.
What’s coming up next month?
Next month is a busy one here at SMS, it’s all hands on deck to get your orders out before Christmas. More information will be confirmed in relation to last order dates and such so keep your eyes peeled.
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