Sew Reporter May Week 4 | Edition 13

So what's been happening this week in the world of sewing? I know how busy I get trying to fit everything in each week and I use my time at the weekend to catch up on what's been happening all-things-sewing-wise. This got me thinking that a quick summary of what's going on would be really useful to read with your brunch over the weekend. Save all that searching and scrolling through blog posts, cherry pick what you want to read in the time you have!


What have the bloggers been posting?


Tilly at Tilly and the Buttons posts a tutorial on how to make party ring pattern weights. What Katie Sews makes three Ilsley skirts. Lauren at Guthrie and Ghani posts about the Sewaholic Alma blouse in Pattern Club review plus the last in the very useful Simple Sleeveless top blog series - adding in a button band tutorial.  Fiona at Diary of a Chainstitcher makes two Emmeline tees. Coletterie announce giveaway winner and photo round-up of makes plus free pattern hack: shaped hem Mabel. 

This week I posted my entry to the #SimplicityBloggerChallenge, drafting a modern block coloured centre panel for the NewLook 6145 shift dress pattern, giving a more a-line shape. You can download the extra pattern piece needed for free here. From Marie at A Stitching Odyssey it's Fabric Friday #3 Crushed, textured silk . Rachel at House of Pinheiro makes Vogue 7385. Heather at Closet Case Files posts the results of the smuggler's daughter giveaway and how to monetise your blog as part of the Make Boss series. GingerMakes makes Papercut pattern Guise pants.

At By Hand London its french seaming a curve as part of nerdy sewing tips. From Jane at Handmade Jane it's a seven fold tie. Randomly Happy posts the third week of her Me-Made-May'15 round up and trip to Italy. Lladybird makes Ikat maritime shorts and Brumby skirt. Charlotte at English Girl at Home has been busy this week and has made Branson top with homemade Espadrilles, paprika dyed Onyx skirt and some detailed information from fabric companies about their production as part of #FASHREV.

Zoe at 'So, Zo ...' posts a round up for Me-Made-May'15. Roisin at Dolly Clackett wears Andi Satterlund cardigan with By Hand London Kim dress. Lucky Lucille posts a free 2015 desktop wallpaper calendar, credit card art and a modified Butterick B6094. Scruffy Badger makes a Mexican dress, round up of week 2 of Me-Made-May'15, elasticated waist skirt tutorial and #SimplicityBloggerChallenge entry with a Hawaiian purple haze hack of the NewLook 6145 dress. 

AlmondRocks makes a Cambie dress and colour block top with vintage pattern. At Grainline Studios Jen knits a stone lake sweater and announces the Morris Blazer sew along. Did you make that? shares her holiday wardrobe. My Oh Sew Vintage Life makes a memory board. The Little Tailoress makes a Colette Hawthorn maternity hack.


Shops and businesses

Last day to get 20% off all sewing classes at Sew Over It. Plus they are featured in this month's Simply Sewing magazine and have tips for beginner sewers in HomeStyle. Enter #SOIshowoff today to win 2m of fabric.

At The Sewing Directory, Fiona posts great guides on which machine needles to use, designing and printing fabric in the UK and low volume fabrics.  Last week I featured the new Merchant and Mills book in forthcoming book releases, Fiona has teamed up with publishers Pavilion Craft to give away 5 copies!

Alice at Backstitch interviews Liesl Gibson for 'From where I sew', who designs Oliver + S, Lisette and Liesl + Co patterns. On Facebook you may have seen that Alice is expanding so there will be more space for classes. Plus a massive sale!

Annie at The Village Haberdashery now stocks Japanese fabrics, Colette Aster blouse, Gardenvale by Jen Kingwell and Nani Iro 2015. Posts Two truths and a lie feature with Kim Knight and lovely things customers have made #tvhhaul. Plus last chance to stock up on Kona solids at £8/m and a new sale!

Josie at Fabric Godmother now stocks some cool zigzag and zebra prints!

Books


Bias-cut dressmaking by Gillian Holman on 11th June.

Love to sew: Christmas stockings by Rachael Rowe on 8th June.

She wears the pants: patterns for an urban-edge by Yuko Takada on 10th June.

Secret Garden Embroidery by Sophie Simpson on 11th June.

Merchant and Mills Workbook of sewing patterns by Merchant Mills out now.


Events

Design studio fabric sale, Pitchouguina Studio, East London, 5th and 6th June.

Springfields Quilt show, Spalding from 5th - 6th June.

Fashion on the Ration continues at the Imperial War Museum, 5th March - 31st August.

Alexandra McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition continues at the V&A Museum, 14th March - 2nd August.

Riviera Style, Resort and Swimwear since 1900 at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London 22nd May - 30th August.

Nautical Chic by Amber Jane Butchart at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London 22nd May - 30th August.

Rayne Shoes for stars at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London 22nd May - 30th August.

Shoes: Pleasure and Pain at the V&A Museum, London 13th June - 31st January.

Patterns


Sylvie Dress by Christina Haynes

Mona biker jacket by Wear Lemonade

Fiona at Diary of a Chainstitcher has a new great round up of the latest pattern releases in April.

Here are some Pins from this week. Tag events or blogs that you've discovered this week with #sewreporter

Twitter @brodrickstudio
facebook.com/theBrodrickDesignStudio
Instagram @thebrodrickdesignstudio
Pinterest.com/brodrickstudio

Let me know if there is anything else you would like to see featured ... have a lovely weekend x

Sew Reporter May week 3 | Edition 12

So what's been happening this week in the world of sewing? I know how busy I get trying to fit everything in each week and I use my time at the weekend to catch up on what's been happening all-things-sewing-wise. This got me thinking that a quick summary of what's going on would be really useful to read with your brunch over the weekend. Save all that searching and scrolling through blog posts, cherry pick what you want to read in the time you have!


What have the bloggers been posting?


Tilly at Tilly and the Buttons posts a tutorial on making an ironing board cover. What Katie Sews makes a self drafted dress. Lauren at Guthrie and Ghani reviews transparent sewing thread and fray check plus the next tutorial in the simple sleeveless top blog series - adding in pin tucks.  Fiona at Diary of a Chainstitcher makes a denim McCalls 6696 shirtdress. At the Coletterie there is a post on how to make an elastic waisted Mabel Skirt, the Aster blouse is released plus Seamworks giveaway winner and photo round-up. 

This week I had my latest  #SewingCityGuide for Norwich posted on the Sewing Directory website. Marie at A Stitching Odyssey makes a 1920s Kimono Robe for #vintagepledge, posts a tutorial on matching up your waistline either side of a zip and #FabricFriday. Rachel at House of Pinheiro posts about the Indiesew summer collection blog tour. Heather at Closet Case Files posts What's Doing vol. 45 and off the shoulder Nettie dress tutorial. Kestrel Makes posts a stash interview with Carol Ferraro for #vintagepledge and announces the vintage pattern parcel winner. GingerMakes makes Fehr Trade Steeplechase leggings.

At By Hand London its the world of pleats. Jane at Handmade Jane makes a Simplicity 4238 top. Randomly Happy posts the second week of her handmade wardrobe for Me-Made-May'15 and a knit Morris blazer. Lladybird makes a B5526 shirt and ginger jeans plus Burdastyle Alison Swimsuit. Charlotte at English Girl at Home posts the next update in the naturally dyed wardrobe series with turmeric.

Zoe at 'So, Zo ...' posts a round up of Me-Made-May'15 days 14 - 20, Me-Made-May'15 Tilly and the Buttons giveaway plus a Where's Wally? Dolores Batwing top. Roisin at Dolly Clackett makes a modified By Hand London Flora dress. Lucky Lucille posts her beautiful block printed repeat pattern project and a Hollyburn Broken Arrows skirt. At Dixie DIY the Bonnell Dress is released. Scruffy Badger makes a scuba circle skirt and tropical reef running shorts. AlmondRocks makes a vintage jacket from 1969. At Grainline Studios Jen knits three hats. SewCaroline posts a Memorial Day sale on patterns, with free shipping and 40% off.


Shops and businesses

20% off all sewing classes at Sew Over It throughout May. Plus there are fabric and pattern suggestions for summer sewing.

At The Sewing Directory, Fiona posts a tutorial on how to make a scatter cushion with button opening and really useful posts on sewing for charity and the top 10 sewing books. Enter and win precuts from Secret Garden Quilting.

Alice at Backstitch now stocks the Aster blouse from Colette patterns, the Camas Blouse from Thread Story Designs and three Megan Nielsen patterns. Plus a massive sale!

Annie at The Village Haberdashery now stocks Reel Time by Zen Chic and the Morris Blazer and Moss skirt by Grainline Studios, plus there are posts on getting to know Sew Liberated, the Quilt Market Spring 2015 and Kona matching with Fragments by Dear Stella.

Eternal Maker is having a Bank holiday weekend sale with 15% off.

Books

Merchant and Mills Workbook of sewing patterns by Merchant Mills.

DIY wardrobe makeovers by Suzannah Stanley.

The encyclopaedia of Curtains by Catherine Merrick et al. 

Quiltmaking Essentials 2 by Donna Thomas.

Events

Me-Made-May'15 #mmmay'15 running throughout May.

Springfields Quilt show, Spalding from 5th - 6th June.

Dressmaking competition at Simplicity. They are searching for a Star Sewist, with three categories being judged including beginners, vintage and best dress. If you email them your details they will send you a pattern of your choice. Submissions by 31st May. Lauren from Guthrie and Ghani is one of the judges!

Fashion on the Ration continues at the Imperial War Museum, 5th March - 31st August.

Alexandra McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition continues at the V&A Museum, 14th March - 2nd August.

Riviera Style, Resort and Swimwear since 1900 at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London 22nd May - 30th August.

Nautical Chic by Amber Jane Butchart at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London 22nd May - 30th August.

Rayne Shoes for stars at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London 22nd May - 30th August.

Shoes: Pleasure and Pain at the V&A Museum, London 13th June - 31st January.

Patterns


Aster blouse by Colette patterns.

Bonnell Dress by Dixie DIY.

In paper patterns the Finlayson Sweater, Jutland Pants and Camas Blouse by Thread Theory Designs inc.

Print patterns now available for Brumby skirt, Darling ranges dress and Tania Culottes by Megan Nielsen.

Fiona at Diary of a Chainstitcher has a new great round up of the latest pattern releases in April.

Here are some Pins from this week. Tag events or blogs that you've discovered this week with #sewreporter

Twitter @brodrickstudio
facebook.com/theBrodrickDesignStudio
Instagram @thebrodrickdesignstudio
Pinterest.com/brodrickstudio

Let me know if there is anything else you would like to see featured ... have a lovely weekend x

Sew Reporter May week 2 | Edition 11

So what's been happening this week in the world of sewing? I know how busy I get trying to fit everything in each week and I use my time at the weekend to catch up on what's been happening all-things-sewing-wise. This got me thinking that a quick summary of what's going on would be really useful to read with your brunch over the weekend. Save all that searching and scrolling through blog posts, cherry pick what you want to read in the time you have!


What have the bloggers been posting?


Tilly at Tilly and the Buttons posts your makes. What Katie Sews gives us a Me Made May update. Lucy who works at Guthrie and Ghani makes a Sewaholic Granville shirt and Lauren posts a tutorial on adding a yoke section as part of the simple sleeveless top blog series.  Fiona at Diary of a Chainstitcher makes two Sew Over It ultimate pencil skirts. Emmie at My Oh So Vintage Life makes a Tilly and the Buttons Arielle skirt.

This week I had a striped tote tutorial posted on The Village haberdashery's The Daily Stitch blog. At the Coletterie a new pattern is coming soon plus a post on sewing beginners. Marie at A Stitching Odyssey has a new blog sponsor WeaverDee.com and launches #FabricFriday. Rachel at House of Pinheiro makes a second Brasilia dress. Over at Did You Make That? Karen posts a tutorial on inserting a zip into lace. Heather at Closet Case Files makes a summer maxi dress and posts fabric files: flora. Kestrel Makes posts thoughts on fabric, ethics and consumption and Me Made May and the cube of shame. 

At By Hand London its a clipping and notching seam allowances: how, why and where. Jennifer Lauren Vintage posts Me Made Maternity week 37. Jane at Handmade Jane posts a chequerboard baby blanket tutorial and has a moody blues fabric giveaway. Randomly Happy posts her handmade wardrobe of Deer and Doe plantain shirts and funky little clothes to sew. Lladybird makes a Watson bikini plus a tutorial on adding a fringe to your me made clothes and announces the Outfit along 2015. Charlotte at English Girl at Home posts fashion and fabric at the Copenhagen Design Museum, Copenhagen shopping and sightseeing and elsewhere.

Zoe at 'So, Zo ...' posts a round up of the second week of Me-Made-May'15 plus giveaway. Roisin at Dolly Clackett makes a Andi Satterlund Hetty cardigan. Lucky Lucille posts the final video in Spring for Cotton, Vogue V9100 deer dress and some sneak peak makes. At Dixie DIY it's a new pattern coming soon, the Bonnell dress. A Scruffy Badger gives us a sneak peak of her recent makes and a round up of Me-Made-May'15 week 1. The Little Tailoress is back with an update on her recent move to the country, maternity Emmeline tee and Emmeline pattern giveaway.


Jobs

Eternal Maker are hiring a a full time sales assistant in Chichester.


Shops and businesses

20% off all sewing classes at Sew Over It throughout May.

At The Sewing Directory, Fiona posts tutorials on how to make a piped scatter cushion project and sewing journal project plus budget/mid-range sewing machine picks. Enter and win vouchers from Secret Garden Quilting.

Alice at Backstitch posts about her interview with Sew Over It and the new chameleon collection of Papercut patterns.

Annie at The Village Haberdashery now stocks new novelty fabrics, tropical fabrics for summer dresses, plus there are posts on behind the scenes with Alison Glass at the Quilt market and kona matching Morning Walk with Leah Duncan.

Flash sale at Fabric Rehab!

Books

Classic tailoring techniques for Menswear: a construction guide by Roberto Cabrera and Denis Antione.

50 fat quarter makes by Jo Avery et al.

Events

Me-Made-May'15 #mmmay'15 running throughout May.

Autumn Quilt festival at Malvern from 14th - 17th May.

Springfields Quilt show, Spalding from 5th - 6th June.

Dressmaking competition at Simplicity. They are searching for a Star Sewist, with three categories being judged including beginners, vintage and best dress. If you email them your details they will send you a pattern of your choice. Submissions by 31st May. Lauren from Guthrie and Ghani is one of the judges!

Fashion on the Ration continues at the Imperial War Museum, 5th March - 31st August.

Alexandra McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition continues at the V&A Museum, 14th March - 2nd August.

Coming soon Riviera Style, Resort and Swimwear since 1900 at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London 22nd May - 30th August.

Coming soon Nautical Chic by Amber Jane Butchart at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London 22nd May - 30th August.

Coming soon Rayne Shoes for stars at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London 22nd May - 30th August.

Coming soon Shoes: Pleasure and Pain at the V&A Museum, London 13th June - 31st January.

Patterns

Papercut patterns releases the Chameleon collection.

Make My Lemonade releases the Frida dress.

Tessuti releases the Sydney jacket.

Fiona at Diary of a Chainstitcher has a new great round up of the latest pattern releases in April.

Here are some Pins from this week. Tag events or blogs that you've discovered this week with #sewreporter

Twitter @brodrickstudio
facebook.com/theBrodrickDesignStudio
Instagram @thebrodrickdesignstudio
Pinterest.com/brodrickstudio

Let me know if there is anything else you would like to see featured ... have a lovely weekend x

Sew Reporter Weekly | May week 1 | Edition 10

So what's been happening this week in the world of sewing? I know how busy I get trying to fit everything in each week and I use my time at the weekend to catch up on what's been happening all-things-sewing-wise. This got me thinking that a quick summary of what's going on would be really useful to read with your brunch over the weekend. Save all that searching and scrolling through blog posts, cherry pick what you want to read in the time you have!


What have the bloggers been posting?


Tilly at Tilly and the Buttons posts a polka dot Arielle Skirt. At the Grainline Studio it's teaching at Fancy Tiger Crafts. What Katie Sews makes a boyfriend Morris blazer and a Kaleido-Datura with tips on machine sewing buttons. Lauren at Guthrie and Ghani makes Sewaholic Thurlow Trousers and the next post in the Simple sleeveless top blog series - adjusting the neckline.

At my home Sew Over It it's Meet our stockists: Backstitch and a Betty dress in blossom. At the Coletterie pattern of the month is Mabel and it's the Wardrobe architect May Challenge. Marie at A Stitching Odyssey discusses rotary cutters and 1950s inspiration for #vintagepledge.

Rachel at House of Pinheiro makes a Francoise dress and shares the best fabric shops. Over at Did You Make That? Karen discusses blog schedules, knitting and makes a Sew Over It Lace Dress. Heather at Closet Case Files posts What's Doing Vol. 43, favourite handmade Etsy sandals and the next instalment of Make Boss: accounting for creative businesses.

At By Hand London its a Kim dress pattern hack. Jennifer Lauren Vintage posts Me Made Maternity: Week 36. Jane at Handmade Jane makes an Arielle Skirt. Randomly Happy posts her Me Made May'15 round up. Lladybird makes some t-shirts and posts thoughts on Me Made May'15. Charlotte at English Girl at Home posts knitted socks for #1year1outfit and a Clemence Skirt.

Almond Rock makes a Butterick 5351 bodice with Butterick 6167 skirt and Vogue 1102 with gathered skirt. Zoe at 'So, Zo ...' posts a round up of the first week of Me Made May'15, a Me Made May'15 giveaway with Jennifer Lauren Vintage and charity shop scores. Roisin at Dolly Clackett makes a McCalls 6696 dress. At SewCaroline it's posts a simple knit skirt and Flatter me Frock. Lucky Lucille posts about Me Made May'15. At Dixie DIY it's a tutorial on small bust adjustment on a 2-dart bodice.

Shops and businesses

At The Sewing Directory, Fiona posts tutorials on how to make a personalised appliqué name picture, interlined triple pleat curtains project, petit cross body bag project and iPad case project plus a post on running a creative business. Enter and win vouchers from Secret Garden Quilting.

Alice at Backstitch posts about what's been going on in April and is having a big class sale with 20% off.

Josie at Fabric Godmother now stocks some lovely new blue prints for summer.

Annie at The Village Haberdashery now stocks the Grainline tiny pocket tank, Fiesta Wovens by Moda, ABC animals by Alyssa Thomas and Morning Walk by Leah Duncan.  Star block of the month is the Amish Star plus there are posts on Kona matching with Flirt by Dear Stella and Morning Walk by Leah Duncan and project ideas for using selvedges.


Events

Me-Made-May'15 #mmmay'15 running throughout May.

Autumn Quilt festival at Malvern from 14th - 17th May.

Dressmaking competition at Simplicity. They are searching for a Star Sewist, with three categories being judged including beginners, vintage and best dress. If you email them your details they will send you a pattern of your choice. Submissions by 31st May. Lauren from Guthrie and Ghani is one of the judges!

Fashion on the Ration continues at the Imperial War Museum, 5th March - 31st August.

Alexandra McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition continues at the V&A Museum, 14th March - 2nd August.

Patterns


Fiona at Diary of a Chainstitcher has a new great round up of the latest pattern releases in April.

Here are some Pins from this week. Tag events or blogs that you've discovered this week with #sewreporter

Twitter @brodrickstudio
facebook.com/theBrodrickDesignStudio
Instagram @thebrodrickdesignstudio
Pinterest.com/brodrickstudio

Let me know if there is anything else you would like to see featured ... have a lovely weekend x

Sew Reporter Weekly | April week 5 | Edition 9

So what's been happening this week in the world of sewing? I know how busy I get trying to fit everything in each week and I use my time at the weekend to catch up on what's been happening all-things-sewing-wise. This got me thinking that a quick summary of what's going on would be really useful to read with your brunch over the weekend. Save all that searching and scrolling through blog posts, cherry pick what you want to read in the time you have!


What have the bloggers been posting?


Tilly at Tilly and the Buttons posts about how to finish the Arielle skirt facing with bias binding and how to sew one step button holes. Over at Sewaholic it's the most popular blog posts. At the Grainline Studio it's Me Made May pledge. What Katie Sews makes two self drafted dresses. Lauren at Guthrie and Ghani makes a Davie dress and talks through size and bust adjustments for the simple sleeveless top in her book.

At my home Sew Over It it's the #SOIshowoff April winner. At the Coletterie win a 6 month subscription to Seamworks and the latest issue is now out. Marie at A Stitching Odyssey makes a Louisa Dress by Compagnie M. and posts the #VintagePledge May schedule.

Rachel at House of Pinheiro posts about beginners crocheting, organising your needles and makes a Colette Seamwork Astoria cropped sweater. Over at Did You Make That? Karen makes Sew Over It Ultimate Trousers, starts a knitting project and gives us some zip tips. Heather at Closet Case Files posts What's Doing Vol. 42 and makes a Asaka Kimono by Named.

At By Hand London its Where to print your own fabric in the UK and the Anna dress is now available in PDF format. Jennifer Lauren Vintage posts Me Made Maternity Week 35. Jane at Handmade Jane makes a 1950's style shoulder tie dress. Randomly Happy posts her Me Made May pledge. Lladybird makes Carolyn pyjamas and a cardigan, shirt and t-shirt. Charlotte at English Girl at Home posts her favourite crafty podcasts and Me Made May pledge. Scruffy Badger posts about the Marathon and Me Made May 2015.

At Almond Rock it's bits and bobbins plus a dark floral Lonsdale. Fiona at Diary of a Chain Stitcher posts April's Indie Pattern update. Zoe at 'So, Zo ...' makes a Raglan sweatshirt, fawn pinafore dress and Me Made May pledge with a Giveaway. Roisin at Dolly Clackett makes a By Hand London Kim bodice with a circle skirt. At SewCaroline it's posts on the New website look with weekend giveaway, 10 podcasts for makers and Skopeles maxi tank dress. Lucky Lucille posts her Spring for Cotton project. At Dixie DIY it's venturing into the 18th Century.

Jobs

Love Sewing magazine is hiring an Editor.

Shops and businesses

At The Sewing Directory, Fiona posts tutorials on how to sew with knit fabrics, line curtains and deal with thread tension issues. There is also an upcycled shirt book cover plus striped tie sewing projects and reviews of Fishers new ruler and rotary cutter and Style and Swing bag making book with project make. Don't forget to enter and win vouchers from Elephant in my Handbag.  

Josie at Fabric Godmother now stocks wax print cottons and parrot and palm tree patterned fabrics.

Annie at The Village Haberdashery posted customer makes, upcoming classes in May, the new shop window and a zip top purse tutorial plus now stocks Black and White by Cotton and steel and French lessons, Fragments, Flirt and Carousel by Dear Stella.


Events

Me-Made-May'15 #mmmay'15 begins!

Autumn Quilt festival at Malvern from 14th - 17th May.

Dressmaking competition at Simplicity. They are searching for a Star Sewist, with three categories being judged including beginners, vintage and best dress. If you email them your details they will send you a pattern of your choice. Submissions by 31st May. Lauren from Guthrie and Ghani is one of the judges!

Last day to see Thea Porter 70s Bohemian chic at the Fashion and Textile Museum (running until 3rd May).

Fashion on the Ration continues at the Imperial War Museum, 5th March - 31st August.

Alexandra McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition continues at the V&A Museum, 14th March - 2nd August.

Patterns


Christina Haynes patterns are on sale.

Megan Longline cardigan by Tessuti fabrics.

Fiona at Diary of a Chainstitcher has a new great round up of the latest pattern releases in April.

Here are some Pins from this week. Tag events or blogs that you've discovered this week with #sewreporter

Twitter @brodrickstudio
facebook.com/theBrodrickDesignStudio
Instagram @thebrodrickdesignstudio
Pinterest.com/brodrickstudio

Let me know if there is anything else you would like to see featured ... have a lovely weekend x