Sew Reporter June Week 1 | Edition 14

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 releases the Agnes top, and you can learn how to make this new pattern as part of an online sewing workshop 'Learn to Sew Jersey tops' plus there are fabric suggestions for the new pattern. What Katie Sews rounds up Me-Made-May'15 and is going to New York. Lauren at Guthrie and Ghani makes a vintage-inspired blouse from the Great British Sewing Bee Fashion with Fabric book and posts about new arrivals to the shop.  Fiona at Diary of a Chainstitcher does her great round-up of Indie patterns released in May. Coletterie releases a new issue of Seamwork and the Florence bra pattern is on offer for $5. From Jane at Handmade Jane it's the new Vintage shirt dress from Sew Over It.  

Marie at A Stitching Odyssey posts the May #VintagePledge roundup and Fabric Friday plus makes a Vintage Shirt Dress from Sew Over It. Heather at Closet Case Files posts the results of the smugglers daughter giveaway and makes Turia Dungarees.

By Hand London round up your makes of Me-Made-May'15. Randomly Happy posts a round up of Me-Made-May'15 week 4. Lladybird posts The Outfit Along: Fabric, Size and Cutting and makes Vogue 1395. Charlotte at English Girl at Home announces the SewBrum meet up for 31st October plus posts on knitting & Elsewhere and makes a pompom blouse from She Wears the Pants.

Zoe at 'So, Zo ...' posts a round up for the last week of Me-Made-May'15 and thoughts on Organic Cotton. Roisin at Dolly Clackett makes a Simplicity 2444 and wears a Brigitte dress. Lucky Lucille posts Sew Inspired: 1950s four piece wardrobe. Scruffy Badger rounds up Me-Made-May'15 week 3 and makes a Colette Handbook meringue skirt pattern. 

At Grainline Studios it's the Morris Blazer sew-along. Karen at Did you make that? makes a Merchant and Mills factory dress and posts about Does Creativity need to be Chaotic? and has a giveaway - Kate Doran's homemade memories. My Oh Sew Vintage Life makes a Sew Over It Vintage Shirt Dress. Dixie DIY posts Bonnell dress tester round-up. Sewaholic posts holiday photos and fabric shopping. Very Purple Person makes Jedediah shorts and Sandra jeans with a basic tank.


Shops and businesses

Guthrie and Ghani now stocks swiss dot chambray cottons, Nani Iro fabrics, new candy coloured Ponte Romas and PVC fabrics plus new patterns from Megan Neilsen and Grainline Studios.

At The Sewing Directory, Fiona posts guides on shirring, summer sewing patterns and sewing with patterned fabrics plus tutorials on making a summer tourist quilt project and making your own fascinator project.  Fiona has teamed up with publishers Pavilion Craft to give away 5 copies of the New Merchant and Mills book!

Backstitch is having a sale!

Annie at The Village Haberdashery now stocks cotton demin, Liberty and Megan Neilsen patterns, plus there is Kona matching with Gardenvale by Jen Kingwell, an interview with Gather Patterns and star block of the month is the exploding star.

Josie at Fabric Godmother now stocks Grainline Studio patterns and Megan Nielsen patterns.

Fabric Rehab now stocks Sherwood, Seaside Rocks and Frenchie fabrics plus is having a 15% off sale on nautical fabrics!

Thrifty Sewing Vouchers launches!

Books

Sew Over It Vintage by Lisa Comfort on 18th June.


Events

SewBrum meet-up in Birmingham - Saturday 31st October 2015.

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

Agnes top by Tilly and the Buttons.

Vintage Shirt Dress by Sew Over It.

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

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 2 Edition 6

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?

We first start with some very sad news from the girls at By Hand London. From all the messages left you can see how much everyone loves the patterns and brand they've created. Wishing the girls all the best for the future.

At the Coletterie, there is an article as part of the Wardrobe Architect 2015 challenge: What's your biggest wardrobe challenge? At my home Sew Over It, it's 'What do you listen to when you Sew?'. Marie at A Stitching Odyssey posts a #VintagePledge stash interview with Petit Main Sauvage.


Amy at Almond Rock made the Gertie pattern Butterick 6167 for a wedding. Rachel at House of Pinheiro makes a True Bias Sutton Blouse, posts about What's your sewing achilles heel? and is inspired by a vintage dress to make a Cynthia Rowley 1939 dress soon.

Over at Did You Make That? it's an Easter capsule wardrobe and Does sewing teach self knowledge? Heather at Closet Case Files posts about What's Doing vol.39. At Jennifer Lauren Vintage it's a patterns update.
  
Jane at Handmade Jane announces the Liberty giveaway winner and makes a Liberty Tshirt.
Lladybird is back with Sewing for Fashion Designers giveaway and has some musings about the newly released Vogue patterns.

Charlotte at English Girl at Home makes a refashioned #SewSolidarity Ilsley skirt and reviews the TOFT Alpaca open day.
Elena at Randomly Happy makes a mini Hemlock Tee. Tilly at Tilly and the Buttons posts from Behind the Scenes.

Over at Sewaholic it's How to Hem a dress evenly, using your dress. What Katie Sews talks about How did you start sewing? and Fiona at Diary of a chain stitcher makes a printed silk maxi skirt and Bamboo jersey bodysuit. Lauren at Guthrie and Ghani makes a Colette Mabel skirt as part of her Pattern Club Review series. 

Books


New releases
Sewing for Fashion Designers by Anette Fischer (see the giveaway above from Lladybird).



Shops and businesses

At The Sewing Directory, Fiona posts about Fabric calculations for sewing curtains or blinds, an Infinity scarf tutorial, bunting project, the first in a three part series on free motion quilting plus it's your last chance to enter The Sewing Directory's five year anniversary with a competition to win a sewing machine and fabric. 

Alice at Backstitch posts the next in the series of 'From Where I Sew' by Named Clothing.

Annie at The Village Haberdashery posts the #tvhhaul March giveaway, Kona matching with Moody Blues fabrics, Star block of the month #starbotm and they are now stocking New Stitch & Story yarns, jersey collection by Deer & Doe, Modern baby set by Green Bee patterns and Art Gallery knit solids.  

Fabric Godmother has created an Ikat inspiration Pinterest board to give you some ideas of how to use her Ikat fabrics and makes a Sewaholic Hollyburn skirt, plus now stocking floral stretch cotton sateens and Oliver + S patterns.

Events

It's time to sign up to Me-Made-May'15 #mmmay'15.

Exciting 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!


The Creative Craft Show is later this month in both Belfast (16-18th April) and Shepton Mallet, Somerset (23rd - 26th April).

British Quilt & Stitch Village opens later this month 24th - 26th April at Uttoxeter Racecourse in Staffordshire.

A month left 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

Fiona at Diary of a Chainstitcher has done another fabulous round up of the latest pattern releases in March.


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 1 Edition 5

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?

Elena at Randomly happy makes a denim Inari Tee Dress. 'So, Zo ...' sews a stripy Mabel skirt and it's time to sign up to Me-Made-May'15 #mmmay'15.

The girls at By Hand London show you how to make fabric covered folders. Tilly and the buttons posts a tutorial on making a Tiny Bows Sweater.

At Coletterie it's the floral issue of Seamworks. Charlotte at An English Girl At Home posts the next instalment in A Naturally Dyed Wardrobe. Roisin at Dolly Clackett makes a dress using an Anna bodice and charlotte skirt plus a BHL Kim dress.

At Closet Case files it's pyjama party winners, What's Doing Vol. 38, an April fools and Understanding the Fabric Industry. Did you make that? makes a batwing dress.

At Jennifer Lauren Vintage the Felicity Dress Sew Along continues with SBA, reducing neckline gathers and FBAs and pivoting darts. Rachel at House of Pinheiro shares a handmade bunny project, Simplicity Cynthia Rowley 2472 and True Bias Sutton blouse. 

Marie at A Stitching Odyssey makes a Francoise dress plus March #vintagepledge round up and giveaway winner. At SewCaroline there is an offer on the sugar pop top plus weekend update and ultimate DIY bundle flash sale. 

At Handmade Jane it's a Spring Liberty Giveaway and Crafty Makes. At my home Sew Over It, Lisa posts about the Grace Dress, there is a new kit - the limited edition Indian Ribbon Purse plus March winner of #SOIshowoff and 10 Crafty projects for the Easter weekend.    

The Scruffy Badger makes a Chambray pintucked shirt. What Katie Sews makes a Alder Shirt dress. Lucky Lucille posts about Quilting cottons plus desktop background and sewing playlist. At Sewaholic the Davie dress sew-along continues with sewing the neckline. 

Patterns

Fiona at Diary of a Chainstitcher has done another fabulous round up of the latest pattern releases this month.

Books 

Releases
Sweetly Stitched Handmades by Amy Sinibaldi
Sewing for your girls by Yoshio Tsukiori

Jobs

Sewaholic are hiring a freelance sample sewer.

Shops and businesses

At The Sewing Directory, Fiona posted an Introduction to English Paper Piecing, tips on collecting and using vintage fabrics, how to use a bias binding maker, arrow smocking tutorial plus a reversible drawstring bag.


Alice at Backstitch gives you a round up on what's  happened in March.

Annie at The Village Haberdashery now stocks Small World by Rae Hoekstra and Let's Have a Party by Avril Loreti plus get to know Lisa Comfort and Sew Over It patterns and a big Easter weekend sale with 20% off everything until Monday using code EASTER2015. 

Fabric Godmother has new Scuba fabrics, pop floral cottons and birch organic cotton jersey. 

At Sew Over It, there is 20% off PDF and paper sewing patterns until Monday with code: EASTERYAY.

Lauren and Guthrie and Ghani reviews the BHL Kim Dress and makes a Named Patterns Lourdes cropped jacket.  


Events


The Creative Craft Show is later this month in both Belfast (16-18th April) and Shepton Mallet, Somerset (23rd - 26th April).

#Paperfest2015, a day event for designers, printers and makers, have announced the Key Note speaker will be Cath Kidston! Tickets are now available with the event being held on Friday 24th July in London.

Film Dior and I, continues nationwide.

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.

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 Over It party

After a few weeks of hectic renovations and a holiday I thought i'd come back to the blog with a quick post. Coming up in the next few weeks i'll be posting about my maxi dress from a freehand pattern cutting class with Chinelo Bally, Mathilde top and my first attempt at pattern drafting an entire dress!

On Friday I spent a fun evening at the Sew Over It shop with lots of lovely sewing bloggers. Lisa hosted a great party with cocktails and cakes. We also had fun making lampshades too. It was great to catch up with friends and meet some new faces too. 

Here are some photos of the evening ...

Enjoying some cocktails, wine and party food!

Lisa and Tugba gave us a demonstration on how to make our lampshades.

Lisa provided all the materials including a selection of beautiful fabrics from the shop. I chose a lovely red, pink and peach floral fabric on navy to make my lampshade. We all paired up with a 'lampshade sewing buddy' to help us put it together. I paired up with Nissa and we took it in turns to make our lampshades.

Rachel (House of Pinheiro), Ami (Little Tailoress), Nissa (Sew Short Nissa), Charlie (This Blog Is Not For You) and Fiona (Diary of a Chain Stitcher) making lampshades at our table.

Here are our finished shades, such a simple and satisfying make, even after a few cocktails!

Tilly (Tilly and the Buttons), Emmie (Vintage Ink Fairy) and Lauren (Crafty little bugger) making their lampshades.

Ta Da! Here is the finished shade. I can't wait to have it in my lounge (once the renovations are complete of course!)

A big thanks to Lisa for hosting and Alex and Tugba for helping out on the night. Everyone had a great time and hope that we'll get the chance to meet up again soon!