Beyond Festival of Quilts – virtual event launch
Some really exciting news – the Beyond Festival of Quilts, virtual show has just been launched, starting with the Live Workshops that need to be prebooked now and that will take place during the period when the live event would have been (30th July – 2nd August). I have been working on this event for…
Read MoreMarilyn Monroe move over – Great British Sewing Bee week 9
The start of Movie Week saw the remaining four contestants making a Marilyn Monroe inspired halter dress with pleated skirt and then a 1920’s flapper dress as their final challenge. Both options meant sewing with tricky fabrics. I’ve a few tips and tricks to make these special fabrics easier to handle. Prevent curved and bias…
Read MoreSelf Covered Buttons Made Easy
We saw the contestants of the Great British Sewing Bee tackling these nifty buttons, some of whom had a little difficulty. So here are my tips for simple success. I just love self covered buttons, they come in various sizes and mean that you can match a button to your latest project without having to…
Read MoreGreat British Sewing Bee – Top Tips For Choosing and Sewing Specialist Fabrics
Things are hotting up in the Great British Sewing Bee Studio as contestants tackled another set of patterns testing their skills and fabric choices. Below are some of my top tips for sewing similar projects using specialist fabrics requiring extra care. If you choose transparent but crisp fabrics such as organza or a…
Read MoreTop tips for Reuse, Repurpose and Recycling Garments
Last night we saw our intrepid contestants of the Great British Sewing Bee turning a mix of garments into a bomber jacket and the final challenge, turning sweater knits into a winter dress (which seams incongruous whilst we are having such sunny weather, but of course, this was filmed last year!). Re-purposing old, previously…
Read MoreSewing Bias-Cut Lingerie
This week on the Great British Sewing Bee, we saw the majority of contestants making their sleep sets from bias cut fabrics. Bias cut garments will follow your curves beautifully and are comfortable to wear, but sewing on the bias can have some tricky issues to contend with. I’ve put my top tips below. …
Read MoreBoned Bodice – aka The Great British Sewing Bee
We saw the contestants of The Great British Sewing Bee tackling a boned bodice in their first challenge of week 5. It can be a tricky garment to make and so I’ve got my ten top tips to share. Check the size you are to make and make sure it suits your measurements as…
Read MoreTen Tip Tips for sewing Stretch Fabrics aka Great British Sewing Bee
Last night we saw the contestants make a Rugby top from cotton jersey and then the final challenge of making a tennis outfit with Lycra. Here are my ten top tips for success. 1. When sewing with cotton jersey fabrics, use a ball point needle which will help prevent skipped stitches. 2. If you are…
Read MoreEasiest Facemask Ever!
I have just, super quickly, made a facemask from a pattern by one of our Knitting & Stitching talented tutors Katya Essery, Sew Pretty. She has designed three sizes of this simple mask for women, men and children, which is made with minimal fabrics and really is easy and fast to make. The only difference…
Read MorePerfect Self-Lined Patch Pockets – aka The Great British Sewing Bee
Make your own perfect self-lined patch pockets to add to your shirt – aka The Great British Sewing Bee. This method is the easiest I know. BY WENDY GARDINER Make a self lined pocket quickly and easily and create a fabulous Hawaiian shirt for him indoors just like the contestants of the Great British…
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