Another Last Minute Outfit!

Hello, hello!

It has been hectic this week here at BeeSilva headquarters!

I haven’t managed to take in everything that happened last week yet which means I’m still on a gala high! 😂

After the gala on Saturday, we went back on Sunday morning to take down all our things at the venue and in the afternoon, I went out to teach a sewing lesson.

Monday and Tuesday I worked at Leon’s and then everyday since I’ve been teaching both in my home and travelling to people’s homes.

Plus, after a 3-hour teaching session Friday afternoon, I drove to the house of one of the lucky winners of the Sewn at Midnight Gala prizes, Danielle, to hand deliver her Vliesilene prize.

Then I also went to visit Luke-Matthew at their studio to deliver a gift bag I had kept for them the night of the gala but completely forgot to give it before they left.

In between all this, I’d been toiling a new dress pattern I bought, plus then making it up in the proper fabric.

All this before yesterday (Saturday) because the dress needed to be ready on a flight with me to Portugal. 🫠

It has been an eventful last couple of weeks to say the least.

My running has suffered this week with all this because I haven’t felt like I’ve had the time to get out.

Hopefully when I get back on Tuesday night I will be able to get back into running a little more again.

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In more exciting news, the next workshop at Janome is confirmed for the 19th of June!

If you’re feeling a little stuck creatively and just want to let loose and experiment, we will have 6 hours to creative a completely unique bag!

Click here to learn more!

 

 

Stitches of the Week

 

Daria Patternmaking - Daydreamer Strap Dress

I needed to make an outfit for a wedding and I had a specific design in mind that I wanted to recreate.

A simple fitted bodice with an a-line skirt.

I was given a specific colour code, pastels, but this isn’t a colour palette that I usually go for.

Apparently most of the colours were ‘taken’ by other guests, there was a lilac missing and I think blue.

I went for the lilac.

I got some crepe back satin and up until the moment right before cutting, I was going to use the wrong side, the crepe side.

My thought was that I would use it more if it wasn’t shiny.

But then I also thought, why hold back? 

You only live once! 

And I can layer the dress with a jumper if I wanted to to make it less dressy.

I had to grade between sizes for bust and waist, and decided to toile it because it’s a very fitted bodice.

Toile 1 was too big, so I unpicked it.

Toile 2 fit better around the waist, but gapped a lot at the top of the back.

The front and side seams were fine, so I adjusted the centre back.

Toile 3 came out perfect!

The invisible zip went in perfectly the first time. I always baste it in first, then use an invisible zipper foot to sew it in properly.

Most of the dress was done by Friday night, I just needed to hem it Saturday morning before the flight. 😂

I went for a rolled hem because I thought it would be quicker and less phaff. I used 2 different coloured threads, cream and a pinky purple, for it because I didn’t have the right colour. 

I thought blending would be the way to go and it came out ok.

The problem was the length.

Of course rushing to get things done, I forgot about removing the hem allowance and shortening it for my height. So I don’t think it’s hitting me at a favourable spot on my legs.

Anyway, the dress was ready to board the flight with me which was the most important thing and I can wear it tomorrow!

Materials: Crepe back satin in lilac

Size: Started with a size 36, bust A, but took it in and made a few adjustments.

The Drama: Another last minute outfit that had me sweating to finish.

The Win: It’s done! I would have liked to take a little more time to get some things better sewn, but at the end of the day, it still looks good. 😀

 

Summer Lee - Trompe Le Monde from The Sock Project book

I haven’t finished my orange cardigan yet, but it was too big to put in my bag for the weekend.

So I started a new, smaller project. 

Another pair of socks!

Since this was a last minute project to pack in for my trip, I was struggling with colour choices the night before.

None of the yarn I wanted to use seemed to fit the image I had in my mind for the design of the sock.

I felt it needed to be solid colours, but that didn’t exactly make my choices easier.

I ended up going for pink again (surprise,surprise😂), cream and brown.

But I still wasn’t sure how I was going to use them together.

At the airport, I decided to start with brown for the cuffs. Then I thought the pink would be too dark next to the brown, so I went to the cream next followed by the pink.

Then came my next dilemma.

Do I continue pink and cream for the body of the sock and leave the brown for cuffs, heels and toes? Or include brown in the body as well. 

So many decisions to make!😫😂

Ultimately, I felt the brown needed to be included in the body, so fingers crossed it matches what I have in mind.

I’ve knit nearly 2 inches of the leg, so let’s see how much more I can do while away.

Yarn: Drops Fabel in pink, cream and brown yarn from Portugal.

Size: Started with an L for the legs.

Needle Size: Cast on with 2.5mm and transferred to 2.25mm for the rest.

The Drama: Picking colours was difficult! The time pressure wasn’t helping.

 

BeeSilva - Creative Sewing Workshop

I finally have a confirmed date for the next workshop I’m running at Janome! 😃

It’s happening on Friday, 19th June, and I honestly can’t wait for this one. This will be a full 6-hour creative sewing experience where you’ll have the freedom to experiment with colours, fabric combinations, textures and shapes to create something completely unique.

We’ll be using my Roma Necessaire as the base template, but the goal is to make it truly your own. Throughout the workshop, you’ll learn how to confidently combine fabrics, insert a zipper, work with structure and lining, and create a beautifully finished multipurpose bag you can proudly take home.

I have a lot of fabric cutting ahead to prep for this workshop, so if you’re coming and you’re feeling like you want a certain colour or print to be there, do let me know!😃

Click here to learn more!

 

 

Skill Builder of the Week

 

Broken Needles

In one of my sewing lessons this week, we went through three needles in about 10 minutes while working on my Lisbon Organiser sewing pattern pattern.

This was a great reminder of how challenging bulky seams, zips, and layered areas can be, especially when sewing over zipper teeth or bulky bits.

When you’re reaching these areas, slowing the machine down makes a huge difference. If your sewing machine has a speed regulator, setting it to the slowest speed helps you keep everything controlled. Otherwise, gentle pressure on the foot pedal works well too.

If in doubt if the needle will manage to get past a certain area, using the handwheel to manually crank the needle through is the safest approach.

You’ll be able to feel any resistance before the needle hits something, and can adjust slightly so it pierces just ahead or behind a thick spot.

It’s easy to forget how challenging these seams can be, so slow down and take your time. 

This will save you a few needles and frustration.

 

Maker Spotlight

 

This week’s spotlight goes to @you_cansew!

These trousers made by Cath are so fun!😍

The floral print caught my eye with the hint of light pink in the centre of the flowers and the bold black on a green background.

These are the Style Arc Bob Pants made in a tencel linen that Cath modified to have a slightly slimmer and less exaggerated barrel shape.

Want to be featured in my newsletter? Just reply with a pic of your make and a little about it, I’d love to see what you’ve made!😍

 

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'My Sewing Journal' - Order Yours!

 

Events:

Sew&Bond™ - 30th of May 2026 (1 Spot Available!)
Sew&Bond™ - 13th of June 2026 (9 Spot Available!)
Sew&Bond™ - 27th of June 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 11th of July 2026 (1 Spot Available!)
Sew&Bond™ - 25th of July 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 29th of Aug 2026 (SOLD OUT)

 

Workshops:

Creative Sewing Workshop - 19th of June 2026 (NEW)

 

My Sewing Patterns:

Lisbon Organiser
Roma Necessaire
Paphos Pouch

 

Thanks for reading and happy sewing!
Bye for now, B! xx