I’m Not Giving Up

Hello, hello!

When I first started sewing, I was all for quick wins and making as many projects as I could!

Of course I was excited, learning something new and I couldn’t get enough of being able to create things I could wear.

But I wasn’t learning anything new, I was always making similar projects, with the same fabric. This went on for months.

Don’t get me wrong, I learnt quite a bit but not as much as I wanted to because I was scared of leaving my comfort zone.

Quick wins are still great now and again, but improving my sewing only came from challenging myself.

 

*secret* 

I want to interrupt this session and let you know of an event I have been organising to celebrate my 7 years of sewing with an incredible community who has offered me so much support over the years!❤️

It is going to be a day filled with sewing at Janome headquarters in Stockport with a few surprises waiting for you.

I want you to get first dibs for being lovely newsletter subscribers, so please check this link to join the waitlist as it will sell out quick.

https://beesilva.co.uk/pages/7-year-celebration

*secret*

 

Stitches of the Week

Paphos Pouch

 

This week was the virtual meet up for the Paphos Pouch and it was great to meet with a couple of the testers!

I tried to cut out a full pouch to sew for one of my daughter’s teachers(because I still haven’t done any of them), but if you can guess, how much did I get done?

In the hour plus that we were together, I cut out two main fabric panels and the foam for it. 😑

It’s hard for me to ‘switch off’ and put my head down into my sewing when I am with other sewists, it’s just more interesting to me how everyone is doing and what they are working on.

Anyway, no pressure, but I have less than 2 weeks until the end of the school year where I would like to have at least 3 of these for my daughter to give to her teachers.

Here are a couple more photos that have come in from testers, @creative_vikki and @sewing_st.albans:

 

 

 

Closet Core Patterns - Fiona Sundress

We are in week 4 now with this one!😂

I might as well not have wasted my time with the toile!

Not only did I not apply the adjustments I needed before cutting my good fabric, but I am having to make more adjustments because the fabrics are slightly different.

I initially removed ¾ inch from the straps and after sewing them on, I needed to remove an extra ½ inch.

And now, I need to unpick them again because they are not sitting at equal distances from the back seams, neither are they against my body, they gape out a little.

I’ve decided to leave them for now and construct the skirt to see if the weight of it will bring the straps to be more flat on my back.

Only then will I go back to the straps, see what other adjustments I need to make other than positioning and then topstitch around the whole topband. I love a bit of topstitching!

I have just finished topstitching the pockets to the front skirt.

What’s left now to do is to sew the front and back skirt together, attach it to the bodice, do the side slit, hem and lastly go back to the straps. 

It all makes a little sense now why I’ve had this pattern for years and not made it until now. There is quite a bit of fitting involved! 😅

Fabric: Blue viscose linen from Sew Hayley Jane.

The drama: I should have checked where my straps were when I sewed them in place for the second time! They are slightly off, now I need to unpick them again to get them equal. 

The win: Progress is being made! Slowly! 🙃

Size: 4 bust, 8 waist, 10 hips. My measurements in inches are 32.5/ 28.5/ 38.3.

 

 

 

Rita Made This - Ellie Sweater (hack)

I’ve decided not to embroider the daisies on the back, because not only have I had enough of doing them, but I’m not going to see them anyway.😂

So I am happy to say that I have finished all the daisies on the front bodice and on both sleeves.

I love how it looks, but my partner thinks they are a bit much on the sleeves. Isn’t he glad he’s not the one wearing it! 😂

This is another one of those projects that has taken some time to come together, but so worth it!

It’s not completely finished though, I need to sew one of the side seams all the way from the bottom hem up the sleeve, and then weave in the loose ends.

By the time you are reading this, I hope to have these last details finished and I can show you what it looks like on Tuesday if you catch up on my Youtube channel with my WEEKLYBEE episodes! 🤩

Yarn: So Crafty Aran Yarn(Cobalt)8575M. Contrast yarns: Yarnsmiths Create DK in Carrot; pink, green and yellow from CraftStash(now closed).

Size: S, but I have hacked to accommodate a different yarn thickness.

The Drama: I don’t want to embroider anymore daisies any time soon. 🤭

 

 

Skill Builder of the Week

When was the last time you read your sewing machine’s instructions manual?

 

I know it’s more exciting to just get going when you first start sewing, or just get comfortable with the same few buttons you press to use with every project, than read a boring manual.

But your machine may have features that you don't know about, plus the instructions may include tips and tricks to help you achieve better results when sewing.

Learning what all those knobs and buttons do can really up your sewing game and improve how your sewing turns out.

Why not read just one section every time you sit down at your sewing before you start?

Before you know it, you will have read the whole manual and learnt a few things along the way!

Maker Spotlight

This week’s spotlight goes to @nellissews!

 

 

Nicola used a gorgeous bold jacquard fabric to create this outfit!😍 

The trousers are a hacked version of Butterick B6178 culottes together with the Atlas Top from Stitch Witch Patterns.

I have been wanting to make a skirt from jacquard or brocade for a long while… will this be what pushes me over the edge?😃

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

 

Catch Up

 

Mistakes Still Happen | Sewing & Knitting Catch Up | WEEKLYBEE EP 22

 

Not Doing These 11 Things? You’re Slowing Down Your Sewing Progress!

 

Events:

Sew&Bond - July (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond - August (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond - September (3 Spots Left)

 

Workshops:

Build Your Confidence in Sewing Workshop

 

Sewing Patterns:

Roma Necessaire

 

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