It’s Destroyed!

Hello, hello!

I am not complaining, but I still haven’t stopped since the gala!

And I don’t know about you, but the heat we are experiencing lately is leaving me exhausted. 

Starting my week in Portugal was a nice change of scenery.

I stayed in the area where I used to live in my late teens just before moving to Spain, so I decided to walk to all the spots I used to hang out with my friends.

It’s been 18 years since and a lot has changed. Some cafes are still the same, others have closed down, there are new playgrounds and none of my friends are around anymore.

Everyone has moved on with their lives. 

It was a nice walk down memory lane, and quite an emotional one.

Then the dress I managed to finish in time for my flight to Portugal got destroyed and I got sunburnt while wearing it, and I’m obviously not happy about either.

Then the dress I managed to finish in time for my flight to Portugal got destroyed and I got sunburnt while wearing it, and I’m obviously not happy about either.

I returned Tuesday evening more tired than when I went and I’ve not managed to fully recover yet.

Every day since I’ve been teaching and most days I’ve had two 2 hour sessions.

I am definitely not complaining, but the heat isn’t helping me deal with a busy schedule. 😅

I’ve been loving getting out and about though, helping people bring their sewing visions to life.

This week I’ve been helping make a cosplay outfit, tote bag, and a couple of zippered pouches.

This means another week has gone by where my running has been affected. I’ve been finding it so hard to get out of bed in the mornings, and late evenings I just can’t fit it in. 😣

I did get to fit a good run in on Saturday before Sew&Bond™ though!

It made up for the whole week! Because I ran my first 10K!!!

I ran so far away from home that when I reached what I had intended to, which was 40 minutes, I wasn’t close to home.

So to get home quicker, I decided to keep on going until I reached home. That added an extra 27 minutes onto my time making it a total of 1 hour and 7 minutes of running! 😱🥳

I’m really pleased with that!

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The next workshop I am running is coming up soon on the 19th June and there are only 3 more spaces left on it now!

I am going to start preparing for it soon, so lots of cutting is coming.

This workshop is going to be about creativity and I cannot wait to see how each person interprets it to create a unique exterior for their Roma Necessaire.

For more details on this workshop and to book a place, visit:
Creative Sewing Workshop (3 Spots left!)

Stitches of the Week

 

BeeSilva - Sew&Bond™

It felt like ages since our last Sew&Bond™!

With the gala, my travels and just being so busy recently, it felt like the last time we were together was months ago.

It was lovely seeing everybody working on their projects and many were pushing themselves, experimenting with new techniques and garments.

We had a couple of people making pillow cases using their own measurements, one making trousers all by themselves for the first time and someone else making a top for the first time too.

There were a couple dedicating their time to altering/fitting older garments they had made and others were making something new.

I particularly enjoyed today’s session because I tried a new seating arrangement and it really brought everyone together. So going forward I will be using a new layout for a better bonding experience.

Thank you so much for joining us again this weekend. ♥️

 

Daria Patternmaking - Daydreamer Strap Dress

I should have gone with the matt side!

The bodice took 3 toiles to get right and 2 full days of ploughing through it all to get it finished on time for a flight, only to wear it for a few hours and get destroyed! 😣

I should have stuck with my first thought of using the wrong side of the fabric as the right side. It would have saved my dress if I did.

Anyway, what happened was that my dress wasn’t compatible with the venue or the jewellery I was using.

I borrowed a couple of bracelets from my mom and I didn’t realise they had some pokey bits so it kept on snagging the side of my dress. Thinking about it now, I could have removed the bracelet the first time it happened but it didn’t cross my mind at the time.

Then the reception was in an outdoor space in which the seating area was made from wood. That kept on pulling at my fabric too. The bum is all fluffed up and the front is too from the fabric brushing past the seats as I walked past them.

I am so disappointed that I ruined the dress as I was thinking at all the different ways I could use it after the occasion. But it looks like the only place it’s going is the rubbish. 😔

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: I’m never going to wear it again!

 

Summer Lee - Trompe Le Monde from The Sock Project book

This kept me in good company during my travels to Portugal!

And I have not managed to touch it since I’ve been back.

But I do love how it’s looking so far. 😍

I am so glad I included the brown - my mom says it is grey and now I don’t really know what colour to call it.

The brown gives warmth to the body of the sock. I think just pink and cream would have made it feel empty.

Flying back from Portugal, I finished the heel on both socks and the next step is to start decreasing the stitches until I reach the right amount to knit the foot.

I love the design on this sock. It looks like a lot of colour work is happening, but all it is slipping the same stitch for 3 rows. This pulls the stitch down over the different colour stripe over and over.

Of course I can imagine millions of other colour combos now in the same stitch design, but I still have to finish my cardigan too.

I will probably pick the cardigan back up first before continuing with the socks.

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: This needs to be put on hold so I can finish my cardigan first.

 

Skill Builder of the Week

 

Why does a sewing machine needle have a flat side?

If you’ve never changed the needle on your sewing machine you may not know this, but one side of the top of the needle has a flat side.

This flat side is there to help you put the needle into your machine correctly.

On domestic sewing machines, the flat side of the needle faces the back of the machine (some models may differ so check the manual).

This allows the needle, thread and the machine’s hook mechanism to catch the threads properly and form the loops needed to create stitches.

If the needle is put in incorrectly, the machine can skip stitches, make unusual noises, possibly break the thread or not even sew at all.

It’s a small little design feature, but makes all the difference in helping you set your machine up right for stress free sewing.

 

Maker Spotlight

 

This week’s spotlight goes to @hannahhsews_!

Hannah made this gorgeous pair of trousers in one of my favourite colour combos! 😍

Pink and red are just gorgeous together, but pink and red stripes… Love it!

These are the Vikisews Daphna wide leg trousers made in a linen blend from Fabric Godmother. And Hannah made a size smaller for a better fit at the waist and hips.

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™ - 13th of June 2026 (3 spots left!)
Sew&Bond™ - 27th of June 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 11th of July 2026 (1 spot left!)
Sew&Bond™ - 25th of July 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 29th of Aug 2026 (SOLD OUT)

 

Workshops:

Creative Sewing Workshop - 19th of June 2026 (3 spots left!)

 

My Sewing Patterns:

Lisbon Organiser
Roma Necessaire
Paphos Pouch

 

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