My First Weekday Sew&Bond™
Bianca SilvaHello, hello!
We are finally starting to get longer days. I noticed when I finished work at Leon’s on Friday there was still a bit of daylight.
I am so looking forward to more sunshine soon (I hope) and lighter days! 🎉
The kids are on holidays next week and I am looking forward to some slower mornings and some more outdoor time with them. Of course the latter is weather dependent.
We may even do a little bit of knitting. Both my daughters asked me this week if I can show them how to knit.
I cast on for them and they then just had to knit the stitches. My eldest even started saying it was easy, but if she leaves it for a few hours, she forgets how to do it.
Apparently she is knitting a sock, but I said it might be better if she just knits aimlessly for a bit to get the hang of it instead of trying to make something in particular already.
I love their enthusiasm though! 🥰
I also sewed my first kitchen cloth! I love how quick it came together.
I wanted to try a new technique I learnt for mitered corners, so I cut a bit of ballerina shoes printed canvas and had a go.
The fabric made the project all the more exciting, but I should have made it a little longer. I will know next time.
I definitely want to make another one soon so we can have a matching set.
There are only 2 tickets left for the Sewn at Midnight Gala now!
If you or any of your sewing friends have been thinking about joining us for the evening, there’s not much longer to secure your space because I am going to remove them from sale in a few days.
Last chance to grab a seat here: Buy here
Stitches of the Week
BeeSilva - Sew&Bond™
This week saw the first weekday Sew&Bond™ and it was lovely!
We welcomed a few new faces and some that we hadn’t seen in a long while.
We also had a new item on the menu for the day- Lemon cake - it was delicious.
Together with Orange cake, Banana cake, sandwiches, sausage rolls and mini quiches - all homemade including the bread for the sandwiches, there was definitely something for everyone.
Some of the projects being worked on were aprons, trousers, blouses, dresses, bags and a jumper.
There was even a Sewn at Midnight Gala toile being worked on already! 👗
Very exciting!
This weekday event was successful meaning I may be adding a few more dates to the calendar, so keep an eye out for those.
In the meantime, we have a few more spots available on Saturday Sew&Bond™’s up until August.
On another note, if you have feedback at all about these events, even if it’s why you don’t come to one, please reply to this email with your thoughts.
BeeSilva - The bag with no name yet
My focus project of the week has been one of my bag designs.
It’s the first one I ever worked on and it’s the bag I use the most, daily actually.
Most of you that I have spoken to have mentioned that you would like to make this bag for yourselves and I’m not sure why I have been delaying getting this one out to you, but delay no more.
I am making another sample bag and I plan to use it for my knitting tools because the one I currently have, holds my most used sewing tools.
I love the fun, bright colours I picked out for the new one to pair with the houndstooth print, it just looks funky!
As I am sewing it up, I am going through the original instructions I wrote and double checking if everything matches up.
Currently, the outer shell, the lining and the handles are done.
Next, I need to add the side panels, the main zip and do all the binding.
I want to get this done as quickly as possible because it’s going to be the project that we make next at Janome.
I am planning for it to be on the 19th or 20th of March, and I will be able to confirm this next week with you.
For the workshop, I will be providing a full kit which includes all the fabrics pre-cut, stabilisers, zips, zipper pulls and the pattern.
I don’t currently have a name for this bag, but I am leaning towards having the second part of the name Carryall or Organiser.
I am struggling to settle on the first part of the name. My partner on the other hand has settled on a name already. 😂
He says Lisbon Organiser.
What do you think about this name?
Fabric: All made in cotton poplin and quilting cotton.
Size: I originally made a small and large version, so this is the larger version.
The Win: Love the fabric combo!
The Drama: Of course I want to make another 7 for myself! 😂
Summer Lee - Colourblocked Ribbed Socks from The Sock Project book
My stitch count is now sorted!
I kept on decreasing at the heel gusset until I had an equal amount of stitches on both socks.
I’m making a size large, but as I was decreasing I decided to decrease the foot to a size M.
Due to how my previous pair came out and changing needle size for this one, I’m experimenting with blending sizes to see if this works better for me.
They are now past the halfway point of my foot, so not long left to go. Since I’m nearing the end, my thoughts are on if I finish the toes with the yellow yarn or the pink? 🤔
Yarn: Drops Fabel in Dark Pink and Dolce Sock Wool Dots in Honey Mustard
Size: Size L for the leg and an M for the foot
Needle Size: 2.25mm
The Win: Stitch count sorted and still very much obsessed with sock knitting!
The Drama: I can’t knit fast enough to fill up my sock drawer! 😂
Skill Builder of the Week
Where to start sewing a seam?
If your sewing machine has ever eaten your fabric, you could make use of this.
This is something I have been speaking about lately when doing sewing lessons.
Starting exactly on the raw edge of the fabric can give your sewing machine needle the chance to push it down into the needle plate, especially if you are working with lightweight fabrics.
Instead, try starting a few millimetres in from the edge, backstitch to the edge and then continue as normal.
This prevents the fabric from getting stuck and can avoid a cluster of threads at the beginning of your seam.
So if you’ve been having issues with messy seam starts, this is one way to prevent them from happening.
Maker Spotlight
This week’s spotlight goes to @leila.makes!
Leila made this hacked version of the Michelle Design Co Valentina Dress and it is gorgeous!
The fit of the bodice is lovely, the ties add a cute touch and the striped fabric is the perfect combination.
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!😍
Events:
Sew&Bond™ - 28th of February 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 14th of March 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 28th of March 2026 (1 Spot Available!)
Sew&Bond™ - 25th of April 2026 (SOLD OUT)
Sew&Bond™ - 30th of May 2026 (4 Spot Available!)
Sew&Bond™ - 27th of June 2026 (4 Spot Available!)
Sew&Bond™ - 25th of July 2026 (4 Spot Available!)
Sew&Bond™ - 29th of Aug 2026 (1 Spot Available!)
Workshops:
New Pop-Up Workshop Coming! (Stay tuned)
My Sewing Patterns:
Thanks for reading and happy sewing!
Bye for now, B! xx